Workflow executing device, preview creating method

• US 20120096348A1
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Baba, Hiroshi, Kumagai, Masateru, Yanazume, Shinsuke, Nagamine, Shoh, Ozaki, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 8,479,095 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/273
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00222 details of image data generation or reproduction, e.g. scan-to-email or network printing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00498 Multi-lingual facilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence

Abstract

A workflow executing device includes a workflow executing unit; a first extracting unit that extracts a first preview property including a first element constituting a first data item and first position information; a second extracting unit that extracts a second preview property including a second element constituting a second data item and a second position information item, the second data item being obtained as a result of processing the first data item; a preview property managing unit that saves preview properties; a preview property generating unit that inserts the second element that is the processing result into the first preview property in place of the first element that is the processing target, and generates a new second preview property by associating the first position information with the second element; and a preview creating unit that creates preview images based on preview properties.

Claims

1. A workflow executing device connected to plural service providing units via a network, the workflow executing device comprising:

a workflow executing unit configured to execute a workflow including a combination of processes provided by the plural service providing units;

a first preview property extracting unit configured to analyze a first data item and extract a first preview property from the first data item, the first preview property including a first element constituting the first data item and first position information of the first element;

a second preview property extracting unit configured to analyze a second data item obtained as a result of the first data item being processed by the plural service providing units, and extract a second preview property from the second data item, the second preview property including a second element constituting the second data item and second position information of the second element;

a preview property managing unit configured to save preview properties;

a preview property generating unit configured to

acquire the first preview property and the second preview property from the preview property managing unit,

insert, into the first preview property in place of the first element that is a processing target of the plural service providing units, the second element obtained as a result of the first element being processed by the plural service providing units, and

generate a new second preview property by associating the first position information with the second element; and

a preview creating unit configured to create preview images based on preview properties.

2. The workflow executing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a third preview property extracting unit configured to analyze a third data item obtained as a result of the second data item being processed by the plural service providing units, and extract a third preview property from the third data item, the third preview property including a third element constituting the third data item and third position information of the third element, wherein

the preview property generating unit

acquires the second preview property and the third preview property from the preview property managing unit,

inserts, into the second preview property in place of the second element processed by the plural service providing units, the third element obtained as a result of the second element being processed by the plural service providing units, and

generates a new third preview property by associating the second position information with the third element.

3. The workflow executing device according to claim 1, wherein

the preview property generating unit attaches a predetermined flag to the second element inserted into the first preview property, and

when the preview creating unit creates a preview image based on the new second preview property, the second element with the predetermined flag is displayed in a highlighted manner in the created preview image.

4. The workflow executing device according to claim 1, wherein

the first element constituting the first data item and the second element constituting the second data item are any one of an image content, a character content, a voice content, and a video content.

5. The workflow executing device according to claim 1, wherein

the preview property managing unit manages preview properties with the use of a style sheet.

6. A preview creating method performed by a workflow executing device connected to plural service providing units via a network, the workflow executing device including a workflow executing unit that executes a workflow including a combination of processes provided by the plural service providing units, the preview creating method comprising:

analyzing a first data item;

extracting a first preview property from the first data item, the first preview property including a first element constituting the first data item and first position information of the first element;

analyzing a second data item obtained as a result of the first data item being processed by the plural service providing units;

extracting a second preview property from the second data item, the second preview property including a second element constituting the second data item and second position information of the second element;

saving preview properties;

acquiring the first preview property and the second preview property saved at the saving;

inserting, into the first preview property in place of the first element that is a processing target of the plural service providing units, the second element obtained as a result of the first element being processed by the plural service providing units;

generating a new second preview property by associating the first position information with the second element; and

creating preview images based on preview properties.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored therein, wherein the program instructs a processor of a computer to execute the preview creating method according to claim 6.