Image processing apparatus, method of controlling the same and storage medium

Abstract

An image processing apparatus which is capable of executing a processing flow without changing the contents thereof even when the processing flow includes a process that cannot be executed by itself. When a processing flow includes an unexecutable process, the apparatus transmits a request for confirming whether or not the processing flow is executable, to other image processing apparatuses, and receives a response indicating that the processing flow is executable, from any of the other apparatuses. The apparatus determines a transfer destination of the processing flow from the other image processing apparatuses. The apparatus generate from the processing flow a first cooperation processing flow including executable processes and a second cooperation processing flow including at least one unexecutable process, and transfers the second cooperation processing flow to the determined transfer destination. The apparatus displays an execution button for executing the first cooperation processing flow.

1 . An image processing apparatus comprising:
 a registration unit that registers a processing flow set by combining a plurality of processes including an image inputting process and an image outputting process;   an execution unit that executes the plurality of processes based on the registered processing flow;   a generation unit configured to generate from the processing flow a first cooperation processing flow including processes that can be executed by the image processing apparatus, and a second cooperation processing flow including at least one process that cannot be executed by the image processing apparatus;   a transfer unit configured to transfer the second cooperation processing flow to an external image processing apparatus which is capable to execute the second cooperation processing flow;   wherein the execution unit executes the first cooperation processing flow and the external image processing apparatus executes the second cooperation processing flow, to thereby realize the registered processing flow.   
     
     
         2 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a waiting unit configured to wait for a notification of results of execution of the second cooperation processing flow from the external image processing apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing flow registered by the registration unit includes a process of giving a user certificate to a document. 
     
     
         4 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the generating unit generates, if the image processing apparatus has no function of giving the user certificate to the document, the second cooperation processing flow including the process of giving the user certificate to the document. 
     
     
         5 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the generating unit further generates the first cooperation processing flow including a process of transmitting the document to the external apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing flow registered by the registration unit includes a process of combining a plurality of documents. 
     
     
         7 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the generation unit generates, if the image processing apparatus has no function of combining the plurality of documents, the second cooperation processing flow including a function of combining the plurality of documents. 
     
     
         8 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the generating unit further generates the first cooperation processing flow including a process of transmitting the external apparatus to the document. 
     
     
         9 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the execution unit does not execute the processing flow, if there is no external image processing apparatus capable of executing at least one process, included in the processing flow registered by the registration unit, that cannot be executed by the image processing apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the registration unit further registers the first cooperation processing flow. 
     
     
         11 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the registration unit registers the first cooperation processing flow such that the first cooperation processing flow can be discriminated as the processing flow cooperating with the external image processing apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The image processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a display unit configured to display an object corresponding to the processing flow registered by the registration unit. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling an image processing apparatus, the method comprising:
 registering a processing flow set by combining a plurality of processes including an image inputting process and an image outputting process;   generating from the processing flow a first cooperation processing flow including processes that can be executed by the image processing apparatus, and a second cooperation processing flow including at least one process that cannot be executed by the image processing apparatus;   transferring the second cooperation processing flow to an external image processing apparatus which is capable to execute the second cooperation processing flow; and   executing the first cooperation processing flow,   wherein the first cooperation processing flow is executed by the image processing apparatus and the second cooperation processing flow is executed by the external image processing apparatus executes, to thereby realize the registered processing flow.   
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method of controlling an image processing apparatus, the method comprising:
 registering a processing flow set by combining a plurality of processes including an image inputting process and an image outputting process;   generating from the processing flow a first cooperation processing flow including processes that can be executed by the image processing apparatus, and a second cooperation processing flow including at least one process that cannot be executed by the image processing apparatus;   transferring the second cooperation processing flow to an external image processing apparatus which is capable to execute the second cooperation processing flow; and   executing the first cooperation processing flow,   wherein the first cooperation processing flow is executed by the image processing apparatus and the second cooperation processing flow is executed by the external image processing apparatus executes, to thereby realize the registered processing flow.