JP2008085730A - Information processor, information processing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor, information processing system and program having improved convenience. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor which is connected with at least another information processor in a communication-possible fashion, acquires a record of use for a user, from the information processor connected in a communicatable fashion, and changes the mode of at least one of the presentations of information to the user or operation for accepting an instruction from the user, on the basis of the acquired record of use. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a program.

Among various information processing devices, such as a scanner, a copier, and a multi-function printer that has multiple functions as a printer, the user interface can be set differently for each user (Patent Document 1). By using this function, the user can register, for example, a setting for enlarging 144% at the time of copying without performing settings one by one (that is, as a default). Patent Document 1 also discloses a technique for learning functions of users and setting functions.
JP2003-308148

  By the way, in recent years, since information processing apparatuses including the above-described multifunction peripherals are arranged at various places, a user does not always use the same information processing apparatus. In this case, even if personal adaptation settings (customization) such as user interface settings are performed on one information processing device, the result of the customization is not reflected on other information processing devices. It has to be customized one by one and is not convenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and a program capable of improving the convenience.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus, the communication means communicating with at least one other information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus communicatively connected to the user's use. An acquisition means for acquiring a record, and a change means for changing at least one aspect of presentation of information to the user and an operation for accepting an instruction from the user based on the acquired use record. It is meant to be included.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium on which information specifying at least a part of the information processing apparatus connected to be communicable is recorded together with user authentication information. A recording medium receiving unit that accepts the information, and the acquisition unit acquires a record of the use of the information processing apparatus specified by the information by a user who is authenticated by the authentication information read from the received recording medium. Is.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the changing means presents information to the user based on the acquired use record and a function provided by the user, and an operation for accepting an instruction from the user; At least one of the aspects is changed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a communication unit that communicates with at least one other information processing apparatus; and the information processing apparatus that is communicatively connected to a specific user. A request accepting means for accepting a request for recording of use, a holding means for holding information for identifying the information processing apparatus that is the source of the request, and a use request made by a specific user after accepting the request Means for sending a record to an information processing device specified by the information held by the holding means.

  The invention according to claim 5 is an information processing system, and includes a plurality of information processing devices, each of the information processing devices holding a record of use by a user, and the use of the user who holds the information This means includes means for exchanging the records between the information processing apparatuses, and means for executing a predetermined process based on the record of the use of the user acquired by the exchange.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a program that is used by a user from a procedure for communicating with at least one other information processing apparatus to a computer, and the information processing apparatus connected to be communicable. A procedure for obtaining a record, and a procedure for changing at least one of a presentation of information to the user and an operation for accepting an instruction from the user based on the obtained record of use are executed. That's what it meant.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since a record of use in another device is acquired and used, convenience can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the acquisition source of the usage record can be specified, the convenience can be further improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if there is a difference in function between the use record acquisition source and the self, the difference can be taken into account, and the convenience can be further improved.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to acquire the subsequent usage record from the usage record acquisition source, and the convenience is further enhanced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the record of use in another device is acquired and used, the convenience is improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the record of use in another device is acquired and used, the convenience is improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Here, as an example of the information processing apparatus, a description will be given by taking as an example a multifunction device 1 that is provided with a scanner function, a copying function, a printer function, and the like. However, the information processing apparatus of the information processing system of the present embodiment is not limited to these multifunction peripherals, and any configuration can be adopted as long as it is a computer system.

  The multifunction device 1 as an example of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a scanner unit 10, a controller unit 20, a printer unit 30, and an authentication device unit 40 as illustrated in FIG. The controller unit 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a communication unit 25, and an interface unit 26.

  The scanner unit 10 reads an image of a document in accordance with a reading instruction input from the controller unit 20 and outputs it to the controller unit 20 as image data.

  The control unit 21 of the controller unit 20 is a program control device such as a microprocessor, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 22. The control unit 21 performs processing for controlling the scanner unit 10 according to a user instruction input from the operation unit 23 to acquire the image data of the document, and transmitting the acquired image data via the communication unit 25. And implement the scanner function. Further, it receives image data and an image formation instruction via the communication unit 25, and instructs the printer unit 30 to print the image data in accordance with the image formation instruction, thereby realizing a printer function. Further, the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 10 is output to the printer unit 30 to realize a function as a copying machine.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 21 specifies the content of the operation performed by the user on the operation unit 23 in relation to any of these functions, and identifies the user who performed the operation. The operation history information is stored in the storage unit 22 in association with the information to be performed, the date and time when the operation was performed, and the information specifying the related function. Here, the operation history information may include, for example, a setting operation history related to any of the functions. For example, if the operation is related to the scanner function, the information specifying the related function is “SCAN”, “BW-COPY” if the operation is related to the black and white copy function, and if the operation is related to the color copy function. , “COLOR-COPY” or other character string.

  The control unit 21 transmits the operation history information accumulated here to another information processing apparatus, acquires the operation history information accumulated in the other information processing apparatus, and performs predetermined processing. The contents of processing by the control unit 21 will be described later.

  The storage unit 22 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a disk device such as a hard disk, and the like. The storage unit 22 stores a program executed by the control unit 21. The storage unit 22 also operates as a work memory for the control unit 21. The storage unit 22 stores a list of identifiers of users who can use the apparatus as user authentication information. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the storage unit 22 stores operation history information representing an operation history for each user.

  The operation unit 23 includes, for example, a touch panel including a transparent electrode superimposed on the display unit 24, a keypad, and the like. The operation unit 23 transmits the content of the operation performed by the user to the control unit 21. The display unit 24 is a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays information according to instructions input from the control unit 21. In the present embodiment, for example, when an operation button is displayed on the display unit 24 and the user touches the transparent electrode portion of the operation unit 23 corresponding to the position where the operation button is displayed, the operation button is displayed. The control unit 21 performs processing as being pressed.

  In addition, with the recent increase in functionality of information processing devices, the display screen of this operation button is not only the screen (top screen) displayed immediately after the user is authenticated, but more each time a function is selected. An operation button screen or the like for performing detailed settings is displayed. For example, when a copy operation button is pressed on the top screen, an operation button for setting enlargement / reduction, an operation button for setting the number of copies, and the like are displayed. When an operation button for setting enlargement / reduction is further pressed, an operation button for setting an enlargement / reduction ratio is displayed.

  The communication unit 25 is a communication unit such as a network interface, for example, and receives a request or information transmitted from another information processing apparatus or the like and outputs it to the control unit 21. The communication unit 25 transmits a request or information to the instructed destination according to an instruction input from the control unit 21.

  The interface unit 26 is connected to the scanner unit 10, the printer unit 30, and the authentication device unit 40. The control unit 21 exchanges information with the scanner unit 10, the printer unit 30, and the authentication device unit 40 via the interface unit 26. The printer unit 30 forms an image on a medium such as paper in accordance with an instruction input from the controller unit 20.

  The authentication device unit 40 is, for example, a non-contact card reader, and communicates with an IC card close to a predetermined range around a predetermined reading position to exchange information. In the present embodiment, the user possesses an IC card in which individual user identifiers and the like are recorded, and the authentication device unit 40 reads the user identifier from the IC card possessed by the user. The read identifier of the user may be output to the controller unit 20 for use in authentication processing. Since the authentication method using such a contactless card is widely known, its detailed description is omitted.

  Here, the specific processing contents of the control unit 21 will be described. When receiving the input of the user identifier from the authentication device unit 40, the control unit 21 checks whether or not the input identifier is stored in the storage unit 22. If the identifier input in the storage unit 22 is stored, it is assumed that the authentication has succeeded, and the following processing is performed.

  When the control unit 21 completes the user authentication, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 21 identifies the authenticated user identifier and the operation history of the user with respect to the other MFP 1 connected via the network. Information provision is requested (S1). In one aspect of the present embodiment, the requested multifunction peripheral 1 is specified in advance. The request destination may be different for each function, for example, the operation history information relating to the scan function is the first multifunction device 1a, the operation history information relating to the black and white copying function is the second multifunction device 1b, and so on. .

  The control unit 21 of the multifunction machine 1 on which the request for the operation history information is requested reads out the operation history information stored in the storage unit 22 in association with the user identifier received together with the request (S2), and The read operation history information is transmitted to the requesting multifunction device 1 (S3). When requesting operation history information to the multifunction device 1 that differs for each function, the requesting control unit 21 requests information specifying a function to be requested (a character string such as “SCAN”). The control unit 21 on the side requested to send the request includes the operation history information associated with the identifier of the user received together with the request and the information specifying the function to be requested. What is necessary is just to read from 22 and to transmit.

  When receiving the operation history information from the request destination, the control unit 21 of the request source multifunction device 1 refers to the received operation history information and performs a process of changing settings related to each function (S4). In the process S4, information on the history of operations performed by the user in the past, which is stored in the storage unit 22 itself, may also be used.

  The processing here is performed, for example, by checking the frequency of execution of each operation included in the received operation history information, the number of times exceeding a predetermined threshold, and the number of times of execution of other operations There is a process of displaying operation buttons related to operations in the top n times compared to the number of executions on a screen (top screen) displayed immediately after authentication. Here, the numerical value n is an integer of 1 or more, and may be determined by the number of operation buttons that can be arranged on the top screen.

  In other words, if the operation is supposed to be performed from a screen on which an operation button different from the top screen is displayed by performing an operation for calling some function, the operation button is displayed on the top screen. This makes it easier to select the operation. As a specific example, after executing the scanner function, the transfer history is confirmed every time, and a transfer confirmation table is included for users whose number of operations exceeds a predetermined threshold. An operation button for printing a report is displayed on the top screen and can be operated immediately after authentication. At this time, the operation button may be highlighted and displayed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, an operation mode (interface) for accepting an instruction from a user based on a record of use of another information processing apparatus (in this case, an operation history) acquired from another information processing apparatus. Change the contents of the operation buttons arranged on the screen).

  Further, in the process S4, the manner of presenting information to the user may be changed based on the operation history of the setting operation performed in the other multifunction device 1. For example, if the language of the screen display is “English” and there is a history set in another multifunction device 1, the control unit 21 on the side receiving the operation history information displays the screen based on the history. The language may be set to English, and the contents of the operation buttons may be displayed in English.

  In response to a request, the operation history information acquired from at least one multifunction device 1 (or stored by itself) may include operation history information such as contradictory settings. For example, one operation history information includes operation history information that sets the language of the screen display to “English”, and another operation history information sets the language to “Japanese” for the screen display. Operation history information may be included.

  In this case, the control unit 21 on the side of receiving the operation history information refers to the date and time information on the operation performed, for example, included in each operation history information acquired from itself or another multifunction device 1. It may be possible to selectively refer to new (later) operation history information. For example, in the above example, an operation for setting the language of the screen display to “English” is performed at a certain date and time in May 2006, and the language of the screen display is performed at a certain date and time thereafter in July 2006. Is set to “Japanese”, the operation history information to be set to Japanese, which is performed later, is referred to, and the language of the screen display is set to Japanese.

  Further, the control unit 21 on the side of receiving the operation history information may ignore the history of operations related to the functions included in the operation history information received from the request destination. As a specific processing example, a list of information specifying functions similar to those included in the operation history information is stored in advance in the storage unit 22 as information representing functions included in the multifunction machine 1. For example, in the case of the multi-function device 1 having a black and white copy and a scan function, “BW-COPY” and “SCAN” are stored in the storage unit 22 as information specifying the provided function.

  The control unit 21 may perform the process of step S4 by selectively referring to the received operation history information associated with the information specifying the function included in the list.

  Further, for example, as a function related to sorting, sorting (mechanical sorting) performed using a machine having a plurality of discharge bins, and sorting performed electronically by controlling the page formation order in the printer unit 30 (electronic sorting) 5), a table that associates a list of functions that can be replaced with the functions provided by itself as a substitute function table as shown in FIG. 22 may be stored.

  That is, for example, a setting that the mechanical sort (M-SORT) can be replaced by the electronic sort is set in the multi-function device 1 including the electronic sort (E-SORT). If the multifunction machine 1 having this electronic sort function includes the operation history associated with the mechanical sort (M-SORT) in the operation history information acquired from the other multifunction machine 1, the operation is performed. Is set as an operation related to electronic sorting (E-SORT). As one specific example, if there is operation history information (M-SORT: ON) in which the mechanical sort (M-SORT) is set to “ON”, the control unit 21 first performs its own operation history information. Refer to the list of functions provided and determine that there is no mechanical sort function. At this time, the control unit 21 does not ignore the operation history information, but searches for an alternative function in the mechanical sort with reference to the alternative function table. And electronic sort (E-SORT) is found as a function that can be substituted for mechanical sort. Then, electronic sorting is set to “ON”.

  The control unit 21 may also perform the following operation. In other words, the control unit 21 that has received a request for operation history information from another multifunction device 1 specifies information (such as a network address if communication is performed via a network) that identifies the requesting multifunction device 1. The request function is stored in the storage unit 22 as a request history in association with information specifying the function and the user.

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 receives the operation from the user, and whenever the operation history information is accumulated (for example, every time the user inputs the operation end (logout)), the newly accumulated operation history information is stored. Is related to information specifying a user and a function requested in the past and included in the request history, and the newly accumulated operation history information is If it is related to information for specifying a function, the newly-stored operation history information is associated with information for specifying a user and a function in the request history, and is specified by information. Send to 1 (destination).

  In the MFP 1 that is the destination, the received operation history information is stored in the storage unit 22. After that, when the user is authenticated and the processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed, the identifier of the authenticated user and the operation of the user are connected to the other MFP 1 connected via the network. Instead of requesting the provision of history information, processing for changing settings related to each function is performed with reference to the operation history information stored in the storage unit 22.

  In the above description, the information for specifying the multifunction machine 1 that is the request destination of the operation history information is set in advance. However, the authentication information is stored in the IC card possessed by each user. The control unit 21 reads out the information specifying the multifunction device 1 that is the request destination of the operation history information from the user's IC card together with the authentication information and stores the information for the multifunction device 1 specified by the information. The operation history information of the authenticated user may be requested.

  In addition, the program executed by the control unit 21 in the present embodiment may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the operation history information which the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is a flowchart showing the operation example of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the alternative table which the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention hold | maintains.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus, 10 Scanner part, 20 Controller part, 21 Control part, 22 Storage part, 23 Operation part, 24 Display part, 25 Communication part, 26 Interface part, 30 Printer part, 40 Authentication apparatus part

Claims (6)

Communication means for communicating with at least one other information processing apparatus;
An acquisition means for acquiring a record of the use of the user from the information processing apparatus connected to be communicable
Based on the acquired record of use, changing means for changing at least one aspect of presentation of information to the user and operation for accepting an instruction from the user;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Along with user authentication information, a recording medium receiving means for receiving a recording medium that records information for specifying at least a part of the information processing apparatus communicably connected,
The said acquisition means acquires the recording of the use of information processing apparatus specified by the said information by the user who authenticated with the authentication information read from the said received recording medium. Information processing device.   The changing means changes at least one of a mode of presenting information to the user and an operation for accepting an instruction from the user based on the acquired record of use and a function provided by the changing unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Communication means for communicating with at least one other information processing apparatus;
Request accepting means for accepting a request for recording of use by a specific user from the information processing apparatus communicatively connected;
Holding means for holding information identifying the information processing apparatus that is the source of the request;
Means for sending a record of use made by a specific user to the information processing device specified by the information held by the holding means after accepting the request;
An information processing apparatus comprising: Including a plurality of information processing devices,
Each of the information processing devices
A means of keeping a record of user usage;
Means for exchanging records of user usage held between information processing devices;
Means for executing a predetermined process based on a record of the use of the user acquired by the exchange;
An information processing system comprising: On the computer,
A procedure for communicating with at least one other information processing apparatus;
A procedure for obtaining a record of the use of the user from the information processing apparatus connected to be communicable;
A procedure for changing at least one aspect of presenting information to the user and an operation for accepting an instruction from the user based on the acquired use record;
A program characterized in that is executed.

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