JP2010238141A - Information processing apparatus, image forming system, and screen data management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the display part of an image forming apparatus display a display screen on which any data for display are not held by the image forming apparatus, and to increase the possibility of extension in displaying a plurality of display screens at the display part. <P>SOLUTION: A PC 31 includes a parts instruction acceptance part 3121 for accepting the designation instruction of display object parts from a user; a layout instruction acceptance part 3122 for accepting the layout instruction of the display object parts; an action setting part 3123 for setting an action to the display object parts; a generation part 3126 for generating the screen data of a display screen with content determined by display object parts selection instruction, layout instruction and action setting; and a model dependence information setting part 3125 for setting model dependence information to the generated screen data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming system, and a screen data management program, and more particularly to a technique for freely displaying a display screen desired by a user on a display unit of an electrical device such as an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus that receives an instruction from a user and performs an operation indicated by the instruction, a display unit including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided on an operation panel on the front surface of the apparatus. A technique is adopted in which an operation execution instruction corresponding to each operation button in a display screen displayed on the display unit is received from a user by a touch panel function provided on the display unit (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2007-232908 A Publication

  However, in the image forming apparatus, only a display screen in which display data is stored in the image forming apparatus can be displayed on the display unit. This is because the display data of all the display screens customized by the user is stored in the display unit when the user wants to realize display control that freely displays the display screen arranged by customizing the operation buttons and the like as desired. It is inconvenient for the image forming apparatus to be held.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and enables display of a display screen in which the device does not have display data on the display unit of an electrical device such as an image forming apparatus. An object is to enable display of screen data suitable for the display capability of the forming apparatus.

An invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that performs processing for creating screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an image forming apparatus,
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the image forming apparatus from a user, and an instruction to place the selected display target part on the display screen An action for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the display target part selection instruction received by the layout instruction receiving unit and the part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user A setting unit, a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit, and the display generated by the generation unit The layout of each display target part constituting the display screen is added to the screen data of the screen. Those having the screen data generating unit and a model-dependent information setting unit for setting a model-dependent information is information.

The invention according to claim 9 is a screen data management program for causing a computer to function so as to generate and manage screen data to be displayed on a display unit provided in an electric device,
The computer
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the electrical device from a user, and a layout that instructs an arrangement of the selected display target part on the display screen Action setting for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the layout instruction receiving unit that receives the instruction from the user and the display target part selection instruction received by the part selection instruction receiving unit A generating unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit, and the display screen generated by the generating unit Layout information of each display target part that constitutes the display screen. A model dependence information setting unit for setting model dependence information, and a screen data generation unit having a storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen on which the model dependence information is set by the model dependence information setting unit Is.

  In these inventions, when the user wants to realize display control for freely displaying a display screen in which the operation buttons are customized and arranged as desired on the display unit of the image forming apparatus or the electric device, The image data of the display screen may not be held by the image forming apparatus or the like.

  In addition, according to these inventions, the model-dependent information setting unit sets the model-dependent information in the screen data of the display screen generated by the generating unit, so that it matches the display capability of the image forming apparatus or the electric device. Screen data can be displayed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen data of the display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus is set as the screen data. In addition to the model-dependent information, a screen data transmission unit that transmits to the image forming apparatus is further provided.

An invention according to claim 7 is an image forming system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 and an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the screen data from the information processing apparatus;
A data conversion unit that converts the screen data acquired by the data acquisition unit into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit according to the model-dependent information set in the screen data;
A display control unit for displaying the display screen indicated by the display data on the display unit using the screen data as the display data converted by the data conversion unit.

  According to these inventions, the screen data transmission unit transmits the screen data of the display screen read from the storage unit to the image forming apparatus together with the model-dependent information set in the screen data. In the apparatus, the screen data can be converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit based on the model-dependent information, and the display unit can be controlled to display the converted display data. .

The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores screen data of the display screen in which the model-dependent information is set by the model-dependent information setting unit. When,
The screen data of the display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus is read from the storage unit and analyzed, and the screen data is displayed on the display unit according to the model-dependent information set in the screen data. A data converter for converting to a displayable data format;
And a screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first information processing apparatus includes the screen data generation unit, the storage unit, the data conversion unit, and the screen. And a second information processing apparatus including a data transmission unit.

An invention according to claim 8 is an image forming system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 and an image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit that acquires screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit from the information processing device;
A display control unit configured to display the display data acquired by the data acquisition unit on the display unit.

  According to these inventions, the screen data transmission unit transmits the display data converted into the data format that can be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus. The apparatus can display the converted data on the display unit without performing the data conversion.

The invention according to claim 5 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen data generation unit is connected to the information processing apparatus through a network connection. A model dependency information acquisition unit that acquires model dependency information corresponding to the screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
The model dependence information setting unit is configured to set the model dependence information acquired by the model dependence information acquisition unit in the generated screen data.

  According to this invention, the model-dependent information acquisition unit acquires the model-dependent information to be set in the screen data by the model-dependent information setting unit from the server connected to the network, so that it is displayed on the information processing apparatus. The model-dependent information to be set in the screen data of the screen can be centrally managed in the server.

The invention according to claim 6 is the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the screen data generation unit is a screen of the display screen generated by the generation unit. It further comprises a model-dependent information designation accepting unit that accepts designation of model-dependent information set in the data from the user
The model-dependent information setting unit is configured to set the model-dependent information whose specification has been received by the model-dependent information specification receiving unit in the generated screen data.

  According to the present invention, since the model dependence information setting unit accepts the model dependence information received from the user by the model dependence information designation accepting unit, the model dependence information setting unit is a target for setting the screen data. Desired model-dependent information can be set in the screen data of the display screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a display screen in which the device does not have display data on the display unit of an electrical device such as an image forming device, and further to display screen data that matches the display capability of the image forming device. It becomes possible to display.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment of a structure required for the production | generation process and display process of a display screen about a server computer, PC, and a multifunctional device. It is a flowchart which shows the display screen production | generation process by a panel creator part. (A) (b) is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on a display part, (c) is a figure which shows the example of the display screen produced by the production | generation process by a panel creator part. It is a figure which shows an example of a customization reception screen. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a display process on a display unit of a multifunction peripheral for a display screen generated by the server computer and a process for receiving an operation execution instruction from a user by the image forming system. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of a structure required for the production | generation process and display process of a display screen about a server computer, PC, and a multifunctional device. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the display process in the display part of a multifunctional machine regarding the display screen produced | generated by the said server computer by the image forming system, and the reception process of the operation execution instruction from a user. It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment of a structure required for the production | generation process of a display screen, and a display process about a server computer, PC, and an MFP.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system, an information processing apparatus, and a screen data management program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 10 includes a plurality of multifunction peripherals 1, a server computer SV 2, and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 31 to 34. However, the number of multifunction peripherals, server computers, and PCs included in the image forming system 10 is not limited to this.

  The multifunction machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus also has functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function. Furthermore, the multifunction device 1 includes document data of a document read by the scanner unit, an internal storage device of the multifunction device 1, a server computer SV2 connected to the multifunction device 1 via a LAN (local area network), etc., and the PCs 31 to 34. Document management function that stores data in the internal storage device of the MFP 1, the server computer SV2, and the print target data stored in the storage units of the PCs 31 to 34, and prints out the data. It has.

  Further, the multi-function device 1 is provided with a display unit 50 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Further, the server computer SV2 can generate screen data (hereinafter referred to as screen data) of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 receives the screen data from the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 in order to display the display screen on the display unit 50, and displays the screen data on the display unit 50. The screen data generation processing by the image forming system 10 and the configuration and processing for displaying the display screen in the multifunction machine 1 will be described later.

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of the internal configuration of the server computer SV2, the PCs 31 to 34, and the multifunction device 1, which is necessary for screen data generation processing and display processing. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a configuration necessary for display screen generation processing and display processing for the PC and the multifunction peripheral 1. Since the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 have the same configuration necessary for display screen generation processing, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the PC 31. In the present embodiment, it is sufficient if at least one of the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 has the following configuration. In the following description, it is assumed that the PC 31 performs display screen creation processing. However, the creation processing may be performed by either another PC or the server computer SV2.

  The PC 31 includes a control unit 310 and a storage unit 311. The storage unit 311 includes an HDD or the like, and stores a display screen generation program. The control unit 310 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the overall operation of the PC 31 and operates according to the display screen generation program stored in the storage unit 311, so that the panel creator unit 312, the panel simulator unit 313, , Functioning as the output unit 314.

  The panel creator unit 312 is a tool that generates screen data of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 on the PC 31 using, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format data. The panel creator unit 312 functions as a part designation receiving unit 3121, a layout instruction receiving unit 3122, an action setting unit 3123, a model dependence information acquisition unit 3124, a model dependence information setting unit 3125, and a generation unit 3126.

  The part designation receiving unit 3121 designates display target parts such as operation buttons, icons, and character strings to be displayed on the display screen from the user via a not-shown operation unit (mouse or keyboard) provided in the PC 31. Accept. The parts designation receiving unit 3121 holds image data of a plurality of display target parts that can be designated by the user in advance. For example, when a display screen generation start instruction is input to the operation unit by the user, the part designation receiving unit 3121 displays the held display target part on a display such as an LCD provided in the PC 31 and displays the display. When a user-desired display target part is designated by the operation of the operation unit from among the display target parts, the designation of the designated display target part is accepted.

  The layout instruction receiving unit 3122 receives from the user a layout instruction for instructing the arrangement of the display target parts specified by the part specification receiving unit 3121 on the display screen. For example, the layout instruction accepting unit 3122 displays a background image of the display screen in a pseudo manner on a display provided in the PC 31, and an arbitrary portion in the background image is designated by the user using the operation unit. The designated location is received as the placement location of the designated display target part.

  The action setting unit 3123 sets the action corresponding to the display target part in association with the display target part specified by the part specification receiving unit 3121. That is, in the part designation receiving unit 3121, the type of the display target part to be arranged in the display screen is designated by the user, but the action setting unit 3123 applies the display target part to the designated display target part. The operation of the corresponding multifunction device 1 is set in association with each other. For example, when the display target part “original size A3 button” is designated by the user, the action setting unit 3123 sets “original size A3 button” as an action associated with the “original size A3 button” in advance. “Operation for accepting an instruction to feed recording paper from a paper feeding cassette in which recording paper is stored” is set in association with the “original size A3 button”.

  The model dependence information acquisition unit 3124 receives and acquires model dependence information corresponding to the screen data generated by the generation unit 3126 from the server computer SV2 connected to the personal computer 31 via the network. This model-dependent information is layout information of each display target part constituting the display screen in the screen data generated by the generation unit 3126. For example, the model-dependent information includes the color and size of the screen, the color and size of the display button, the size and color and type of the character font, etc. for each display target part constituting the display screen indicated by the generated screen data. When the screen data is analyzed by the Script Interpreter 151, the layout of each display target part is specified and expanded according to the contents indicated by the model-dependent information.

  The model dependence information accepting unit 3127 accepts designation of model dependence information set in the screen data generated by the generation unit 3126 based on an operation of an operation unit (not shown) by the user.

  The generation unit 3124 generates a display screen with the content determined by the display target part specification in the part specification reception unit 3121, the layout instruction in the layout instruction reception unit 3122, and the action setting in the action setting unit 3123. Process. That is, when the user performs the display target part designation in the part designation receiving unit 3121, the layout instruction in the layout instruction receiving unit 3122, and the action setting in the action setting unit 3123, a display screen generation process by the generation unit 3124 is performed. Thus, the display screen to be displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 can be customized and created as desired. In the present embodiment, the generation unit 3124 exports display screen data to a Script file in XML format.

  The model dependency information setting unit 3125 converts the model dependency information acquired by the model dependency information acquisition unit 3124 or the model dependency information received from the user by the model dependency information reception unit 3127 into the screen data generated by the generation unit 3126. Set.

  The panel simulator unit 313 reads the display screen data composed of the above Script file exported by the panel creator unit 312 on the PC 31, analyzes the contents, and displays the HTML to enable display on the display provided in the PC 31. This is a tool for converting the data into the format data and displaying the display screen file in the HTML format on the browser on the PC 31.

  The output unit 314 outputs the screen data (including model-dependent information set in the screen data) of the Script file generated by the generation unit 3124 to the multifunction device 1 via the LAN or the like.

  The Script file storage unit 316 temporarily stores the screen data of the Script file generated by the panel creator unit 312.

  On the other hand, the multifunction machine 1 includes a controller 11, a storage unit 12, a platform 13, an extended application 15, and a browser 16.

  The controller 11 governs overall operation control of the multifunction machine 1. The controller 11 is provided as firmware and executes basic functions such as scan data transmission, printing, data access, system setting, network communication, job control, and data registration that the multifunction device 1 has.

  The platform 13 is a base on which an API (Application Programming Interface) and an extended application 15 operate. The platform 13 is also responsible for relaying between the controller 11 and the API.

The API is an interface for executing the basic function of the multi function device 1 executed by the controller 11 from other than the firmware. The API accesses the controller 11 in the firmware through the platform 13 and executes the basic function of the multifunction device 1. In order to execute, for example, the scanner function of the multifunction device 1, the extension application 15 calls the scanner function API.

  The extended application 15 is not a standard firmware installed in the multifunction machine 1 but an application that can be additionally installed later. The extended application 15 mainly includes a script interpreter 151, business logic 152, and a registration unit 153.

  The registration unit 153 registers the screen data of the Script file sent from the output unit 314 of the PC 31 as display data on the display unit 50 and causes the registration unit 153 to store the screen data. In the present embodiment, an XML format script file is used as the data file for the display screen. However, other markup languages other than the XML format may be used in terms of the system configuration. Further, the storage unit 12 may be in charge of the function as the registration unit 153.

  The Script Interpreter (data conversion unit) 151 reads the Script file that is the screen data registered by the registration unit 153 and analyzes the content. The Script Interpreter 151 performs an HTML conversion process for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50 and an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen for the Script file that is the screen data. The development process to Business Logic 152 for execution is performed. At the time of this analysis, the Script Interpreter 151 expands the screen data generated by the PC 31 to the Business Logic 152 according to the model-dependent information set in the screen data. The Business Logic 152 passes the screen data subjected to the HTML conversion processing for display to the browser 16 via the API as display data.

  The Business Logic (data conversion unit) 152 performs an action (multifunction device) based on information (information indicating an action associated with a display target part) that is expanded by the Script Interpreter 151 by the analysis of the Script file and passed from the Script Interpreter 151. 1 operation). That is, when a display target part such as an operation button displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 is operated by the user, the Business Logic 152 is based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 151. The action associated with the operated display target part is analyzed, and the scanner transmission API is called to execute the analyzed scanner function, for example.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD or the like, and stores an operation control program for operating as the controller 11, a display control program including a program of the extended application 15, a program of the browser 16, and the like. The CPU that is the central control unit of the multi-function device 1 functions as the controller 11, the extended application 15, the browser 16, and the like by operating according to each program stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 also stores a Script file that is the registered screen data.

  The browser 16 is a Web browser, and causes the display unit 50 to display the Script file (screen data transmitted from the PC 31) that has been subjected to HTML conversion processing by the Script Interpreter 151. In the present embodiment, the browser 16 displays a display screen on the display unit 50 in accordance with the screen configuration indicated by the file after the HTML conversion process converted by the extended application 15, and during the display of the display screen, This is an interface that accepts an instruction input operation from the touch panel function of the display unit 50.

  For example, when the controller 11 is displaying a display screen (for example, the first display screen 51 in FIG. 4A) or the like on the display unit 50, the “easy scan” button 511 of the user by the touch panel function or the like. When there is a pressing operation, an inquiry is made to the extended application 15. That is, the controller 11 sends button designation information (display part designation information) indicating that the “easy scan” button 511 (an example of a display target part) is designated by the user via the platform 13 to the extended application 15. The extended application 15 analyzes the action set for the button indicated by the button designation information (that is, the “easy scan” button 511).

  Note that, as in this example, when the button indicated by the button designation information is the “easy scan” button 511 and the action analyzed by the extended application 15 is a display screen transition of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1, For example, the Script Interpreter 151 and the Business Logic 152 of the extended application 15 are stored in the registration unit 153 in order to enable the display screen transition of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1 to the workflow selection screen 52 shown in FIG. Analysis of screen data composed of script files and conversion of data to HTML format are started. The Business Logic 152 generates a control command for causing the MFP 1 to execute a display screen transition that is the analyzed action.

  Next, display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 312 of the PC 31 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 312. FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50, and FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen created by the generation process by the panel creator unit 250. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the customization acceptance screen.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 has the application unit (for example, a hard key) not shown on the operation panel pressed by the user when the power of the multifunction device 1 is turned on. Sometimes, the first display screen 51 is displayed on the display unit 50 by the display control by the browser 16. When the user presses the “Easy Scan” button 511 on the first display screen 51, for example, the controller 11 receives the pressing operation and should execute the extension application 15 (Business Logic 24) based on the pressing operation. Queries the operation control. For example, when the extended application 15 analyzes that the operation control to be executed based on the pressing operation is a screen display transition to the workflow selection screen 52 illustrated in FIG. 4B, the display of the display unit 50 is changed to the workflow. Processing for transitioning to the selection screen 52 is performed.

  Further, in the workflow selection screen 52, when the “introduction letter” button 521 is selected by the user and the “detail” button 522 is pressed, the Business Logic 152 is executed based on the pressing operation in accordance with an inquiry from the controller 11. If it is analyzed that the operation control to be performed is a screen display transition to the detailed setting screen 53 (FIG. 4C) for setting the workflow corresponding to the “introduction letter” button 521, the Business Logic 152 16, the display on the display unit 50 is changed to the detailed setting screen 53.

  For example, the extended application 15 (Script Interpreter 151 or the like) has a plurality of screen templates, button templates, and character string data of the display screen as shown in FIG. 5, and analyzes the Script file customized by the user. In accordance with the number and arrangement of keys to be displayed in the screen indicated by the Script file, data such as a screen template is used to display screens and buttons as in the detailed setting screen 53 shown in FIG. A character string is applied and displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16.

  When the user performs the display screen generation process, for example, when a display screen creation instruction is input by operating the operation unit (not shown) of the PC 31 (S1), the panel creator unit 312 is activated and the panel creator unit is activated. The part designation receiving unit 3121 of 312 displays a customization receiving screen 54 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display of the PC 31 (S2).

  A user operates an operation instruction input unit such as a mouse on the customization reception screen 54 to select a desired one from a plurality of operation buttons 541 to 555 and message displays 556 to 562 displayed as selectable display target parts. When a desired operation button or message display is selected and specified by pressing the operation button or message display, the parts designation receiving unit 3121 displays the selected operation button or message display on the display screen (that is, the multifunction device 1). As a display target part to be displayed on the display unit 50 (S3). Further, when the user drags and drops the mouse to drag the selected operation button or message display to a desired position in the default screen 570 displayed on the customization reception screen 54, the position A layout instruction for arranging the selected operation button or the like is received by the layout instruction receiving unit 3122 (S4).

  When the display instruction designation and the layout instruction are received by the layout instruction receiving unit 3122, the action setting unit 3123 performs an action corresponding to each display target part indicated by the received instruction (that is, each executed by the MFP 1). (Receiving execution instruction for operation) is read from the built-in storage area and set in association with each selected display target part (S4).

  For example, when the user designates the resolution “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 by designating the display part, the action setting unit 3123 sets the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 and the scanner unit 600 × 600 dpi during the scanning operation. An action of inputting an execution instruction for an operation for reading a document at a resolution of 1 is assigned. Alternatively, when the user designates the “return” button 554 by designating the display part, the action setting unit 253 instructs to change the display of the display unit 50 to the workflow selection screen 52 in FIG. Assign and set the input. In this way, corresponding actions are stored in advance in each display target part, and corresponding individual actions are assigned by the action setting unit 3123.

  In the processes from S2 to S4, the user designates and arranges the display target part button to be displayed in the default screen 570 on the PC 31, clicks the confirmation button 58 in the customization reception screen 54 with a mouse or the like, and the user The process is executed for each display target part until the designation and the end instruction of arrangement are input from (S5).

  When the user finishes specifying and arranging the display target part (YES in S5), the generation unit 3126 generates screen data including the contents determined by the display target part specification, the layout instruction, and the action setting as a Script file. (S6).

  Subsequently, the model dependence information acquisition unit 3125 inquires the server computer SV2 about model dependence information to be set for the screen data, and the model dependence information to be set for the screen data from the model dependence information management unit 200 of the server computer SV2. Receive information. The model dependence information setting unit 3125 sets the received model dependence information in the screen data of the Script file generated in S6 (S7).

  In S7, the model dependence information setting unit 3125, when the model dependence information receiving unit 3127 accepts input of model dependence information from the user, the model dependence information setting unit 3125 displays the model dependence information received from the user as S6. Set the screen data of the script file generated in step 1.

  The screen data set with the model-dependent information expressed in the Script file is transmitted to the multi-function device 1 by the output unit 314 (S8).

  After that, the panel simulator unit 26 reads the screen data made up of the script file, analyzes the contents, converts the data into HTML data so that it can be displayed on the display of the PC 31, and confirms the user's confirmation. For display on the display.

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. .

  When the screen data is generated by the PC 31 by the series of processes shown in FIG. 3 and the extended application 15 of the multifunction device 1 receives the screen data with the model-dependent information set from the PC 31 via the platform 13, the screen data Is registered in the registration unit 153 (S11).

  Here, in the multifunction device 1, when a screen transition instruction by the user is input to the browser 16 via an operation unit (not shown) (YES in S12), the controller 11 inquires the extended application 15 via the platform 13 or the like. (S13).

  Thus, the display process using the screen data in the multifunction machine 1 is performed when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user. The screen transition instruction includes an activation start instruction of the multifunction device 1 that is input to the browser 16 when the power switch of the multifunction device 1 is turned on. The screen transition control includes a non-display screen. Display control for displaying the start screen on the display unit 50 in the display state is also included.

  For example, when the controller 11 displays the workflow screen 52 on the display unit 50 (see FIG. 4B), for example, when the user presses the “details” button 522 by a touch panel function or the like, the controller 11 causes the platform 13 to An inquiry (request for screen data to be displayed next) is made to the extended application 15 via the above. That is, the controller 11 sends button designation information indicating that the “details” button 522 is designated by the user to the extended application 15 via the platform 13 or the like.

  Then, the Business Logic 152 analyzes the action set in the button (here, “Details” button 522) indicated by the button designation information (S14). Assuming that the analyzed action is display screen control to a specific display screen, the Script Interpreter 151 displays a display screen that becomes a display screen after transition to the display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 until then. The screen data (Script file) is read from the registration unit 153 (S15).

  At this time, the Script Interpreter 151 analyzes the screen data in accordance with the model-dependent information set in the read screen data, and arranges it in the display screen for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50. The business logic 152 is expanded to execute an action associated with the display target part such as the operated button (S16).

  That is, the Script Interpreter 151 performs a data conversion process for converting into a data format (in this embodiment, HTML format) that can be displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16, and the Script Interpreter 151 indicates the model-dependent information. Depending on the color and size of the screen, the color and size of the display button, the size, color, and type of the character font, the screen template, button template, and character string data, which are the components of the display screen, are used. Applying a character string to the button, configuring the display screen indicated by the script file, and performing expansion processing to Business Logic 152 for executing an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen .

  However, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model-dependent information, depending on the model of the MFP 1 that is the display destination of the screen data generated by the PC 31, the display target is displayed as the model-dependent information indicates. Display buttons that are parts may not be displayed. For this reason, the multifunction device 1 stores, for example, individual model information and design information such as the type and layout of display target parts that can be displayed by the model in the storage unit 12 or the like. Then, the Script Interpreter 151 of the multifunction device 1 refers to the individual model information and design information when analyzing the screen data according to the model-dependent information, and can display the display target part as indicated by the model-dependent information. Judge. If the Script Interpreter 151 determines that the display target part cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information, the Script Interpreter 151 expands the contents of the screen data according to the contents indicated by the individual model information and design information. For example, the Script Interpreter 151 is configured to display the display button and the display button according to the individual model information and design information of the multi-function device 1 when the character display is designated in the display button and the display button by the model-dependent information. If character display is impossible, the display button and the character display are converted to other display formats (list display, etc.) that can be displayed by the individual model information and design information, and the above The screen data generated by the PC 31 is expanded in the Business Logic 152.

  After the expansion process to Business Logic 152, the browser 16 causes the display unit 50 to display a display screen indicated by the display data generated by the expansion (S17). As a result, a display screen generated by the panel creator unit 312 of the PC 31 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4C) as a display screen to be next transitioned from the previous display screen displayed on the display unit 50 until then. A detailed setting screen 53) is displayed on the display unit 50. In this respect, the browser 16 functions as a display control unit in claims.

  When any one of the display buttons on the detailed setting screen 53 shown in FIG. 4C is pressed by an operation using the touch panel function by the user while the display screen is displayed by the browser 16 (YES in S18). ) Based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 151 (information related to the action set for the display button indicated by the button designation information), the Business Logic 152 selects the action associated with the display button indicated by the button designation information. Analyze (S19). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 on the detailed setting screen 53 is pressed by the user, the Business Logic 152 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 to be performed by the scanner unit at 600 × 600 dpi. It is analyzed based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 151 that it is an input of an execution instruction for an operation for reading a document at a resolution of.

  Subsequently, in order to execute the analyzed function, the Business Logic 152 calls an API (control command) corresponding to the function and sends the API to the controller 11 via the platform 13 or the like (S20). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 is pressed by the user while the detailed setting screen 53 is being displayed, the Business Logic 152 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 531 to be performed during the scanning operation. Is input based on the above information passed from the Script Interpreter 151, and the “the scanner unit receives the original with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”. “Input of execution instruction for operation to be read” is accepted. Then, the Business Logic 152 calls an API corresponding to “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi” in order to execute “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”.

  The controller 11 receives the API via the platform 13 and executes the instructed operation according to the received API (S20). For example, the controller 11 executes “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”. That is, the Business Logic 151 sets the controller 11 to cause the scanner unit to read a document with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi via the API.

  If the action analyzed in S19 is a display screen transition, the same processing as S15 to S17 is performed.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the internal configuration of the server computer SV2, the PCs 31 to 34, and the multifunction machine 1, which is necessary for screen data generation processing and display processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a configuration necessary for display screen generation processing and display processing for the PC and the multifunction peripheral 1. As in the first embodiment, the configuration required for the display screen generation processing is the same in the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34, and therefore the configuration of the PC 31 is shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one of the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 has the following configuration. Further, in the case where only the names are shown for the respective parts in the PC 31 and the multifunction peripheral 1 and the functions and operations are not particularly described, the respective parts perform the same functions or operations as in the first embodiment.

  The PC 31 includes an extended application 20, a control unit 25, and a storage unit 28.

  The storage unit 28 is composed of an HDD or the like, and includes a program for the panel creator unit 250 that performs processing for generating a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1, an overall operation control program for the PC 31, and a program for the extended application 20. Etc. are stored.

  The control unit 25 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the overall operation of the PC 31 and functions as the panel creator unit 250 and the panel simulator unit 26 by operating according to the program stored in the storage unit 28. .

  The panel creator unit 250 and the panel simulator unit 26 have the same configuration as the panel creator unit 312 and the panel simulator unit 313 in the first embodiment.

  The configuration of the server computer SV2 and the communication related to the model-dependent information between the PC 31 and the server computer SV2 are the same as in the first embodiment.

  The extended application 20 mainly includes a communication unit 21, a Script file storage unit 22, a Script Interpreter 23, and Business Logic 24.

  The communication unit 21 (an example of a receiving unit and an output unit) displays data converted to a data format that can be displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 of the multifunction device 1 by the Script Interpreter 23 with the multifunction device 1. , Control commands, button designation information, etc. are transmitted and received.

  The Script file storage unit 22 stores screen data of the Script file generated by the panel creator unit 250.

  The Script Interpreter (data conversion unit) 23 analyzes the screen data stored in the Script file storage unit 22 and is a data format (in this embodiment) that can be displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 of the multi-function device 1. Data conversion processing to be converted into (HTML format) and expansion processing to Business Logic 24 for executing actions associated with display target parts such as operation buttons arranged in the display screen.

  The Business Logic 24 transmits the data subjected to the HTML conversion process for display to the platform 13 of the multifunction machine 1 through the communication unit 21. In addition, the Business Logic 24 uses the MFP 1 based on information obtained by analyzing the Script file by the Script Interpreter 23 (information indicating a display target part and information indicating an action set for the display target part). The action (operation of the multifunction device 1) is controlled.

  In other words, the Business Logic 24 designates which display target part is specified when a display target part such as an operation button displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 of the multifunction device 1 is specified by the user. Takano button designation information is acquired from the multifunction device 1 via the communication unit 21, and the action set in the display target part indicated by the button designation information is analyzed based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 23. In order to execute the analyzed action, an API (control command) corresponding to the analyzed action is called. That is, the Business Logic 24 generates a control command for causing the multifunction device 1 to execute the analyzed action. For example, if the analyzed action is the scanner function, the Business Logic 24 calls the scanner transmission API as a control command for causing the multifunction device 1 to execute the scanner function.

  On the other hand, the multifunction device 1 includes a controller 11, a storage unit 12, a platform 13, a mediation application 14, and a browser 16.

  Further, the platform 13 acquires display data (data after HTML conversion processing by the Script Interpreter 23) and various instructions to be displayed on the display unit 50 from the PC 31 via a LAN or the like.

  For example, when the controller 11 is displaying a display screen (for example, the first display screen 51 in FIG. 4A) or the like on the display unit 50, the “easy scan” button 511 of the user by the touch panel function or the like. Is pressed, an inquiry is made to the extended application 20 of the server computer SV2 via the platform 13. That is, the controller 11 sends button designation information (display part designation information) indicating that the “easy scan” button 511 (an example of a display target part) is designated by the user via the platform 13 to the extended application of the server computer SV2. The extended application 20 analyzes the action set for the button indicated by the button designation information (that is, the “easy scan” button 511).

  As in this example, when the button indicated by the button designation information is the “easy scan” button 511 and the action analyzed by the extended application 20 is a display screen transition of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1, For example, in order to enable transition of the display screen of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1 to the workflow selection screen 52 shown in FIG. 4B, the Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24 of the extended application 20 include the Script file storage unit 22. Analysis of screen data consisting of Script files stored in and data conversion to HTML format are started. The Business Logic 24 generates a control command for causing the MFP 1 to execute a display screen transition that is the analyzed action.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD or the like, and stores an operation control program for operating as the controller 11, a program for the browser 16, and the like. The CPU, which is the central control unit of the multifunction device 1, operates according to each program stored in the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as the controller 11, the browser 16, and the like.

  The mediation application 14 performs mediation processing for enabling the browser 16 to process the display data that has been subjected to the HTML conversion processing received by the platform 13 from the server computer SV2.

  The browser 16 is a Web browser, and causes the display unit 50 to display the display data that has been subjected to the HTML conversion processing obtained from the Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24. In the present embodiment, the browser 16 displays a display screen on the display unit 50 in accordance with the screen configuration indicated by the file after the HTML conversion process converted by the extended application 20 of the PC 31, and during display of the display screen. An instruction input operation from the user is accepted through the touch panel function of the display unit 50.

  The display screen generation process by the panel creator unit 250 of the PC 31 in the image forming system 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as the display screen generation process by the panel creator unit 312 of the PC 31 in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment. It is.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. .

  When the screen data is generated by the PC 31 by the series of processes shown in FIG. 3, the screen data including the script file is registered and stored in the script file storage unit 22 in the PC 31 (S110).

  Here, in the multifunction device 1, when a screen transition instruction from the user is input to the browser 16 via an operation unit (not shown) (YES in F 1), the controller 11 causes the extended application 20 of the PC 31 via the platform 13 or the like. (F2). Thus, the display process using the screen data in the PC 31 is performed when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user. The screen transition instruction includes an activation start instruction of the multifunction device 1 that is input to the browser 16 when the power switch of the multifunction device 1 is turned on. The screen transition control includes a non-display screen. Display control for displaying the start screen on the display unit 50 in the display state is also included.

  For example, when the controller 11 displays the workflow screen 52 on the display unit 50 (see FIG. 4B), for example, when the user presses the “details” button 522 by a touch panel function or the like, the controller 11 causes the platform 13 to Etc., and inquires of the extended application 20 of the PC 31 (request for transmission of screen data to be displayed next). That is, the controller 11 transmits button designation information indicating that the “detail” button 522 is designated by the user to the extended application 20 of the PC 31 via the platform 13 or the like (F2).

  In the PC 31, when the communication unit 21 receives the button designation information (S120), the Business Logic 24 analyzes the action set in the button indicated by the button designation information (here, the “details” button 522) (S130). ). Assuming that the analyzed action is display screen control to a specific display screen, the Script Interpreter 23 becomes the display screen after transition to the display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 until then. The screen data (Script file) of the display screen is read from the Script file storage unit 22 (S140), the screen data is analyzed according to the model dependent information set in the Script Interpreter 123 and the read screen data, and is displayed on the display unit 50. An HTML conversion process for displaying the display screen and an expansion process to Business Logic 24 for executing an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen are performed (S150). Analysis processing and expansion processing according to the model-dependent information are the same as those in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the Script Interpreter 23 displays the individual model information and design information of the multifunction device 1 when, for example, the display button and the character display are specified in the display button by the model-dependent information. Therefore, if the display button and the character display are impossible, the display button and the character are displayed in another display format (list display etc.) that can be displayed by the individual model information and design information. The display is converted and the generated screen data is developed in Business Logic 24. In this case, the above expansion may be performed by transmitting only the model code as model-dependent information from the multi-function device 1 to the PC 31 and preliminarily having a correspondence table between the model code and the display capability in the PC 31 to be analyzed. .

  Subsequently, the Business Logic 24 transmits the data after the HTML conversion processing obtained from the Script Interpreter 23 as display data that can be displayed on the display unit 50 from the communication unit 21 to the platform 13 of the multifunction machine 1. (S160).

  In the MFP 1, when the platform 13 receives the display data (F3), the browser 16 displays the received display data on the display unit 50 (F4). As a result, the display screen generated by the panel creator unit 250 of the PC 31 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4C) as the display screen to be changed next from the previous display screen displayed on the display unit 50 until then. A detailed setting screen 53) is displayed on the display unit 50. In this respect, the browser 16 functions as a display control unit in claims.

  When any one of the display buttons on the detailed setting screen 53 shown in FIG. 4C is pressed by the user using the touch panel function while the display screen is displayed by the browser 16 (YES in F5). ), Button designation information indicating the pressed display button is sent from the browser 16 to the Business Logic 24 of the PC 31 via the platform 13 and the communication unit 21 (F6). The display process using the screen data in the PC 31 is performed, for example, when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user.

  In the PC 31, the Business Logic 24 performs an action associated with the display button indicated by the button designation information based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 23 (information regarding the action set for the display button indicated by the button designation information). Is analyzed (S170). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 on the detailed setting screen 53 is pressed by the user, the Business Logic 24 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 to be performed on the scanner unit at the time of the scanning operation. It is analyzed based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 23 that an instruction to execute an operation for reading an original with a resolution of 1 is input.

  Subsequently, in order to execute the analyzed function, the Business Logic 24 calls an API (control command) corresponding to the function, and sends the API to the controller 11 of the multifunction device 1 via the communication unit 21 and the platform 13. (S180). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 is pressed by the user while the detailed setting screen 53 is displayed, the Business Logic 24 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 531 to be performed during the scanning operation. Is input based on the above information passed from the Script Interpreter 23, and the “the scanner unit receives the original with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”. “Input of execution instruction for operation to be read” is accepted. Then, the Business Logic 24 calls an API corresponding to “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi” in order to execute “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”.

  The controller 11 of the multi-function device 1 receives the API via the platform 13 and executes the instructed operation according to the received API (F7). For example, the controller 11 executes “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”. That is, the Business Logic 24 sets the controller 11 to cause the scanner unit to read a document with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi via the API.

  If the action analyzed in S170 is a display screen transition, the same processing as S130 to S160 and F3 to F5 is performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the PC 31 or the server computer SV2 is provided with the panel creator unit 25, the storage unit 22, and the extended application 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the PC 31 is provided with a panel creator 25, and the server computer SV2 is provided with a storage unit 22 and an extended application 20, and the screen data generated by the panel creator 25 of the PC 31 is converted by the extended application 20 of the server computer SV2. It is very good to configure to generate display data.

  In the above embodiment, the model dependency information is acquired from the server computer SV2 by the model dependency information acquisition unit, or received by the model dependency information reception unit based on the operation of the user operation unit. The present invention is not limited to this, and when a multifunction device for displaying screen data is designated by the operation of the operation unit of the PC by the user, the model-dependent information acquisition unit receives the model-dependent information from the designated multifunction device. Information may be acquired.

  In the above embodiment, the display screen generated by the PC 31 is described as being displayed on the multifunction device 1, but the generated display screen is not limited to the display on the multifunction device 1. The present invention can also be applied to display on the display unit of other electric devices.

  The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the above embodiment, the configuration and processing of the embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, but the configuration and processing are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention.

1 MFP 1010 Image forming system 31 PC
11 Controller 12 Storage 14 Intermediary Application 16 Browser 15, 20 Extended Application 22 Script File Storage 151, 23 Script Interpreter
152, 24 Business Logic
312 and 250 Panel creator units 3121 and 251 Part designation receiving units 3122 and 252 Layout instruction receiving units 3123 and 253 Action setting units 3126 and 254 Generation units 3125 and 257 Model dependent information setting units 3124 and 255 Model dependent information acquiring units 3127 and 256 Model-dependent information receiving unit SV2 server computer 200 Model-dependent information managing unit

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus that performs processing for creating screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an image forming apparatus,
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the image forming apparatus from a user, and an instruction to place the selected display target part on the display screen An action for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the display target part selection instruction received by the layout instruction receiving unit and the part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user A setting unit, a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit, and the display generated by the generation unit The layout of each display target part constituting the display screen is added to the screen data of the screen. Information processing apparatus including a screen data generating unit and a model-dependent information setting unit for setting a model-dependent information is information.   A screen data transmitting unit that transmits screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus together with the model-dependent information set in the screen data; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen in which the model-dependent information is set by the model-dependent information setting unit;
The screen data of the display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus is read from the storage unit and analyzed, and the screen data is displayed on the display unit according to the model-dependent information set in the screen data. A data converter for converting to a displayable data format;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, comprising: a first information processing apparatus including the screen data generation unit; and a second information processing apparatus including the storage unit, the data conversion unit, and the screen data transmission unit. The screen data generation unit further includes a model dependency information acquisition unit that acquires model dependency information corresponding to the screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit from a server connected to the information processing apparatus over a network,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the model dependence information setting unit sets the model dependence information acquired by the model dependence information acquisition unit in the generated screen data. The screen data generation unit further includes a model-dependent information designation accepting unit that accepts designation of model-dependent information to be set in the screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit,
5. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the model dependence information setting unit sets the model dependence information whose designation is accepted by the model dependence information designation acceptance unit in the generated screen data. apparatus. An image forming system comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 and an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the screen data from the information processing apparatus;
A data conversion unit that converts the screen data acquired by the data acquisition unit into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit according to the model-dependent information set in the screen data;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit. An image forming system comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 and an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit that acquires display data converted by the data conversion unit from the information processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display display data acquired by the data acquisition unit. A screen data management program for causing a computer to function so as to generate and manage screen data to be displayed on a display unit provided in an electrical device,
The computer
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the electrical device from a user, and a layout that instructs an arrangement of the selected display target part on the display screen Action setting for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part for a display target part indicated by a display target part selection instruction received by the part selection instruction receiving unit and a layout instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction from the user A generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit, and the display screen generated by the generation unit Layout information of each display target part that constitutes the display screen. A model-dependent information setting unit that sets model-dependent information, and a screen data generation unit that includes a storage unit that stores screen data of the display screen on which the model-dependent information is set by the model-dependent information setting unit Screen data management program.

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