JP2013030117A - Information processing device, application generation system, and application generation program - Google Patents

Abstract

To generate display screen data of a display screen with customized operation buttons so that an operator in charge of the generation work can perform a simple operation.
A job information acquisition unit 3102 acquires a job executed in the multifunction device 1 and a setting value used for the job from the multifunction device 1, and an image selection instruction reception unit 3101 performs an operation image storage unit 3107. When the operator specifies the operation image stored in the operation image stored in the display image, the display target part construction unit 3104 acquires the operation image received by the image selection instruction reception unit 3101 and the job information. The job information acquired in the section 3102 is associated with the job information. The application generation unit 3100 generates an operation control application having display screen data of a display screen including the associated operation image and job information.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an application generation system, and an application generation program, and in particular, operation control of the electronic device according to an operation by a user based on an operation image included in a display screen of a display unit included in the electronic device. The present invention relates to a technique for generating an operation control application that enables the above.

  Conventionally, in an electronic 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 the display screen displayed on the display unit is received from the user by a touch panel function provided on the display unit (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

JP 2007-249511 A JP 2007-232908 A

  The above-described conventional image forming apparatus is merely for displaying a display screen in which display data is stored in the image forming apparatus on a display unit. That is, in the conventional image forming apparatus, it is not realized to enable creation of a display screen with customized operation buttons and their layouts. Furthermore, it is desirable that the operation for customizing the operation buttons on the display screen, the layout thereof, and the like be easy for an operator who is in charge of the display screen customization work.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and enables generation of display screen data of the display screen with customized operation buttons by a simple operation by an operator in charge of the generation operation. The purpose is to do.

The invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that generates an operation control application that performs operation control according to a user operation on an operation image in a display screen displayed on a display unit of an electronic device,
A job information acquisition unit that acquires job information including the job executed by the electronic device and the setting value used for the execution of the job from the electronic device;
An operation image storage unit for storing an operation image to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit;
An image receiving unit that receives designation of an operation image by a worker who performs the operation of generating the operation control application from among the operation images stored in the operation image storage unit;
An association unit for associating the operation image received by the image reception unit with the job information acquired by the job information acquisition unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an operation control application generation unit configured to generate an operation control application having display screen data of the display screen including the operation image and the job information associated by the association unit.

An invention according to claim 3 is an application generation system including the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 and the electronic device connected to the information processing apparatus,
The electronic device is
A receiving unit for receiving a job information request signal for requesting transmission of the job information transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
A job information storage unit that stores job information including a job that can be executed by the electronic device and a setting value used when the job is executed;
An application comprising: a transmission unit that transmits job information stored in the job information storage unit to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job information request signal according to the job information request signal received by the reception unit Generation system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an application generation program for generating an operation control application for performing operation control according to a user operation on an operation image in a display screen displayed on a display unit of an electronic device. ,
The information processing apparatus is
A job information acquisition unit that acquires job information including the job executed by the electronic device and the setting value used for the execution of the job from the electronic device;
An operation image storage unit for storing an operation image to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit;
An image receiving unit that receives designation of an operation image by a worker who performs the operation of generating the operation control application from among the operation images stored in the operation image storage unit;
An association unit for associating the operation image received by the image reception unit with the job information acquired by the job information acquisition unit;
An application generation program that functions as an operation control application generation unit that generates an operation control application having display screen data of the display screen including the operation image and the job information associated by the association unit.

  According to these inventions, the job information acquisition unit acquires job information including a job executed by the electronic device and a setting value used for execution of the job from the electronic device, and the image reception unit receives the operation information. When the operator specifies the operation image from the operation images stored in the image storage unit, the association unit acquires the operation image received by the image reception unit and the job information acquisition unit. The operation control application generation unit generates an operation control application having display screen data of a display screen including the associated operation image and job information. Here, the job is a unit of work (function execution) processed by the electronic device, and is generated every time the function of the electronic device is executed as the job. The job setting values are, for example, in the case of a copy operation, the number of copies used for the copy operation, the paper size, the print density, the print layout setting, and the like. For example, in the case of a scanner operation, the resolution, the read data Is the storage location of the file.

  For this reason, when an operator creates an operation image as an operation button or the like in charge of receiving an instruction to execute a job executed on the electronic device with a setting value used in the past, On the information processing device side, the job already specified in the electronic device and the setting value of the job can be used for the operation without performing the operation of specifying the job or inputting the setting value of the job. Display screen data of the display screen can be created by associating the job and its set value with job information as image information. Therefore, according to the present invention, an operator can easily associate an operation image such as an operation button with a job and its set value, and can easily generate a display screen customized as desired. Yes.

The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an instruction to change the setting value included in the job information acquired by the job information acquisition unit is given from an operator. It further includes a setting value change receiving unit for receiving,
The association unit receives job information including the job acquired by the job information acquisition unit and a setting value changed by a change instruction received by the setting value change receiving unit by the image receiving unit. The obtained operation images are associated with each other.

  According to the present invention, the association unit is received by the image receiving unit including job information including the setting value changed by the change instruction received by the setting value change receiving unit and the job in which the setting value is used. Therefore, the operator can easily associate the job and the setting value with the operation image after changing the setting value of the job acquired by the job information acquisition unit to a desired value. It becomes possible by simple operation.

  According to the present invention, the display screen data of the display screen with customized operation buttons can be generated by a simple operation by an operator in charge of the generation work.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a personal computer and a multi-function peripheral that constitute an operation control application generation system. It is a figure which shows the process at the time of operation control application creation by PC. It is a sequence diagram about a PC and a multifunction peripheral. It is an example of the display screen of the display part with which PC is provided. It is an example of the display screen of the display part with which PC is provided. It is an example of the display screen of the display part with which PC is provided. 10 is a flowchart showing display processing on a display unit of a display screen based on the generated operation control application in the multifunction device, processing for receiving an operation execution instruction from a user, and operation control of the multifunction device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for a multifunction machine.

  Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus, an operation control application generation system, and an operation control application generation program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer and a multi-function peripheral that constitute an operation control application generation system. The operation control application generation system 10 includes a multifunction device 1 as an example of an electronic device and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 3 as an example of an information processing device.

  The multifunction machine 1 has functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function. The multifunction device 1 includes an operation unit 500 that receives an operation instruction for the multifunction device 1 from a user. The operation unit 500 includes a display unit 50 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like.

  Further, the PC 3 is installed with an operation control application generation program that generates an operation control application for display control of the display unit 50 and operation control of the multifunction device 1 in the multifunction device 1. This operation control application generation program is also an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 3 acquires a job executed in the multi-function device 1 and setting values used in the job from the multi-function device 1 via a LAN (Local Area Network) or a USB memory, and uses them to generate an operation control application. The job and the setting value used in the job are stored as job information. Here, the job is a unit of work (function execution) processed by the electronic device, and is generated every time the function of the electronic device is executed as the work. The functions include, for example, a scan operation, a print operation, a copy operation, a facsimile operation that can be executed by the multifunction device 1, operation settings for these operations, display screen switching control of the display unit 50, and input by the user of the multifunction device 1. Various operations such as authentication of the user identification information (user ID, etc.). The job setting values are, for example, when the copy operation is performed, the number of copies used for the copy operation, the paper size, the print density, the print layout setting, and the like. For example, in the case of the scanner operation, the resolution, This is a storage destination of read data.

  The multifunction device 1 receives and stores (installs) the operation control application from the PC 3 via a LAN (Local Area Network) or a USB memory, and controls screen display by the display unit 50 based on the operation control application. Then, operation control is performed in accordance with an instruction input by a user operation based on the operation button displayed on the display screen.

  The PC 3 includes a control unit 310. The control unit 310 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the overall operation of the PC 31 and functions as the application generation unit 3100 by operating according to the operation control application generation program stored in the storage unit 312. It functions as each part shown. The application generation unit 3100 generates display screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 using, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format data, and the operation of the multifunction device 1 includes the display screen data. It is a tool that generates an operation control program for control. The application generation unit 3100 receives an instruction for customizing each operation image as various operation buttons constituting the display screen from an operator, generates the display screen, and the display screen data (hereinafter referred to as “display screen data”). The generation process of the operation control program including the display screen data) is started. Here, the operation image is an image displayed as an operation button or the like on the display screen of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1 in order to receive an instruction from the user.

  The application generation unit 3100 includes an image selection instruction reception unit 3101, a job information acquisition unit 3102, a job information reception unit 3103, a display target part construction unit 3104, a layout instruction reception unit 3105, an operation control application generation unit 3106, and an operation image storage unit. 3107 and the job information storage unit 3108. As will be described later, the application generation unit 3100 may further function as a set value change reception unit 3109.

  An image selection instruction receiving unit (image receiving unit) 3101 receives an image selection instruction for selecting an operation image to be displayed on the display screen from an operator when the display screen of the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 is customized. The image selection instruction receiving unit 3101 selects an operation image such as an operation button, an icon, and a character string to be displayed in order to receive an instruction from the user on the display screen, and uses the operation unit 313 (such as a mouse or a keyboard). Via the operator. The operation image storage unit 3107 stores image data of a plurality of operation images that can be selected by the operator. For example, when an activation instruction for the application generation unit 3100 is received via the operation unit 313 by the operator, the image selection instruction reception unit 3101 causes the display unit 315 to display a customization reception screen. On the customization reception screen, the operation image as a candidate for selection by the operator is displayed, and when the operator-desired operation image is designated by the operator by operating the operation unit from the displayed operation image. The image selection instruction accepting unit 3101 accepts selection of the designated operation image.

  The job information acquisition unit 3102 acquires job information including a job executed by the MFP 1 and setting values used for the job from the MFP 1 for each executed job through communication with the MFP 1. To do. The job information acquisition unit 3102 acquires the job information from the multifunction device 1 via the LAN (Local Area Network) or a USB memory. The acquired job information or job information is stored in the job information storage unit 3108 so that the job information receiving unit 3103 can receive a selection.

  The multifunction device 1 associates the setting value used for the job with the job, stores it in the storage unit 12 as job information together with the job, and transmits the job information to the PC 3 from the communication unit 154. It is possible.

  The job information receiving unit 3103 receives a selection instruction for selecting job information to be associated with the operation image indicated by the image selection instruction received by the image selection instruction receiving unit 3101 from the operator via the operation unit 313.

  The display target part construction unit (association unit) 3104 associates the job information received by the job information receiving unit 3103 with the operation image indicated by the image selection instruction received by the image selection instruction receiving unit 3101. Build a display target part. That is, the display target part construction unit 3104 creates an operation target image as a display target part by associating operations corresponding to the operation image.

  For example, the display target part construction unit 3104 associates a job for executing the “scanning operation” function and setting values (resolution, read data storage destination, etc.) used for the job with the operation image. Build up.

  The layout instruction receiving unit 3105 is a layout that instructs the arrangement of the operation image received by the image selection instruction receiving unit 3101 (which is also a display target part built by the display target part building unit 3104) in the display screen. An instruction is received from the operator via the operation unit 313. For example, the layout instruction reception unit 3105 causes the display unit 315 to display the background image of the display screen in a pseudo manner using the background image data of the display screen (for example, stored in the application generation unit 3100). When an arbitrary place in the background image is designated by the operator using the operation unit 313, the designated place is accepted as an arrangement place of the operation image.

  The operation control application generation unit 3106 is configured to display a display screen (display of the multifunction device 1) that includes contents set by the display target part constructed by the display target part construction unit 3104 and the layout instruction received by the layout instruction reception unit 3105. Display screen data) is generated in, for example, an XML format, and an operation control application including the display screen data is generated. That is, the operation control application generation unit 3106 arranges the constructed display target part at a position on the background screen image indicated by the layout instruction on the background screen image of the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1. Display screen data of the displayed display screen is generated. The motion control application generated by the motion control application generation unit 3106 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 312. In the present embodiment, the operation control application generation unit 3106 exports display screen data to a Script file in XML format. In the present embodiment, an XML format script file is used as the data file for the display screen. However, the system configuration may be other than the XML format, for example, another markup language.

  The operation image storage unit 3107 stores the operation image. Further, as described above, the job information storage unit 3108 stores the job information acquired from the multifunction device 1 by the job information acquisition unit 3102.

  That is, when an operator selects an operation image in the image selection instruction receiving unit 3101, selects job information in the job information receiving unit 3103, and performs the layout instruction in the layout instruction receiving unit 3105, By the operation control application generation processing by the control application generation unit 3106, the display screen to be displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 can be customized and created so that a desired display target part is arranged at a desired position. .

  The storage unit 312 includes an HDD or the like, and an operation control application generation program for generating a display screen in the PC 3 is installed. The storage unit 312 stores the operation control application generated by the operation control application generation unit 3106.

  The operation unit 313 includes a mouse pointer, a keyboard, or the like, and receives various instructions from the worker through operations by the worker.

  The communication unit 311 is an interface that performs data input / output with the multifunction device 1 via a network. For example, the communication unit 311 transmits a job information transmission request to the multifunction device 1 under the instruction of the job information acquisition unit 3102, for example, and the generated operation control application stored in the storage unit 312. Output to the MFP 1.

  The display unit 315 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various images by display control by the control unit 310.

  The panel simulator unit 314 analyzes the contents of the display screen data composed of the Script file exported by the application generation unit 3100, and converts the display screen data into HTML format data so that the display unit 315 can display the data. A tool to convert.

  The multi-function device 1 includes a controller (control unit) 11, a storage unit 12, a platform 13, an extended application 15 provided in a control unit (Web container) 200, a web browser 16, and a display unit 50. ing.

The extended application 15 of the multifunction device 1 is mainly composed of a script interpreter 151 and a business logic 152.

  The communication unit 154 is an interface that communicates with the PC 3 via various data, for example, data indicating the job information, and the operation control application via, for example, a LAN. Note that the communication unit 154 may include a USB memory interface and acquire an operation control application from the PC 3 via the USB memory.

  The communication unit 154 stores the operation control application received from the communication unit 311 of the PC 3 (or acquired from the external memory) in the storage unit 12.

  The ScriptInterpreter (analysis unit) 151 reads the Script file that is the display screen data included in the operation control application stored in the storage unit 12 and analyzes the content. The ScriptInterpreter 151 executes an HTML conversion process for displaying a display screen on the display unit 50 and an action (job indicated by job information) associated with an operation image such as an operation button arranged in the display screen. Development process to Business Logic 152. The ScriptInterpreter 151 passes the data converted to the HTML format for display to the Business Logic 152.

  The BusinessLogic 152 transmits the display data subjected to the HTML conversion process received from the Script Interpreter 151 to the web browser 16. Further, the Business Logic 152 controls the operation of the multifunction device 1 based on information obtained from the Script Interpreter 151 (job information associated with the operation image).

  That is, the Business Logic 152 displays any operation image such as an operation button displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by the web browser 16 of the multi-function device 1 when the user designates on the web browser 16. An operation indicated by the above part designation instruction is acquired from the web browser 16 based on the information (information obtained by analyzing the Script file by the Script Interpreter 151) acquired from the web browser 16 and a part designation instruction indicating whether the operation image has been designated. The contents of the job information set in the image for use, that is, the job constituting the job information and its set value are analyzed. The Business Logic 152 further calls an API corresponding to the analyzed job in order to execute the analyzed job with the set value. The API corresponding to the analyzed job is transferred from the Business Logic 152 to the controller 11. The controller 11 executes an API corresponding to the analyzed job.

  The storage unit 12 stores the operation control application, a control program for causing the controller 11 to operate, a program for the extension application 15, a program for the web browser 16, and the like. The CPU that is the central control unit of the multi-function device 1 operates according to each program stored in the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as the controller 11, the extended application 15, the web browser 16, and the like.

  In the multifunction device 1, each operation of the multifunction device 1, for example, a copy operation, a scanner operation, a fax operation, and a printer operation is controlled by the controller 11. After the job for each operation is completed, the controller 11 associates the job (including information indicating the function executed as the job) with the setting value used for the job in the storage unit 12, The associated job and setting values are stored as job information in the storage unit 12 each time each job is executed. When the communication unit 154 receives a job information transmission request from the PC 3, the controller 11 reads each job information stored in the storage unit 12 from the storage unit 12, and sends the transmission request to the PC 3 that has transmitted the transmission request. The read job information is transmitted from the communication unit 154.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating processing when the operation control application is created by the PC 3. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram for the PC 3 and the multifunction device 1, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are examples of a display screen of the display unit 315.

  For example, the operator operates the operation unit 313 of the PC 3 to input a display screen creation instruction. When the control unit 310 receives an input of a display screen creation instruction from the worker, the control unit 310 starts an operation control application generation process based on the operation control application generation program stored in the storage unit 312 ( S1).

  Then, the job information acquisition unit 3102 sends a request for transmission of job information including a job held by the multifunction device 1 and a setting value used and stored in the past to the multifunction device 1 to the communication unit. 311 is transmitted via a LAN or the like (FIG. 3: remote access). This job information transmission request requests the multifunction device 1 to transmit each job information stored in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction device 1 to the PC 3. In the multifunction device 1, when the communication unit 154 receives a job information transmission request from the PC 3 (FIG. 3: information acquisition interface), the controller 11 reads each job information from the storage unit 12 (FIG. 3: UI job setting). Acquisition of information). The communication unit 154 transmits the read job information to the PC 3. The job information acquisition unit 3102 of the PC 3 receives the job information transmitted from the multifunction machine 1 (S2). As a result, the job information acquisition unit 3102 acquires job information for each job executed by the multifunction device 1 for each job. The job information acquired by the job information acquisition unit 3102 is stored in the storage unit 312.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 causes the display unit 315 to display a customization reception screen 54 as shown in FIG. 4 as an example (S3, “customization screen” in FIG. 3). The control unit 310 causes the display unit 315 to display a screen having a list of operation images stored in the operation image storage unit 3107 in the toolbox area D0 as the customization acceptance screen 54.

  For example, the “setting control” display portion D1 of the customization acceptance screen 54 is displayed on the display portion D1 based on, for example, an operation in which the operator designates the operation unit 313 including a mouse pointer by left-clicking. When the control unit 310 receives an instruction to select the operation image indicated by (S4), the control unit 310 is designated in the display area D2 forming a part of the customization reception screen 54 as shown in FIG. Display the operation image.

  Then, the control unit 310 causes the display unit 315 to display a screen having a list of job information stored in the job information storage unit 3108 as the job information list screen 55 as illustrated in FIG. For example, the control unit 310 causes the job information list screen 55 to be displayed on the customization reception screen 54 that has already been displayed.

  While the job information list screen 55 is displayed on the display unit 315, a display portion D3 on which the name of the desired job information is displayed on the job information list screen 55 is designated by an operation of the operation unit 313 by the operator. When job information desired by the worker is selected, a selection instruction for selecting job information displayed on the display portion D3 is received by the job information receiving unit 3103 (S5). At this time, the control unit 310 may display the name of the selected job information superimposed on the operation image in the area D2.

  When the job information is selected, the setting value change receiving unit 3109 receives an instruction to change the setting value of the job included in the selected job information based on the operation of the operation unit 313 by the operator. May be. In this case, for example, when job information desired by the worker is selected based on the operation of the operation unit 313 by the worker when the job information list screen 55 is displayed, the control unit 310 further displays the job information as shown in FIG. A setting value change screen 56 is displayed on the display unit 315, and a change in the setting value is accepted by a setting value changing operation using a mouse or the like according to the display of the setting value change screen 56.

  For example, the control unit 310 causes the setting values indicated by the selected job information to be displayed in the item display fields 561 to 566 in the setting value change screen 56 as default values for each item. In this state, for example, when the operator operates the operation unit 313 and presses the arrow keys 560A and 560B of the item display fields 561 to 566, a change instruction to change the numerical value indicating each item is given to the operation unit 313. Accepted. For example, when the operator presses the upward arrow key 560A, a setting value change instruction to increase the numerical value (level) by one step is received by the setting value change receiving unit 3109, and when the user presses the downward arrow key 560B, the numerical value is increased. A setting value change instruction to decrease (level) by one level is received by the setting value change receiving unit 3109. These setting item change instructions are received by the setting value change receiving unit 3109 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) for each item based on the operation of the operation unit 313 by the operator. The control unit 310 overwrites the previous setting value included in the job information as a new setting value with the value of each item after the change indicated by the setting item change instruction received by the setting value change receiving unit 3109 as a storage unit. It is stored in 312.

  After receiving the selection of the job information, the display target part construction unit 3104 creates a display target part by associating the selected job information with the selected operation image (S6). As described above, when the setting value included in the job information is overwritten with a new setting value, the overwritten new setting value becomes the setting value included in the job information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the display target part construction unit 3104 associates the operation image with the job information (information (ID etc.) for specifying job information) and sets the UI (interface) job. Is associated with the program for executing the function indicated by the job of the job information with the set value.

  Furthermore, when the operator moves the operation image displayed in the area D2 by the drag and drop operation of the operation unit 313 such as a mouse pointer, and changes the display position of the operation image in the area D2, The layout instruction is received by the layout instruction receiving unit 3105 as a layout instruction in which the position in the region D2 of the operation image changed by the operation indicates the position of the operation image in the display screen (S7).

  In the processes from P3 to P7, the operator clicks on the end button (not shown) in the customization acceptance screen 54 with the mouse or the like on the PC 3, and the operation control application generation end instruction is input from the operator. The process is repeated until a plurality of display target parts are generated (NO in S8, return to S3, and repeat S3 to S8).

  When the operation control application generation end instruction is input from the operator and received by the control unit 310 (YES in S8), according to each display target part generated at this time and the layout instruction for each display target part, The operation control application generation unit 3106 generates an operation control application (S9). Thereafter, the generated operation control application is stored in the storage unit 312. That is, according to the sequence of FIG. 3, the operation control application generation unit 3106 includes the generated display target parts using resources necessary for application construction such as UI parts, source code, and libraries. An operation control application is constructed by bundling display screen data (for a display screen to be displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1), and is in a format that can be installed in the multifunction device 1 (Packager).

  According to the series of processes, when the operator creates an operation image in charge of receiving an instruction to execute a job executed in the multifunction machine 1 with a setting value used in the past, the PC 3 On the side, even if the function executed as the job and the operation for inputting the setting value are not performed, the job and the setting value thereof are displayed on the operation image using the job information already stored in the multifunction machine 1. The display screen data of the display screen can be created by associating with. Therefore, the operator can easily associate the operation image with the job and its set value, and can generate a customized display screen as desired.

  After the operation control application is generated by the operation control application generation unit 3106, an instruction to transmit the generated operation control application to the multifunction device 1 is received by the operation unit 313 by the operation of the operation unit 313 by the operator. Then, the communication unit 311 transmits the generated operation control application to the multifunction device 1 via the network.

  In the multi function device 1, when the generated operation control application is received by the communication unit 154, the controller 11 stores (installs) the operation control application in the storage unit 12.

  In addition, when the generated operation control application is transferred from the PC 3 to the multifunction device 1, the operator stores the operation control application in a transportable storage medium such as a USB memory, and the USB memory is stored in the communication unit of the multifunction device 1. It is also possible to make it read by 154. Also in this case, the operation control application is stored (installed) in the storage unit 12 by the controller 11.

  Next, display processing on the display unit 50 of the display screen based on the generated operation control application in the multifunction device 1, processing for receiving an operation execution instruction from the user, and operation control of the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing display processing on the display unit 50 of the display screen based on the generated operation control application in the multifunction device 1, processing for accepting an operation execution instruction from the user, and operation control of the multifunction device 1. . FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for the multifunction machine 1.

  As described above, the operation control application acquired from the PC 31 by the communication unit 154 is stored (installed) in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction machine 1.

  Here, when it is necessary to display a display screen on the display unit 50 due to a user's operation of the operation unit 500 of the multi-function device 1 or the like, the script interpreter 151 includes a display included in the operation control application stored in the storage unit 12. Screen display screen data (Script file) is read (S21).

  The ScriptInterpreter 151 analyzes the read display screen data and displays an HTML conversion process for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50, and a job included in the job information associated with the operation image arranged in the display screen. In order to enable execution, the development process to Business Logic 152 is performed (S22).

  Subsequently, the Business Logic 152 analyzes the data after the HTML conversion processing obtained from the Script Interpreter 151 so that it can be displayed on the display unit 50, and passes it to the web browser 16 (S23). The web browser 16 displays the received display screen data on the display unit 50 (S24). S23 and S24 correspond to the sequence of “application screen” of the operation control application from the “operation unit” of Boundary in FIG.

  When any one of the display buttons (operation images) on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 is pressed by the user using the touch panel function or the like while the display screen is displayed by the web browser 16. (YES in S25), an image designation instruction indicating the pressed display button (operation image) is sent from the web browser 16 to the Business Logic 152 of the extension application 15 (“application screen” of the operation control application in FIG. 8). To "Program" sequence). When the display button is not pressed by the user while the display screen is displayed by the web browser 16, the web browser 16 displays the display screen on the display unit 50 and displays the display button by the user. It waits for pressing (NO in S25, S24).

  Upon receiving the image designation instruction, BusinessLogic 152, based on the UI job setting included in the operation control application, stores the job information stored in association with the operation image indicated by the image designation instruction, that is, the job information. The included job and its set value are specified (S26). S26 corresponds to the sequence from “program” to “UI job setting” of the operation control application in FIG.

  Subsequently, in order to execute the job using the analyzed setting value, the Business Logic 152 specifies an API corresponding to the job using the setting value, and passes API information indicating the API to the controller 11 ( S27). The controller 11 reads the corresponding API from the program settings according to the received API information, and executes each job by executing the read API (S28). S26 and S27 correspond to the sequence of “job controller” of Control and “job information” of Entity from “program” of the operation control application in FIG.

  For example, if the job and its set value indicate that the scan operation is performed at a resolution of 400 dpi and stored in the read data storage destination client computer (IP address 250.250.00), the controller 11 scans with the set value. A program (for example, API) for performing the operation and the data storage operation is read and the program is executed.

  In this way, the multifunction device 1 performs operation control based on the operation control application generated by the PC 3. Since the job information includes a job (function to be executed) and a setting value used for the job, when the operation control application generated by the PC 3 is stored in the multifunction device, the multifunction device itself It is possible to determine whether the job is for an operable function.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The configurations and processes shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are merely examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the above-described embodiments. The multifunction device 1 shown in the above embodiment is merely an example of the electronic device according to the present invention. The electronic device according to the present invention is another electronic device other than the multifunction device 1 and the image forming apparatus. It doesn't matter.

1 MFP 10 Operation Control Application Generation System 310 Control Unit 3100 Application Generation Unit 3101 Image Selection Instruction Reception Unit 3102 Job Information Acquisition Unit 3103 Job Information Reception Unit 3104 Display Target Part Construction Unit 3105 Layout Instruction Reception Unit 3106 Operation Control Application Generation Unit 3107 Operation image storage unit 3108 Job information storage unit 3109 Setting value change reception unit 311 Communication unit 312 Storage unit 313 Operation unit 315 Display unit 54 Customization reception screen 55 Job information list screen 56 Setting value change screen

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus that generates an operation control application that performs operation control according to a user operation on an operation image in a display screen displayed on a display unit of an electronic device,
A job information acquisition unit that acquires job information including the job executed by the electronic device and the setting value used for the execution of the job from the electronic device;
An operation image storage unit for storing an operation image to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit;
An image receiving unit that receives designation of an operation image by a worker who performs the operation of generating the operation control application from among the operation images stored in the operation image storage unit;
An association unit for associating the operation image received by the image reception unit with the job information acquired by the job information acquisition unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an operation control application generation unit configured to generate an operation control application having display screen data of the display screen including the operation image and the job information associated by the association unit. A setting value change receiving unit that receives an instruction to change the setting value included in the job information acquired by the job information acquiring unit from an operator;
The association unit receives job information including the job acquired by the job information acquisition unit and a setting value changed by a change instruction received by the setting value change receiving unit by the image receiving unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtained operation image is associated. An application generation system comprising the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 and the electronic device connected to the information processing apparatus,
The electronic device is
A receiving unit for receiving a job information request signal for requesting transmission of the job information transmitted from the information processing apparatus;
A job information storage unit that stores job information including a job that can be executed by the electronic device and a setting value used when the job is executed;
An application comprising: a transmission unit that transmits job information stored in the job information storage unit to the information processing apparatus that has transmitted the job information request signal according to the job information request signal received by the reception unit Generation system. An application generation program for generating an operation control application that performs operation control according to a user operation on an operation image in a display screen displayed on a display unit of an electronic device,
The information processing apparatus is
A job information acquisition unit that acquires job information including the job executed by the electronic device and the setting value used for the execution of the job from the electronic device;
An operation image storage unit for storing an operation image to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit;
An image receiving unit that receives designation of an operation image by a worker who performs the operation of generating the operation control application from among the operation images stored in the operation image storage unit;
An association unit for associating the operation image received by the image reception unit with the job information acquired by the job information acquisition unit;
An application generation program that functions as an operation control application generation unit that generates an operation control application having display screen data of the display screen including the operation image and the job information associated by the association unit.

Images