JP2006277005A - Server device, network system, control method for server device, and control program for server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a server device capable of improving user operability of an apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: MFPs 1 and 2 have user authentication functions presuming that they will be shared by a plurality of users. When a user finishes authentication, access to a common server 3 is carried out from operating parts of the MFPs 1 and 2. By this, the MFPs 1 and 2 acquire display contents of the operating parts customized for each individual. The MFPs 1 and 2 carry out display in the operating parts in accordance with the display contents. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device, a network system, a server device control method, and a server device control program, and more particularly to a server device, a network system, a server device control method, and a server capable of transmitting a Web page to a plurality of devices. The present invention relates to a device control program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for customizing an operation unit that enables setting designated by a plurality of operations to be set by a single operation is known. For example, some copiers, printers, MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), and the like can store a series of operations in the device in a form that can be reused by the user. Such customization aims at setting functions that require several operations such as page layout at a time.

  However, customization functions are often limited and are not used except in special cases.

  Further, the idea of using a Web browser as an operation unit is known. In this case, description of the display on the operation unit is performed by a standard and widely known method such as HTML. In such an operation section, individual pages are prepared for each individual, and those pages can be rewritten, so that each individual has a high degree of freedom such as "I want to display the start button in the center in red" and can be used for a wide range of applications. The operation unit can be customized.

  By making the operation screen into a Web standard format such as HTML, it is possible to use inexpensive and high-quality tools and divert know-how from the Web technology community, and to reduce development costs such as development man-hours of the operation unit. Can do.

  In order to realize such a configuration, a device having an operation unit is provided with a simple server function for storing HTML page data in the device and a Web browser instead of the conventional operation unit program. ing. One set of Web pages is prepared for each device, and is arranged on the device when the device is manufactured.

  An HTML page specialized for a single device cannot be used for other devices, and cannot be referenced from other devices.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose matters for configuring an operation unit of a device using Web technology.

Patent Document 3 below discloses a network access system for a browser for PC that allows a smart card to wait for a URL and cookie information to resume Web access from an arbitrary terminal.
JP 2002-86847 A JP 2003-29577 A JP 2004-178193 A

  However, there was a limited need to prepare an operation screen customized for each individual in the device. This is because the merit obtained is small compared to the amount of personal work for customization.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a server device, a network system, a server device control method, and a server device control program capable of improving the operability of a user's device. The purpose is that.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a server device that communicates with a plurality of devices including a Web page display unit includes a Web page transmission unit that transmits a Web page suitable for each device, Based on the user operation in the device or information indicating the state of the device in each device, and on the basis of the information received by the receiving device, the operation instruction, new information And a function calling unit that performs at least one of transmission and inquiry of a Web page.

  Preferably, each of the plurality of devices includes a reading unit that reads information from a movable memory medium in which individual information is recorded, and the Web page transmission unit transmits a Web page corresponding to the individual information.

  Preferably, the server device further includes holding means for holding the customized page and page conversion means for converting the customized page into a Web page suitable for each model, and the Web page transmission means includes the converted Web page. Send.

  Preferably, the web page is described in XML format or HTML format according to a specific tag set.

  Preferably, the server device converts the customized page into an XML format according to a specific tag set, and the page conversion means performs conversion by an XSLT conversion processor that refers to an XSL style sheet that performs conversion between both XML formats.

  Preferably, the function calling means calls a function by calling a function of a device disclosed as a Web service from the Web server unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a network system includes any of the server devices described above and a plurality of devices including Web page display means capable of communicating with the server device.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a server device that communicates with a plurality of devices provided with Web page display means includes a Web page transmitting step for transmitting a Web page suitable for each device, and each device. A receiving step for receiving information based on a user operation or information indicating the state of the device in each device, and on the basis of the information received in the receiving step, an operation instruction, a new Web And a function call step for performing at least one of page transmission and inquiry.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a control program for a server device that communicates with a plurality of devices provided with Web page display means includes a Web page transmitting step for transmitting a Web page suitable for each device, and each device. A receiving step for receiving information based on a user operation or information indicating the state of the device in each device, and on the basis of the information received in the receiving step, an operation instruction, a new Web The computer is caused to execute a function call step for transmitting a page and performing at least one of queries.

  According to these inventions, a web page suitable for each device is transmitted, information based on a user operation in each device or information indicating the state of the device in each device is received, and the information is transmitted based on the received information. Server apparatus, network system, and server apparatus capable of improving operability of user's device since at least one of operation instruction, transmission of new Web page, and inquiry can be performed to the device It is possible to provide a control method and a server apparatus control program.

[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the device network system includes a plurality of MFPs 1 and 2, a common server 3, a network device 4, and an IC card A 5 and an IC card B 6 that record personal information of each of a plurality of users. ing.

  MFP1 and MFP2 are multifunction peripheral devices and have functions such as a copier and a printer.

  The common server 3 provides the function of the operation unit for each user common to the system.

  The network device 4 is a device for configuring a network including the MFPs 1 and 2 and the common server 3. The MFPs 1 and 2 are connected to the network device 4.

  The IC card A5 and the IC card B6 are readable / writable IC cards including IDs for identifying users, and data including IDs can be read / written from the MFP 1 and the MFP 2.

  With such a configuration, a network system including a plurality of devices such as MFPs can be configured. In addition, the operation units of the MFPs 1 and 2 that are a plurality of devices are configured by a Web browser, and a portion depending on personal customization is made into a common server.

  In addition, the MFP has user authentication means assuming that it is shared by a plurality of users. When the user finishes the authentication, the common server 3 is accessed from the operation units of the MFPs 1 and 2, whereby the MFPs 1 and 2 acquire customized operation unit pages (display contents) for each individual. The MFPs 1 and 2 display the page contents on the operation unit in accordance with the designation of the page.

  The content of the page is a customized page that is different for each individual, each group, and each model. On the customized page, it is possible to limit the display to functions and services frequently used by individuals, or to describe only items limited to business.

  When the common server 3 receives access from the browsers of the MFPs 1 and 2, the common server 3 identifies the device and user on which the accessed browser is mounted, generates a page appropriate for the device and the user, and returns it to the accessed device.

  Further, when an operation instruction on the device side and designation of information acquisition on the device side are specified in the operation page creation, the common server 3 issues a request corresponding to the Web service I / F for providing functions provided in the device. When the result of the request is returned from the Web service I / F, a page reflecting the result is generated by the common server 3 and returned to the browser.

  In order to execute such an operation, the common server 3 returns a page suitable for the type and configuration of the device for access from the device, and converts a page customized by the individual into a page suitable for each device. And a function for instructing and inquiring an appropriate device during operation of the device.

  Previously, there were devices that allowed personal customization of device operations, functions, etc., but the customized content could not be easily diverted to other similar devices and was not effectively utilized was there. For this reason, there is a problem that the customization function is not used or only simple customization is performed.

  According to the present embodiment, once a customized page is created, the user can use it in common among similar devices, and the customized result can be effectively used.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, once customized operation screens can be used in common by a plurality of similar devices, the opportunity to use customized screens increases in proportion to the increase in the number of devices that can be used in common. There is an effect that a merit that exceeds the amount of individual work required is generated.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the common server 3.

  Referring to the figure, the common server 3 includes a Web server unit 10, a device determination unit 11, a user ID determination unit 12, a program registration unit 13, a device service call program 14, a library execution unit 15, and a display page. A generation unit 16, a device-specific display data generation unit 17, a user ID-specific style sheet 18, and a device-specific style sheet 19 are provided.

  The Web server unit 10 has a function of receiving a request from the network and returning a corresponding page. The Web server unit 10 outputs the URL requested from the network and the information of the access destination device and browser to the device determination unit 11. Further, the Web server unit 10 returns the page output by the device-specific display data generation unit 17 to the requesting device.

  The device determination unit 11 determines a device ID from the information received from the Web server unit 10.

  The user ID determination unit 12 determines the user ID from the information received from the Web server unit 10.

  The program registration unit 13 stores a program that can be executed in response to the request. A program is registered for each user ID, device ID, and URL, and a corresponding program is loaded in response to a request from the library execution unit 15. These programs also include commonly used programs.

  The device service call program 14 can be called as appropriate from the program stored in the program registration unit 13 and is a program for calling the services of the MFPs 1 and 2.

  The library execution unit 15 loads and executes a program from the program registration unit 13 using the user ID, device ID, and URL. The execution result data is transferred to the display page generation unit 16. This data is expressed in XML format.

  The display page generation unit 16 uses the XML data output from the library execution unit 15 and the style sheet acquired from the user ID style sheet 18 using the user ID as input, and creates a display page by performing XSL conversion. .

  The device-specific display data generation unit 17 uses the XML data output from the display page generation unit 16 and the style sheet acquired from the device-specific style sheet 19 using the device ID as input, and performs device-specific display for XSL conversion. Create a page.

  The style sheet customized for each user is recorded in the style sheet 18 for each user ID. The corresponding style sheet is output in response to the query specifying the user ID.

  In the style sheet 19 for each device, a style sheet customized for each device is recorded. In response to an inquiry from the device-specific display data generation unit 17 specifying the device ID, a corresponding style sheet is output.

  The style sheet can include instructions for adding or replacing different information for each device on the display page. For example, depending on the MFP, whether finishing can be designated, what kind of finishing can be selected, and the like are different. By describing such information in the style sheet, it is possible to cope with differences in functions for each device.

  The style sheet 18 for each user ID outputs a corresponding style sheet in response to an inquiry from the display page generation unit 16 specifying the user ID. The user can change the display of the operation screen by customizing the corresponding style sheet.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP 1.

  Since MFP 2 has the same configuration as MFP 1, description thereof will not be repeated here.

  Referring to the figure, MFP 1 includes an IC card reading unit 30, an operation unit 31, a Web browser unit 32, an operation unit management unit 33, a service disclosure unit 34, and an MFP unit 35.

  The IC card reading unit 30 reads and writes the IC card by detecting the approach of the IC cards 5 and 6.

  The operation unit 31 is a part to be operated by an actual user, and includes an input unit and a display unit. As the operation unit 31, a liquid crystal touch panel, a numeric keypad, or the like is used.

  The web browser unit 32 acquires a web page from the network in response to an instruction from the operation unit 31, and displays the web page on the operation unit 31 according to the content of the web page.

  The operation unit management unit 33 controls input / output from the IC card reading unit 30, the operation unit 31, and the web browser unit 32 to realize an operation function and manage each resource. The operation unit management unit 33 acquires the address of the common server 3 from the network and starts up the Web browser.

  The service publishing unit 34 publishes the MFP function as a service, and makes the MFP function available from the common server 3.

  The MFP unit 35 realizes a function in response to a request from the service disclosure unit 34. In addition, information corresponding to the inquiry from the service disclosure unit 34 is output to the service disclosure unit 34.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating details of the operation unit 31.

  Referring to the figure, the operation unit 31 includes an operation key 21, a web browser unit 22, and a touch screen 23.

  The operation key 21 is a key for operating the Web browser, and has sufficient functions for operating the Web browser, such as selection of input items, character input, and the like as with a mobile phone.

  The web browser unit 22 is a liquid crystal display and displays a web page.

  The touch screen 23 is intended to assist the operation keys 21 and can perform operations such as designation of input items and execution of links.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the Web browser unit 22 when the MFPs 1 and 2 are started up.

  When the user sets the IC card according to the screen of FIG. 5, a customized operation screen for each user is displayed.

  6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating specific examples of customized operation screens.

  6 and 7 show the customization screens of user A and user B, respectively.

  From the screen of user A in FIG. 6, it is possible to specify the number of copies, finish, magnification, paper, and the like, and the selection value of each item is limited to a range that meets the specifications of each MFP. When the copy start link is clicked, a copy start page request is transmitted to the common server 3 with the selected value.

  In FIG. 7, the same operation content as FIG. 6 is described using a plurality of pages. When the user clicks the “detailed designation” and “return” links on each page, a page acquisition request is issued to the common server 3 each time, and the screen changes accordingly.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the screen of FIG.

  As shown in the figure, instead of inputting the ID on the IC card, the user may be requested to input a user ID and a password.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the operation unit management unit 33 of the MFP.

  Referring to the figure, in step S1, network device 4 is queried for the address of common server 3, and the address of common server 3 is acquired.

  In step S2, the top page provided by the common server 3 is acquired. In step S3, the user waits for login.

  In step S4, when the user logs in, the user ID is recorded, the user ID is specified, and a request is transmitted to the common server 3, whereby the user and the user home page that matches the MFP (FIGS. 6 and 7, etc.) ) To get.

  In step S5, when the state of the device changes due to an operation of a touch panel (touch screen) based on the user home page or an input of an operation key, or an error in the MFP, the information is sent to the common server 3, A screen (page) that matches the change in operation or state is acquired and displayed on the Web browser 22.

  The input of the touch panel and the operation key is reflected in a state of being input and selected in a form such as a text box or a radio button on the Web page. The input data is transmitted to the common server 3 using an HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) GET method or POST method.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure on the common server 3 side.

  Referring to the figure, a page request waiting state from the device (MFP) is entered in step S10. A user session without a page request for a certain time or more is initialized.

  In step S11, when there is a page request from the device, the requested device and user ID are determined, and the device ID and user ID are recorded.

  In step S12, the program to be executed is determined from the URL of the page request, the user ID, the device ID, and the session state for each user, and the program is executed. Also, the session state is updated.

  If a device service call request is included in the processing executed by the program in step S13, the device service address is determined from the device ID and the service is called. As a result, an inquiry can be made to obtain the status of the device, or a predetermined process can be executed by the device.

  In step S <b> 14, the execution result of the program is passed to the display page generation unit 16. A style sheet is determined from the user ID, and a display page is generated from the execution result using the style sheet.

  In step S15, the display page is transferred to the device-specific display data generation unit 17. A style sheet is determined from the device ID, and a device-specific display page is generated from the display page using the style sheet.

  In step S <b> 16, the device-specific display page is returned to the device via the Web server unit 10.

  Next, the service disclosure unit 34 of the MFP will be described.

  The service disclosure unit 34 provides a Web service I / F for using functions of the MFP unit 35 from an external device connected via a network. The web service I / F is published in a form such as SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and the service content specification is published in a form such as WSDL (Web Services Description Language). The following services are disclosed as Web service I / F for the copy function of the MFP.

-Copy mode setting-Copy start-Copy stop-Acquisition of copy status-Event notification FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a calling procedure of the common server 3 for performing a copy operation.

  Referring to the figure, common server 3 calls a copy mode setting service in step S21. The common server 3 calls the copy mode setting of the Web service I / F, including setting values such as the number of copies necessary for the copy mode setting, paper size, and color / monochrome. The common server 3 waits for a response from the Web service I / F and confirms that the setting has been completed normally.

  In step S22, the common server 3 calls a copy start service. The common server 3 waits for a response from the Web service I / F and confirms that the call has been completed normally.

  In step S23, the common server 3 monitors the copy status. That is, the copy status acquisition service is called, a response from the Web service I / F is waited, and the return value is confirmed. The return value is a value representing the status of the copy operation such as “standby”, “copying”, “copy completed”, and the like. The copy status acquisition service is periodically called until the return value changes from “copying” to “copy completed”.

  In addition, as a process in step S23, there is a method using a call of an event notification service. The common server 3 publishes a Web service I / F that receives a copy completion event. Upon receiving the event notification service call, the service publishing unit 34 monitors the copy status, and when the copy is completed, calls the Web service I / F specified at the time of calling the event notification service. In this case, the service disclosure unit 34 calls the Web service I / F that receives the copy completion event of the common server 3.

  In step S24, the service disclosure unit 34 confirms the completion of copying and performs post-processing necessary when the copying is completed.

[Effects of the embodiment]
The configuration described above has the following effects.

  The user can customize the operation screen by correcting / adding the style sheet of the style sheet 18 for each user ID.

  Further, by updating / adding the user-specific program in the program registration unit 13, the screen transition as shown in FIG. 7 and the number of screens can be changed, and customization with a high degree of freedom is possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, standard XML and Web-related technologies are used, an inexpensive and high-quality development environment can be used, and inexpensive and efficient customization is possible.

  Also, the addition of devices having different configurations, the addition of parts, and the function change upon failure can be easily handled by updating the device-specific style sheet 19.

  Note that a portable memory capable of storing a user ID may be used instead of the IC card.

  In addition, the Web browser unit 32 may be configured to generate data for each user such as a cookie and a state when accessing the common server 3, but by writing such data for each user of the browser to the IC card, It is possible to easily cope with the interruption of work due to the user's use of equipment.

  In this case, it is also conceivable to record the working device ID on the IC card and transmit the IC card device ID to the common server. As a result, for example, it is possible to resume the work performed in the MFP 1 using the operation unit of the MFP 2.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1, a PC (personal computer) 40 is connected to the network device 4.

  It is conceivable that the PC 40 (or an information home appliance not shown) equipped with a Web browser can be used as an operation unit of the device by supporting a standard protocol widely used on the Internet in the common server 3.

  In FIG. 12, when the common server 3 determines that the page request source is not an MFP (for example, a PC), the common server 3 displays a screen including selection of a device to be operated and user login as shown in FIG. When logging in to a specific device as a user, a page for operating the corresponding device of the corresponding user is displayed.

  With such a configuration, operations from various devices equipped with a Web browser can be performed, and the convenience of the devices can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a device network system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Here, instead of the common server 3 in FIG. 1, a common server built-in MFP 33 is connected. That is, in this embodiment, the common server is built in the MFP.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of the MFP 33 with a built-in common server.

  The MFP 33 with built-in common server has an operation mode in which the common server 3 is built in and power is supplied only to the common server 3. In the present embodiment, the installation space of the device can be reduced by integrating the MFP and the Web server.

[Others]
The customized page is converted into an XML format according to a specific tag set, and the conversion between the two XML formats with reference to the XSL style sheet as the page conversion is realized by adopting the XSLT conversion processor. Further, the page may be described not only in the XML format but also in the HTML format, or may be described in another language.

  The Web server unit may be distributed and implemented on a plurality of servers.

  As described above, once a user creates a customized page, it can be shared by a plurality of similar devices. There is a merit that the user can use an appropriate operation screen suitable for his / her preference and work contents with a plurality of devices.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus network system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a common server 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating details of an operation unit 31. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a Web browser unit 22 when MFPs 1 and 2 are started up. FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the customized operation screen. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the customized operation screen. It is a figure which shows the modification of the screen of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an operation unit management unit 33 of the MFP. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence by the side of a common server. It is a flowchart which shows the calling procedure of the common server 3 for performing copy operation. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus network system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen containing selection of the apparatus to operate and a user login. It is a figure which shows the structure of the apparatus network system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a common server built-in MFP 33. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2 MFP, 3 Common server, 4 Network device, 5, 6 IC card, 10 Web server unit, 11 Device determination unit, 12 User ID determination unit, 13 Program registration unit, 14 Device service call program, 15 Library execution unit , 16 Display page generation unit, 17 Display data generation unit by device, 18 Style sheet by user ID, 19 Style sheet by device, 21 Operation key, 22 Web browser unit, 23 Touch screen, 30 IC card reading unit, 31 Operation unit , 32 Web browser unit, 33 operation unit management unit, 34 service disclosure unit, 35 MFP unit.

Claims (9)

A server device that communicates with a plurality of devices including a Web page display means,
Web page transmission means for transmitting a Web page suitable for each device;
Receiving means for receiving information based on user operation in each device, or information indicating the state of the device in each device;
A server device comprising: function calling means for performing at least one of an operation instruction, transmission of a new Web page, and inquiry to a device that has transmitted the information based on information received by the receiving means . Each of the plurality of devices includes a reading unit that reads information from a movable memory medium that records personal information.
The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Web page transmitting unit transmits a Web page corresponding to the individual information. Holding means to hold customized pages;
Page conversion means for converting the customized page into a web page suitable for each model,
The server device according to claim 1, wherein the Web page transmission unit transmits the converted Web page.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the Web page is described in an XML format or an HTML format according to a specific tag set. Make the customized page an XML format according to a specific tag set,
4. The server apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the page conversion unit performs conversion by an XSLT conversion processor that refers to an XSL style sheet that performs conversion between both XML formats.   The server device according to claim 1, wherein the function calling unit calls a function by calling a function of a device disclosed as a Web service from a Web server unit. A server device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A network system comprising a plurality of devices having Web page display means capable of communicating with the server device. A control method of a server device that communicates with a plurality of devices provided with a Web page display means,
A web page sending step for sending a web page suitable for each device;
A receiving step for receiving information based on a user operation in each device or information indicating a state of the device in each device;
A server apparatus comprising: a function calling step for performing at least one of an operation instruction, transmission of a new Web page, and inquiry to a device that has transmitted the information based on the information received in the reception step Control method. A control program for a server device that communicates with a plurality of devices provided with Web page display means,
A web page sending step for sending a web page suitable for each device;
A receiving step for receiving information based on a user operation in each device or information indicating a state of the device in each device;
Based on the information received in the receiving step, causing the computer to execute a function calling step for performing at least one of an operation instruction, transmission of a new Web page, and inquiry to the device that has transmitted the information. Server device control program.

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