JP2009146325A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor that provides a user with a screen for settings by the user based on a user level determined finely and correctly. <P>SOLUTION: A digital composite machine 1 includes a web server 11 and a setting screen determination section 12. The web server 11 provides user terminals 2, 3 with the content which constitutes the setting screen. The setting screen determination section 12 determines the user level about each setting screen, based on a frequency where users of the user terminal 2, 3 use each setting screen. Moreover, the setting screen determination section 12 lowers the user level about each setting screen, when the users of user terminal 2, 3 do not use continually each setting screen for a long term. Accordingly, the digital composite machine 1 can provide the user terminal 2, 3 with the content which constitutes the setting screen based on the user level determined finely and correctly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for providing a setting screen for a user to make a setting according to a user level in an information processing apparatus for the user to set.

  Information processing apparatuses such as digital multi-function peripherals and personal computers receive information from users and process information. The information processing apparatus processes various information. For example, the information processing apparatus performs fax transmission / reception, mail transmission / reception, copy processing, and the like.

  The information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 provides a user with a setting screen for the user to set according to the user level. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can provide a user with a setting screen that is easy for the user to set according to the user level.

  Specifically, the information processing apparatus increases the amount of information displayed on the setting screen when the user level is high. Further, the information processing apparatus reduces the amount of information displayed on the setting screen when the user level is low.

  The information processing apparatus determines the user level in order to increase or decrease the amount of information displayed on the setting screen. In order to determine the user level, the information terminal device measures the number of times the user has set.

  Specifically, the information processing apparatus determines that the user level is high when the number of times the user has set is large. Further, the information processing apparatus determines that the user level is low when the number of times the user has made the setting is small.

JP 2004-355418 A

  The information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 measures the number of times the user has set each function for processing various information. Then, the information processing apparatus determines the user level based on the total number of times the user has set each item.

  For example, the information processing apparatus measures the number of times the user has set each function for performing functions such as fax transmission / reception, mail transmission / reception, and copy processing. Then, the information processing apparatus promotes the user level when the number of times the user has set each condition satisfies the predetermined condition.

  However, the user does not always make many settings for all of fax transmission / reception, mail transmission / reception, copy processing, and the like. For example, the user may perform many settings for fax transmission / reception, but may not perform many settings for mail transmission / reception, copy processing, and the like. At this time, the information processing apparatus cannot accurately determine the user level.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a technique for accurately and finely determining a user level in an information processing apparatus that provides a user with a setting screen for setting according to the user level. Objective.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that receives information from a user and processes information on a plurality of processing items, for the user to give the information processing apparatus settings. A content storage unit that stores content constituting a plurality of setting screens, a usage frequency measurement unit that measures the frequency with which the user uses each setting screen by converting the usage frequency score for each processing item, and the content storage A content determination unit that determines content constituting each setting screen that the unit provides to the user based on the use frequency score for each processing item.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the usage frequency score is obtained by converting the frequency at which the user requests the content constituting each setting screen from the information processing apparatus for each processing item. The content determination unit, and a setting frequency score obtained by converting, for each processing item, a frequency at which the user gives settings to the information processing apparatus using each setting screen. Includes a first content determination unit that determines the content constituting each setting screen provided to the user by the content storage unit based on the request frequency score and the setting frequency score for each processing item. And

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the content determination unit is configured to process each processing item based on a period during which the user does not continuously use each setting screen. A frequency score subtracting unit for subtracting the usage frequency score is included.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a content storage unit, a usage frequency measurement unit, and a content determination unit. The content storage unit stores content constituting the setting screen. The usage frequency measurement unit converts the frequency with which the user uses each setting screen into a usage frequency score and measures it. A content determination part determines the content which comprises each setting screen provided to a user based on a utilization frequency score. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can determine the user level accurately and finely for each setting screen.

  The content determination unit includes a frequency score subtraction unit. The frequency score subtracting unit subtracts the usage frequency score based on a period during which the user does not continuously use each setting screen. As a result, the information processing apparatus can lower the user level for each setting screen when the user's non-use period is long.

{First embodiment}
[Overall configuration of digital MFP]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system including a digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The information processing system includes a digital multi-function peripheral 1, user terminals 2, 3, a network 4, and the like.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 is an office device that performs information processing such as fax transmission / reception, mail transmission / reception, and copy processing. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 provides contents constituting an information processing setting screen to the user terminals 2 and 3 via the network 4.

  The user terminals 2 and 3 are personal computers used by users 23 and 33 (not shown in FIG. 1), respectively. The user terminals 2 and 3 request the contents constituting the information processing setting screen from the digital multifunction peripheral 1 via the network 4.

  The network 4 is a network such as a local area network or the Internet through which the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the user terminals 2 and 3 exchange contents constituting an information processing setting screen.

  The digital multifunction device 1 includes a web server 11, a setting screen determination unit 12, and the like.

  The web server 11 stores content constituting an information processing setting screen. The web server 11 provides content constituting the information processing setting screen determined by the setting screen determination unit 12 to the user terminals 2 and 3 via the network 4.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 requests content constituting the information processing setting screen from the user terminals 2 and 3 via the network 4. The setting screen determination unit 12 determines the contents that constitute the information processing setting screen that the web server 11 provides to the user terminals 2 and 3. The flow of processing in the setting screen determination unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The web server 11 includes a fax setting screen content 111, a mail setting screen content 112, a copy setting screen content 113, and the like.

  The fax setting screen content 111 is a content constituting a setting screen for the users 23 and 33 to perform fax transmission / reception. The web server 11 provides icon content 131 and text content 132 to beginner users. The web server 11 provides only the icon content 131 to the expert user. When the fax setting screen includes a plurality of setting screens, the web server 11 may change the content type provided to the user for each setting screen.

  The mail setting screen content 112 is content that constitutes a setting screen for the users 23 and 33 to send and receive mail. The web server 11 provides icon content 133 and text content 134 to beginner users. The web server 11 provides only the icon content 133 to the expert user. When the mail setting screen includes a plurality of setting screens, the web server 11 may change the content type provided to the user for each setting screen.

  The copy setting screen content 113 is content that constitutes a setting screen for the users 23 and 33 to perform copy processing. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the web server 11 provides icon content 135 and text content 136 to any user.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 includes a user authentication database 121, a score distribution method database 122, a user score total database 123, a user level determination database 124, and the like.

  The user authentication database 121 is a database that stores the user names and passwords of the users 23 and 33. The setting screen determination unit 12 performs user authentication of the users 23 and 33 by referring to the user authentication database 121.

  The score distribution method database 122 is a database that stores measurement standards for the usage frequency of the users 23 and 33 for each setting screen. The setting screen determination unit 12 measures the usage frequency of the users 23 and 33 for each setting screen by referring to the score distribution method database 122.

  The user score total database 123 is a database that stores the measurement results of the usage frequency of the users 23 and 33 for each setting screen. The setting screen determination unit 12 refers to the user score total database 123 to determine the user level of the users 23 and 33 for each setting screen.

  The user level determination database 124 is a database that stores the user level determination criteria of the users 23 and 33 for each setting screen. The setting screen determination unit 12 determines the user level of the users 23 and 33 for each setting screen by referring to the user level determination database 124.

  The user terminals 2 and 3 include web browsers 21 and 31 and display units 22 and 32, respectively.

  The web browsers 21 and 31 request the contents constituting the information processing setting screen from the digital multifunction peripheral 1 via the network 4. The web browsers 21 and 31 display the contents constituting the information processing setting screen on the display units 22 and 32, respectively.

  The display units 22 and 32 display the contents constituting the information processing setting screen, which are requested by the web browsers 21 and 31, respectively.

  In the above description, the web server 11 provides icon content and text content to beginner users. Further, the web server 11 provides only icon contents to the expert user.

  That is, the beginner user can operate a setting screen that is easy to understand for beginners by providing a setting screen in which the explanatory text is attached to the setting icon. Further, the expert user can operate the setting screen that is not troublesome for the expert by providing the setting screen in which the explanatory text is not added to the setting icon.

  However, the content provided to the beginner user and the expert user by the web server 11 may be other than the content described above. For example, the web server 11 may reduce the amount of information on the installation screen for beginner users. Moreover, the web server 11 may increase the amount of information on the installation screen for the expert user.

  In the above description, the users 23 and 33 operate the digital multifunction peripheral 1 via the network 4 in the user terminals 2 and 3, respectively.

  However, the users 23 and 33 may directly operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1. At this time, the users 23 and 33 may operate the digital multifunction peripheral 1 on the operation screen of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 not shown in FIG. Further, the content constituting the information processing setting screen may be displayed on the display screen of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (not shown in FIG. 1).

  In the above description, the users 23 and 33 operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1. However, guest users other than the users 23 and 33 may operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1. At this time, the setting screen determination unit 12 cannot perform user authentication, and the guest user cannot succeed in user authentication. Moreover, the setting screen determination part 12 does not measure the usage frequency of the guest user. Furthermore, the setting screen determination unit 12 does not determine the user level of the guest user.

[Contents of each database]
Next, the contents of each database will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the score distribution method database 122. 5 and 7 are diagrams showing the contents of the user score totaling database 123. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of the user level determination database 124.

  The score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 stores the display score and the setting score distribution method for each setting screen. That is, the score distribution method database 122 stores the measurement standard of the usage frequency for each setting screen.

  Here, the score distribution method database 122 stores display scores and setting score distribution methods for the fax setting screen and the mail setting screen. However, the score distribution method database 122 does not store the display score and the setting score distribution method for the copy setting screen.

  That is, the score distribution method database 122 stores the measurement standard of the usage frequency for the fax setting screen and the mail setting screen. However, the score distribution method database 122 does not store the measurement standard of the usage frequency for the copy setting screen.

  The display score is a measure of the frequency with which the users 23 and 33 display the contents constituting the information processing setting screen on the display units 22 and 32, respectively.

  That is, the setting screen determination unit 12 adds one point as the display score of the users 23 and 33 each time the users 23 and 33 display the fax setting screen. The setting screen determination unit 12 adds one point as the display score of the users 23 and 33 every time the users 23 and 33 display the mail setting screen.

  The setting score is a measure of the frequency with which the users 23 and 33 operate the digital multifunction peripheral 1 using the information processing setting screen in the user terminals 2 and 3, respectively.

  That is, the setting screen determination unit 12 adds 4 points as the setting score of the users 23 and 33 every time the users 23 and 33 actually perform the fax setting. The setting screen determination unit 12 adds 5 points as setting scores for the users 23 and 33 each time the users 23 and 33 actually set the mail.

  The display score is added each time the user 23 or 33 displays the setting screen. The setting score is added every time the user 23, 33 displays the setting screen and actually performs the setting. Therefore, the display score may be distributed lower than the set score.

  Further, the setting score may be distributed based on the difficulty of setting or the number of setting items. For example, the setting score may be distributed higher when the setting difficulty is high. Further, the setting score may be distributed higher when the number of setting items included in the setting screen is large.

  The user score total database 123 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 stores the display score and the set score for each user and the setting screen, and stores the total score of the display score and the set score. That is, the user score total database 123 stores the measurement result of the usage frequency for each user and setting screen.

  The user score total database 123 shown in FIG. 5 is a database stored in the setting screen determination unit 12 before a series of processes described later are performed by the users 23 and 33. The user score total database 123 shown in FIG. 7 is a database stored in the setting screen determination unit 12 after a series of processing by the users 23 and 33.

  The last access time is not considered in the first embodiment, but is considered in the second embodiment. The last access time will be described in the second embodiment.

  The user level determination database 124 illustrated in FIG. 6 stores, for each setting screen, a total score threshold for determining whether or not the setting screen determination unit 12 promotes the user level. That is, the user level determination database 124 stores user level determination criteria for each setting screen.

  The user level down non-operation period is not considered in the first embodiment, but is considered in the second embodiment. The user level down non-operation period will be described in the second embodiment.

[Processing flow in digital multifunction devices]
Next, in the first to sixth cases where the users 23 and 33 perform fax transmission / reception, mail transmission / reception, and copy processing, the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  As a first case, the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when the user 23 performs fax transmission / reception will be described.

  The user 23 operates the digital multifunction peripheral 1 via the network 4 by activating the web browser 21 in the user terminal 2. The user 23 transmits the user name and password to the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 receives the user name and password from the user 23. The setting screen determination unit 12 performs user authentication of the user 23 by referring to the user authentication database 121 (YES in step S1).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 confirms that the fax setting screen is registered in the score distribution method database 122 by referring to the score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 (YES in step S2).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 determines the user level for fax transmission / reception of the user 23 by referring to the user score total database 123 shown in FIG. 5 and the user level determination database 124 shown in FIG. S3). The user score total database 123 shown in FIG. 5 is a database stored in the setting screen determination unit 12 before the user 23 performs fax transmission / reception.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 confirms that the total score for the user 23 and the fax setting screen is 46 points. Further, the setting screen determination unit 12 compares the total score 46 for the user 23 and the fax setting screen with the user level up total score threshold 50 for the fax setting screen.

  Since the total score is lower than the threshold value, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 23 is a beginner on the fax setting screen (“beginner” in step S3).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 requests the web server 11 to provide the icon content 131 and the text content 132 of the fax setting screen content 111 to the user 23. The web server 11 provides the icon content 131 and the text content 132 to the user 23 (step S4).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 refers to the score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 to change the display score for the user 23 and the fax setting screen from 10 points shown in FIG. 5 to 11 points shown in FIG. Is added (step S5).

  Consider a case where the user 23 actually transmits and receives a fax (YES in step S6). The digital multi-function peripheral 1 performs fax transmission / reception (step S7).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 refers to the score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 to change the setting points for the user 23 and the fax setting screen from the 36 points shown in FIG. 5 to the 40 points shown in FIG. Is added (step S8). The setting screen determination unit 12 updates the total score for the user 23 and the fax setting screen from 46 points shown in FIG. 5 to 51 points shown in FIG. 7 based on the display score and the added points of the setting score.

  Consider a case where the user 23 does not actually send or receive a fax (NO in step S6). The digital multi-function peripheral 1 does not execute steps S7 and S8.

  Consider a case where the user 23 performs fax transmission / reception at the next login. Since the total score 51 is higher than the threshold value 50, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 23 has been promoted from a beginner to an expert on the fax setting screen (“expert” in step S3).

  The web server 11 provides only the icon content 131 among the fax setting screen content 111 to the user 23 (step S10).

  As a second case, the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when the user 33 performs fax transmission / reception will be described. Steps S1, S2, and S14 are the same as in the first case.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 determines the user level for fax transmission / reception of the user 33 by referring to the user score total database 123 shown in FIG. 5 and the user level determination database 124 shown in FIG. S3). The user score total database 123 shown in FIG. 5 is a database stored in the setting screen determination unit 12 before the user 33 performs fax transmission / reception.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 confirms that the total score is 92 points for the user 33 and the fax setting screen. The setting screen determination unit 12 compares the total score of 92 points for the user 33 and the fax setting screen with the user level-up total score threshold value of 50 points for the fax setting screen.

  Since the total score is higher than the threshold value, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 33 is an expert on the fax setting screen (“expert” in step S3).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 requests the web server 11 to provide only the icon content 131 of the fax setting screen content 111 to the user 33. The web server 11 provides only the icon content 131 to the user 33 (step S10).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 refers to the score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 to change the display score for the user 33 and the fax setting screen from the 20 points shown in FIG. 5 to the 21 points shown in FIG. Is added (step S5).

  Consider a case where the user 33 actually performs fax transmission / reception (YES in step S6). The digital multi-function peripheral 1 performs fax transmission / reception (step S7).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 refers to the score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 to change the setting points for the user 33 and the fax setting screen from 72 points shown in FIG. 5 to 76 points shown in FIG. Is added (step S8). The setting screen determination unit 12 updates the total score for the user 33 and the fax setting screen from 92 points shown in FIG. 5 to 97 points shown in FIG. 7 based on the display score and the added points of the setting score.

  Consider a case where the user 33 does not actually send or receive a fax (NO in step S6). The digital multi-function peripheral 1 does not execute steps S7 and S8.

  Consider a case where the user 33 sends and receives a fax at the next login. Since the total score of 97 points is higher than the threshold value of 50 points, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 33 is an expert on the fax setting screen (“expert” in step S3).

  The web server 11 provides only the icon content 131 among the fax setting screen content 111 to the user 33 (step S10).

  As a third case, the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when the user 23 performs mail transmission / reception will be described. Steps S1, S2, and S14 are the same as in the first case.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 confirms that the total score for the user 23 and the mail setting screen is 85 points by the user score totaling database 123 before a series of processing. In addition, the setting screen determination unit 12 checks the user level determination database 124 that the user level up total score threshold is 60 points for the mail setting screen.

  Since the total score is higher than the threshold value, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 23 is an expert on the mail setting screen (“expert” in step S3). The web server 11 provides only the icon content 133 of the mail setting screen content 112 to the user 23 (step S10).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 updates the display score in the user score totaling database 123 for the user 23 and the mail setting screen (step S5). When the user 23 actually transmits and receives mail (YES in step S6), the setting screen determination unit 12 updates the setting score in the user score totaling database 123 for the user 23 and the mail setting screen (step S8).

  As a fourth case, the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when the user 33 performs mail transmission / reception will be described. Steps S1, S2, and S14 are the same as in the first case.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 confirms that the total score for the user 33 and the mail setting screen is 25 points by the user score totaling database 123 before a series of processing. In addition, the setting screen determination unit 12 checks the user level determination database 124 that the user level up total score threshold is 60 points for the mail setting screen.

  Since the total score is lower than the threshold value, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 33 is a beginner on the mail setting screen (“beginner” in step S3). The web server 11 provides icon content 133 and text content 134 among the mail setting screen content 112 to the user 33 (step S4).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 updates the display score in the user score totaling database 123 for the user 33 and the mail setting screen (step S5). When the user 33 actually performs mail transmission / reception (YES in step S6), the setting screen determination unit 12 updates the setting score in the user score totaling database 123 for the user 33 and the mail setting screen (step S8).

  The flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 when the user 23 performs a copy process as the fifth case and when the user 33 performs the copy process as the sixth case will be described. Steps S1 and S14 are the same as in the first case.

  The setting screen determination unit 12 refers to the score distribution method database 122 shown in FIG. 4 to confirm that the copy setting screen is not registered in the score distribution method database 122 (NO in step S2).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 requests the web server 11 to provide the icon content 135 and the text content 136 of the copy setting screen content 113 to the users 23 and 33. The web server 11 provides the icon content 135 and the text content 136 to the users 23 and 33 (step S11).

  When the users 23 and 33 actually perform the copy process (YES in step S12), the digital multi-function peripheral 1 executes the copy process (step S13). When the users 23 and 33 do not actually perform the copy process (NO in step S12), the digital multi-function peripheral 1 does not execute step S13.

  As a case other than the first to sixth cases, a guest user other than the users 23 and 33 may operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The setting screen determination unit 12 cannot perform user authentication, and the guest user cannot succeed in user authentication (NO in step S1). The setting screen determination unit 12 requests the web server 11 to provide icon content and text content among the setting screen contents to the guest user. The web server 11 provides the icon content and text content to the guest user (step S11). Steps S12 and S13 are the same as in the fifth and sixth cases.

[Summary of the first embodiment]
Finally, the first embodiment will be summarized. In the first and third cases, the user 23 was promoted from a beginner to an expert for fax transmission and reception, and was an expert for mail transmission and reception. In the second and fourth cases, the user 33 is a skilled person for fax transmission / reception and a beginner for mail transmission / reception. In the fifth and sixth cases, the users 23 and 33 have not been determined for the user level.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can determine the user level of each user for each setting screen. Therefore, although a user has little use experience for one setting screen, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can accurately and finely determine the user level even when the other setting screen has much use experience.

  In one setting screen, a difference in user level occurs depending on the degree of use experience, but in another setting screen, a difference in user level may not occur depending on the amount of use experience. Even at this time, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 can determine the user level for one setting screen, but can not determine the user level for other setting screens.

{Second Embodiment}
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when the user does not use the setting screen for a predetermined period of time, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can improve the user level even after the user level has been promoted from a beginner to an expert. Downgrade from beginner to beginner.

  The overall configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is the same as the overall configuration shown in FIG. The score distribution method database 122 and the user level determination database 124 are the same as the databases shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively.

  The user score total database 123 before the series of processing is the same as the database shown in FIG. However, the user score total database 123 after the series of processing is not the database shown in FIG. 7 but the database shown in FIG.

  The last access time shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 is the time when the users 23 and 33 last accessed the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The user level down non-operation period shown in FIG. 6 is a threshold value of a period during which the user does not continue to use the setting screen for determining whether or not the digital multi-function peripheral 1 clears the total score to 0 points. is there.

  The user level down non-operation period may be determined based on the setting difficulty level or the number of setting items. For example, the user level down non-operation period may be determined to be shorter when it is assumed that the user cannot easily store the setting method.

  The users 23 and 33 last accessed the digital multi-function peripheral 1 at the last access time shown in FIG. The users 23 and 33 access the digital multifunction peripheral 1 on November 22, 2007 for each setting screen. In the first to sixth cases, the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.

  In the first case, since November 3, 2007, when the user 23 last used the fax setting screen, January, which is a user level down non-operation period for the fax setting screen, has not elapsed. For this reason, the setting screen determination unit 12 does not clear the total score to 0. Then, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 23 is a beginner on the fax setting screen (“beginner” in step S3). Further, the setting screen determination unit 12 updates the last access time on November 22, 2007 (step S9).

  In the second case, since October 31, 2007, when the user 33 last used the fax setting screen, January, which is a user level down non-operation period for the fax setting screen, has not elapsed. For this reason, the setting screen determination unit 12 does not clear the total score to 0. Then, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 33 is an expert on the fax setting screen (“expert” in step S3). Further, the setting screen determination unit 12 updates the last access time on November 22, 2007 (step S9).

  In the third case, since September 11, 2007, when the user 23 last used the mail setting screen, February, which is a user level down non-operation period for the mail setting screen, has passed. Therefore, the setting screen determination unit 12 clears the total score to 0 points. Then, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 23 has demoted the e-mail setting screen from an expert to a beginner (“beginner” in step S3).

  The setting screen determination unit 12 adds one display score for the mail setting screen shown in FIG. 4 to the display score cleared to zero (step S5). Further, the setting screen determination unit 12 adds 5 setting scores for the mail setting screen shown in FIG. 4 to the setting score cleared to 0 points (step S8). Then, the setting screen determination unit 12 updates the last access time on November 22, 2007 (step S9).

  In the fourth case, since October 28, 2007, when the user 33 last used the mail setting screen, February, which is a user level down non-operation period for the mail setting screen, has not elapsed. For this reason, the setting screen determination unit 12 does not clear the total score to 0. Then, the setting screen determination unit 12 determines that the user 33 is a beginner on the mail setting screen (“beginner” in step S3). Further, the setting screen determination unit 12 updates the last access time on November 22, 2007 (step S9).

  In the fifth and sixth cases, the setting screen determination unit 12 does not determine the user level, and therefore does not determine whether or not to clear the total score to 0 points.

  In the above description, when the non-operation period exceeds a predetermined period, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 lowers the user level from an expert to a beginner by clearing the total score to 0 points.

  However, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 may demote the user level from a skilled person to a beginner when the total score gradually decreased during the non-operation period falls below a predetermined score. The reduction rate of the total score and the predetermined score may be determined based on the difficulty level of setting or the number of setting items. For example, when it is assumed that the user cannot easily store the setting method, the reduction rate of the total score may be determined faster, and the predetermined score may be determined higher.

  In the above description, the users 23 and 33 operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1. However, guest users other than the users 23 and 33 may operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1. At this time, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 does not determine whether or not the user level of the guest user is demoted from the expert to the beginner.

1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing system including a digital multi-function peripheral. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a digital multifunction peripheral. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a digital multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows the content of the score distribution method database. It is a figure showing the contents of a user score total database. It is a figure which shows the content of the user level determination database. It is a figure showing the contents of a user score total database. It is a figure showing the contents of a user score total database.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction machine 2, 3 User terminal 4 Network 11 Web server 12 Setting screen determination part 21, 31 Web browser 22, 32 Display part 111 Fax setting screen content 112 Mail setting screen content 113 Copy setting screen content 121 User authentication database 122 Score Distribution method database 123 User score totaling database 124 User level determination database 131, 133, 135 Icon content 132, 134, 136 Text content

Claims (3)

An information processing apparatus that receives information from a user and processes information about a plurality of processing items,
A content storage unit for storing content constituting a plurality of setting screens for the user to give settings to the information processing apparatus;
A usage frequency measurement unit that measures the frequency with which the user uses each setting screen, converted into a usage frequency score for each processing item, and
A content determination unit that determines the content constituting each setting screen provided to the user by the content storage unit based on the usage frequency score for each processing item;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The usage frequency score is:
A request frequency score obtained by converting the frequency at which the user requests the content constituting each setting screen to the information processing apparatus for each processing item;
A setting frequency score obtained by converting the frequency at which the user gives settings to the information processing apparatus using each setting screen for each processing item;
Including
The content determination unit
A first content determination unit that determines the content constituting each setting screen provided to the user by the content storage unit based on the request frequency score and the setting frequency score for each processing item;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The content determination unit
A frequency score subtracting unit that subtracts the usage frequency score for each processing item based on a period in which the user does not continue to use each setting screen;
An information processing apparatus comprising:

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