JP2019149832A - Compound machine, information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve an operation efficiency when a user designates execution of a function that can be achieved by a device.SOLUTION: An information processing system that comprises a main body capable of achieving a plurality of functions and an operation unit having a display unit for displaying a screen, comprises a first display controller and an execution controller. The first display controller, to a home screen indicating a screen to be displayed on the display unit immediately after activation, arranges a first display component used for execution designation of the function for each of the plurality of functions. The execution controller, when accepting pressing of the first display component, performs control of making the main body execute the function corresponding to the first display component whose pressing is accepted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for displaying a display component (UI component) used for an instruction to execute a function that can be provided by an application (hereinafter, simply referred to as “application”) installed in a device is known. For example, when the user selects one of a plurality of icons arranged on the home screen, the screen is switched to the initial screen of the application corresponding to the selected icon, and the initial screen has functions that can be provided by the application. A technique for displaying a start button used for an execution instruction is known.

  However, in the prior art, when the user instructs execution of a function that can be provided by the application, the user first selects an icon corresponding to the application on the home screen and switches to the initial screen corresponding to the application. After that, it is necessary to perform an operation of pressing the start button displayed on the initial screen. For this reason, there exists a problem that a user's operation efficiency is bad.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing capable of improving operation efficiency when a user instructs execution of a function that can be realized by a device An object is to provide a method and a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an information processing system including a main body having a plurality of applications each providing a plurality of functions, and an operation unit having a display unit for displaying a screen. A widget that includes, for each of the plurality of functions, a start button used to instruct execution of the function and displays setting values of the application with respect to a home screen that displays a screen displayed on the display unit immediately after activation. The main display is configured to display a first display control unit that displays a function corresponding to the widget when the start button included in the widget is pressed based on the setting value displayed on the widget. And an execution control unit that performs control to be executed by the application.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the operation efficiency at the time of a user instruct | indicating execution of the function which apparatus can implement | achieve can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting widget displayed on the home screen. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the setting widget. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting widget according to a modification. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color setting screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tray setting screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the number setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for other setting items. FIG. 11 is a time chart showing an example of the operation of the MFP from when the start button placed in the setting widget corresponding to the copy AP is pressed until the copy is started. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial screen corresponding to the copy AP. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting widget according to a modification.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, as an example of the information processing system, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an example. Note that a multifunction peripheral is a device having at least two functions among a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a main body 10 capable of realizing various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function, and an operation unit 20 that receives an input corresponding to an operation by the operator. doing. The main body 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected via a dedicated communication path 39 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication path 39 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be of any standard regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

  The main body 10 can perform an operation according to the input received by the operation unit 20. The main body 10 can also communicate with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer), and can also perform an operation according to an instruction received from the external device.

  The main body 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an HDD (hard disk drive) 14, a communication I / F (interface) 15, a connection I / F 16, and an engine unit 17. Are connected to each other. CPU is an abbreviation for “Central Processing Unit”. ROM is an abbreviation for “Read Only Memory”. RAM is an abbreviation for “Random Access Memory”.

  In addition to an OS (Operating System) program, the ROM 12 stores a copy application program (copy AP) and a scanner application program (scanner AP). The ROM 12 stores a facsimile application program (fax AP) and a printer application program (printer AP). In addition, the ROM 12 stores various programs. The various programs described above are stored in the ROM 12, but may be stored in the HDD 14.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the main body 10. The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the main body 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 or the like using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area), and the above-described copy function, scanner function, fax function, printer function, etc. Implement various functions.

  The communication I / F 15 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as a client PC (personal computer). The connection I / F 16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 39.

  The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, a printer function, and the like. For example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that performs printing on a sheet material such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication are provided. Furthermore, a specific option such as a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials or an automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding a document can be provided.

  Next, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a communication I / F 25, a connection I / F 26, and an operation panel 27, which are mutually connected via a system bus 28. It is connected to the.

  The operation unit 20 performs information processing while communicating with the main body 10 by communicating with the main body 10. For this reason, the operation unit 20 has an OS (Operating System) program in the ROM 22 so that information processing independent of the main body 10 can be performed. The ROM 22 stores a copy AP, a scanner AP, a fax AP, and a printer AP as in the ROM 12 of the main body 10.

  Further, the ROM 22 of the operation unit 20 stores a setting widget program (SWP) for displaying a widget on the home screen (a screen corresponding to a so-called desktop screen) of the MFP 1 displayed on the operation panel 27. This SWP is used for setting buttons (corresponding to “second display component” in claims) corresponding to the current setting values of various functions such as a copy function or a printer function, and for instructing execution of various functions. The program displays a setting widget (corresponding to “third display component” in claims) including a start button (corresponding to “first display component” in claims) on the home screen. Details will be described later. The home screen is a screen that is displayed immediately after the MFP 1 is activated, and is a screen that is the basis (starting point) of all operations.

  The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 executes a program stored in the ROM 22 or the flash memory 24 using the RAM 23 as a work area (work area). Thereby, CPU21 controls operation | movement of the whole operation part 20, and implement | achieves the various functions mentioned later, such as a display of the information (image) according to the input received from the user.

  The communication I / F 25 is an interface for communicating with, for example, a server apparatus via a network such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The connection I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the main body 10 via the communication path 39.

  The operation panel 27 is a so-called touch panel in which a touch detection unit formed of transparent electrodes and a liquid crystal display unit are integrally formed. The operation panel 27 receives various types of input by the operator's touch operation and displays various types of information (for example, information corresponding to the received input, information indicating the operation status of the MFP 1, information indicating the setting state, etc.). . In addition, although the operation panel 27 was comprised with the touch detection part and the liquid crystal display part, it is not restricted to this. For example, an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display unit may be used instead of the liquid crystal display unit.

  The operation unit 20 including the operation panel 27 may be a so-called tablet terminal or a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone. In this case, the operation unit 20 is provided with a wireless communication function. The operation unit 20 is detachable from the main body 10. When the operation unit 20 is attached to the main body 10, communication with the main body 10 is performed in a wired manner via the connection I / Fs 16 and 26. When the operation unit 20 is detached from the main body 10, communication with the main body 10 is performed by the wireless communication function.

  Next, the software configuration of the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10 includes an application layer 31, a service layer 32, and an OS layer 33. The entities of the application layer 31, the service layer 32, and the OS layer 33 are various software stored in the ROM 12 (or HDD 14). Various functions are provided by the CPU 11 executing these software.

  The software of the application layer 31 is an application program (AP) for operating a hardware resource and providing a predetermined function. For example, the AP includes a copy AP for providing a copy function, a scanner AP for providing a scanner function, a fax AP for providing a fax function, a printer AP for providing a printer function, and the like.

  The software of the service layer 32 is software that is interposed between the application layer 31 and the OS layer 33 and provides an AP with an interface for using hardware resources included in the main body 10. More specifically, it is software for providing a function of accepting an operation request for a hardware resource and arbitrating the operation request. An example of the operation request received by the service layer 32 is a request for reading by a scanner or printing by a plotter.

  The interface function by the service layer 32 is provided not only to the application layer 31 of the main body 10 but also to the application layer 35 of the operation unit 20. That is, the application layer 35 of the operation unit 20 can also realize a function using hardware resources (for example, the engine unit 17) of the main body 10 through the interface function of the service layer 32.

  The software of the OS layer 33 is basic software (operating system) for providing a basic function for controlling hardware included in the main body 10. The software of the service layer 32 converts the use request of hardware resources from various APs into a command interpretable by the OS layer 33 and passes it to the OS layer 33. Then, when the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 33, the hardware resource performs an operation in accordance with the request of the AP.

  Similarly, the operation unit 20 includes an application layer 35, a service layer 36, and an OS layer 37. The application layer 35, the service layer 36, and the OS layer 37 included in the operation unit 20 have the same hierarchical structure as that of the main body 10 side. The functions provided by the AP of the application layer 35 and the types of operation requests that can be accepted by the service layer 36 are different from those on the main body 10 side. The AP of the application layer 35 may be software for operating a hardware resource provided in the operation unit 20 to provide a predetermined function, but mainly functions provided in the main body 10 (copy function, scanner function, Software for providing a UI (user interface) function for performing operations and display related to a fax function and a printer function is included.

  The software of the OS layer 33 on the main body 10 side and the software of the OS layer 37 on the operation unit 20 side are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of functions as described above. That is, the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other with different OSs. For example, it is possible to use Linux (registered trademark) as software of the OS layer 33 on the main body 10 side and Android (registered trademark) as software of the OS layer 37 on the operation unit 20 side.

  As described above, in the MFP 1, since the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 operate on different OSs, communication between the main body 10 and the operation unit 20 is not inter-process communication within a common device, but between different devices. It is done as communication. The operation (command communication) for transmitting the input (instruction content from the operator) received by the operation unit 20 to the main body 10 or the operation for the main body 10 notifying the operation unit 20 of an event corresponds to this. Here, the function of the main body 10 can be used when the operation unit 20 performs command communication with the main body 10. The event notified from the main body 10 to the operation unit 20 includes the execution status of the operation in the main body 10 and the contents set on the main body 10 side.

  In this example, the OS (for example, Linux (registered trademark)) installed in the main body 10 corresponds to the “first operating system” in the claims, and the OS (for example, Android (registered trademark)) installed in the operation unit 20. Trademark)) corresponds to “second operating system” in the claims.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the operation unit 20. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 3 mainly illustrates functions according to the present invention, but the functions of the operation unit 20 are not limited to these. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the operation unit 20 includes a detection unit 41, a first display control unit 42, an execution control unit 43, and a second display control unit 44. In other words, a program (for example, a setting widget program or various APs) stored in the ROM 22 of the operation unit 20 causes the CPU 21 to detect the detection unit 41, the first display control unit 42, the execution control unit 43, and the second display control unit. It can also be understood that it functions as 44. In this example, the detection unit 41, the first display control unit 42, the execution control unit 43, and the second display control unit 44 will be described as being implemented as software functions. It may be realized by hardware.

  The detection unit 41 communicates with various APs stored in the ROM 12 via the CPU 11 of the main body 10 at predetermined time intervals such as every 10 seconds or every 1 minute, and is set as the AP on the main body 10 side. Detects various current settings. The detection unit 41 stores the detected various setting values of the AP on the main body 10 side as, for example, the RAM 23 or the flash memory 24 as the various setting values of the AP on the operation unit 20 side. Thereby, the current various setting values set in the AP on the main body 10 side are reflected as the various setting values of the AP on the operation unit 20 side.

  The first display control unit 42 displays, for each AP (for each of a plurality of types of functions that can be realized by the main body 10), various settings that are reflected on the AP on the operation unit 20 side by the detection unit 41. A setting widget formed by a button and a start button used for an instruction to execute a function that can be provided by the AP is displayed on the home screen. In other words, on the home screen displayed on the operation panel 27 immediately after the MFP 1 is started up, the first display control unit 42 provides, for each AP, a start button used for an instruction to execute a function that can be provided by the AP. You can also think of placing. Each of the setting buttons described above is a button for designating display of a setting item setting screen corresponding to the setting value as well as various current setting values.

  The execution control unit 43 performs control to cause the main body 10 to execute a function corresponding to the start button (pressed start button) that has received the press when the start button is pressed. For example, when the pressing of the start button arranged in the setting widget corresponding to the copy AP is accepted, the main body 10 is controlled to execute the copy function. More specifically, when the CPU 21 detects pressing of the start button arranged in the setting widget corresponding to the copy AP, the CPU 21 requests the main body 10 (engine unit 17) to execute the copy. Thus, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) executes (starts) copying with the current settings.

  When receiving the pressing of the setting button, the second display control unit 44 displays a setting screen corresponding to the setting button that has received the pressing on the operation panel 27.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the home screen displayed on the operation panel 27. Here, the case where the setting widget 50 corresponding to the copy function is arranged on the home screen will be described as an example. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the setting widget 50. The setting widget 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 displays first to fourth setting buttons 51 to 54, an output result icon 64 showing an output result as an image, and a start button 65 used to instruct the start of copying. To do.

  The first setting button 51 is a button for designating display of a color setting screen for setting a color used for printing. In this example, for example, a color used for printing can be designated from “black and white”, “automatic color”, and “full color”. The examples of FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate that “monochrome” is set by the operator (user). In this case, the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 displays the characters “monochrome” on the first setting button 51 of the setting widget 50 according to SWP. As a result, the operator recognizes that “monochrome” is currently set as the color used for printing.

  The second setting button 52 is a button for designating display of a setting screen (tray setting screen) of a tray for feeding paper. In this example, a desired setting can be designated from, for example, “automatic paper feed”, “manual feed tray”, “first tray”, and “second tray”. The examples in FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate that “automatic paper feeding” is set by the operator. In this case, the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 displays the characters “automatic” on the second setting button 52 of the setting widget 50 in accordance with SWP. Thus, the operator recognizes that the paper feed tray is set to be automatically selected.

  The third setting button 53 is a button for designating the display of the number of copies setting screen for setting the number of copies to be printed. As will be described later, in this example, when the display of the number of copies setting screen is designated, “0” to “9” numeric keys are displayed. The operator operates the numeric keypad to input a desired number of copies. The examples in FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate that the number of copies of “1” is set by the operator. In this case, the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 displays the character “1” on the third setting button 53 of the setting widget 50 in accordance with SWP. Thereby, the operator recognizes that the number of copies is set to one.

  Note that the arrangement of the setting items of the color setting → tray setting → copy setting button assigned to the first to third setting buttons 51 to 53 allows the operator to make print settings in a natural manner. It is lined up.

  The fourth setting button 54 is a button for designating display of another setting screen. The CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 displays “other” on the fourth setting button 54 of the setting widget 50 in accordance with SWP. In the setting widget 50, setting items having a high setting change frequency are sequentially assigned to the first to third setting buttons 51 to 53. That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the color setting setting item is set for the first setting button 51, the paper feed tray setting item is set for the second setting button 52, and the third setting is set. A setting item for the number of copies is assigned to each button 53. In addition to the first to third setting buttons 51 to 53, buttons to which other setting items are assigned may be displayed. In this case, display of setting screens for setting items other than the setting items described above is designated. The fourth setting button 54 is pressed.

  The start button 65 is a button for the operator to instruct the start of copying. The CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 displays the characters “START” on the start button 65 of the setting widget 50 in accordance with SWP. In this example, the operator recognizes the current setting by looking at the current setting value displayed on each of the setting buttons 51 to 53 of the setting widget 50, and presses the start button 65. When the CPU 21 accepts the pressing of the start button 65 (detects the pressing of the start button 65), it requests the main body 10 (the engine unit 17) to execute copying. As a result, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) performs copying with the current settings.

  4 and 5 is an example of a setting widget corresponding to the copy function. Setting widgets corresponding to other functions such as a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function are also set widgets that display a setting button and a start button that indicate the current setting values and the like, similar to the setting widget 50 of the copy function described above. It becomes.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 21 displays the output result icon 64 indicating the output result as an image on the setting widget 50 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 21 does not have to display the output result icon 64 on the setting widget 50.

  Next, each setting screen displayed by accepting pressing of each button 51 to 54 of the setting widget 50 will be described. First, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of the color setting screen. When the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 accepts pressing of the first setting button 51 of the setting widget 50, the CPU 21 displays the color setting screen shown in FIG. 7 on the operation panel 27.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 21 displays selection buttons 61 to 63 for “monochrome”, “automatic color”, and “full color”. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 21 can also display an output result icon 64 showing an output result as an image and a start button 65 for instructing the start of copying on the color setting screen. The operator selects and operates a button corresponding to a desired color setting among the selection buttons 61 to 63. The CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 notifies the CPU 11 of the main body 10 of the color setting designated by any of the selection buttons 61 to 63. The CPU 11 of the main body 10 stores color settings set by the operator in the ROM 12, RAM 13, or HDD 14 via the copy AP stored in the ROM 12. In the example of FIG. 7, when detecting that the start button 65 is pressed, the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 requests the main body 10 (engine unit 17) to execute copying. As a result, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) performs copying with the current color setting.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the tray setting screen. When the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 accepts pressing of the second setting button 52 of the setting widget 50, the CPU 21 displays a tray setting screen shown in FIG. 8 on the operation panel 27.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 21 displays selection buttons 71 to 74 for “automatic sheet feeding”, “manual feed tray”, “tray 1”, and “tray 2”. The operator selects and operates a button corresponding to a desired tray for feeding paper or a paper feeding mode among the selection buttons 71 to 74. The CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 notifies the CPU 11 of the main body 10 of the tray setting designated by any of the selection buttons 71 to 74. The CPU 11 of the main body 10 stores the tray setting set by the operator in the ROM 12, RAM 13, or HDD 14 via the copy AP stored in the ROM 12.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a copy setting screen for setting the number of copies to be printed. When the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 accepts pressing of the third setting button 53 of the setting widget 50, the CPU 21 displays a copy number setting screen shown in FIG. 9 on the operation panel 27.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 displays a numeric keypad 81 of “0” to “9” and a number display unit 82 that displays the current set number of copies. As shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 can also display an output result icon 64 showing an output result as an image and a start button 65 for instructing the start of copying on the copy setting screen. The operator designates a desired number of copies by operating the numeric keypad 81. The CPU 21 operates the numeric keypad 81 to display the designated number of copies on the number display portion 82. Further, the CPU 21 notifies the CPU 11 of the main body 10 of the number of prints designated by operating the numeric keypad 81. The CPU 11 of the main body 10 stores the number of copies specified by the operator in the ROM 12, RAM 13, or HDD 14 via the copy AP stored in the ROM 12. When the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 detects that the start button 65 is pressed, the CPU 21 requests the main body 10 (engine unit 17) to execute copying. As a result, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) performs copying with the current copy number setting.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows a setting screen for other setting items displayed by the CPU 21 when the pressing of the fourth setting button 54 for specifying display of a setting screen for setting items other than the above-described setting items is received. It is a figure which shows the example of a display. In this case, the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 displays a selection button for selecting another setting item, such as a selection button 91 for a setting item for “magnification” for designating magnification for enlargement and reduction. As shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 21 can also display an output result icon 64 showing an output result as an image and a start button 65 for instructing the start of copying on the setting screen.

  When the selection button 91 or the like is operated to specify a setting item, the CPU 21 displays a setting screen corresponding to the specified setting item. The operator inputs a desired setting value via this setting screen. The CPU 21 notifies the CPU 11 of the main body 10 of the setting values of the setting items set by the operator. The CPU 11 of the main body 10 stores the setting values of the setting items set by the operator in the ROM 12, the RAM 13, or the HDD 14 via the copy AP stored in the ROM 12. When the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 detects that the start button 65 is pressed, the CPU 21 requests the main body 10 (engine unit 17) to execute copying. As a result, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) performs copying with the current settings.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows a time chart showing an operation example of the MFP 1 from the reception of pressing of the start button 65 arranged in the setting widget 50 to the start of copying. In FIG. 11, an input unit 27a of the operation panel 27 means a touch detection unit, and an output unit 27b means a liquid crystal display unit. The description “CPU (OS)” indicates the operation of the CPU 21 by the OS. The description “CPU (AP)” indicates the operation of the CPU 21 by the copy AP. Further, the description “CPU (SWP)” indicates the operation of the CPU 21 by the setting widget program (SWP).

  First, when the press of the start button 65 of the setting widget 50 by the operator is accepted, the input unit 27a of the operation panel 27 supplies the detection output of this press to the CPU 21 in step S1. The CPU 21 receives the press detection output, and performs a touch event notification indicating that the press has occurred in step S2.

  When the touch event is notified, the CPU 21 makes an activation request for an AP (in this example, a copy AP) corresponding to the start button 65 pressed by the operator in step S3, and corresponds to the copy AP in step S4. The start button 65 to be pressed is notified.

  Next, the CPU 21 issues a request for starting the copy AP in step S5, and notifies the press of the start button 65 in step S6. When the copy AP activation request and the start button 65 are notified, the CPU 21 activates the copy AP requested to be activated. In step S7, the CPU 21 generates an initial screen for the activated copy AP, and in step S8, requests the initial screen corresponding to the copy AP. In step S9, the CPU 21 controls display of the initial screen requested to be displayed on the output unit 27b of the operation panel 27. Thereby, for example, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the output unit 27b. In the example of FIG. 12, the CPU 21 performs color setting button 101, tray setting button 102, number of copies setting button 103, display setting button 104 for other setting items, output result icon 105, start button 106, The reset button 107 is displayed.

  When the initial screen is displayed as described above, the CPU 21 checks whether or not the execution of copying can be started (whether or not it can be started) in step S10. In step S11, the CPU 21 requests the main body 10 to start copying with the current settings. Receiving this request, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) starts copying in step S12. In step S13, the main body 10 (engine unit 17) notifies the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 that copying has started. Receiving the start notification from the main body 10, the CPU 21 generates a copying screen indicating that copying is in progress in step S <b> 14, and requests display of the copying screen in step S <b> 15. In step S <b> 16, the CPU 21 controls display of the copy-in-progress screen requested to be displayed on the output unit 27 b of the operation panel 27.

  For example, the operation unit 20 has a plurality of sets indicating combinations of values set for the setting buttons (first to third setting buttons 51 to 53 in this example) of the AP (copy AP in this example). 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 21 of the operation unit 20 has a plurality of setting widgets corresponding to a plurality of predetermined sets (in the example of FIG. 13, three sets). And three setting widgets 50a, 50b, 50c) corresponding to each other can be simultaneously displayed on the home screen. In this case, when the user touches the setting widget 50 in which a desired value is set, the CPU 21 displays the setting widget 50 in the foreground. When the user presses down the start button 65, the CPU 21 performs a function corresponding to the setting widget 50 (copy in the example of FIG. 13) according to the setting value of each setting button of the setting widget 50 displayed in the foreground. Requests the main body 10 to execute.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the start button used for the execution instruction of the function that can be provided by the AP is arranged for each AP on the home screen displayed on the operation panel 27. Then, when the pressing of the start button is received, the execution of the function corresponding to the start button that has received the pressing is started. That is, in this embodiment, the user can instruct execution of various functions that can be realized by the MFP 1 from the home screen. Thereby, the advantageous effect that a user's operation efficiency can be improved can be achieved.

(program)
The program executed in the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial). (Bus) or the like may be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Various programs may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main body 20 Operation part 41 Detection part 42 1st display control part 43 Execution control part 44 2nd display control part 50 Setting widget 51 1st setting button 52 2nd setting button 53 3rd setting button 54 4th setting Button 65 Start button

JP 2011-205254 A

The present invention relates to a multifunction device, an information processing system and information processing how.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a multifunction device, an information processing system, and an information processing method capable of improving operation efficiency when a user instructs execution of a function that can be realized by a device. The purpose is to provide the law .

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a multifunction device including a main body unit that provides at least one function, and an operation unit that receives an instruction to execute the function via an operation panel. a is, the operation panel, the g e beam screen, displays a widget that displays the set value of the function with including a start button that are used to execute instructions of the function, the body portion is included in the widget When the pressing of the start button is accepted , the MFP executes a function corresponding to the widget based on the setting value displayed on the widget.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the MFP according to the present invention, an embodiment of an information processing system and information processing how detail. Hereinafter, as an example of the information processing system, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) will be described as an example. Note that a multifunction peripheral is a device having at least two functions among a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

Claims (7)

An information processing system comprising a main body having a plurality of applications each providing a plurality of functions and an operation unit having a display unit for displaying a screen,
For each of the plurality of functions, a widget that includes a start button used to instruct execution of the function and displays the setting value of the application is displayed on the home screen that displays a screen displayed on the display unit immediately after startup. A first display control unit;
Execution for performing control to cause the application included in the main body to execute a function corresponding to the widget based on the setting value displayed in the widget when the start button included in the widget is pressed. A control unit,
Information processing system. The body operates in a first operating system;
The operation unit operates in a second operating system different from the first operating system,
The first display control unit displays the widget on the display unit of the operation unit that operates under the second operating system,
The execution control unit, when receiving an operation of the start button, causes the application of the main body that operates under the first operating system to execute a function corresponding to the widget including the start button.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The plurality of functions include at least a copy function and a scan function,
The home screen is a screen serving as a base point for operations of the plurality of functions, including the copy function and the scan function.
The widget is displayed for a portion of the home screen;
The information processing system according to claim 1. The widget includes a setting button corresponding to a current setting value,
A second display control unit configured to display, on the display unit, a setting screen corresponding to the setting button that has received the pressing when the pressing of the setting button is received;
The information processing system according to claim 1. An information processing apparatus that functions as an operation unit of a device having a plurality of applications each providing a plurality of functions,
For each of the plurality of functions, a widget that includes a start button used for executing the function and displays the setting value of the application is displayed on the home screen indicating a screen displayed on the operation unit immediately after starting. A first display control unit;
An execution control unit that controls the application to execute a function corresponding to the widget based on the setting value displayed on the widget when the start button included in the widget is pressed; Comprising
Information processing device. For a home screen showing a screen displayed on the display unit immediately after startup, a widget that includes a start button used for executing the function and displays setting values of an application that provides the function for each of a plurality of functions A first display control step for displaying;
An execution control step for performing control to cause the application to execute a function corresponding to the widget based on the setting value displayed on the widget when the start button included in the widget is pressed; including,
Information processing method. On the computer,
For a home screen showing a screen displayed on the display unit immediately after startup, a widget that includes a start button used for executing the function and displays setting values of an application that provides the function for each of a plurality of functions A first display control step for displaying;
An execution control step for performing control to cause the application to execute a function corresponding to the widget based on the setting value displayed on the widget when the start button included in the widget is pressed; A program for running

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