JP4571538B2 - User interface display system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable user interface providing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a management apparatus, and a user interface display method.

  In an image forming apparatus (equipment) such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer), a UI (User Interface) is realized by an operation panel or the like, and the UI occupies an important position from the viewpoint of usability and operational efficiency. . In addition, devices that support ID (Identification) cards and the like have become widespread for managing user restrictions and billing. This is because when inputting an ID, a password, and the like necessary for user authentication, the input is very complicated in a device that does not have a keyboard or the like, and is easy to accept.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example for providing a UI in a conventional MFP. When an ID card 1 storing ID, authentication information and the like is set (approached or inserted) into the MFP 2, a reader 21 of the MFP 2 is shown. After reading the information of the ID card 1 and transferring the information to the device main body 22 together with a PIN (Personal Identification) code or the like input from the user to authenticate the user, the UI embedded in the device is displayed on the device operation panel 23. Is displayed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another configuration example for providing a UI in a conventional MFP. A device UI 24 such as a Web browser is provided instead of the device operation panel 23 of FIG. 1, and the ID card 1 is set via the network when the ID card 1 is set. The UI providing apparatus 3 and the user information management apparatus 4 are accessed to perform user authentication and dynamic generation of a UI (personalized UI) for each user.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for providing a personalized UI. For example, when “Mr. Yamada” sets the ID card 1 in the MFP 2 and inputs a PIN code or the like (step S1), the MFP 2 The information is read and passed to the UI providing apparatus 3 together with the PIN code and the like input from the user (step S2). The UI providing device 3 performs an authentication process on the user information management device 4 based on these pieces of information (step S3), and acquires user information when the authentication is successful (step S4). Then, the UI providing apparatus 3 dynamically generates a file such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) for displaying the UI screen from the acquired user information and returns it to the MFP 2 (step S5). Based on this, the UI screen is displayed. The same process is applied to “Mr. John”.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for generating and displaying a personalized UI. When an HTTP request is made from the device UI 24 which is the Web browser of the MFP 2 to the UI providing device 3 which is a Web server (step S11), the Web server A UI providing apparatus 3 dynamically creates HTML (step S12), and accesses the user information management apparatus 4 that is a database according to the situation to acquire user-dependent information (step S13), and is personalized. The HTML is returned as a response (step S14). The device UI 24, which is a Web browser on the MFP 2, receives this (step S15) and displays it on the operation panel (step S16).
JP 2004-252510 A

  By the way, in recent enterprises and the like, there is a strong demand for customization to a unique UI from the viewpoint of usability, improvement of business efficiency or management. For example, it is desirable to be able to easily add new functions, perform function restrictions according to security policies, and ensure traceability. In this regard, the built-in UI shown in FIG. 1 has no room for customization, and the dynamic personalized UI shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is desired.

  However, in the method shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a Web server for generating a UI must be provided and managed in addition to a device such as an MFP, and the operation cost including the inquiry cost to the Web server or the like is high. There was a problem that it took. In addition, security management including user authentication must be performed on the server side, which also increases the operating cost. Furthermore, since it is necessary to be in a network environment for connection with a Web server or the like, there is a problem that it cannot be applied to a stand-alone type device.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for dynamically acquiring and displaying help information of an image forming apparatus from a help server on a network, but it is premised on the installation of a dedicated server and a network environment. In some respects, it has the same problems as described above.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable user interface providing apparatus capable of easily customizing a UI without requiring a dedicated server, and an image. A forming apparatus, a management apparatus, and a user interface display method are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, an image forming apparatus and a portable user interface providing data input / output to / from the image forming apparatus are provided. The portable user interface providing system generates a user interface screen to be displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and a first storage unit that holds information unique to the user. Second storage means for holding information, wherein the first storage means includes user information for identifying the user, setting information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and image formation by the user. History information about the device, and the second storage means holds an HTML file describing the user interface screen, The image forming apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads information from the portable user interface provision; a display unit that displays a user interface screen unique to the user on the operation panel based on the information read by the reading device; The display means is a web browser, the reading means reads the HTML file describing the user interface screen from the portable user interface provision, and the display means reads the read HTML file. The gist of the present invention is a user interface display system that analyzes and displays it on the operation panel .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user interface display system including an image forming apparatus and a portable user interface providing product capable of data input / output with the image forming apparatus, wherein the portable user The interface provision includes first storage means for holding information unique to the user, and second storage means for holding information for generating a user interface screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus. The first storage unit stores user information for specifying the user, setting information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and history information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and the second storage unit. The storage means generates an HTML file describing the user interface screen with reference to the information held in the first storage means. The image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads information from the portable user interface provision, and a user interface screen unique to the user on the operation panel based on the information read by the reading apparatus. Display means for displaying, wherein the display means is a Web browser, the reading means reads the script describing the user interface screen from the portable user interface provision, and the display means reads It is also possible to construct the user interface display system that generates the HTML file describing the user interface screen by executing the script, analyzes the HTML file, and displays it on the operation panel.

In addition, as described in claim 3, in the user interface display system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, the information held in the second storage unit reflects a security policy. The user interface screen can be generated .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the user interface display system according to the first or second aspect, the information stored in the second storage unit is the image forming apparatus. The user interface screen reflecting the operation number limit can be generated .

Further, as described in claim 5, the user interface display system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the portable user interface offering is formed as an ID card. can do.

Further, as described in claims 6 and 7 , the image forming apparatus can be configured.

  In the portable user interface providing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, the management apparatus, and the user interface display method of the present invention, UI customization can be easily performed without requiring a dedicated server.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ID card and MFP to which the present invention is applied. Although an ID card will be described as an example of the portable user interface providing device, it is not necessary to double as an ID card such as an employee ID card, and it is not necessary to be in the form of a card. For example, a key holder type may be used.

  In FIG. 5, a data file 101 storing user information, setting information, history information, and the like, and a UI file 102 storing a UI screen HTML or a script for generating HTML are recorded in the ID card 100. The MFP 200 communicates via a reader 210 that reads and writes the ID card 100 in a contactless or connected manner, a device UI 220 that displays a UI screen based on information read by the reader 210, and a device UI 220 and a device API. And a device main body 230.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the ID card 100 and the MFP 200. In FIG. 6, the ID card 100 includes a user data storage unit 110 that stores a data file 101 and a UI storage unit 120 that stores a UI file 102. The reader 210 of the MFP 200 dynamically generates HTML based on a card reading unit 211 that reads data from the ID card 100, a card writing unit 212 that writes data to the ID card 100, and information read from the ID card 100. An HTML generation unit 213, a data storage unit 214 that temporarily stores data read from the ID card 100, and a data processing unit 215 that performs various data processing are provided. The HTML generation unit 213 is not necessary when an HTML file is stored as the UI file 102 of the ID card 100.

  The device UI 220 of the MFP 200 includes a UI display unit 221 that displays a UI screen on the operation panel, an HTML analysis unit 222 that analyzes HTML tags and generates UI screen display data, and a reader 210. Is provided with a reader calling unit 223 for inputting / outputting data and a device calling unit 224 for inputting / outputting data to / from the device main body 230. The device main body 230 includes a device API 231 for inputting / outputting data to / from the device UI 220 in addition to basic functional units such as a copy, a printer, and a facsimile.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information held by the ID card 100. The data file 101 holds user information, setting information, history information, and the like. Individual details will be described later. There are two types of UI file 102. As shown in FIG. 8, there is a type that holds HTML describing the UI screen itself, and from the user information, setting information, history information, etc. of the data file 101 as shown in FIG. There is a type that holds a script that becomes a skeleton for generating HTML of a UI screen.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data file 101 described in XML (Extensible Markup Language), in which user information (user-info), setting information (setting), and history information (history) are sequentially described. Is shown. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of user information in the data file 101. The user name (name), ID (id), display name (display-name), authentication information (credential), restriction information (restriction), etc. Is described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting information in the data file 101, in which information such as a display name (displayName) and a type (type) of an item (item) registered as a “favorite” function is described. Yes. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of history information in the data file 101, in which information such as an authentication history (credential-history), an operation type (optype), and a date (date) regarding the operation history is described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the UI file 102 accompanied by a JavaScript described in XML, and FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a script in the UI file 102. The script shown in FIG. 15 has a part a for creating a button label and a part b for displaying a user name.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a UI screen display processing example when HTML is stored in the UI file 102. In FIG. 16, the card reading unit 211 reads HTML data from the UI storage unit 120 of the ID card 100 and stores the data in the data storage unit 214 (step S101). Next, the reader calling unit 223 takes out HTML from the data storage unit 214 (step S102). Next, the HTML analysis unit 222 analyzes the HTML tag taken out by the reader calling unit 223, and generates UI screen display data (step S103). Then, the UI display unit 221 displays a UI screen based on the generated UI screen display data (step S104).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a UI screen display processing example when HTML is dynamically generated. In FIG. 17, the card reading unit 211 reads the data file 101 from the user data storage unit 110 of the ID card 100 and the UI file 102 from the UI storage unit 120, and sends them to the HTML generation unit 213 (step S111). Next, the HTML generation unit 213 uses (executes) a script described in the UI file 102 to read the data file 101 and dynamically generate HTML (step S112). The generated HTML is stored in the data storage unit 214. Next, the reader calling unit 223 extracts the HTML from the data storage unit 214 (step S113), and the HTML analyzing unit 222 analyzes the HTML tag extracted by the reader calling unit 223 and generates UI screen display data. (Step S114). Then, the UI display unit 221 displays a UI screen on the operation panel based on the generated UI screen display data (step S115).

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed, "Matsuno-san Hello" such as the greeting of the display, "you can copy 100 sheets after. You can print 100 sheets after." Such as the display on the limits, "scan" It shows a state where buttons for executing functions such as “copy” and “print” and “favorites” and “recent history” are displayed. FIG. 19 shows an example of a UI screen that is displayed when the “Setting” button at the upper left in FIG. 18 is selected. Here, an example of a screen for performing detailed setting of “Scan” is shown.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the correspondence (mapping) between information held in the data file 101 and the display of the UI screen. The user information corresponds to the display of the user name “Matsuno” and the setting information is “scan”. Corresponding to function execution buttons such as “copy” and “print”, the history information corresponds to “recent history”.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between the information held in the data file 101 and the UI screen display in the dynamic generation of the UI screen. The script of the UI file 102 is based on the user information of the data file 101 and “Matsuno”. A display part of the user name “san” is generated as user information processing, and display parts of function execution buttons such as “scan”, “copy”, and “print” are generated as setting information processing based on the setting information.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the UI file 102 that reflects the security policy on the UI screen. Here, the user information of the data file 101 is referred to in the UI file 102, and its authority (privilege) is, for example, below the manager (manager). If this is true, setting the inoperable property (disabled) of the tab (scan.mailTab) that scans the scan results to true will disable the user from pressing the tab of the email to be grayed out (dark and dimmed) An example is shown. Similarly, various operations based on user information and the like can be reflected on the UI screen. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen that reflects the number of operation limits. When the copy limit number is exceeded from the user information and history information, a message such as “The copy limit number has been exceeded.” Is displayed. In this example, the “copy” button is grayed out so that the user cannot press it.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of log writing to the ID card 100. As shown in FIG. 24A, the device UI 220 is operated (step S121), and the device UI 220 performs operations on the device main body 230 through the API. After the execution (step S122), the setting at the time of operation, the time, and the operation content are written in the ID card 100 (step S123). FIG. 24B shows an example of a log, which shows that the scan operation (scan) was performed with the e-mail (email) as the delivery destination (destination) at the date and time (date) and resolution (resolution) shown in the figure. ing.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system for updating the UI of the ID card 100. 25, the system includes a management server 400 in which UI information is updated by an administrator, and a UI update system 300 that updates the UI file 102 in the ID card 100 based on the UI information downloaded from the management server 400. It has. The UI update system 300 also includes a reader 310 that reads and writes data in the ID card 100 and a management server connection client 320 that downloads UI information from the management server 400.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for updating the UI file 102 of the ID card 100, (a) is processing when HTML is held in the UI file 102 of the ID card 100, and (b) is processing of the ID card 100. A process when a script is held in the UI file 102 is shown.

  In FIG. 26A, when the ID card 100 is connected to the reader 310 (step S201), the management server connection client 320 connects to the management server 400 (step S202), and the management server 400 uses the user information of the ID card 100. Authentication is performed (step S203). Next, the management server 400 sucks up the data in the ID card 100, generates a new HTML file (step S204), and the management server connection client 320 downloads the generated HTML file from the management server 400 (step S205). Then, the management server connection client 320 writes a new HTML file and log to the ID card 100 via the reader 310 (step S206).

  In FIG. 26B, when the ID card 100 is connected to the reader 310 (step S211), the management server connection client 320 connects to the management server 400 (step S212), and the management server 400 uses the user information of the ID card 100. Authentication is performed (step S213). Next, the management server connection client 320 downloads the UI file 102 including the new script from the management server 400 (step S214). Then, the management server connection client 320 writes a new UI file 102 and log to the ID card 100 via the reader 310 (step S215).

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to provide a Web server for generating a UI in addition to a device such as an MFP, which is advantageous in terms of cost. Further, since security management including user authentication can be entrusted to an individual, this is also advantageous in terms of cost. Furthermore, it can be applied to a stand-alone type device, and the application range can be expanded.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a configuration example for providing a UI in a conventional MFP. FIG. 10 illustrates a configuration example (2) for providing a UI in a conventional MFP. It is a figure which shows the example of the procedure of personalization UI provision. It is a flowchart which shows the process example which produces | generates and displays a personalized UI. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ID card and an MFP to which the present invention is applied. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of an ID card and an MFP. FIG. It is a figure (the 1) which shows the example of the information which ID card hold | maintains. It is FIG. (2) which shows the example of the information which ID card hold | maintains. It is FIG. (3) which shows the example of the information which ID card hold | maintains. It is a figure which shows the example of a data file. It is a figure which shows the example of the user information in a data file. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting information in a data file. It is a figure which shows the example of the historical information in a data file. It is a figure which shows the example of UI file. It is a figure which shows the example of the script in UI file. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of UI screen display processing when HTML is stored in a UI file. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a UI screen display process when HTML is dynamically generated. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a UI screen (part 1); FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the information hold | maintained at a data file, and the display of UI screen. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of the information hold | maintained in the data file in the dynamic generation of UI screen, and the display of UI screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI file that reflects a security policy on a UI screen. It is a figure which shows the example of UI screen reflecting the frequency | count limitation of operation. It is a figure which shows the example of writing-out of the log to ID card. It is a figure which shows the example of the system which updates UI of ID card | curd. It is a flowchart which shows the process example which updates UI file of an ID card.

Explanation of symbols

100 ID card 101 Data file 102 UI file 110 User data storage unit 120 UI storage unit 200 MFP
210 Reader 211 Card Reading Unit 212 Card Writing Unit 213 HTML Generation Unit 214 Data Storage Unit 215 Data Processing Unit 220 Device UI
221 UI display unit 222 HTML analysis unit 223 reader calling unit 224 device calling unit 230 device main body 231 device API
300 UI update system

Claims (7)

A user interface display system comprising: an image forming apparatus; and a portable user interface providing data input / output with the image forming apparatus,
The portable user interface offering is:
First storage means for storing information unique to the user;
Second storage means for holding information for generating a user interface screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus,
The first storage unit holds user information for identifying the user, setting information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and history information about the image forming apparatus by the user,
The second storage means holds an HTML file describing the user interface screen,
The image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads information from the portable user interface provision,
Display means for displaying a user interface screen unique to the user on the operation panel based on information read by the reading device,
The display means is a web browser;
The reading means reads the HTML file describing the user interface screen from the portable user interface offering,
The display means analyzes the read HTML file and displays it on the operation panel. A user interface display system comprising: an image forming apparatus; and a portable user interface providing data input / output with the image forming apparatus,
The portable user interface offering is:
First storage means for storing information unique to the user;
Second storage means for holding information for generating a user interface screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus,
The first storage unit holds user information for identifying the user, setting information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and history information about the image forming apparatus by the user,
The second storage unit stores a script that generates an HTML file describing the user interface screen with reference to information stored in the first storage unit,
The image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads information from the portable user interface provision,
Display means for displaying a user interface screen unique to the user on the operation panel based on information read by the reading device,
The display means is a web browser;
The reading means reads the script describing the user interface screen from the portable user interface offering,
The display means generates the HTML file describing the user interface screen by executing the read script, analyzes the HTML file, and displays the HTML file on the operation panel. . The user interface display system according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The information stored in the second storage means generates the user interface screen reflecting a security policy. The user interface display system according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The user interface display system, wherein the information stored in the second storage unit generates the user interface screen reflecting a limitation on the number of operations of the image forming apparatus. The user interface display system according to any one of claims 1 and 2,
The portable user interface providing system is formed as an ID card. A first storage unit configured to store user information for specifying a user, setting information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and history information about the image forming apparatus by the user; and an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus capable of inputting / outputting data from / to a portable user interface provided with a second storage means for holding information of an HTML file describing a displayed user interface screen ,
Reading means for reading the HTML file describing the user interface screen from the front asked transportable user interface offers,
Show unique of the user interface screen to the user on the operation panel by analyzing the HTML file read by the reading device, and a display means comprising a Web browser
An image forming apparatus comprising the. First storage means for storing user information for specifying a user, setting information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and history information about the image forming apparatus by the user, and the first storage means A portable user interface provided with second storage means for holding script information for generating an HTML file describing a user interface screen displayed on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus with reference to the information to be displayed a the image forming apparatus capable of data input and output from,
Reading means for reading the script describing the user interface screen from the front asked transportable user interface offers,
The user interface screen to generate the HTML file describing by executing the script read by the reading device, displays a unique of the user interface screen to the user on the operation panel by analyzing the HTML file Display means comprising a web browser and
An image forming apparatus comprising the.

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