JP6617564B2 - Image forming apparatus, application execution method, application rewriting method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an application technique used in an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses having various functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and document management have become widespread. Such an image forming apparatus is sometimes referred to as a “multifunction peripheral” or “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)”.

  In order to be able to use these functions, the manufacturer creates an application and installs it in the image forming apparatus in advance. In this way, an application that is fixedly installed in advance may be referred to as a “native application”.

  Further, a web browser has been provided in the image forming apparatus. Various services can be received by accessing the web server with a web browser and causing the web server to execute the web application.

  In addition, a technique for providing a web server called “IWS (Internal Web Server)” in an image forming apparatus has been proposed. A company or user other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus creates a web application using a well-known language (for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), JavaScript (registered trademark), Python, etc.) and uses it in the image forming apparatus. It can be installed and run by IWS. An application executed by IWS may be referred to as an “IWS application”.

  Further, the following techniques have been proposed as techniques for updating applications.

  If the platform process exists, control is performed so that the test case is executed after the platform process is completed. In addition, the processing that is suspected of leaking is narrowed down from the amount of change in resources before and after the execution of the test case, and the test case suspected of leaking is re-executed with debugging firmware (Patent Document 1).

JP2013-149026A

  By the way, when an application is updated, the time required to display the first screen on the display (hereinafter referred to as “initial startup time”) may be longer than before the update.

  Even if the application is not updated, updating the other software of the image forming apparatus may cause the initial startup time to be longer than before the update.

  If the initial activation time becomes long, the operation cannot be started immediately after the application is activated, resulting in stress for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the stress on the user due to the time taken to display the first screen after starting the application.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs processing based on a specific application. When there is a request from the specific application, the current load of the image forming apparatus is Based on the situation detected by the detection means, the detection means for detecting the situation and the time required to acquire the element data representing the specific element constituting the screen displayed first by the specific application Predicting means for predicting, an acquiring means for acquiring the element data when the required time predicted by the predicting means is less than a predetermined time, and a memory for storing the element data acquired by the acquiring means And when the required time predicted by the prediction means is less than the predetermined time, the acquisition means Therefore, when the specific application is executed using the element data acquired and the predetermined time is exceeded, the specific data is acquired using the element data previously acquired by the acquisition means and stored in the storage means. Execution means for executing the application.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having execution means for executing a specific application, and represents an element representing a specific element constituting a screen displayed first by the specific application. A prediction unit that predicts a required time required to acquire data, and the specific application is rewritten so that the element data is not acquired when the required time predicted by the prediction unit is less than a predetermined time. Rewriting means.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus having a function of communicating with another image forming apparatus having an execution unit that executes a specific application, and is displayed first by the specific application. Predicting means for predicting the time required to acquire element data representing a specific element constituting the screen to be displayed, and when the required time predicted by the predicting means is less than a predetermined time, the element data Rewriting means for rewriting the specific application so as not to be acquired.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce stress on the user due to the time taken to display the first screen after the application is started.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of an image processing system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the platform of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a menu screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy job screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the page for a simple setting copy. It is a figure which shows the example of a one-touch command page. It is a figure which shows the example of a web menu page. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure implement | achieved by the situation data provision application. It is a figure which shows the example of a required time table. It is a figure which shows the example of the flow of a process at the time of provision of the first web page. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure implement | achieved by the rewriting application. It is a figure which shows the example of a source code. It is a figure which shows the example of the page for a simple setting copy. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the whole process flow of management of an IWS application. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a situation data provision process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an application rewriting process. It is a figure which shows the example of a required time table.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the image processing system 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the platform of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the menu screen 50A. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the copy job screen 50B. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the simple setting copy page 50C. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the one-touch command page 50D. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the web menu page 50E.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 3 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1, a server apparatus 21, one or a plurality of terminal apparatuses 23, a communication line 29, and the like.

  According to the image processing system 3, the user can copy the image written on the paper to other paper, store it electronically, or print the image created by the application on the paper.

  The image processing system 3 is used by members of an organization such as a company, a government office, or a school.

  Each image forming apparatus 1 can exchange data with the server device 21 and each terminal device 23 via a communication line 29. As the communication line 29, a LAN (Local Area Network) line, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that integrates functions for providing services such as copying, PC printing, faxing, scanning, and boxes. Sometimes referred to as “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)” or “MFP”.

  The PC print function is a function for printing an image on a sheet based on an image file received from the terminal device 23. It may also be called “network printing” or “network printing”.

  The function of the box is a function for giving a storage area called “box” or “personal box” for each user, and for each user to save and manage an image file or the like in his / her storage area. A box corresponds to a “folder” or “directory” in a personal computer.

  Hereinafter, these image forming apparatuses 1 may be described separately as “image forming apparatus 1A”, “image forming apparatus 1B”, “image forming apparatus 1C”,.

  The server device 21 provides various services to the image forming apparatus 1 using Open API (Application Program Interface) or Web API. In the server device 21, an application is prepared for each service. For example, service applications such as scan to OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and online storage are prepared. “Scan to OCR” is a service for converting a character string shown in an image read by the image forming apparatus 1 into text data by OCR.

  The server apparatus 21 executes an application corresponding to a service provided to the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits data obtained thereby to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, according to the scan to OCR service, the server apparatus 21 acquires an image file from the image forming apparatus 1 by executing an application corresponding to the service, performs OCR processing, and forms the obtained text data into an image. Transmit to device 1.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 accesses the website, the server apparatus 21 provides a service to the image forming apparatus 1 by appropriately performing arithmetic processing based on the application.

  The terminal device 23 is a client for remotely using the above-described functions of the image forming apparatus 1. As the terminal device 23, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, or the like is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a VRAM (Video RAM) 10c, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10d, a mass storage device 10e, The touch panel display 10f, operation key panel 10g, NIC (Network Interface Card) 10h, modem 10i, scan unit 10j, print unit 10k, finisher 10m, and the like are included.

  The touch panel display 10f displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 10a, and the like. The touch panel display 10f sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10a.

  The VRAM 10c is used to store screen data to be displayed on the touch panel display 10f.

  The operation key panel 10g is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10h communicates with other devices using a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The modem 10i exchanges image files with a facsimile terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  The scan unit 10j reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates an image file.

  In addition to the image read by the scan unit 10j, the print unit 10k prints an image received from another device by the NIC 10h or the modem 10i on a sheet.

  The finisher 10m binds the paper on which the image is printed by the print unit 10k, that is, the printed material, with staples or punches holes.

  The operating system 101 and the MFP system 102 shown in FIG. 3 are installed in the ROM 10d or the large-capacity storage device 10e as software for performing overall management or basic processing of the image forming apparatus 1 or providing a user interface. Has been. A native application platform 103 is prepared to provide the functions of the operating system 101 or the MFP system 102 to the application.

  Further, a copy application 401, a scan application 402, a box application 403, a browser application 404, a menu application 405, and the like are installed in the mass storage device 10e. The copy application 401 or the menu application 405 operates via the native application platform 103.

  In addition, a web server system 105, which is software for IWS (Internal Web Server), is installed in the mass storage device 10e. The web server system 105 is a web-based system, and supports languages such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), JavaScript, and Python.

  Furthermore, in addition to the simple setting copy application 471, the one-touch copy application 472, the simple setting scanning application 473, the web menu application 474, an SNS (Social Networking Service) application, a translation application, and the like are installed in the mass storage device 10e. ing. These applications operate via the web server system 105.

  As described above, some applications are executed by the server device 21, some are executed via the native application platform 103, and some are executed via the web server system 105.

  Hereinafter, in order to distinguish these applications, what is executed by the server device 21 is referred to as a “server application 48”. An application executed via the native application platform 103 is referred to as “native application 40”. An application executed via the web server system 105 is referred to as “IWS application 47”.

  The IWS application 47 is reproduced by the source code 64 (see FIG. 13) or the image file 67. The source code 64 is described by HTML, JavaScript, Python, or the like.

  The menu application 405 is an application for displaying a menu screen 50A including a button for each application as shown in FIG. 4 on the touch panel display 10f and starting the native application 40 corresponding to the button selected by the user.

  A copy application 401, a scan application 402, and a box application 403 are applications for providing the above-described copy, scan, and box services, respectively.

  According to the copy application 401, a copy job screen 50B as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the touch panel display 10f. The user arbitrarily sets the conditions of all items relating to copying (number of copies, color, paper size, magnification, reading resolution, output resolution, printing surface, aggregate printing, finishing, etc.) on the copy job screen 50B, and copies The scan unit 10j and the job can be executed by the print unit 10k.

  Similarly, according to the scan application 402, a screen for setting scan conditions is displayed on the touch panel display 10f. The user can arbitrarily set conditions for all items relating to scanning on this screen, and cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute a scan job. Further, according to the box application 403, a screen for setting a box processing condition is displayed on the touch panel display 10f. The user can arbitrarily set the conditions of all items related to the box processing on this screen, and cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute the box job.

  The browser application 404 is a web browser, acquires web page data from the IWS application 47 or the server device 21, and displays the web page on the touch panel display 10f.

  The native application 40 is basically fixedly installed in the image forming apparatus 1 before delivery.

  Similar to the copy application 401, the simple setting copy application 471 is an application for causing the scan unit 10j and the print unit 10k to execute a copy job. As described above, according to the copy application 401, the conditions for all items relating to copying can be set on the copy job screen 50B (see FIG. 5).

  However, according to the simple setting copy application 471, the simple setting copy page 50C as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed as a web page. The user can set only the conditions of some specific items via the simple setting copy page 50C, and can execute a copy job.

  Similar to the copy application 401 and the simple setting copy application 471, the one-touch copy application 472 is an application for causing the scan unit 10j and the print unit 10k to execute a copy job. According to the one-touch copy application 472, a one-touch command page 50D as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed as a web page. The user can give a job command simply by pressing the center button in the one-touch command page 50D, but can make a copy job only in accordance with predetermined conditions.

  Similar to the scan application 402, the simple setting scan application 473 is an application for causing the scan unit 10j to execute a scan job. As described above, according to the scan application 402, the conditions of all items related to scanning can be set. However, according to the simple setting scan application 473, only the conditions of some specific items are set and a scan job is executed. Can be made.

  The user can use the IWS application 47 through the browser application 404 as follows. The user presses the “Web Menu” button on the menu screen 50A. Then, the browser application 404 is activated, and the browser application 404 accesses the web menu application 474.

  The web server system 105 executes the web menu application 474 to generate data for displaying a list of web pages of the IWS application 47 and give the data to the browser application 404.

  The browser application 404 displays a web menu page 50E as shown in FIG. 8 on the touch panel display 10f based on the given data.

  Then, the user presses a button corresponding to the IWS application 47 that the user wants to use. Then, the browser application 404 accesses the IWS application 47.

  The web server system 105 executes the IWS application 47 and appropriately supplies data for displaying a web page indicating the result to the browser application 404.

  The browser application 404 displays a web page based on the data given from the web server system 105. Then, the user uses the selected IWS application 47 by performing an operation on the displayed web page.

  The service by the server application 48 may be provided to the user via the browser application 404 or may be provided to the user in cooperation with the dedicated native application 40 of the server application 48.

  Further, a job manager 49, a status data giving application 107, and a rewriting application 108 are installed in the mass storage device 10e.

  When the user instructs execution of a job using the native application 40 or the IWS application 47, the job manager 49 registers the job in a queue. Then, the jobs registered in the queue are sequentially executed according to the status of each hardware.

  In response to a request from the IWS application 47, the status data giving application 107 acquires information on a specific item and gives it to the IWS application 47. However, if it is predicted that the time required for acquisition will be a predetermined time or more, it is given to the previously acquired information.

  The rewriting application 108 rewrites the IWS application 47 so that the time taken to display the first web page (so-called initial activation time) is shortened.

  Programs constituting each software shown in FIG. 3 are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a. As the mass storage device 10e, a hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used.

  Hereinafter, each of the status data giving application 107 and the rewriting application 108 will be described sequentially.

[Status data application]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration realized by the situation data providing application 107. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the required time tables 61A and 61B. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing when the first web page is provided.

  According to the situation data giving application 107, the required time table storage unit 171, the load data acquisition unit 172, the initial activation time prediction unit 173, the situation data acquisition unit 174, the situation data storage unit 175, and the situation data addition unit 176 shown in FIG. Functions such as are realized.

  The required time table storage unit 171 stores a required time table 61A and a required time table 61B.

  In the required time table 61A, as shown in FIG. 10A, the estimated time (hereinafter referred to as “required time T1”) required to acquire the information for each specific item is shown in the CPU 10a. The utilization rate (less than 30%, 30% or more and less than 60%, and 60% or more) is shown. For example, the first record in FIG. 10A indicates the time required T1 of the address book information when the operation rate of the CPU 10a is less than 30%, 30% to 60%, and 60% or more. "0.6 seconds", "1.2 seconds", and "1.8 seconds" are shown. In addition, the required time table 61A shows required time T1 such as information on the status of the finisher 10m (remaining amount of staples, occurrence of failure, etc.) and information on a list of documents stored in the box.

  In the required time table 61B, as shown in FIG. 10B, an estimated time required to read out an image file (hereinafter referred to as “required time T2”) is the operating rate of the CPU 10a (less than 30%). , 30% to less than 60%, and 60% or more). In the present embodiment, the required time T2 for each of the three ranges is shown for less than 5 image files, 5 or more and less than 10 image files, and 10 or more image files.

  The content of the required time table 61A may be determined as follows based on the past results, for example. Each time information on a specific item (status data 63 to be described later) is acquired, the operating rate of the CPU 10a and the time taken are recorded. Then, for each specific item, the average value of the time taken for each operation rate is calculated as the required time T1. Similarly, the contents of the required time table 61B may be determined based on past results.

  The load data acquisition unit 172 detects the current load of the image forming apparatus 1 itself. Specifically, load data 62 indicating the load is acquired. In the present embodiment, data indicating the current operating rate of the CPU 10 a is acquired as the load data 62. The load data 62 can be acquired by inquiring the operating system 101 via the MFP system 102.

  By the way, in the IWS application 47, a code for requesting the load data acquisition unit 172 for information on a specific item used in the IWS application 47 is described in advance.

  When the IWS application 47 is executed, information on a specific item is requested to the load data acquisition unit 172 based on this code in order to display the first web page. At this time, specific items (necessary items) that need information and the number of image files 67 (necessary number of files) read from the mass storage device 10e or the like for use in displaying a web page or the like are load data. The acquisition unit 172 is notified. Hereinafter, the requesting IWS application 47 is referred to as a “requesting application”.

  When the initial activation time prediction unit 173 receives a request from the request source application, the initial activation time prediction unit 173 indicates the current items of the CPU 10a indicated by the necessary items and the number of necessary files notified from the request source application and the load data 62 obtained by the load data acquisition unit 172. Based on the operating rate and the required time tables 61A and 61B (see FIG. 10), the initial startup time T3 is predicted as follows.

  The initial activation time prediction unit 173 selects the required time T1 corresponding to the current operation rate of the CPU 10a of the notified necessary item from the required time table 61A. For example, when “address book” is notified as a necessary item and the current operating rate of the CPU 10a is 70%, “1.8 seconds” is selected as the required time T1.

  When a plurality of necessary items are notified, the initial activation time predicting unit 173 selects a required time T1 for each necessary item. Therefore, the required time T1 is selected by the number of notified required items.

  Furthermore, the initial activation time predicting unit 173 selects the required time T2 corresponding to the current operation rate of the CPU 10a for the notified required number of files from the required time table 61B. For example, when “12” is notified as the required number of files and the current operating rate of the CPU 10a is 70%, “2.7 seconds” is selected as the required time T2.

  Then, the initial activation time prediction unit 173 calculates the total value of all the selected required times T1 and required times T2. This total value is the initial startup time T3.

  It should be noted that, since the browser application 404 is started and access to the IWS application 47 is started, until the data necessary for displaying the web page is provided to the browser application 404, the IWS application is usually displayed as shown in FIG. Reading of the 47 source code, acquisition of necessary item information, reading of the image file 67, and the like are performed.

  Of these processes, the time Ta required for reading the source code hardly changes depending on the environment. However, the time Tb required to acquire information on necessary items and the time Tc required to read the image file 67 can vary depending on the environment. The time Tb is the sum of all the selected required times T1, and the time Tc is the required time T2.

  The situation data acquisition unit 174 displays the information of the notified necessary item when the initial activation time T3 calculated (predicted) by the initial activation time prediction unit 173 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 3.0 seconds). The status data 63 shown is acquired. The status data 63 can be acquired by inquiring the MFP system 102 or by inquiring the operating system 101 via the MFP system 102. When a plurality of necessary items are notified, status data 63 is acquired for each item.

  For example, the required items in the simple setting copy application 471 include the remaining amount of toner (remaining amount of toner of each color of CMYK used in the print unit 10k) and remaining amount of paper (remaining amount of paper stored in each paper feed tray of the print unit 10k). Amount). The screen that is displayed first after the simple setting copy application 471 is started is the simple setting copy page 50C. As shown in FIG. 6, three images are arranged on the simple setting copy page 50C.

Therefore, when the operation rate of the CPU 10a is 75%, when a request is made from the simple setting copy application 471, the initial startup time predicting unit 173 calculates the initial startup time T3 according to the following equation (1). .
T3 = T1 + T2
= (1.2 seconds + 1.5 seconds) + 0.9 seconds = 3.6 seconds ... (1)

When the one-touch copy application 472 is executed, a one-touch command page 50D (see FIG. 7) is displayed as the first web page. The one-touch command page 50D does not require specific item information. Therefore, the one-touch copy application 472 does not become a request source application. For the same reason, it cannot be a target application described later.

  When the situation data 63 is acquired by the situation data acquisition unit 174, the situation data storage unit 175 stores the situation data 63 in association with the item name of the necessary item. When the status data 63 of the same necessary item is already stored, the older status data 63 is deleted, and the newly acquired status data 63 is stored.

  When the initial activation time T3 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 3.0 seconds), the status data adding unit 176 requests the status data 63 of the notified necessary item acquired by the status data acquiring unit 174. Give to original application.

  On the other hand, if it is longer than the predetermined time, the situation data acquisition unit 174 does not acquire the situation data 63 as described above. Therefore, the status data giving unit 176 gives the status data 63 of the notified necessary item stored in the status data storage unit 175 to the request source application.

  Note that the situation data acquisition unit 174 determines that the status data 63 of the notified necessary item is not stored in the situation data storage unit 175 even when the initial activation time T3 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time. The status data 63 is acquired. Then, the situation data giving unit 176 gives the situation data 63 to the request source application, and the situation data storage unit 175 stores the situation data 63.

  When the status data 63 is given to the request source application, processing is performed based on the information shown in each status data 63, and web page data indicating the result is appropriately generated and given to the browser application 404. Then, the web page is displayed by the browser application 404.

[Rewriting application]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration realized by the rewrite application 108. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the source code 641. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the simple setting copy page 50C.

  According to the rewriting application 108, the required time table storage unit 181, the load data acquisition unit 182, the source code reading unit 183, the initial activation time prediction unit 184, the source code rewriting unit 185, the source code registration unit 186, etc. shown in FIG. Function is realized. The rewriting application 108 is executed when the maintenance time comes or when the administrator inputs a predetermined command.

  The required time table storage unit 181 stores the required time table 61A and the required time table 61B in the same manner as the required time table storage unit 171 (see FIG. 9).

  The load data acquisition unit 182 acquires the load data 62 in the same manner as the load data acquisition unit 172 when the maintenance time comes or the administrator inputs a predetermined command.

  The source code reading unit 183 reads the source code 64 of the IWS application 47 (hereinafter referred to as “target application”) that is the object of maintenance from a predetermined storage area of the mass storage device 10e. The IWS application 47 that requires the status data 63 is the target application. When there are a plurality of target applications, each source code 64 is read.

  The initial activation time prediction unit 184 predicts an initial activation time T3 for each target application. The prediction method is the same as the prediction method of the initial activation time T3 by the initial activation time prediction unit 173. The necessary items and the number of necessary files can be found by analyzing the source code 64.

  The source code rewriting unit 185 rewrites the source code 64 read by the source code reading unit 183 as follows.

  When a code for reading a UI (User Interface) library is described in the source code 64, the source code rewriting unit 185 deletes the code from the source code 64.

  Alternatively, when a code for acquiring the image file 67 and displaying the image is described, the code is replaced with a text or control code corresponding to the image.

  For example, in the source code 641 of the simple setting copy application 471, a code as shown in FIG. 13A is described, whereby the simple setting copy page 50C (see FIG. 6) is displayed. The source code 641 describes a code for displaying three options “Auto Color”, “Full Color”, and “Black” as images as options related to colors at the time of copying.

  The source code rewriting unit 185 rewrites these codes (portions indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 13A) into codes that do not use an image, as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. According to the rewritten source code 641, the simple setting copy page 50C is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the source code generated by rewriting the source code 64 is referred to as “source code 65”.

  When the source code 65 is generated from the source code 64, the source code registration unit 186 deletes the source code 64 from a predetermined storage area of the mass storage device 10e, and stores the source code 65 in the predetermined storage area. Remember.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow of management of the IWS application 47. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of status data provision processing. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of application rewriting processing.

  Next, an overall processing flow related to management of the IWS application 47 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  The image forming apparatus 1 executes the processing shown in FIG. 15 by the IWS application management module included in the operating system 101 or the MFP system 102.

  When the requesting application requests information on a specific item (Yes in # 11 in FIG. 15), the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the status data 63 and gives the status data giving process to the requesting application 107. Based on the procedure shown in FIG. 16 (# 12).

  In FIG. 16, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the load data 62 (# 701), the operation rate indicated in the load data 62, the necessary items and the number of necessary files notified from the request source application, and the required time table 61A, Based on 61B (see FIG. 10), an initial activation time T3 is predicted (# 702).

  When the initial activation time T3 is less than the predetermined time (Yes in # 703), the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the status data 63 of necessary items by inquiring the operating system 101 or the MFP system 102 or the like. (# 704). Then, it is given to the requesting application (# 705) and stored (cached) by the status data storage unit 175 (# 706).

  On the other hand, when the initial activation time T3 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (No in # 703), the image forming apparatus 1 stores the status data 63 of the necessary items stored in the status data storage unit 175 as the request source application. (# 707). However, if the status data 63 is not stored in the initial activation time prediction unit 173, it is acquired and given to the request source application, and stored in the status data storage unit 175 (# 704 to # 706).

  Returning to FIG. 15, the image forming apparatus 1 performs processing for rewriting the source code 64 of the target application based on the rewriting application 108 when the maintenance time comes or a predetermined command is input (Yes in # 13). The procedure shown in FIG. 17 is performed (# 14). Similarly, when the administrator inputs a maintenance command, a process of rewriting the source code 64 of the target application is performed.

  In FIG. 17, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the load data 62 (# 801), and reads the source code 64 of the target application from a predetermined storage area of the mass storage device 10e (# 802).

  Based on the acquired load data 62, the read source code 64, and the required time tables 61A and 61B, the initial activation time T3 of the target application is predicted (# 803).

  When the initial activation time T3 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time (Yes in # 804), the image forming apparatus 1 deletes the code for reading the UI library from the source code 64 read by the target application or displays an image. The code to be rewritten is deleted (# 805). Thereby, the source code 65 is obtained.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 replaces the source code 64 with the source code 65 (# 806).

  When the initial activation time T3 is less than the predetermined time (No in # 804), the image forming apparatus 1 does not rewrite. In addition, when there are a plurality of target applications, the processes of steps # 802 to # 806 are appropriately executed for each.

  Returning to FIG. 15, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the process of step # 12 each time information on a specific item is requested from the request source application while providing the service (Yes in # 11). Every time the maintenance time comes or a predetermined command is input (Yes in # 13), the process of step # 14 is executed.

According to this embodiment, after starting the IWS application 47, it is possible to reduce the stress on the user due to the time taken to display the first screen.
It is possible to shorten the time taken from the startup to the display of the first web page than before.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 rewrites the IWS application 47 installed locally (the image forming apparatus 1 itself), but also rewrites the IWS application 47 installed in another image forming apparatus 1. Also good. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 17, taking as an example the case where the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A rewrites the IWS application 47 installed in the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> B.

  In the image forming apparatus 1A, the load data acquisition unit 182 (see FIG. 12) acquires the load data 62 of the image forming apparatus 1B from the image forming apparatus 1B (# 801).

  The source code reading unit 183 acquires the source code 64 of the target application from the image forming apparatus 1B (# 802).

  The initial activation time predicting unit 184 predicts (calculates) the initial activation time T3 in the image forming apparatus 1B based on the load data 62 and the source code 64 (# 803).

  When the initial activation time T3 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (Yes in # 804), the source code rewriting unit 185 generates the source code 65 by rewriting the source code 64 by the above method (# 805).

  Then, the source code registration unit 186 stores the source code 65 in the image forming apparatus 1B instead of the source code 64 (# 806).

  Similarly, the image forming apparatus 1A can perform the rewriting process on the target application installed in the image forming apparatus 1 (1C, 1D,...) Other than the image forming apparatus 1B.

  Each of the image forming apparatuses 1B, 1C, 1D,... Has a function of providing the load data 62 and the source code 64 to the image forming apparatus 1A when inquired from the image forming apparatus 1A. Alternatively, each of the image forming apparatuses 1B, 1C, 1D,... May predict its initial startup time T3 and notify the image forming apparatus 1A.

  The image forming apparatus 1A may record the effect of reducing the time required to display the first web page by rewriting each IWS application 47 installed in the image forming apparatus 1A. Then, rewriting with the highest effect or rewriting having a predetermined effect or more may be performed on the IWS application 47 installed in each of the image forming apparatuses 1B, 1C, 1D,.

  The image forming apparatus 1A acquires load data 62 and status data 63 from each of the image forming apparatuses 1B, 1C, 1D,... When the job is not being executed, and rewrites each installed IWS application 47. May be.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 predicts the initial startup time T3 based on the current operating rate of the CPU 10a when determining whether or not to rewrite the target application. However, the operating rate is a fixed value (for example, , “10%”).

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the required time tables 65A and 65B. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 calculates the initial activation time T3 based on the current operating rate of the CPU 10a, but may calculate it based on other information indicating the degree of load in the image forming apparatus 1. Good.

  For example, the calculation may be performed based on whether or not a job in which part or all of the processing is performed by Python in the web server system 105 (hereinafter, referred to as “Python job”) is currently executed. In this case, required time tables 65A and 65B as shown in FIG. 18 are prepared.

  The required time table 65A shows the required time T1 for each icon specific item when the Python job is being executed and when the Python job is not being executed, and the required time table 65B shows the required time for each number of image files 67. The required time T2 is indicated.

  In step # 701 in FIG. 16 or step # 801 in FIG. 17, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires load data 66 indicating whether or not a Python job is currently being executed instead of the load data 62. In step # 702 or # 803, the initial activation time T3 is calculated based on the load data 66 instead of the load data 62 and based on the required time tables 65A and 65B instead of the required time tables 61A and 61B.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the operating rate of the CPU 10a or whether or not a specific type of job is being executed as the load status of the image forming apparatus 1, but other conditions may be used. Good. For example, the number of jobs being executed may be used.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 calculates the required times T1 and T2 using a table, but may calculate the required times T1 and T2 using a function.

  In this embodiment, when the predicted initial activation time T3 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the IWS stored in the status data storage unit 175 as the status data 63 of all specific items. Although given to the application 47, the situation data 63 may be newly acquired and given to some specific items.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the rewriting application 108 when the maintenance time comes or when the administrator inputs a predetermined command. However, the image forming apparatus 1 executes when the environment changes. May be. For example, it may be performed when there is a change in the capacity of the RAM 10b of the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, it may be performed when the resident program of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed. Alternatively, it may be performed when an error occurs at a predetermined frequency while the IWS application 47 is being executed. Alternatively, it may be performed when the time required for the predetermined processing by the IWS application 47 is longer than a predetermined ratio from the time when the IWS application 47 starts to be used.

  In addition, the configuration of the entire image processing system 3, the image forming apparatus 1, and the server device 21, the contents of the processing, the processing order, the data configuration, the screen configuration, the table configuration, and the like are in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. Can be changed as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 105 Web server system (execution means)
171 Time required table storage unit (second storage means, third storage means)
172 Load data acquisition unit (detection means)
173 Initial startup time prediction unit (prediction means)
174 Status data acquisition unit (acquisition means)
175 Status data storage unit (storage means)
176 Status data giving unit (execution means)
184 Initial startup time prediction unit (prediction means)
185 Source code rewriting part (rewriting means)
47 IWS application (specific application)
50C Simple setting copy page (screen)
61A Time required table (related data)
61B Time table (related data)
62 Load data 63 Status data (element data)
67 Image file (element data)
T3 Initial startup time (time required)

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus that performs processing based on a specific application,
Detecting means for detecting the current load status in the image forming apparatus when there is a request from the specific application;
A predicting unit that predicts a time required to acquire element data representing a specific element constituting a screen to be displayed first by the specific application based on the situation detected by the detecting unit;
An acquisition means for acquiring the element data when the required time predicted by the prediction means is less than a predetermined time;
Storage means for storing the element data acquired by the acquisition means;
When the required time predicted by the prediction means is less than the predetermined time, the specific application is executed using the element data acquired by the acquisition means, and when the predetermined time is exceeded. Execution means for executing the specific application using the element data previously acquired by the acquisition means and stored in the storage means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The detection means detects an operation rate of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the image forming apparatus as the situation,
The predicting means predicts the time required to acquire the element data at the operating rate as the required time.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Second storage means for storing relationship data indicating a relationship between the operation rate and the required time for each element data;
The prediction means predicts the required time based on the relationship indicated in the relationship data;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The detection means detects whether the execution means is executing a specific type of processing as the situation,
The prediction means predicts the time required to acquire the element data in the situation as the required time;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Third storage means for storing relational data indicating a relation between whether the execution means is executing a specific type of processing and the required time for each element data;
The prediction means predicts the required time based on the relational data;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. An application execution method for executing a specific application in an image forming apparatus,
When executing the specific application, the current load status in the image forming apparatus is detected,
Predicting a time required to acquire element data representing a specific element constituting a screen displayed first by the specific application based on the detected situation;
If the predicted required time is less than a predetermined time, obtain the element data,
Storing the acquired element data in a storage means;
When the estimated required time is less than the predetermined time, the specific application is executed using the acquired element data. When the predetermined time is exceeded, the specific application is acquired and stored in the storage unit. Executing the specific application using the stored element data;
An application execution method characterized by the above. A computer program used in an image forming apparatus that executes a specific application,
When there is a request from the specific application, the image forming apparatus is caused to execute processing for detecting a current load state in the image forming apparatus,
Causing the image forming apparatus to execute a process of predicting a time required to acquire element data representing a specific element constituting a screen displayed first by the specific application based on the detected situation;
When the predicted required time is less than a predetermined time, the image forming apparatus is caused to execute a process of acquiring the element data,
Causing the image forming apparatus to execute a process of storing the acquired element data in a storage unit;
When the estimated required time is less than the predetermined time, the image forming apparatus is caused to execute the specific application using the acquired element data. When the predetermined time is exceeded, the specific application is acquired previously. And causing the image forming apparatus to execute the specific application using the element data stored in the storage unit.
A computer program characterized by the above.

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