JP2006279405A - Information processor and information display program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of providing information associated with a new option inexpensively in a simple manner without the need for rewriting an original program at adoption of the new option. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor onto the main body of which a prescribed option device is mountable is provided with a function with which in response to a request of information (option information) associated with an option device from an external device connected to a network, the external device connected to the network can be browsed the option information via a web browser. The information processor includes: a recording means for recording location information of a web page for providing the option information in a rewritable way; an extract means for referencing the recording means and extracting the location information of the web page for providing the option information in response to the request of the option information from the external device; and a transition means for shifting to a different web browser at the external device on the basis of the location information extracted by the extract means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the apparatus main body, and in response to a request for information regarding the optional device from an external device connected to the network, the information regarding the optional device is The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a function that enables browsing on a device side via a web browser, and an information display program executed by the information processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network to which a terminal, a copying machine, or a multi-function multifunction peripheral (MFP) is connected, on the terminal side, specifications of a device such as a copying machine or an MFP, an option for the state, and an apparatus (for example, a paper feed stacker or a finisher ) Is known, and the setting condition of the device is changed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-280867 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-110171 propose a technique that allows the terminal side to check the progress of processing of a printer job in a printing apparatus via a web browser.

JP 2003-280867 A JP 2004-110171 A

  Conventionally, it is known that the detailed information of the option itself can be confirmed in addition to the option mounting state on the device main body. In order to achieve this, a program in which location information (URL) of a web page providing option information is usually stored in the ROM of the device, and acquisition of detailed information on options from the user based on the program. In response to the request, the URL of the web page is set as a transition destination of the web browser on the terminal side. For example, a button corresponding to a “finisher” attached to the device main body or expected to be attached to the device main body is provided on the web browser, and the user clicks this button, and the button is incorporated in the program in advance. The URL of the web page that provides detailed information on the “finisher” is set on the terminal side, and the transition is made to a web page that is managed by another server and provides detailed information such as the product name and specifications of the “finisher”.

  However, in such a format, although options can be obtained arbitrarily by the user based on a pre-installed program for options already installed or expected to be added at the time of product shipment, they are developed after the product is released. With respect to the new option, the option information cannot be acquired unless a program in which the URL of the web page providing the option information is incorporated is newly incorporated into the device.

  Note that neither Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above describe an option mounting state with respect to a device and detailed information on the option, and the above problem cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problem, and an information processing apparatus capable of providing information related to an option more easily and at low cost without rewriting the original program when a new option is adopted, and the information processing apparatus An object is to provide an information display program executed by an information processing apparatus.

  Accordingly, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be attached to the apparatus body, and in response to a request for information regarding the optional device from a network-connected external device, In an information processing apparatus having a function of allowing information related to the optional device to be viewed on the external device side via a web browser, a recording unit that rewriteably records location information of a web page that provides information related to the optional device; A location information extracting unit that extracts location information of a web page that provides information on the corresponding optional device with reference to the recording unit in response to a request for information on the optional device from the external device, and the location information extracting unit Based on the location information extracted by And changing means for, in which characterized in that a.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 of the present application is an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the device main body, in response to a request for information on the optional device from an external device connected to the network. In an information processing apparatus having a function of allowing information related to the optional device to be viewed on the external device side via a web browser, a recording unit that records rewritable predetermined specification information related to the optional device; and from the external device In response to a request for specification information on the optional device, a file creation unit that creates a web page that reflects the specification information on the corresponding optional device with reference to the recording unit, and a web browser on the external device side. Files created by the above file creation means so that they can be viewed via It is obtained by said to have a file providing means for providing, a.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 3 of the present application is an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the apparatus main body, and in response to a request for information on the optional device from a network-connected external device, In an information display program executed by an information processing apparatus having a function of allowing information regarding the optional device to be viewed on the external device side via a web browser, the information regarding the optional device is requested from the external device. A step of extracting the location information of the web page that provides information on the corresponding optional device with reference to a recording means for rewritably recording the location information of the web page that provides information on the optional device, and the extracted location information And transitioning the web browser on the external device side based on It is obtained by said being.

  Furthermore, the invention according to claim 4 of the present application is an information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be attached to the apparatus main body, and responds to a request for information regarding the optional device from an external device connected to the network. In the information display program executed by the information processing apparatus having a function that allows the external device side to browse the information related to the optional device via the web browser, the specification information regarding the optional device is requested from the external device. Accordingly, a step of creating a file that constitutes a web page reflecting the specification information related to the corresponding optional device with reference to recording means for recording the predetermined specification information related to the optional device so as to be rewritable; Providing the created file so that it can be viewed through a browser Step, in which characterized in that a.

  According to the invention according to claim 1 of the present application, when a new optional device is adopted for the information processing device, the information processing device can deal with the new optional device without having to rewrite the original program. By simply recording the location information, it is possible to provide appropriate information about the optional equipment more easily and at a lower cost.

  Further, according to the invention according to claim 2 of the present application, when a new optional device is adopted for the information processing device, the information processing device does not need to rewrite the original program, and the new optional device is used. By simply recording the corresponding specification information, it is possible to provide appropriate information regarding optional equipment more easily and at low cost.

  Furthermore, according to the invention according to claim 3 of the present application, when a new optional device is adopted for the information processing device, the information processing device can replace the original program without rewriting the original program. Appropriate information about the options can be provided more easily and at a lower cost simply by recording the corresponding location information.

  Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, when a new optional device is adopted for the information processing apparatus, a new option can be added without having to rewrite the original program on the information processing apparatus side. By only recording the specification information corresponding to the device, it is possible to provide appropriate information regarding the optional device more easily and at low cost.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a multi-function multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP (Multifunction Peripheral)) is taken up as an “information processing apparatus” described in the claims.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a network including terminals and MFPs according to an embodiment of the present invention. The network 1 includes a plurality of terminals 10, an MFP 20 having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a facsimile function, a copy function, and a scanner function, and a proxy server 30 for ensuring security when connected to the outside of the network. These are connected to each other via a network bus 15 so that data can be transmitted and received. In this network 1, for example, job data such as document data and image data processed by the terminal 10 is transmitted to the MFP 20 and printed on the MFP 20 side, or job data created by reading an original on the MFP 20 is displayed on the terminal. 10 to be displayed or stored on the terminal 10 side.

  Further, the network 1 is connected to the Internet 50, and the MFP 20 transmits job data created based on a document to, for example, a remote terminal on another network via the Internet 50, or from a remote terminal. It is also possible to receive job data transmitted via the Internet and print it out based on the received job data. Note that the configuration of the network 1 actually includes configurations other than the configuration shown in FIG. 1 such as a mail server and a router, but these are omitted here.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the MFP 20. The MFP 20 executes various instructions based on a predetermined program to control each component in the MFP 20, a ROM 22 that stores a program to be controlled by the CPU 21, and a program necessary for executing the program A RAM 23 for temporarily storing job data transmitted from the work area or the outside, an operation unit 24 having a touch panel display panel that allows a user to operate the apparatus and input various settings, and read a document. For example, a scanning unit 25 that acquires image data in bitmap format, a printing unit 26 that performs printing on paper based on job data, a paper feeding unit 27 that feeds paper to the printing unit 26, and job data Network interface card (for example, “NI” in the figure) ") Has a 28, a. These components are connected to each other via a bus 29 so that data can be transmitted and received.

  In the present embodiment, a utility program (hereinafter referred to as an apparatus management program) for managing the MFP 20 on the web base is stored in the ROM 22 of the MFP 20. This device management program can acquire various types of information about the MFP 20 (for example, information about the system configuration of the MFP, status, consumables, counter, and optional mounting state of the MFP main body) via the web browser on the terminal 10 side. And a function that enables setting of various information such as a network address (IP address), a one-touch dial number of a FAX function, a scan data transmission destination, and the like.

  In addition to the above functions, the device management program realizes a function that enables acquisition of detailed information (product model number, specifications, etc.) of options attached to the MFP 20 on the terminal 10 side. That is, based on the device management program, in response to a request for detailed information on a predetermined option from the terminal 10, location information (URL) of a web page that provides detailed information on the option is set on the terminal 10 side, and the web browser Is transitioned. A web page that provides optional detailed information is managed by a web server 55 that constitutes the Internet 50.

  By the way, in the conventional format in which the URL of a web page providing detailed information about an option is previously incorporated in the program, when a new option developed after the product is released is installed, the detailed information about the option is displayed. There is a problem that the detailed information of the option cannot be acquired unless a program in which the URL of the web page to be provided is newly stored in the device. In this embodiment, in order to avoid such a problem, The transition destination information table in which the URL of the web page providing the detailed information can be registered is set in the RAM 23.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B show transition destination information tables in which URLs of web pages that provide detailed information of various options attached to the MFP 20 are registered. In this transition destination information table, a plurality of URLs corresponding to various options can be registered, and in the state shown in FIG. 3A, corresponding to the options “third sheet cassette” and “fourth sheet cassette” The URLs of the web pages that provide the detailed information “http://aaa.bbb.com/ccc/casette3.html” and “http://aaa.bbb.com/ccc/casette4.html” are stored respectively. ing.

  When a fax board is mounted on the MFP 20 from the state shown in FIG. 3A, the transition destination information table shows the URL of the web page that provides detailed information corresponding to the option “Fax board” as shown in FIG. 3B. “Http://aaa.bbb.com/ccc/faxboard.html” is additionally registered. In the present embodiment, registration or rewriting work of transition destination information in the transition destination information table is performed by a service person or an administrator when a new option is installed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The URL of the web page that provides the information is stored in advance, and the URL is notified to the MFP 20 by the initial communication between the MFP 20 and the option when the power is turned on. On the other hand, the URL notified from each option is transferred to the MFP 20 It may be registered in the information table.

  When there is a request for detailed information on options from the terminal 10, the MFP 20 refers to the transition destination information table as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B based on the information display program incorporated in the ROM 22, and corresponds to the corresponding option. URL is extracted. Thereafter, the extracted URL is set as the transition destination information on the terminal 10 side, and the web browser is transitioned to the URL, whereby optional detailed information is acquired.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, for an option that is not installed in the MFP 20, the option name and the corresponding URL are also registered so as to be described as “undefined” or “no transition destination information”. Although not limited to this, for example, for an option that is not installed in the MFP 20, the URL of a web page that provides an error display screen including a message such as “Option not installed” May be registered, or a URL that does not change the web browser on the terminal 10 side may be registered.

  Next, device information display processing executed by the MFP 20 based on the device management program when acquiring the detailed information of options on the terminal 10 side will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of device information display processing executed by the MFP 20. In this process, first, whether or not the terminal 10 has requested display of various types of information (hereinafter referred to as MFP information) such as the system configuration of the MFP main body, status, consumables and counter information information, and option mounting status on the MFP main body. Is determined (# 11). As a result, if it is determined that the display of the MFP information is not requested, step # 11 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the display of the MFP information is requested, the HTML file including the MFP information Is transmitted to the terminal 10, and MFP information is displayed on the terminal 10 side via the web browser (# 12). On the screen on which this MFP information is displayed, means (for example, a link button) for requesting display of a help file screen for acquiring detailed information on options is set. When the display is requested, a help file screen is displayed via the web browser.

  After step # 12, it is determined whether or not display of a help file screen is requested from the terminal 10 (# 13). As a result, if it is determined that display of the help file screen is not requested, step # 13 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that display of the help file screen is requested, the help file screen is displayed. The HTML file to be configured is transmitted to the terminal 10, and a help file screen is displayed on the terminal 10 side via the web browser (# 14). The help file screen is provided with optional help items attached to the MFP body, and when the user selects a help item, detailed information on the corresponding option can be viewed.

  After step # 14, it is determined whether any optional help item has been selected (# 15). As a result, if it is determined that the optional help item has not been selected, step # 15 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the optional help item has been selected, it is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Such a transition destination information table is referred to, and the URL corresponding to the selected optional help item is extracted (# 16). Thereafter, the extracted URL is set on the terminal 10 side, and the web browser is changed to the web page specified by the URL (# 17).

  After step # 17, it is determined whether or not the terminal 10 has requested the end of displaying the help file screen (# 18). As a result, if it is determined that the end of display of the help file screen is not requested, the process returns to step # 14, and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, it is determined that the end of display of the help file screen is requested. If YES, the process returns to step # 12 and the subsequent steps are repeated.

  4 is executed by reading a program stored in the ROM 22 of the MFP 20, the program is a part of a program that is a basis of control by the CPU 21 of the MFP 20. Or installed in the MFP 20 and additionally stored using an external recording medium such as a CD-ROM 18 or a floppy (registered trademark) disk 19 or downloaded via a network. It may be done.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a table for registering URLs of web pages that provide detailed information on various options is set in the RAM 23 of the MFP 20, and the table is set in response to a request for detailed information on options. Since the ROM 22 stores a program that realizes a function of referring to and extracting the web browser on the terminal 10 side from the table to the URL extracted from the table, when a new option is attached to the MFP body, the MFP 20 side It is possible to provide detailed information of appropriate options more easily and at low cost by simply adding a URL corresponding to a new option to the table without having to rewrite the original program.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transition destination information table for registering the URL of the web page that provides the optional detailed information is set in the RAM 23 of the MFP 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the web that provides the optional detailed information is provided. Instead of the URL of the page, a table for registering optional specification information may be set. For example, normally, the paper that can be handled differs depending on the paper feed cassette, but a table for registering the availability information on various papers of the paper feed cassette may be set to reflect this.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a table storing availability information corresponding to various types of paper in the paper cassette. For example, a paper feed cassette installed in the third-stage paper feed slot from the bottom can handle plain paper and recycled paper, but cannot handle thick paper, and the fourth-stage paper feed slot from the bottom In the case where the paper feed cassette mounted on the printer can be handled normally, but is incapable of handling thick paper and recycled paper, as shown in FIG. 5A, it corresponds to an option “third stage of paper feed cassette”. In addition, information indicating that it is possible to deal with plain paper and recycled paper (circle in the figure) and information indicating that it is impossible to deal with thick paper (in the figure) are registered, and the option “feed cassette 4th stage” is registered. Correspondingly, information indicating that it is possible to handle plain paper and information indicating that it is not possible to handle thick paper and recycled paper are registered.

  When the fourth-stage sheet cassette is replaced with a sheet cassette that can handle all sheets from the state shown in FIG. 5A, in order to correct the information indicating that the cardboard and the recycled sheet cannot be handled, FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, information indicating whether or not it is possible to deal with cardboard and reproduction is updated and registered.

  In response to a request for detailed information of each paper cassette from the terminal 10, the MFP 20 refers to the tables shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B based on the information display program stored in the ROM 22 in advance, An HTML file that forms a web page reflecting information on whether or not to support plain paper, thick paper, and recycled paper in the paper cassette is created. Then, this HTML file is transmitted to the terminal 10 side, and detailed information including information on whether or not to support plain paper, thick paper and recycled paper of the paper feed cassette is displayed via a web browser.

  Although not specifically illustrated, the control method may vary depending on the model and ROM version, and the compatible paper may change. Therefore, information indicating whether or not the various papers can be supported is appropriately determined according to various models and ROM versions. It may be rewritten. For example, with regard to recycled paper, information indicating that correspondence is possible is registered in a high-end model MFP, while information indicating that correspondence is not possible is registered in a low-cost MFP. In addition, for cardboard, information indicating that the latest version ROM is available is registered, while in the old version ROM, information indicating that it is not available is registered.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and it is needless to say that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a network including a terminal and an MFP and connected to the Internet. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the MFP. FIG. It is a figure showing an example of the table which stores the transition destination information corresponding to various options. It is a figure showing the table after new transition destination information is added to the table shown in Drawing 3A according to the addition of an option. 4 is a flowchart of information display processing executed by the MFP. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table that stores information on availability of various types of paper in a paper cassette. It is a figure showing the table after a part of information of the table shown in Drawing 5A was changed according to change of a paper feed cassette.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 10 ... Terminal, 18 ... CD-ROM, 19 ... Floppy disk, 20 ... MFP, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... Operation part, 28 ... Network interface card, 50 ... Internet, 55. Web server.

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the main body of the device, and the information regarding the optional device is transmitted on the external device side in response to a request for information regarding the optional device from an external device connected to the network. In an information processing apparatus having a function that allows browsing through a browser,
Recording means for rewritably recording location information of a web page that provides information on the optional device;
In response to a request for information on an optional device from the external device, a location information extracting unit that extracts location information of a web page that provides information on the corresponding optional device with reference to the recording unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transition unit that transitions the web browser on the external device based on the location information extracted by the location information extraction unit. An information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the main body of the device, and the information regarding the optional device is transmitted on the external device side in response to a request for information regarding the optional device from an external device connected to the network. In an information processing apparatus having a function that allows browsing through a browser,
A recording means for recording predetermined specification information relating to the optional device in a rewritable manner;
In response to a request for specification information related to an optional device from the external device, a file creation means for creating a file constituting a web page that reflects the specification information related to the corresponding optional device with reference to the recording means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a file providing unit that provides a file created by the file creating unit so that the external device can browse through a web browser. An information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the main body of the device, and the information regarding the optional device is transmitted on the external device side in response to a request for information regarding the optional device from an external device connected to the network. In an information display program executed by an information processing apparatus having a function that allows browsing through a browser,
In response to a request for information on an optional device from the external device, a web page that provides information on the corresponding optional device by referring to a recording means that records rewritable location information on the web page that provides information on the optional device. Extracting location information for,
And a step of transitioning the web browser on the external device side based on the extracted location information. An information processing apparatus in which a predetermined optional device can be mounted on the main body of the device, and the information regarding the optional device is transmitted on the external device side in response to a request for information regarding the optional device from an external device connected to the network. In an information display program executed by an information processing apparatus having a function that allows browsing through a browser,
In response to a request for specification information related to an optional device from the external device, a recording unit that records rewritable predetermined specification information related to the optional device is referred to, and a web page reflecting the specification information related to the corresponding optional device is configured. Creating a file;
An information display program comprising a step of providing a created file so that the external device can be viewed through a web browser.

Images