JP2012009035A - Image processing device, image processing program, and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently solve a problem occurred during an operation by a user, by consulting a screen displayed to each user via a network.SOLUTION: In a system which a PC and a multifunction machine is connected via the network, the multifunction machine comprises a user information reception processing unit for receiving a user ID from the PC and a user screen transmission unit for transmitting operation screen information indicating the screen which is displayed to the user who corresponds to the user ID and accepts the operation to the PC, and the PC comprises a user information selection unit for transmitting the logged in user ID to the multifunction machine, a screen information reception unit for receiving the operation screen information which is displayed to the user specified by the user ID from the multifunction machine, and a display processing unit for performing display processing of an operation screen from the received operation screen information.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, a display processing device, an image processing method, a display processing method, an image processing program, a display processing program, and an image processing system, and in particular, image processing connected from the display processing device via a network. The present invention relates to a technique for referring to an operation screen of the apparatus.

  In recent years, many electronic products that are connected to a network and can exchange information with the outside have appeared. In particular, in a situation where a network is rapidly built in an office environment, there is an increasing demand for connecting an electronic device installed in the office to the network and operating the electronic device via the network. Yes.

  On the other hand, as an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “multifunction machine”) in which functions of each apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in one casing is known. In recent years, in addition to the functions described above, this multi-function peripheral further includes a storage device, so that input processed image data can be stored and read out.

  In response to the above-mentioned demand, many multifunction peripherals with network connection interfaces have been proposed. Thus, at present, various devices such as multifunction peripherals have a function for performing communication control. Along with this, it has become possible to monitor various devices via a network.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, status information of an image forming apparatus is edited by a monitoring apparatus and transmitted to a server of a remote monitoring center via a network. As a result, when the state information includes an abnormality or the like, it is possible to immediately respond to the person in charge.

  Further, Non-Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for remotely operating a multifunction peripheral from a PC (Personal Computer) connected via a network. As a result, the administrator can confirm the state of the multifunction peripheral from the PC, and can deal with it on behalf of the user.

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, only an abnormality is detected, and an administrator who is away cannot see the screen that the user is currently referring to. The question currently being answered may not be properly addressed.

  In Non-Patent Document 1, the administrator is limited to seeing the liquid crystal touch panel referred to by the user. In other words, as long as the user can control the multi-function peripheral via the network, a plurality of users may log in to the multi-function peripheral. In this case, the user refers to the screen for operating the multifunction peripheral from a PC or the like, but there is a problem that the administrator can refer only to the liquid crystal touch panel and cannot view the screen displayed for each user. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and efficiently solves problems that occur during user operations by referring to a screen displayed to each user via a network. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a display processing apparatus, an image processing method, a display processing method, an image processing program, a display processing program, and an image processing system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a user selection method for receiving user identification information unique to a user from a display processing apparatus connected via a network. Operation screen information indicating an operation screen for receiving an operation displayed for a user identified by the user identification information received by the receiving unit and the user selection receiving unit is displayed on the display processing device. And a user screen transmitting means for transmitting.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein operation information indicating an operation performed on the operation screen displayed using the operation screen information in the display processing apparatus is An operation information receiving means for receiving from the display processing device, wherein the user screen transmitting means includes the operation screen information including a result operated by the operation information received by the operation information receiving means, It transmits to a display processing apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, when the operation information is received by the operation information receiving unit, a process corresponding to an operation specified by the operation information is performed. And means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, an authentication as to whether or not the display processing apparatus has an authority to refer to the operation screen information. An authentication unit that performs processing and the user screen transmission unit transmit the operation screen information to the display processing device when it is determined that the user has the authority in the authentication process performed by the authentication unit. It is characterized by this.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user screen information transmitting means is provided in the image processing apparatus used by a user. The operation screen information output to the display device is transmitted.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the user screen information transmitting means is configured so that a user who is logged in to the image processing apparatus via a network. The operation screen information being output is transmitted to a display processing device to be used.

  Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the user screen information transmitting means is data obtained by formatting the operation screen information in a format that can be referred to by a Web browser. Is transmitted to the display processing device.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided user information transmission means for transmitting user identification information specific to a user who is logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network, to the image processing apparatus, Screen information reception for receiving operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for the user specified by the user identification information from the image processing device by transmission by the user information transmission unit And display processing means for displaying the operation screen based on the operation screen information received by the screen information receiving means.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the selection acceptance for accepting selection of an arbitrary user from a plurality of users logged in to the image processing apparatus connected via the network in the invention according to claim 8. And the user information transmitting means transmits user identification information indicating the user accepted by the selection accepting means to the image processing apparatus.

  The invention according to a tenth aspect is the invention according to the eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the operation accepting means for accepting an operation on the operation screen displayed by the display processing means and the operation accepting means are accepted. Operation information transmitting means for transmitting operation information indicating the operation to the image processing apparatus is further provided.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the display processing means uses the operation screen received by the screen information receiving means to perform the operation on a browser. It is characterized by displaying the screen.

  The invention according to claim 12 is received by a user selection receiving step of receiving user identification information unique to a user from a display processing apparatus connected via a network, and the user selection receiving step. A user screen transmission step of transmitting, to the display processing device, operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for the user specified by the user identification information. It is characterized by.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the operation information indicating an operation performed on the operation screen displayed using the operation screen information in the display processing device, An operation information receiving step for receiving from the display processing device, wherein the user screen transmitting step includes operation screen information including a result of the operation performed by the operation information received by the operation information receiving step. It transmits to the said display processing apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the control according to claim 12 or 13, wherein when the operation information is received in the operation information receiving step, processing corresponding to the operation specified by the operation information is performed. And further comprising a step.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, an authentication as to whether or not the display processing apparatus has an authority to refer to the operation screen information. An authentication step for performing processing and a user screen transmission step transmit the operation screen information to the display processing device when it is determined that the user has the authority in the authentication processing in the authentication step. It is characterized by this.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects, the user screen information transmitting step is provided in the image processing apparatus used by a user. The operation screen information output to the display device is transmitted.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects, the user screen information transmitting step is performed by a user who is logged in to the image processing apparatus via a network. The operation screen information being output is transmitted to a display processing device to be used.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to seventeenth aspects, the user screen information transmitting step includes data in which the operation screen information is formatted in a format that can be referred to by a Web browser. Is transmitted to the display processing device.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user information transmission step of transmitting user identification information specific to a user who has logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network to the image processing apparatus, Screen information reception for receiving operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for the user specified by the user identification information from the image processing apparatus by transmission in the user information transmission step. And a display processing step for displaying the operation screen based on the operation screen information received in the screen information receiving step.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the nineteenth aspect, a selection acceptance for accepting selection of an arbitrary user from a plurality of users logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network. The user information transmitting step transmits user identification information indicating the user accepted by the selection accepting step to the image processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 21 is received by the operation accepting step for accepting an operation on the operation screen displayed by the display processing step and the operation accepting step in the invention according to claim 19 or 20. An operation information transmission step of transmitting operation information indicating the operation to the image processing apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 22 is the invention according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the display processing step uses the operation screen received in the screen information receiving step to perform the operation on a browser. It is characterized by displaying the screen.

  The invention according to claim 23 is characterized in that the image processing method according to any one of claims 12 to 18 is executed by a computer.

  The invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that a display processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 22 is executed by a computer.

  According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in an image processing system comprising a display processing device and an image processing device connected via a network, the image processing device is unique to a user from the display processing device. User selection receiving means for receiving user identification information, and an operation screen showing an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for the user specified by the user identification information received by the user selection receiving means User screen transmission means for transmitting information to the display processing device, wherein the display processing device uses the user identification information of a user who has logged in to the image processing device as the image processing User information transmission means for transmitting to the apparatus and transmission by the user information transmission means to the user specified by the user identification information from the image processing apparatus. Screen information receiving means for receiving operation screen information indicating the operation screen being displayed, and display processing means for displaying the operation screen based on the operation screen information received by the screen information receiving means. It is characterized by.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the operation status of the user can be grasped by referring to the operation screen displayed to the user from the display processing device, the problem that occurred during the operation of the user It is possible to solve the problem efficiently.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the operation result of the display processing device performed on the image processing device with reference to the operation screen can be confirmed on the display processing device, so that the convenience is improved. .

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when operation information is received, the processing corresponding to the operation information is performed, whereby the problem that occurred during the user's operation in the display processing device can be solved. Play.

  According to the invention of claim 4, an operation performed by another user by an unauthorized user is performed by performing authentication when referring to the operation screen information displayed for the user. The effect of preventing the reference to improve security.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the operation screen information displayed on the display device provided in the image processing apparatus is transmitted, the information can be used without moving to the place where the image processing apparatus is installed. Since the user's operation status can be grasped, the problem that occurred during the user's operation can be efficiently solved.

  According to the invention of claim 6, since the operation screen information displayed on the display device provided in the image processing apparatus is transmitted, the information can be used without moving to the place where the image processing apparatus is installed. Since the user's operation status can be grasped, the problem that occurred during the user's operation can be efficiently solved.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the screen referred to by the user can be displayed by the Web browser provided in the display processing device, the operation status of the user can be displayed without installing a special application. There is an effect that it can be grasped.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operation screen displayed to the user by the image processing apparatus can be referred to, so that the problem occurring during the user's operation can be solved efficiently. There is an effect.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, since operation information indicating an operation performed on the operation screen is transmitted to the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus can be operated without moving, so that convenience is improved. There is an effect.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the operation screen displayed for the user selected from the users logged in to the image processing apparatus can be referred to, any logged-in user can be referred to. The problem that occurred during the operation can be efficiently solved.

  According to the invention of claim 11, since the operation screen information is displayed on the browser, there is no need to install a dedicated program for displaying the operation screen information, and the convenience is improved. .

  Further, according to the invention of claim 12, since the operation state of the user can be grasped by referring to the operation screen displayed to the user from the display processing device, it occurs during the operation of the user. There is an effect that the problem can be solved efficiently.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the operation result of the display processing apparatus performed on the image processing apparatus with reference to the operation screen can be confirmed on the display processing apparatus, so that the convenience is improved. .

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when the operation information is received, the processing corresponding to the operation information is performed, so that the problem occurring during the user's operation in the display processing apparatus can be solved. Play.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the authentication is performed when referring to the operation screen information displayed for the user, so that an unauthorized user can perform an operation performed by another user. The effect of preventing the reference to improve security.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, since the operation screen information displayed on the display device provided in the image processing apparatus is transmitted, the information can be used without moving to the place where the image processing apparatus is installed. Since the user's operation status can be grasped, the problem that occurred during the user's operation can be efficiently solved.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the invention, since the operation screen information displayed on the display device provided in the image processing device is transmitted, the information can be used without moving to the place where the image processing device is installed. Since the user's operation status can be grasped, the problem that occurred during the user's operation can be efficiently solved.

  According to the invention of claim 18, since the screen referred to by the user can be displayed by the Web browser provided in the display processing device, the operation status of the user can be displayed without installing a special application. There is an effect that it can be grasped.

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the operation screen displayed on the user by the image processing apparatus can be referred to, so that the problem occurring during the user operation can be efficiently solved. There is an effect.

  According to the invention of claim 20, since the operation information indicating the operation performed on the operation screen is transmitted to the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus can be operated without moving, so that convenience is improved. There is an effect.

  According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, since the operation screen displayed for the user selected from the user who has logged in to the image processing apparatus can be referred to, any user who has logged in The problem that occurred during the operation can be efficiently solved.

  According to the invention of claim 22, since the operation screen information is displayed on the browser, there is no need to install a dedicated program for displaying the operation screen information, and the convenience is improved. .

  According to the invention of claim 23, the image processing method according to any one of claims 12 to 18 can be realized by using a computer by causing the computer to read and execute the image processing method. The same effects as those of these image processing methods are achieved.

  According to the invention of claim 24, the display processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 22 can be realized by using a computer by causing the computer to read and execute the method. The same effects as those of these display processing methods can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 25, the operation status of the user can be grasped by referring to the operation screen displayed to the user from the display processing device. There is an effect that the problem can be solved efficiently.

FIG. 2 is a network diagram for explaining a network environment surrounding the MFP according to the present embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of PC concerning this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the transition of the screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the menu screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the status screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the detailed information screen of the status which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the remote UI screen for general users which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the administrator login screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the remote UI screen for administrators which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the remote UI screen for administrators which receives the switching of a user which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the remote UI screen of the other user which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the UI customization screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is explanatory drawing which showed the case where the size of a tray button was changed on UI customization screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the setting screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the setting assistance screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. It is the figure which showed the example of the function setting screen which the display process part of PC concerning this Embodiment displays. 2 is a functional block diagram of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from reception of an operation for displaying an administrator login screen in the multifunction peripheral and the PC according to the present embodiment to display of an administrator remote UI screen displayed after login. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure from displaying an administrator remote UI screen in the multifunction peripheral and PC according to the present embodiment to displaying a remote UI screen referred to by another user. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when an operation is performed on a remote UI screen of another administrator-use user in the multifunction peripheral and the PC according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device concerning this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of PC concerning this Embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing device, a display processing device, an image processing method, a display processing method, an image processing program, a display processing program, and an image processing system according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. To do.

  An embodiment of the present invention is an image processing apparatus provided with a communication control apparatus, and as the image processing apparatus, a copy function, a facsimile (FAX) function, a print function, a scanner function, and an input image (a document image read by a scanner function, An example applied to a multifunction machine 100 called a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), which is a kind of an image forming apparatus that combines functions such as distributing a printer or an image input by a FAX function.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the image processing apparatus is applied to a multifunction device is described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a multifunction device and may be applied to other electronic devices. As an example of this electronic device, a business office device provided in a business environment such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine can be considered. By applying the image processing apparatus to these business office devices, cooperation between apparatuses existing in the office environment can be achieved. Furthermore, the present invention is not applied only to an image processing apparatus, but can be applied to any communication control apparatus that transmits and receives information via a network. That is, since the screen information that should be displayed on the communication control device is displayed on the display processing device connected via the network, the operation can be unified regardless of the device.

  In the present embodiment, a case where the display processing apparatus is applied to a PC (Personal Computer) connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 via a network will be described. In the present embodiment, the display processing device is not limited to a PC, and may be, for example, a business office device, a mobile phone terminal, a car navigation, or the like, and various external devices described later may be used. Note that an operation method for remotely operating the multifunction peripheral 100 from the external device is changed according to these external devices. This operation method will not be described because an appropriate method is used according to the external device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a multi-function device 100 according to the present embodiment and a large number of external devices connected to the multi-function device 100 via a communication network. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 100 includes a plurality of external devices (another multi-function device 22, a printer 23, a facsimile 24, a scanner 25, a personal computer (PC) 150a, a digital television 27, a management server 28b) via the LAN 11. Etc.). The multi-function device 100 is connected to external devices (such as the management server 28a and the notebook PC 150b) via the Internet 12. Further, the management server 28 is connected to an external device (a car navigation device (hereinafter, including “automobile”) 29), a mobile phone (hereinafter, “PHS phone”) via the Internet 12, the mobile phone network 13 and the nearest base station 14. And a game machine 31, a digital camera 32, etc.).

  The external device may be any device that can be connected to a network, and may be a car navigation device 29, a game machine 31, a digital camera 32, or the like other than the mobile phone 30. As other examples of the external device, although not shown, a wristwatch, a vending machine, a water meter, a gas meter, or the like may be used. These external devices transmit and receive information via the network such as the Internet 12 or the mobile phone network 13. In addition, these external devices may be connected to and communicate with the mobile phone 30 or the like, or may be communicated by a unique communication means mounted in each device.

  The management server 28a and the management server 28b are servers that manage information transmitted and received between the external device and the multifunction peripheral 100, and may include a function as a Web server. These management servers may be connected in the same LAN 11 as the multifunction machine 100 as the management server 28b, or may be connected via a public network such as the Internet 12 as in the management server 28a. good. Further, the number of management servers connected via the network is not limited. One or a plurality of management servers may be used.

  Although not shown, a server device such as an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server, an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server, or a distribution server may be connected to the network. In addition, the distribution server can communicate with an electronic mail transmission / reception, file transfer, or a fax machine outside the office via a public network. Through these server apparatuses, the multifunction peripheral 100 can transmit and receive various information.

  As shown in FIG. 1, since the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected to a network, it can communicate with external devices (including business office equipment) such as a PC 150a and a notebook PC 150b, and a storage device such as a hard disk. With the built-in, it has evolved into a so-called network multifunction device and can meet the various needs of users.

  In addition to the normal copy function, the multi-function device 100 has a printer function for printing document data or the like in response to a print request from an external device such as the PC 150a or the notebook PC 150b, and a document data or the like in response to a fax request from a client device. It has a fax function that sends it to a fax machine in another office via a modem connected to the PC, and a storage function that stores received fax documents and copy documents in a built-in hard disk. The embodiment described later relates to a function provided between the client device such as the PC 150 a and the notebook PC 150 b and the multifunction peripheral 100. Note that the client device refers to a device capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the multifunction peripheral 100. In this embodiment, the case of the PC 150a and the notebook PC 150b will be described. However, the client device is not limited to the PC 150a, the notebook PC 150b, or the like, and may be any external device that can be connected to the network described above.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the PC 150a according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the PC 150a includes a transmission processing unit 301, a reception processing unit 302, a display processing unit 303, and an operation receiving unit 304 as components. In addition, the monitor 150 and the input device 20 are connected to the PC 150a.

  The operation reception unit 304 performs processing for receiving an operation input by the user from the input device 20 such as a keyboard or a pointing device.

  The display processing unit 303 performs processing for displaying on the monitor 10. The display processing unit 303 performs processing for displaying operation screen information received by the reception processing unit 302 described later on a Web browser. As a result, the user can easily log in to the multifunction peripheral 100 from the PC 150a.

  The operation screen information refers to screen information that is displayed in order to accept an operation on the multifunction device 100. Then, the display processing unit 303 performs processing for displaying the operation screen indicated by the operation screen information on the monitor 10. Accordingly, the user can use the multifunction peripheral 100 via the network by performing an operation on the operation screen. The configuration of the PC 150a illustrated in FIG. 2 is not limited to the PC 150a, and is provided for any client device.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating transition of screens displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in the figure, when an attempt is made to access the multifunction device 100 from the Web browser of the PC 150a, information such as operation screen information is transmitted and received between the PC 150a and the multifunction device 100, and display processing is performed. The unit 303 displays the menu screen 401.

  When the user presses a button or the like arranged on the screen after the menu screen 401 is displayed, the display processing unit 303 changes the screen displayed according to the screen transition shown in FIG. Such a screen change can be made by requesting the next operation screen information from the MFP 100a to the MFP 100, transmitting the corresponding operation screen information to the PC 150a, and receiving the operation screen information by the PC 150a. Is displayed. That is, the operation screen information is generated by the multifunction device 100.

  Similarly, in addition to the menu screen 401, the display processing unit 303 includes a status screen 402, a detailed status information screen 403, a general user remote UI (User Interface) screen 404, and an administrator. Among the login screen 405, the administrator remote UI screen 406, the remote UI screen 408 of another user for administrator, the UI customization screen 409, the setting screen 410, the setting assist screen 411, and the function setting screen 412 Either screen can be displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the menu screen 401 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in the figure, on the menu screen, the current status of the multifunction device 100 can be referred to, and a button group 501 for moving to another screen is prepared.

  For example, if the operation accepting unit 304 accepts pressing of the remote UI button 502, the display processing unit 303 performs display processing of a general user remote UI screen 404 described later. If the user presses down the customize button 503, the display processing unit 303 performs a display process on a UI customization screen 409 described later. If the pressing of the setting button 504 is accepted, the display processing unit 303 performs display processing of a setting screen 410 described later.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the status screen 402 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in the figure, it is assumed that the status screen is included in the menu screen. Then, the display processing unit 303 displays an overview of the multi-function device 100 and performs display processing of a caution mark 601 indicated by “!” In a portion having an error. When the operation accepting unit 304 accepts pressing of the caution mark 601, the display processing unit 303 pops up and displays the window 602 in which the error content is described. Further, when the operation accepting unit 304 accepts pressing of the detail button 603, the display processing unit 303 performs display processing of a detailed status information screen 403 described later.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the detailed status information screen 403 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in the figure, on the detailed status information screen 403, a coping method for the error is displayed as a moving image. The user can understand the processing method for recovering from the error state to the normal state by referring to this screen. In this embodiment, the coping method is displayed using a moving image on this screen, but any information may be displayed as long as the user can recognize the coping method.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a general user remote UI screen 404 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in this figure, on the general user remote UI screen 404, the user displays a screen similar to an operation panel 204 (to be described later) of the MFP 100. Specifically, a screen output to the liquid crystal touch panel 1820 of the multifunction device 100 is displayed in the display area 701. A button group 702 indicates a numeric keypad provided on the operation panel 204. A button 703 indicates a reset key, and a button 704 indicates a start button. That is, the user can perform the same operation as that on the operation panel 204 of the multifunction peripheral 100 on the displayed general user remote UI screen 404. Thereby, the user can operate the multifunction peripheral 100 without any trouble. In the case of a user having administrator authority, the user can move from the general user remote UI screen 404 to the administrator login screen 405. In the screen shown in this figure, it is possible to move by selecting the administrator login screen 405 from the my menu 705.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the administrator login screen 405 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in this figure, when the operation receiving unit 304 receives input of a user name and a password, the user name and password are transmitted to the multi-function device 100. When the MFP 100 is properly authenticated, the PC 150 a can acquire the operation screen information of the administrator remote UI screen 406 and display the administrator remote UI screen 406.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the administrator remote UI screen 406 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in this figure, the administrator remote UI screen 406 has a screen equivalent to the operation panel displayed when the administrator logs in to the multi-function peripheral 100, similar to the general user remote UI screen 404 described above. Realized. The difference is that the display processing unit 303 displays a pull-down menu 901 indicating the user name.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an administrator remote UI screen 406 that is displayed by the display processing unit 303 and accepts user switching. As shown in this figure, when the pull-down menu 901 is pressed on the administrator remote UI screen 406, the display processing unit 303 performs a display process on the selection list 1001 of the currently logged-in user. When the operation accepting unit 304 accepts the selection of an arbitrary user from the administrator, the display processing unit 303 performs display processing on the remote UI screen 407 that accepts switching to the user. By transmitting the user ID of the user from the PC 150a, the corresponding operation screen information can be acquired from the multifunction device 100. In this way, the operation receiving unit 304 that receives a user's selection corresponds to a selection receiving unit. The detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of another user's remote UI screen 408 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in this figure, the display processing unit 303 displays a remote UI screen 408 of another user who has logged in from the administrator remote UI screen 406. That is, the administrator can refer to a screen similar to the UI screen that is currently referenced by the user. Thereby, a user's present condition can be grasped. Then, the administrator can easily cope with the problem by confirming the state of the user when trouble occurs. The remote UI screen 408 of another user can also display the screen of the operation panel 204 referred to by the user in addition to the general user remote UI screen 404 referred to by the user.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the screen displayed for each user can be customized as will be described later. In other words, the screens were unified for all users in the past, so if the administrator knows the contents of all the screens, if there is a question from the user over the phone, etc., it will be handled without referring to the operation screen I was able to. However, if the operation screen can be customized for each user, the administrator cannot grasp the operation screen that the user is currently referring to. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the remote UI screen 408 of the other user who is logged in by the administrator can be referred to, so that it is easy to deal with questions during operation from the user. It was.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI customization screen 409 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in the figure, the display processing unit 303 can display a UI customization screen 409 for each user. The user can change the screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel or the PC when the user logs in by customizing the items or buttons displayed on the UI customization screen 409 shown in FIG. Specifically, arrangement information such as items or buttons changed by the user is transmitted to the multi-function device 100. Then, the multifunction peripheral 100 accumulates the changed screen layout information in the storage unit 207 described later. Accordingly, when the user logs in, the multifunction peripheral 100 can read the arrangement information accumulated in the storage unit 207 and output the changed operation screen.

  A display area 1203 indicates a display area displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel or the general user remote UI screen 404. The operation accepting unit 304 can accept operations for adding, deleting, changing the arrangement, reducing or enlarging items or buttons included in the display area 1203. For example, when deleting an item or button, the item or button may be dragged and dropped into the deletion area 1202. In addition, the operation reception unit 304 can change the color of an item or button selected in advance by the display processing unit 303 by receiving an operation on the color bar 1204. Similarly, the text size can be changed by the text size change item 1205. Next, an example of changing the size of the tray button 1201 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the size of the tray button is changed on the UI customization screen 409. (A) of this figure has shown the state which the operation reception part 304 received selection of the tray button 1301 in the display area 1203a from the pointing device. Next, the operation reception unit 304 receives a drag of the selected tray button 1301. Thereafter, the display processing unit 303 displays an enlarged tray button 1302 in the display area 1203b of FIG. Then, the item or button arrangement information changed in this way is transmitted to the multifunction device 100. In addition, the change processing other than enlargement may be performed by any method regardless of the currently known change method, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In other words, in order to reduce the number of inquiries from the user to the administrator or because of security issues, the user wants to display a simple screen on the MFP that hides the buttons for functions that the user cannot use or does not allow. was there. Even now, manufacturers and the like who provide multifunction devices are responding to such requests. However, such a response has a problem that it takes time and cost.

  Therefore, in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the user can easily customize the Web page displayed on the client device such as the PC 150a by operating the input device 20 such as the pointing device. can do. That is, the display content can be changed by the same operation as that of software for editing images that has been well known in the past, so that convenience is improved. Thereby, the cost and time required for customization can be reduced.

  In addition, such a change in the display content allows the administrator to collectively edit the content displayed for all users. Note that any method may be used as a method for the administrator to collectively edit the screen regardless of a well-known method. Thereby, security can be ensured.

  In addition, the user can freely change the content displayed within the display content range restricted by the administrator. Thereby, for example, if the screen is edited for a low-sighted person, when the low-sighted person logs in, the screen is displayed with a large character size and an appropriate color scheme, thereby improving visibility. In addition, since the display contents can be customized for each user, convenience is improved.

  Any technique that can be customized on the Web browser may be used regardless of the currently known technique. For example, any technique such as starting a program using a plug-in function for a Web browser may be used.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen 410 displayed by the display processing unit 303. As shown in the figure, the setting screen 410 is roughly divided into two areas. That is, a setting assist display area 1401 and a normal setting display area 1402. The items displayed in the normal setting display area 1402 are the same as the setting item group for each function that has been conventionally displayed in the multi-function device 100, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The setting assist display area 1401 displays processing groups that can be used by the user in the multifunction peripheral 100. Then, when the operation reception unit 304 receives selection of an arbitrary process from the user, the display processing unit 303 performs a display process on a setting assist screen 411 described later.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the setting assist screen 411 displayed by the display processing unit 303. This figure is an example of a screen displayed when the pressing of the process “Set up E_mail” button 1403 shown in FIG. 14 is accepted. As shown in the figure, a list of function items that need to be set in order to send and receive e-mails is displayed. The user can send and receive e-mails in the multi-function device 100 by setting all function lists for this function.

  That is, in the conventional setting item group, the administrator cannot determine which item should be set in order to use a predetermined process. In addition, the user does not always use all the processes provided in the multifunction peripheral. However, since the administrator could not determine the setting items necessary for an arbitrary process, the setting was made for all the setting items for the time being, and the burden for setting was large.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the setting assist screen 411 displays a list of items corresponding to each process. Thereby, since the user can set only the item corresponding to the process he wants to use, the burden at the time of setting can be reduced.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a function setting screen 412 displayed by the display processing unit 303. This figure is an example of a screen displayed when selection of the item “Date / Time” 1501 shown in FIG. 15 is accepted. This figure shows a screen for setting the date and time displayed by the display processing unit 303. The date and time settings shown in the figure are functions necessary for sending and receiving e-mail. The operation reception unit 304 receives settings for all items displayed on this screen from the user. Thereafter, the operation accepting unit 304 accepts pressing of the “OK” button 1601 to display the setting assist screen 411 shown in FIG. 15 again.

  Thus, by setting for every item displayed on the setting assist screen 411, the multi-function device 100 can perform processing for sending and receiving e-mails.

  Thereby, in the multifunction device 100, it is possible to set only the function corresponding to the process that the user wants to use, and the burden related to the setting can be reduced.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the transmission processing unit 301 includes a user information transmission processing unit 311 and a screen operation transmission processing unit 312, and performs a process of transmitting information to an electronic device such as the multifunction peripheral 100 via the network. .

  The user information transmission processing unit 311 performs processing for transmitting a user ID and, if necessary, a password to the multifunction device 100. For example, the user information transmission processing unit 311 transmits a user ID and a password necessary for logging in when displaying the general user remote UI screen 404. Also, the user information transmission processing unit 311 transmits the user ID and password input on the administrator login screen 405 and the remote UI for other users for the administrator on the administrator remote UI screen 407 for accepting user switching. A transmission process of user IDs of other users necessary for displaying the screen 408 is also performed.

  Further, when the user information transmission processing unit 311 transmits the user ID, the screen operation transmission processing unit 312 described later also transmits operation information. As a result, the multi-function device 100 can specify any one of the general user remote UI screen 404, the administrator remote UI screen 407, and the remote UI screen 408 of another user as a screen to be transmitted next.

  The screen operation transmission processing unit 312 performs processing for transmitting operation information input from the user with the input device 20 to the multifunction device 100 for each screen described above. Accordingly, the PC 150a can receive operation screen information indicating a result corresponding to the operation performed by the user from the multi-function device 100.

  The operation information refers to information indicating an operation performed on the screen displayed on the Web browser, and includes information on a pressed button, character string information input to an input field, and the like. . That is, the operation information is, for example, information including a screen to be displayed next and item information set by the user.

  The reception processing unit 302 includes a screen information reception processing unit 321 and performs processing for receiving information from an electronic device such as the multifunction peripheral 100 via a network.

  The screen information reception processing unit 321 performs processing for receiving the above-described operation screen information from the multifunction peripheral 100. When the screen information reception processing unit 321 receives the operation screen information, the display processing unit 303 can display the screen described above.

  FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes an operating system 201, a service layer 202, an application layer 203, an operation panel 204, a communication interface 205, and other hardware resources 206 as components.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the functions of the multifunction peripheral 100 have a hierarchical relationship. The service layer 202 is constructed in the upper layer of the operating system 201, and the characteristic part of this embodiment described later is included in the upper layer of the service layer 202. The application layer 203 is constructed.

  The operating system 201 manages resources of the MFP 100 including hardware resources, and provides a function using the resources to the service layer 202 and the application layer 203.

  The service layer 202 corresponds to a driver that controls hardware resources included in the multifunction peripheral 100. This scanner control unit 211, plotter control unit 212, storage control unit 213, distribution / mail transmission / reception control unit 214, FAX transmission / reception in response to a request for input processing or output processing from each component provided in the application layer 203 described later Various functions are executed by controlling the hardware resources of the multifunction peripheral 100 from the control unit 215, the communication control unit 216, and the like.

  The operation panel 204 accepts an operation from the user when using a function provided in the multifunction machine 100.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation panel 204 of the multifunction peripheral 100. As shown in the figure, the operation panel 204 includes an initial setting key 1801, a copy key 1802, a copy server key 1803, a printer key 1804, a transmission key 1805, a numeric key 1806, a clear / stop key 1807, a start key 1808, a preheat. A key 1809, a reset key 1810, and a liquid crystal touch panel 1820 are provided.

  Then, when the user logs in, the liquid crystal touch panel 1820 displays the same content as the predetermined display area of the remote UI screen described above. Taking the general user remote UI screen 404 shown in FIG. 7 as an example, the content shown in the display area 701 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 1820.

  That is, the administrator can refer to the content displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 1820 by switching to the user on the administrator remote UI screen 406 displayed on the PC 150a or the like.

  Further, when customization is performed on the UI customization screen 409 of the PC 150a, the content displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 1820 is the customized content. In this way, the user can operate the multi-function device 100 from a screen customized so as to facilitate the operation.

  The storage unit 207 accumulates input-processed document data and UI screen layout information for each user customized by the user. And when a user logs in, the UI screen for every user can be displayed by reading the arrangement information of the UI screen corresponding to the said user. The UI screen layout information for each user is screen information customized by the user on the UI customization screen 409 in a client device such as the PC 150a. Examples of the customized screen include a general user remote UI screen 404 and an administrator remote UI screen 406.

  In addition, the storage unit 207 may accumulate operation screen information to be output to the client device such as the status screen 402, the setting screen 410, the setting assist screen 411, and the function setting screen 412.

  In addition, the storage unit 207 accumulates setting information that is input by the user and is necessary for performing processing by the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The storage unit 207 can be configured by any commonly used storage means such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an optical disk, a memory card, and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The communication interface 205 allows the multifunction device 100 to transmit and receive information to and from other electronic devices via a network. As a result, it is possible to log in to the multifunction device 100 from a client device such as the PC 150a.

  The other hardware resources 206 indicate various hardware resources such as a storage device, a scanner, and a plotter provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. That is, it is assumed that the conventional MFP includes a configuration, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The application layer 203 includes a control unit 251, an authentication unit 252, a reception processing unit 253, and a transmission processing unit 254. The application layer 203 transmits login screen information and the like to a client device such as the PC 150a and performs operations on the screen. Information is received or processing corresponding to the received operation information is performed.

  The transmission processing unit 254 includes a user screen transmission processing unit 271, an arrangement change screen transmission processing unit 272, and a function setting screen transmission processing unit 273, and transmits information such as operation screen information to a client device such as the PC 150a. Perform the process.

  The user screen transmission processing unit 271 performs a process of transmitting operation screen information for each user to a client device such as the PC 150a. Specifically, the user screen transmission processing unit 271 performs operation screen information transmission processing for the general user remote UI screen 404, the administrator remote UI screen 407, or the remote UI screen 408 of another administrator user. Note that the operation screen information transmitted by the user screen transmission processing unit 271 is the operation screen information generated by the control unit 251 as necessary.

  In addition, when the user information reception processing unit 261 described later receives a user ID, the user screen transmission processing unit 271 acquires operation screen information to be displayed for the user indicated by the user ID from the control unit 251 and acquires the operation screen information. The process of transmitting the operated operation screen information to the client device that is the transmission source of the user ID is performed. As a result, a client device such as the PC 150a can display the general user remote UI screen 404, the administrator remote UI screen 406, or the remote UI screen 408 of another administrator user after login. Note that, before transmitting the operation screen information, an authentication process is performed by an authentication unit 252 described later as necessary.

  The arrangement change screen transmission processing unit 272 performs transmission processing of operation screen information indicating the UI customization screen 409 with respect to a client device such as the PC 150a.

  That is, when a reception processing unit 253 described later receives a transmission request for the UI customization screen 409, the control unit 251 reads out UI screen arrangement information corresponding to the user who has made the transmission request from the storage unit 207, and the UI screen A UI customization screen 409 including is generated. Then, the arrangement change screen transmission processing unit 272 acquires the operation screen information of the UI customization screen 409 from the control unit 251, and performs transmission processing of the acquired operation screen information to the client device that has made the transmission request.

  The function setting screen transmission processing unit 273 performs processing for transmitting operation screen information related to settings to a client device such as the PC 150a. Specifically, the function setting screen transmission processing unit 273 transmits the setting screen 410, the setting assist screen 411, and the function setting screen 412 to the client device. In addition, when the operation information reception processing unit 262 described later receives operation information to be changed to another screen (for example, information indicating that the selection of the process is accepted on the setting screen 410), the function setting screen transmission processing unit 273 Operation screen information (for example, the setting assist screen 411) corresponding to another screen is acquired from the storage unit 207, and processing for transmitting the operation screen information is performed.

  The reception processing unit 253 includes a user information reception processing unit 261, an operation information reception processing unit 262, a screen layout reception processing unit 263, and a function setting reception processing unit 264, and is transmitted from a client device such as the PC 150a. Process to receive information.

  The user information reception processing unit 261 receives a user ID from a client device such as the PC 150a. Further, the user information reception processing unit 261 receives a password associated with the user ID depending on the situation. In other words, the remote UI screen 408 of another user to be switched on the administrator remote UI screen 406 can be specified by the received user ID. Further, authentication processing can be performed in the authentication unit 252 described later using the received user ID and password. Whether to display the screen next can be specified from the operation information received by the operation information reception processing unit 262 described later.

  The operation information reception processing unit 262 receives operation information performed on the displayed screen in a client device such as the PC 150a. Since the next screen can be specified by the received operation information, after the operation information is generated by the screen information generation unit 281 included in the control unit 251 described later, the operation screen information to be displayed next by the transmission processing unit 254 is displayed. Can be sent.

  The screen layout reception processing unit 263 receives screen layout information performed on the UI customization screen 409 displayed on the client device. Then, the control unit 251 stores the received arrangement information in the storage unit 207 in association with the user. As a result, when the user logs in next time, the accumulated arrangement information is read out, so that the changed UI screen is displayed on the operation panel 204 or the client device.

  The function setting reception processing unit 264 receives setting information input on the setting assist screen 411 and the function setting screen 412 displayed on the client device. Then, the control unit 251 sets the function of the multifunction device 100 based on the received setting information. As a result, it is possible to execute processing using the function in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The control unit 251 includes a screen information generation unit 281 and requests the service layer 202 to perform processing using hardware resources provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. As a result, processing such as scanning and printing can be executed in the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Also, the control unit 251 can make a request for processing using the hardware resource described above according to the operation information received by the operation information reception processing unit 262. Accordingly, the user can use the multifunction peripheral 100 from the remote UI screen 407.

  In addition, the control unit 251 stores the arrangement information received by the reception processing unit 253 in the storage unit 207, sets the function of the multifunction peripheral 100 based on the received setting information, and the like.

  Further, the control unit 251 can acquire operation screen information indicating an operation screen displayed for the currently logged-in user. When the acquired operation screen information is transmitted to the administrator, the control unit 251 performs format conversion of the operation screen information as necessary so that it can be displayed on the PC 150a to which the administrator is logged in.

  The screen information generation unit 281 generates operation screen information displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 1820 or operation screen information displayed on the client device when there is no screen information to be output after receiving operation information from the user. . The screen information generation unit 281 generates operation screen information to be displayed on the client device in a format that can be displayed on a Web browser such as Macromedia (registered trademark) FLASH data or an HTML file. Further, it may be program data that can be executed using the plug-in function of the Web browser. Further, the screen information generation unit 281 reads out arrangement information for each user stored in the storage unit 207 as necessary, and generates operation screen information. The generated operation screen information is output from the control unit 251 to the user screen transmission processing unit 271 and the like.

  In addition, the screen information generation unit 281 adds a pull-down menu 901 when generating the administrator remote UI screen 406. This pull-down menu 901 displays the name of the user who is currently logged in to the multifunction peripheral 100, and holds the user ID associated with the user name displayed internally. Thereby, a logged-in user can be selected from the pull-down menu 901 generated by the screen information generation unit 281.

  The authentication unit 252 performs authentication processing using the user ID and password received by the user information reception processing unit 261 and the user ID and password input to the liquid crystal touch panel 1820. As an example of authentication processing, the authentication unit 252 determines whether or not the user ID and password stored in the user authentication table (not shown) stored in the storage unit 207 match the input user ID and password. For example, authentication may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the screen displayed when the user operates the multifunction device 100 may be a screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel or a screen displayed in the web browser by remote login via the PC. It shall be the same. As a result, the user can use without hesitation either when operating from the liquid crystal touch panel or when operating from the PC.

  Next, the administrator remote UI screen 406 displayed after logging in from the reception of the operation displayed on the administrator login screen 405 in the MFP 100 and the PC 150a according to the present embodiment configured as described above is displayed. The process up to will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the above-described processing procedure in the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 150a according to the present embodiment.

  First, the operation reception unit 304 of the PC 150a receives an operation for displaying the administrator login screen 405 from the input device 20 (step S1901).

  Next, the screen operation transmission processing unit 312 performs processing for transmitting the received operation information to the multifunction peripheral 100 (step S1902).

  As a result, the operation information reception processing unit 262 of the multifunction peripheral 100 performs a process of receiving operation information from the PC 150a (step S1911). Based on the received operation information, it can be confirmed that the administrator login screen 405 is requested. Therefore, the screen information generation unit 281 of the multifunction peripheral 100 generates operation screen information of the administrator login screen 405.

  Then, the transmission processing unit 254 performs processing for transmitting the generated operation screen information of the administrator login screen 405 to the PC 150a (step S1912).

  As a result, the screen information reception processing unit 321 of the PC 150a performs a process of receiving the operation screen information on the administrator login screen 405 from the multifunction peripheral 100 (step S1903).

  Then, the display processing unit 303 displays the administrator login screen 405 from the received operation screen information (step S1904).

  Next, the operation reception unit 304 receives an operation for inputting a user ID and a password performed on the administrator login screen 405 by the input device (step S1905).

  Then, the user information transmission processing unit 311 performs a process of transmitting the received user ID and password to the multi-function device 100 (step S1906).

  As a result, the user information reception processing unit 261 of the multifunction peripheral 100 performs a process of receiving the user ID and password from the PC 150a (step S1913).

  Then, the authentication unit 252 performs an authentication process using the received user ID and password (step S1914). If the authentication fails (step S1914: No), the process ends without performing any particular processing.

  When the authentication is successful (step S1914: Yes), after the screen information generation unit 281 generates operation screen information of the administrator remote UI screen 406, the user screen transmission processing unit 271 displays the administrator remote UI screen. Processing for transmitting operation screen information 406 is performed (step S1915).

  As a result, the screen information reception processing unit 321 of the PC 150a performs a process of receiving the operation screen information of the administrator remote UI screen 406 (step S1907).

  Then, the display processing unit 303 performs processing for displaying the administrator remote UI screen 406 from the received operation screen information (step S1908).

  By the processing procedure described above, the user can refer to the administrator remote UI screen 406 from the PC 150a. The processing procedure described above shows an example of the processing procedure from the reception of the operation displayed on the administrator login screen 405 according to the present embodiment to the display of the administrator remote UI screen 406 displayed after login. However, the present invention is not limited to this processing procedure.

  Next, from displaying the administrator remote UI screen 406 in the MFP 100 and the PC 150a according to the present embodiment configured as described above to displaying the remote UI screen referenced by other users. The process will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 150a according to the present embodiment.

  First, the display processing unit 303 of the PC 150a performs display processing of the administrator remote UI screen according to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 19 (step S2001).

  The operation accepting unit 304 accepts an operation for switching the user on the administrator remote UI screen 406 (step S2002). Specifically, it is assumed that the operation accepting unit 304 accepts a user selection from the pull-down menu 901 shown in FIG.

  Next, the user information transmission processing unit 311 performs a process of transmitting a user ID for identifying the switched user to the multi-function device 100 (step S2003). At this time, the screen operation transmission processing unit 312 performs processing to transmit information indicating that the display of the remote UI screen 408 of the other user for manager is accepted to the multi-function peripheral 100.

  As a result, the user information reception processing unit 261 of the MFP 100 receives the user ID (step S2011). In addition, the operation information received by the operation information reception processing unit 262 can recognize that the remote UI screen 408 of the other user for manager is the next screen to be displayed.

  Therefore, the control unit 251 acquires operation screen information displayed for other users corresponding to the received user ID (step S2012). Note that the control unit 251 adds items unique to the remote UI screen 408 of other users for the administrator, format conversion, etc., in order to make the operation screen information referred to by the administrator with respect to the acquired operation screen information. Perform the process.

  Then, the user screen transmission processing unit 271 performs processing for transmitting the acquired operation screen information to the PC 150a (step S2013).

  As a result, the screen information reception processing unit 321 of the PC 150a receives the operation screen information from the multifunction peripheral 100 (step S2004). The operation screen information is the operation screen information of the remote UI screen 408 of the administrator other user.

  Then, the display processing unit 303 performs display processing of the remote UI screen 408 of the other user for manager based on the received operation screen information (step S2005).

  By the processing procedure described above, the administrator can refer to a remote UI screen that is being referred to by another user or a screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel. The processing procedure described above shows an example of the processing procedure from the display of the administrator remote UI screen 406 according to the present embodiment to the display of the remote UI screen 408 referred to by other users. However, the present invention is not limited to this processing procedure.

  Next, processing when an operation is performed on the remote UI screen of another administrator user in the MFP 100 and the PC 150a according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 150a according to the present embodiment.

  First, the display processing unit 303 of the PC 150a performs display processing of the remote UI screen 408 of the administrator other user by the processing procedure shown in FIG. 20 (step S2101).

  Then, the operation receiving unit 304 receives an operation on the remote UI screen 408 of the other administrator user from the input device 20 (step S2102). This operation may be any operation as long as it is an operation on the multifunction peripheral 100, such as scanning a document or reading image data stored in the storage unit 207.

  Next, the screen operation transmission processing unit 312 performs a process of transmitting operation information indicating the accepted operation to the multifunction peripheral 100 (step S2103).

  As a result, the operation information reception processing unit 262 of the multifunction peripheral 100 receives the operation information (step S2111).

  And the control part 251 performs the process corresponding to the received operation information (step S2112). Next, the control unit 251 acquires operation screen information indicating a screen to be displayed after processing (step S2113). The operation screen information is the operation screen information generated by the screen information generation unit 281.

  Next, the user screen transmission processing unit 271 performs a process of transmitting the acquired operation screen information to the PC 150a to which the administrator is logged in and the client device (for example, the notebook PC 150b) to which another user is logged in (step PC150a). S2114).

  Thereby, the screen information reception processing unit 321 of the PC 150a receives the operation screen information including the processing result (step S2104).

  Then, the display processing unit 303 performs processing for displaying the remote UI screen 408 of the administrator other user including the processing result by the operation from the received operation screen information (step S2105). In addition, the same information is displayed on the client device of another user. As a result, it is possible to confirm the results of operations performed by both the administrator and other users.

  With the above-described processing procedure, the administrator can perform an operation on behalf of another user when the other user does not know the operation method. The processing procedure described above is an example of the processing procedure when an operation is performed on the remote UI screen 408 of another administrator user after displaying the administrator remote UI screen 406 according to the present embodiment. It is shown and the present invention is not limited to this procedure.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multi-function device 100. As shown in the figure, the multifunction peripheral 100 has a configuration in which a controller 2210 and an engine unit (Engine) 2260 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 2210 is a controller that controls the entire MFP 100 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 2260 is a printer engine or the like that can be connected to the PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 2260 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 2210 includes a CPU 2211, a north bridge (NB) 2213, a system memory (MEM-P) 2212, a south bridge (SB) 2214, a local memory (MEM-C) 2217, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 2216 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 2218, and the North Bridge (NB) 2213 and the ASIC 2216 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 2215. The MEM-P 2212 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2212a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 2212b.

  The CPU 2211 performs overall control of the multifunction peripheral 100, has a chip set including the NB 2213, the MEM-P 2212, and the SB 2214, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 2213 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 2211 to the MEM-P 2212, the SB 2214, and the AGP bus 2215, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 2212, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 2212 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a drawing memory for printers, and the like, and includes a ROM 2212a and a RAM 2212b. The ROM 2212a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 2212b is a writable and readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like.

  The SB 2214 is a bridge for connecting the NB 2213 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 2214 is connected to the NB 2213 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit or the like is also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 2216 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 2215, the PCI bus, the HDD 2218, and the MEM-C 2217. The ASIC 2216 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 2216, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 2217, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that rotate image data using hardware logic. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 2260 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 2216 is connected to an FCU (Fax Control Unit) 2230, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 2240, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 2250 via a PCI bus.

  A MEM-C 2217 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 2218 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 2215 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 2215 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 2212 with high throughput. .

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the PC 150a. The PC 150a of the present embodiment includes a control device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2301, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2302 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 2303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CD. (Compact Disk) An external storage device 2304 such as a drive device, a display device 2305 such as a display device, an input device 2306 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a communication I / F 2307, and a bus 2308 for connecting them are provided. It has a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

  Note that the image processing program executed by the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The image processing program executed by the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. You may comprise so that it may record and provide on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Further, the image processing program executed by the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the image processing program executed by the multifunction peripheral 100 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The image processing program executed by the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (a control unit, an authentication unit, a reception processing unit, and a transmission processing unit). When the (processor) reads out and executes the image processing program from the ROM, each unit is loaded onto the main storage device, and a control unit, an authentication unit, a reception processing unit, and a transmission processing unit are generated on the main storage device. It is like that.

  In the MFP 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the administrator can refer to the operation screen displayed to the user in the client apparatus such as the PC 150a and the notebook PC 150b or the MFP 100, so that the user's operation The situation can be easily grasped. Thereby, the problem which generate | occur | produced during a user's operation can be solved efficiently.

  In addition, since the administrator can perform an operation on behalf of the user on the remote UI screen 408 of the other user for the administrator, the problem that has occurred during the user's investigation can be easily solved. Further, since the operation screen information indicating the operation result is transmitted to the administrator and the client device used by the user, the operation result can be easily confirmed, and convenience is improved.

  Further, as in the above-described embodiment, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the multifunction peripheral is not currently displayed on a general-purpose computer such as a PC via a network, and the interface is unified even in devices of completely different models. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, screen information is generated in a format that can be referred to by a Web browser. As a result, it is not necessary to install a dedicated program on the client device, thereby reducing the labor of installation. Further, since the operation screen can be referred from any client device, convenience is improved.

  In addition, the screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the multifunction peripheral as in the above-described embodiment is not currently displayed on a general-purpose computer such as a PC via a network, and the interface is unified even in devices of completely different models. be able to.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus, the image processing method, the image processing program, and the image processing system according to the present invention are useful for a technique for referring to an operation screen via a network. In particular, a plurality of users log in. This is suitable as a technique for referring to the operation screen in a certain environment.

10 monitor 20 input device 100 MFP 150a, 150b PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Operating system 202 Service layer 203 Application layer 204 Operation panel 205 Communication interface 206 Other hardware resources 207 Storage unit 211 Scanner control unit 212 Plotter control unit 213 Accumulation control unit 214 Distribution / mail transmission / reception control unit 215 FAX transmission / reception control unit 216 Communication control Unit 251 Control unit 252 Authentication unit 253 Reception processing unit 254 Transmission processing unit 261 User information reception processing unit 262 Operation information reception processing unit 263 Screen layout reception processing unit 264 Function setting reception processing unit 271 User screen transmission processing unit 272 Layout change screen transmission Processing Unit 273 Function Setting Screen Transmission Processing Unit 281 Screen Information Generation Unit 301 Transmission Processing Unit 302 Reception Processing Unit 303 Display Processing Unit 304 Operation Accepting Unit 311 User Information Transmission Processing 312 Screen Operation Transmission Processing Unit 321 Screen Information Reception Processing Unit 401 Menu Screen 402 Status Screen 403 Status Detailed Information Screen 404 General User Remote UI Screen 405 Administrator Login Screen 406 Administrator Remote UI Screen 407 Management for Accepting User Switching Remote UI screen for administrator 408 Remote UI screen for other user for administrator 409 UI customization screen 410 Setting screen 411 Setting assist screen 412 Function setting screen 501 Button group 502 Remote UI button 503 Customize button 504 Setting button 601 Caution mark 602 Window 603 Details Button 701 Display area 702 Button group 703 Reset key 704 Start button 705 My menu 901 Pull down menu 1001 Select List 1201 tray button 1202 Delete area 1203 display area 1204 color bar 1205 text size change item 1301 tray button 1302 tray button 1401 set assist display area 1402 Normal setting display area 1403 processing "Set up E_mail" button 1501 item "Date / Time"
1601 “OK” button 1801 initial setting key 1802 copy key 1803 copy server key 1804 printer key 1805 transmission key 1806 numeric key 1807 clear / stop key 1808 start key 1809 preheating key 1810 reset key 1820 liquid crystal touch panel 2210 controller 2211 CPU
2212 MEM-P
2212a ROM
2212b RAM
2213 NB
2214 SB
2215 AGP bus 2216 ASIC
2217 MEM-C
2218 HDD
2230 FCU
2240 USB
2250 IEEE1394 interface 2260 engine unit 2301 CPU
2302 ROM
2303 RAM
2304 External storage device 2305 Display device 2306 Input device 2307 Communication interface 2308 Bus

JP 2003-162399 A

“Canon: iR C5870 | Remote Operation”, [online], [Search February 11, 2006], Internet <URL: http://cweb.canon.jp/color-ir/lineup/irc5870/management/operation .html>

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, images processing program relates 及 beauty image processing system, and in particular reference to technical operation screen of the connected image processing apparatus via the network from the display processor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and efficiently solves problems that occur during user operations by referring to a screen displayed to each user via a network. the image processing apparatus, and to provide images processing program, an 及 beauty image processing system.

To solve the above problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of display processing apparatus via a network, against to the image processing apparatus operation A display unit that displays an operation screen for receiving the user, and a user selection receiving unit that receives user identification information that is transmitted from each of the plurality of display processing devices and that is unique to the user who logs in to the image processing device , the different operation screen information for each said user indicating an operation screen corresponding to the display unit, the display of the sender before SL user identification information based on the user identification information received by said user selection receiving means And a user screen transmission means for transmitting to the respective processing devices.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the user screen transmission means uses the user selection receiving means to identify user identification information unique to another user from the display processing device used by a predetermined user. when receiving, the operation screen information transmitted for the display apparatus of the transmission source of the user identification information of the other users, the display of the sender user identification information of the predetermined user It transmits to a processing apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect , operation information indicating an operation performed on the operation screen displayed using the operation screen information in the display processing device is provided. an operation information receiving means for receiving from said display processor, further wherein the user screen transmission unit showed the operation information receiving unit is the result thus being operated in the operation information received by the operation screen The operation screen information is transmitted to the display processing device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect , when the operation information is received by the operation information receiving unit, the control unit performs processing corresponding to the operation specified by the operation information. , Further provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the display processing apparatus is authenticated whether or not it has an authority to refer to the operation screen information An authentication unit that performs processing and the user screen transmission unit transmit the operation screen information to the display processing device when it is determined that the user has the authority in the authentication process performed by the authentication unit. It is characterized by this.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the user image Men'oku signal means, and formatting the operation screen information by referring a format in Web browser Data is transmitted to the display processing device.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operation screen information that includes the information of the physical key to be used for information and the operation of the display unit It is characterized by.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display step of displaying, on a display unit, an operation screen for accepting an operation on a computer connected to a plurality of display processing devices via a network ; and the plurality of displays transmitted from each processor, based on the competent and user selection receiving step of receiving a unique user identification information to the user logging into Yuta, the user identification information received by said user selection receiving step A user screen transmission step of transmitting different operation screen information for each user indicating an operation screen corresponding to the display unit to the display processing device as a transmission source of the user identification information. It is characterized by letting go.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system in which a plurality of display processing devices and an image processing device are connected via a network, wherein the image processing device receives an operation on the image processing device . a display unit for displaying said transmitted from their respective plurality of display processing device, a user selection receiving means for receiving a unique user identification information to the user to log into the image processing apparatus, the usage Based on the user identification information received by the user selection receiving means , different operation screen information for each user indicating an operation screen corresponding to the display unit is sent to the display processing device that is the transmission source of the user identification information. characterized in that it and a user screen transmission means for transmitting respectively for.

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the operation status of the user can be grasped by referring to the operation screen displayed to the user from the display processing device. There is an effect that the problem can be solved efficiently. Further, since transmits the display screen information indicating the operation screen information corresponding to the display unit, without moving to a place where the image processing apparatus is installed, it is possible to grasp the operation status of the user, in the user's operation There is an effect that it is possible to efficiently solve the problem that has occurred .

According to the invention of claim 3 , the operation result of the display processing apparatus performed on the image processing apparatus with reference to the operation screen can be confirmed on the display processing apparatus, so that the convenience is improved. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when operation information is received, the processing corresponding to the operation information is performed, so that the problem occurring during the user's operation in the display processing device can be solved. Play.

According to the invention of claim 5 , an operation performed by another user by an unauthorized user by performing authentication when referring to the operation screen information displayed for the user. The effect of preventing the reference to improve security.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6 , since the screen referred to by the user can be displayed by the Web browser provided in the display processing device, the operation status of the user can be displayed without installing a special application. There is an effect that it can be grasped.

Further, according to the invention according to claim 8 , since the operation status of the user can be grasped by referring to the operation screen displayed to the user from the display processing device , it occurs during the operation of the user. There is an effect that the problem can be solved efficiently. Further, since transmits the display screen information indicating the operation screen information that corresponds to the display unit display, without moving to a place where the image processing apparatus is installed, it is possible to grasp the operation status of the user, the user There is an effect that a problem that occurs during the operation can be efficiently solved.

Further, according to the invention according to claim 9 , since the operation status of the user can be grasped by referring to the operation screen displayed to the user from the display processing device , it occurs during the operation of the user. There is an effect that the problem can be solved efficiently. Further, since transmits the display screen information indicating the operation screen information that corresponds to the display unit display, without moving to a place where the image processing apparatus is installed, it is possible to grasp the operation status of the user, the user There is an effect that a problem that occurs during the operation can be efficiently solved.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, images processing program will be described best embodiment of 及 beauty image processing system in detail.

As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, images processing program and an image processing system is useful to refer to technical operation screen via the network, in particular, in an environment where multiple users are logged It is suitable as a technique for referring to the operation screen.

Claims (25)

User selection receiving means for receiving user identification information unique to a user from a display processing device connected via a network;
A user who transmits, to the display processing device, operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for a user specified by the user identification information received by the user selection receiving means. Screen transmission means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Operation information receiving means for receiving, from the display processing device, operation information indicating operation performed on the operation screen displayed using the operation screen information in the display processing device,
The user screen transmission means transmits operation screen information including a result of operation by the operation information received by the operation information reception means to the display processing device;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Control means for performing processing corresponding to the operation specified by the operation information when the operation information is received by the operation information receiving means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An authentication means for performing an authentication process as to whether or not the display processing apparatus has an authority to refer to the operation screen information;
The user screen transmission means transmits the operation screen information to the display processing device when it is determined that the user has the authority in the authentication processing by the authentication means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The user screen information transmitting means transmits operation screen information output to a display device provided in the image processing apparatus used by the user;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The user screen information transmitting means transmits the operation screen information output to a display processing device used by a user who is logged in to the image processing device via a network;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The user screen information transmitting means transmits data obtained by formatting the operation screen information in a format that can be referred to by a Web browser, to the display processing device;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: User information transmitting means for transmitting user identification information specific to a user who has logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network to the image processing apparatus;
Screen information reception for receiving operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for the user specified by the user identification information from the image processing device by transmission by the user information transmission unit Means,
Display processing means for displaying the operation screen based on the operation screen information received by the screen information receiving means;
A display processing apparatus comprising: A selection receiving means for receiving selection of an arbitrary user from a plurality of users logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network;
The user information transmitting means transmits user identification information indicating the user accepted by the selection accepting means to the image processing apparatus;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 8. Operation accepting means for accepting an operation on the operation screen displayed by the display processing means;
Operation information transmitting means for transmitting operation information indicating the operation received by the operation receiving means to the image processing apparatus;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: The display processing means displays the operation screen on a browser using the operation screen received by the screen information receiving means;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: A user selection receiving step of receiving user identification information unique to the user from a display processing device connected via a network;
A user who transmits, to the display processing device, operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for a user specified by the user identification information received in the user selection reception step. Screen sending step,
An image processing method comprising: An operation information receiving step for receiving, from the display processing device, operation information indicating an operation performed on the operation screen displayed using the operation screen information in the display processing device;
The user screen transmission step includes transmitting operation screen information including a result of the operation performed by the operation information received in the operation information reception step to the display processing device;
The image processing method according to claim 12. A control step for performing processing corresponding to the operation specified by the operation information when the operation information is received in the operation information receiving step;
The image processing method according to claim 12, further comprising: An authentication step of performing an authentication process as to whether or not the display processing apparatus has an authority to refer to the operation screen information;
The user screen transmission step transmits the operation screen information to the display processing device when it is determined that the user has the authority in the authentication processing in the authentication step;
The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein: The user screen information transmission step includes transmitting operation screen information output to a display device provided in the image processing apparatus used by the user;
The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein: The user screen information transmission step includes transmitting the operation screen information output to a display processing device used by a user who has logged in to the image processing device via a network;
The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein: The user screen information transmission step transmits data obtained by formatting the operation screen information in a format that can be referred to by a Web browser to the display processing device;
The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein: A user information transmission step of transmitting user identification information unique to a user logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network to the image processing apparatus;
Screen information reception for receiving operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for the user specified by the user identification information from the image processing apparatus by transmission in the user information transmission step. Steps,
A display processing step for displaying the operation screen according to the operation screen information received in the screen information receiving step;
A display processing method characterized by comprising: A selection receiving step of receiving selection of an arbitrary user from a plurality of users logged in to an image processing apparatus connected via a network;
The user information transmitting step transmits user identification information indicating the user received by the selection receiving step to the image processing device,
The display processing method according to claim 19. An operation accepting step for accepting an operation on the operation screen displayed by the display processing step;
An operation information transmission step of transmitting operation information indicating the operation received by the operation reception step to the image processing device;
The display processing method according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising: The display processing step uses the operation screen received in the screen information reception step to display the operation screen on a browser;
The display processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein:   An image processing program causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 12 to 18.   A display processing program for causing a computer to execute the display processing method according to any one of claims 19 to 22. In an image processing system including a display processing device and an image processing device connected via a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
User selection receiving means for receiving user identification information unique to the user from the display processing device;
A user who transmits, to the display processing device, operation screen information indicating an operation screen for accepting an operation displayed for a user specified by the user identification information received by the user selection receiving means. A screen transmission means,
The display processing device includes:
User information transmitting means for transmitting the user identification information of a user who has logged in to the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus;
Screen information receiving means for receiving operation screen information indicating the operation screen displayed for the user specified by the user identification information from the image processing apparatus by transmission by the user information transmitting means; ,
An image processing system comprising: display processing means for displaying the operation screen based on the operation screen information received by the screen information receiving means.