JP2013105357A - Server device, information processing device, control method of server device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically switch languages displayed on an operation screen of an information processing device side, according to language information in display information acquired from a server device.SOLUTION: A server device which provides a service to transmit print information received from a terminal in response to a request from an information processing device stores the print information acquired using a screen displayed by an application of the terminal, language information of the screen and a reception number issued to the terminal for the print information in association with each other. The server device generates display information for displaying the print information on the basis of the reception number received from the information processing device and language information for designating a language of an operation display screen to be displayed by the information processing device, on the basis of the language information associated with the reception number, and transmits the generated display information and language information to the information processing device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a server device, an information processing device, a server device control method, and a program for controlling display of an operation screen related to the information processing device provided by the server device.

  Conventionally, a cloud printing system that uploads data to be printed in advance from a user's mobile terminal to a server and prints the corresponding print data from any device connected to a cloud network installed in a convenience store or the like has been known. Yes.

  In this case, a client application that uploads print data and performs print settings for printing in advance is installed in the user's portable terminal. This client application is connected to a print server application on the cloud, and can perform the above-described upload of print data and print settings as a print reservation for the user.

  When receiving a print reservation, the print server application issues a reservation number to the client application. When the user actually instructs print processing, the reservation number issued at the time of print reservation is input to the operation unit of the device (image forming apparatus / information processing apparatus) to be printed. The device to which the reservation number is input connects to the print server application, downloads the corresponding print data, and performs print processing. At this time, the user can instruct the print setting again by using the operation unit of the information processing apparatus.

On the other hand, it is known that there is an information processing apparatus provided with a WEB browser function in the information processing apparatus in order to browse a WEB site provided by an external WEB server.
In such an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is connected to a WEB server on the network, and various print setting screens provided by the WEB server are displayed on a WEB browser provided in the information processing apparatus. There is known a method for accepting a printing operation.

In this case, the information processing apparatus displays a print screen provided from a print server application in a WEB server on the network, and accepts an input of a reservation number. When the reservation number is input, the print server application on the WEB server responds to the request from the information processing apparatus, and transmits screen content for causing the WEB browser to operate the print instruction to the information processing apparatus. The WEB browser of the information processing apparatus analyzes the received content and displays an operation screen. Further, the print server application on the WEB server gives an actual print instruction to the information processing apparatus.
Further, Patent Document 1 below discloses a language display switching method in which a locale ID that is environment information such as a country is provided in a peripheral device control means, a resource file corresponding to the acquired locale ID is acquired, and processing such as setting is performed. It has been.

  Also, in the following Patent Document 2, when the browser connects to the WEB server, the display language information stored in advance in the display language setting storage unit on the display device side is notified to the WEB server. A method is known in which the WEB server determines the display language based on the display language setting information notified from the browser (display device), and distributes the WEB content in the corresponding language to the browser for each language.

JP 2000-187570 A JP 2004-227199 A

For example, an information processing apparatus in which a user who has reserved printing performs printing is placed in an environment used by a user who speaks an unspecified number of languages such as a convenience store. In particular, when print settings for printing and actual print instructions are used, if the screen displayed on the information processing apparatus, such as menu display or result display, is not in the desired display language, the user can use the WEB browser on the information processing apparatus side. It was necessary to switch the display language of the screen.
Further, regarding the screen provided by the information processing apparatus, it is necessary for the user to switch the display language on the information processing apparatus side, in addition to switching the display language of the WEB browser screen.

  Further, since it is not possible to manage users in an environment where a large number of unspecified users use, there is a problem that information such as user usage environments cannot be linked to user information and managed.

Furthermore, since the display language desired by the user is often equivalent to a terminal different from the information processing apparatus used by the user at the time of print reservation, the display language is automatically set to the same display language as the terminal application used at the time of print reservation. There was a request to switch.
The present invention provides an operation screen in a language suitable for a user.

The server device of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
In order to display the print information based on an acquisition unit that acquires print information from the terminal according to an instruction input via a screen displayed by the application of the terminal, and a print request related to the print information received from the information processing apparatus Display information and the language information of the screen of the terminal are transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the display information transmitted by the transmission means is displayed on the information processing apparatus, and An operation screen having the same language information as the screen of the terminal is displayed on the information processing apparatus.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a user's operativity can be improved by providing the operation screen of the language suitable for a user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall system configuration including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the entire system including the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system. It is a figure which shows an example of UI screen which the data processor which shows this embodiment displays. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation display unit illustrated in FIG. 2. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall system configuration including a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the system shown in this example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 101, a WEB server 104, and a portable terminal (hereinafter referred to as a terminal) 105 are connected by a network constituted by a LAN (local area network) 102 and the Internet 103. Further, in this system, a server apparatus that provides a service for transmitting print information received from the terminal 105 in response to a request from the information processing apparatus is an example of the WEB server 104, and a multifunction peripheral (MFP) is used as the information processing apparatus. 101. The information processing apparatus is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and includes an information processing apparatus that displays an operation unit that displays some operation procedure, including a printing apparatus as an SFP, a scanner apparatus, a FAX apparatus, and the like. For example, it is not limited to these. Further, since the server device is a device that provides a service, it is also called a providing device.
In FIG. 1, an MFP 101 has a copy function for scanning a paper medium, forming an image on a sheet based on the scanned data, and printing the image. Further, the MFP 101 has a WEB browser function for browsing a WEB site provided by the WEB server 104.

  The terminal 105 is a data processing device such as a mobile terminal, a tablet terminal, or a personal PC terminal that has a function of communicating with a server and executing an application installed in the terminal 105. Here, each mobile terminal is configured to be able to communicate with an application function for executing an application with its own OS and a terminal or a WEB server in a cloud environment via a network (including wireless and wired) using a predetermined protocol.

  The WEB server 104 has a function as a general WEB site such as executing a server application and transmitting contents in response to a request from a WEB browser as a client.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP 101 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, the MFP 101 includes a controller unit 200 that can connect a scanner 213 and a printer 214, as well as an operation display unit 211, an operation input unit 212, and a LAN 102.
The controller unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 that executes various control programs. The CPU 201 activates the system based on a boot program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203. Then, a control program stored in the HDD (Hard Disk Device) 204 is read out on this system, and predetermined processing is executed using the RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 as a work area.

Various control programs including the function of the WEB browser 302 are stored in the HDD 204. The HDD 204 stores scan data read from the scanner 213 and data acquired from outside the apparatus via the network I / F 207.
The operation unit output I / F 205 performs data output communication control to the operation display unit 211. The operation unit input I / F 206 performs data input communication control from the operation input unit 212.
A network I / F 207 is connected to the LAN 102 and performs input / output control of information via the LAN 102.

A scanner I / F 208 inputs image data from the scanner 213 and inputs / outputs scanner control data.
A printer I / F 209 outputs output image data to the printer 214 and inputs / outputs printer control data.

The devices 201 to 209 are arranged on the system bus 210.
The operation input unit 212 is an instruction input interface from a user including input devices such as a touch panel and hard keys.

The operation display unit 211 is a display interface for a user including a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The operation display unit 211 has a function of displaying various copy and print operation screens of the MFP 101 and a status information screen such as a printing status. Furthermore, it has a function of displaying a content screen of a WEB browser.
The scanner 213 includes an optical reading device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and has a function of optically operating a paper medium to read it as electronic image data.

  The printer 214 has a function of forming electronic image data as an image on a recording medium such as paper.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the software configuration of the entire system including the MFP 101 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, the WEB server 104 has the function of the print server application 301. The WEB server 104 further has a data storage area 313. The data storage area 313 can exist on a hard disk or memory (not shown) on the WEB server 104. In the present embodiment, the data storage area 313 includes language information specified by screen information of the print client application 150 of the terminal 105, print information requested from the terminal 105, and an acceptance number issued to the terminal 105. Are stored in association with each other.

  The print server application 301 is an application that communicates with the print client application 150 on the terminal 105 and provides functions such as print settings and print data upload from the print client application 150. The application also provides a WEB service for printing to the MFP 101. The print server application 301 includes a reservation reception unit 310, a WEB service processing unit 311, and a device control unit 312.

  If there is a print reservation such as print setting or upload of print data from the print client application 150 of the terminal 105 serving as a client, the reservation reception unit 310 receives the reservation. Although specifically described later, the reservation receiving unit 310 stores the print setting information and the uploaded print data from the terminal 105 in the data storage area 313 of the WEB server 104 as stored data. In addition, the reservation receiving unit 310 can issue a reservation number to the terminal 105.

When there is a screen request from the MFP 101, the WEB service processing unit 311 creates the requested screen content and transmits it to the MFP 101. Although specifically described later, it is possible to provide a print data preview screen, a print instruction screen for a user print instruction, a print setting screen, and the like.
The screen content for the MFP 101 is transmitted to the WEB browser 302 via the network I / F unit 207 of the MFP 101.

  The device control unit 312 transmits a device control instruction for controlling the operation of the MFP 101 to the MFP 101. More specifically, the device control unit 312 can transmit print data, print setting contents, and a print execution instruction to the MFP 101 when executing printing. The device control unit 312 can also send an instruction to switch the display (display language) of the operation screen of the MFP 101. A device control instruction to the MFP 101 by the device control unit 312 is transmitted to the service provider 303 of the MFP 101 via the network I / F unit 207 of the MFP 101.

  The terminal 105 has the function of the print client application 150. The print client application 150 is an application that runs on the terminal 105 and runs on the operating system (OS) of the terminal 105. The print client application 150 can be downloaded and used from a general external application distribution server (not shown). As will be described later, the print client application 150 is localized in a plurality of languages, and a print client application suitable for the operating system (OS) of the terminal 105 can be downloaded and used. The terminal 105 can also download and use a print client application suitable for the language desired by the user.

  Furthermore, the print client application 150 of the terminal 105 can communicate with the WEB server 104 and upload print settings and print data. Print settings and print data upload by the print client application 150 of the terminal 105 are processed by the WEB server 104 as a print reservation instruction. Furthermore, the print client application 150 of the terminal 105 can simultaneously notify the WEB server 104 of the environment of the print client application 150 such as display language information and the environment information of the terminal 105 itself.

  The MFP 101 has functions of a WEB browser 302, a service provider 303, and a window manager 304. These functional units are realized by the CPU 201 in the MFP 101 reading out and executing a control program stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204. Here, the WEB browser 302 functions as an information screen control application that controls an information display screen as shown in FIG. 7A, for example. The window manager 304 functions as an operation screen control application that controls an operation display screen as shown in FIG. 7B, for example.

  The network I / F unit 207 communicates with an external server in order to use an external web site service. Specifically, a request message is transmitted to the WEB server 104 that provides the service, and a response message transmitted from the WEB server 104 is received.

The WEB browser 302 acquires the WEB content from the WEB server 104 and displays the WEB content on the operation display unit 211. In addition, the WEB browser 302 transmits the WEB content to the WEB server 104 via the network based on an instruction from the user input via the operation input unit 212. Send a request. The WEB browser 302 includes a content acquisition unit 320, a content analysis unit 321, a screen drawing unit 322, and a language switching instruction unit 323. Here, the WEB browser 302 is an information display screen application that displays and controls an information display screen.
The content acquisition unit 320 transmits a content acquisition request to the WEB server 104 via the network I / F unit 207, and receives a response transmitted from the WEB server 104 as content.

  The content analysis unit 321 analyzes the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 320 from the WEB server 104 and creates a screen for display on the operation display unit 211. Furthermore, the content analysis unit 321 can analyze the HTTP header and the like of the content and perform necessary operations.

The screen drawing unit 322 displays the screen created by the content analysis unit 321 on the operation display unit 211. In practice, the screen drawing unit 322 issues a browser screen drawing instruction to the window manager 304, and draws the browser content screen on the operation display unit 211 via the screen drawing control unit 340.
When the content analysis unit 321 includes a language switching instruction in the content header or the like, the language switching instruction unit 323 issues a language switching instruction for the operation unit screen instead of the browser screen to the window manager 304. Here, the window manager 304 functions as an operation display screen application that controls the operation display screen displayed on the operation display unit 211.

The service provider 303 communicates with the WEB server 104 via the network I / F 207, receives a print execution instruction from the WEB server 104, and executes printing. Further, the service provider 303 receives an instruction to switch the display of the operation unit screen and instructs the screen drawing control unit 340 to switch the display of the operation unit screen.
The service provider 303 includes an instruction content analysis unit 330 and a print control unit 331. The instruction content analysis unit 330 receives the device control instruction of the WEB server 104 via the network I / F 207 and analyzes the received instruction content. For example, if the device control instruction is a print execution instruction, the instruction content analysis unit 330 issues a print instruction to the print control unit 331 together with the received print data and print setting content. When the device control instruction is a language switching instruction, the instruction content analysis unit 330 issues a language display switching instruction for the operation screen of the MFP 101 to the window manager 304 to the screen drawing control unit 340.

  The print control unit 331 actually controls the print execution of the print data described above with respect to the MFP 101. Specifically, in accordance with the print setting contents received from the WEB server 104, the print data received from the WEB server 104 is output to the printer 214 via the printer I / F unit 209 described above.

A window manager 304 performs display and control of the WEB browser 302 displayed on the operation display unit 211 and its content screen, and the operation screen of the MFP 101. The window manager 304 includes a screen drawing control unit 340.
The screen drawing control unit 340 displays a browser content screen on the operation display unit 211 in accordance with an instruction from the screen drawing unit 322 of the WEB browser 302. In addition, the screen drawing control unit 340 performs language switching of the operation unit screen of the MFP 101 in response to an instruction from the language switching instruction unit 323. Further, the screen drawing control unit 340 can switch the language of the operation unit screen of the MFP 101 in response to an instruction from the instruction content analysis unit 330.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example when making a print reservation from the print client application 150 of the terminal 105 shown in FIG. Each step is realized by the CPU of the terminal 105 or the WEB server 104 loading a control program read from the ROM and HDD into the RAM and executing it.
In step S <b> 401, the user instructs print setting and print data upload on the operation screen of the print client application 150 displayed on the touch panel display unit and the like provided in the terminal 105. Note that the terminal 105 displays various user interface screens provided by the print client application 150 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and receives print settings from the user.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface screen (UI screen) displayed by the terminal 105 (data processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment. Here, FIG. 5A shows an example of the operation screen of the print client application 150 in S401, showing the case where the display language is “Japanese”, and FIG. For example, “English”.

In FIG. 5A, reference numeral 500 denotes an example of the entire operation screen (display language is “Japanese”) of the print client application 150. In the entire operation screen 500 of the print client application 150, menus for making a print reservation are arranged.
Reference numeral 501 denotes an example of an area for inputting and displaying a document name of a document to be uploaded and printed. In the example in the figure, “Photo 1” is input as the document name and displayed in Japanese. Reference numeral 502 denotes a print setting item in Japanese as an example of a menu area for specifying print settings. In the example in the figure, a check box CB1 for designating whether or not to perform double-sided printing is displayed as a print setting.

Similarly, reference numeral 503 denotes an example of another menu area for designating print settings, which displays color setting items. In the example in the figure, check boxes CB2 to CB4 for selecting one of automatic, monochrome, and full color as color settings are displayed.
Reference numeral 504 denotes an example of a button for canceling a print reservation. When the user of the terminal 105 selects the cancel button 504, an instruction to cancel a series of print reservation operations is given.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes an example of a button for executing a print reservation. When the user of the terminal 105 selects the print reservation button 505, the print reservation process in S401 of FIG. 4 and the subsequent steps is performed.

  FIG. 5B shows an example of a screen localized in the display language “English” as an example of the operation screen localized in another language in FIG. The print client application 150 can install a localized screen in the same language as the language of the operating system (OS) of the terminal 105. Furthermore, it is possible to install a screen suitable for the language desired by the user (German, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, French, etc.).

Therefore, the user can display and operate the print client application 150 localized in a different language on the screen.
In FIG. 5B, 510 shows an example of an operation screen written in English for the entire print client application 150 corresponding to 500 in FIG. Similarly, in the drawing, reference numeral 511 denotes the above-described 501, 512 denotes the above-described 502, 513 denotes the above-described 503, 514 denotes the above-described 504, and 515 denotes an example of an English notation menu corresponding to the above-described 505. Hereinafter, the description of the processing of the step of FIG. 4 will be continued.

  In step S <b> 402, the print client application 150 transmits print setting information and print data to the reservation receiving unit 310 of the print server application 301 to make a print reservation. At this time, the print client application 150 can transmit the print client application screen localization information (language information) as the print setting information and the supplementary information of the print data. This language information can be transmitted as transmission header information at the time of transmission of print setting information and print data. The incidental information can also include the OS type and information of the terminal 105, the transmission time, and the like.

  In step S <b> 403, the reservation receiving unit 310 of the print server application 301 issues a reception number to receive a print reservation from the print client application 150 of the terminal 105. This reception number is a number necessary for an actual print execution instruction, and can be issued as a sequential number for each reservation reception.

  In step S <b> 404, the reservation reception unit 310 of the print server application 301 transmits a reception number to the print client application 150. In step S <b> 405, the reservation receiving unit 310 of the print server application 301 recognizes language information on the screen of the print client application 150 in the incidental information transmitted from the print client application 150 in the above-described step S <b> 402.

  Next, in S406, the reservation receiving unit 310 of the print server application 301 stores the print setting information and print data transmitted in S402 in the data storage area 313 in association with the reception number issued in S403. Further, the reservation receiving unit 310 of the print server application 301 stores the language information of the screen of the print client application 150 recognized in S405 in the data storage area 313 in the same manner in association with the reception number.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example of the language switching of the screen displayed on the operation display unit 211 when printing the print data reserved for printing from the MFP 101. Each step is realized by the CPU of the MFP 101 or the WEB server 104 loading a control program read from the ROM and HDD into the RAM and executing it.
In step S <b> 601, the user inputs the receipt number issued in step S <b> 404 in FIG. 4 from the operation input unit 212 of the MFP 101. In S601, since a receipt number is input for printing, this process becomes a print request to the server apparatus. In step S <b> 602, the WEB browser 302 of the MFP 101 transmits a reception number to the print server application 301 and requests the print server application 301 for a screen necessary for a print processing operation.

  In step S <b> 603, the print server application 301 receives the reception number described above, and acquires language information stored in association with the reception number from the data storage area 313 from the reception number. Specifically, the WEB service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 receives the reception number and screen request transmitted from the WEB browser 302. Then, the WEB service processing unit 311 confirms the reception number stored in the data storage area 313, and acquires language information corresponding to the corresponding reception number.

In step S <b> 604, the WEB service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 generates content in a corresponding language from the acquired language information. For example, if the language information acquired in S603 is Japanese, Japanese content is created, and if English, English content is created.
Here, when there is no corresponding reception number, it is also possible to generate the content of the error screen in the default language.

In step S <b> 605, the web service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 generates an HTTP response header. When generating this HTTP response header, for example, the acquired language information can be described as cookie information in the Set-Cookie response header field. If the language information acquired in step S603 is Japanese, “JP” is described in the Set-Cookie response header field, and “EN” is described if it is English. The following is an example of the Set-Cookie response header field of the HTTP response header.
Set-Cookie: lang = JP

  In the above-mentioned Set-Cookie response header field, “lang” is an example of the name of a cookie that describes language information. Here, “JP”, which means that the language information is Japanese, is set. .

In step S <b> 606, the web service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 transmits the content created in step S <b> 604 to the web browser 302 of the MFP 101 together with the HTTP response header generated in step S <b> 605.
Next, in step S <b> 607, the WEB browser 302 acquires the content transmitted in step S <b> 606 and displays the content on the operation display unit 211 via the screen drawing control unit 340. Specifically, the content acquisition unit 320 of the WEB browser 302 acquires the content transmitted in S606. The screen drawing unit 322 displays the acquired content on the operation display unit 211 via the screen drawing control unit 340.

  In step S608, the content analysis unit 321 of the WEB browser 302 analyzes the HTTP response header of the content transmitted in step S606, and determines language information. Specifically, the language information described in the cookie information is acquired from the name of the cookie in the Set-Cookie response header field of the HTTP response header. For example, in the example of S605 described above, “lang” is described as a cookie name indicating language information in the Set-Cookie response header field.

Since “JP” is described in “lang”, “JP” is acquired as language information. Then, the content analysis unit 321 determines that the language is Japanese.
Next, in step S <b> 609, the WEB browser 302 issues a language switching instruction to the window manager 304 in order to issue a language switching instruction of the operation display unit 211 of the MFP 101 based on the determined language information. Specifically, the language switching instruction unit 323 issues a language switching instruction to the screen drawing control unit 340 of the window manager 304 based on the language information determined by the content analysis unit 321.

  In step S610, the window manager 304 performs language switching of the operation display unit 211 of the MFP 101 in accordance with the language switching instruction instructed in step S609.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the operation display unit 211 illustrated in FIG. Here, FIG. 7A is an example of content displayed on the WEB browser screen of the operation display unit 211 in S607 described above, and is an example of a screen for performing Japanese print setting and print execution operations. Is shown. Here, the WEB browser functions as a display information screen application for controlling the display information screen.
In FIG. 7A, reference numeral 700 denotes an example of the entire Japanese content screen, in which menus and buttons necessary for print settings are arranged. Reference numeral 701 denotes an example of an area displaying a document name.

  Reference numeral 702 denotes an example of an area displaying a preview of document data. Reference numeral 703 displays items of print settings set at the time of print reservation and their contents. Reference numeral 704 denotes an example of a button for displaying a screen for setting the print settings again. When the print setting button 704 is selected, the WEB browser 302 transmits a content acquisition request to the print server application 301 of the WEB server 104 to acquire and display a desired screen.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes an example of a button for canceling print execution. When this cancel button 705 is selected, a series of print execution operations are canceled. Reference numeral 706 denotes an example of a button for executing printing. When this print execution button 706 is selected, a print execution process for document data, which will be described later, is performed.

  FIG. 7B shows an example of display of the operation screen of the MFP 101 instead of the content screen on the WEB browser displayed on the operation display unit 211. Here, an example of the status confirmation / cancellation screen is shown. Show. This status confirmation / cancellation screen can be displayed as a screen for confirming the print status of an actual job when an instruction such as print execution is accepted in the above-described example of the WEB browser screen.

  In FIG. 7B, reference numeral 710 denotes an example of the entire Japanese screen for status confirmation / cancellation, in which buttons and information display areas necessary for job status confirmation are arranged. Reference numeral 711 denotes an example of an area where buttons BT1 to BT5 for selecting the type of job whose status is to be confirmed are arranged. In the example of this figure, buttons for displaying copy / print, transmission, reception, storage, and job for each function in association with the buttons BT1 to BT5, and consumables for displaying consumables and other information. Product / other buttons are arranged. Reference numeral 712 denotes an example of an area in which buttons for selecting job status and job history are arranged. Reference numeral 713 denotes an example of an area for displaying the actual job status, job history, and various information. Reference numeral 714 denotes an example of an OK button for closing the status confirmation / cancel screen. In this embodiment, the operation screen (local UI) of the MFP 101 is displayed in Japanese as shown in FIG. 7B by receiving notification of Japanese as language information in S609. If a print reservation is made using 510 in FIG. 5, English content is generated in S604, and an English operation screen is displayed by receiving English notification as language information in S609.

  Here, the display of the operation screen of the WEB browser screen 700 in FIG. 7A and the MFP 101 in FIG. 7B can be switched to each other with a button or the like on the operation display unit 211 (not shown). is there.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example when the print execution button 706 in FIG. 7A is selected and actual printing is performed. Each step is realized by the CPU of the MFP 101 or the WEB server 104 loading a control program read from the ROM and HDD into the RAM and executing it.

  In step S <b> 801, the user performs a screen operation such as print execution on the screen on the WEB browser 302 displayed on the operation display unit 211. If print execution is input in step S801, this input is a print execution request. In step S <b> 802, the WEB browser 302 transmits the operation instruction content including the print setting content to the print server application 301 and requests the print server application 301 for a screen necessary for the operation of the print processing.

  In step S <b> 803, the print server application 301 creates the screen content requested in step S <b> 802. Next, the contents of the screen created in S804 are transmitted to the WEB browser 302.

In step S805, the web browser 302 displays the content transmitted from the print server application 301 in step S804 described above on the operation display unit 211 as a screen on the web browser 302.
On the other hand, in step S806, the web server 104 generates a device control instruction for controlling the MFP 101 based on the operation instruction content from the web browser 302 in step S802 described above. In this example, since print execution is designated as the operation instruction, in S806, a device control instruction for performing the print execution instruction is generated according to the print setting content of the operation instruction content transmitted in S802 described above.

  In step S <b> 807, the print server application 301 transmits the device control instruction generated in step S <b> 806 described above to the service provider 303. Next, in step S808, the service provider 303 executes the designated device control instruction.

  Specifically, the device control unit 312 of the print server application 301 generates a device control instruction for print execution based on the print setting content transmitted from the WEB browser 302, and transmits it to the service provider 303. Here, the generated device control instruction may be a control instruction configured by a protocol that the WEB server 104 and the MFP 101 can understand each other. Alternatively, it is also possible to transmit a series of control instructions using the SOAP mechanism based on the HTTP protocol.

  The service provider 303 receives the above-described device control instruction from the device control unit 312 via the network I / F unit 207. Then, the service provider 303 analyzes the received device control instruction by the instruction content analysis unit 330. If the analyzed instruction content is print execution, the print control unit 331 performs print execution of the MFP 101 in accordance with the device control instruction content for print execution.

  In this way, the WEB server 104 can transmit a display language switching instruction to the MFP 101 together with the screen content. As a result, not only the screen content but also the local UI of the MFP 101 is displayed in the same display language as the terminal 105 used at the time of print reservation. At this time, since it is not necessary to accept a display language switching operation from the user, the operability of the user can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the system configuration and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described here. Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment performs display language switching. In the second embodiment, the device control unit 312 of the print server application transmits a language switching instruction to the service provider 303 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example of the language switching of the screen displayed on the operation display unit 211 when printing the print data reserved for printing from the MFP. Each step is realized by the CPU of the MFP 101 or the WEB server 104 loading a control program read from the ROM and HDD into the RAM and executing it.

  In step S901, the user inputs the receipt number issued in step S404 of FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment from the operation input unit 212 of the MFP 101. In step S <b> 902, the WEB browser 302 transmits a reception number to the print server application 301 and requests the print server application 301 for a screen necessary for print processing operation.

In step S <b> 903, the print server application 301 receives the reception number described above, and acquires language information from the reception number. Specifically, the WEB service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 receives the reception number and screen request transmitted from the WEB browser 302. Then, the WEB service processing unit 311 confirms the reception number stored in the data storage area 313 and acquires language information corresponding to the corresponding reception number.
In step S <b> 904, the web service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 generates content corresponding to the language from the acquired language information. For example, if the language information acquired in S903 is Japanese, Japanese content is created, and if English, English content is created.

  Here, when there is no corresponding reception number, it is also possible to generate the content of the error screen in the default language.

  In step S <b> 905, the web service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 transmits the content created in step S <b> 904 to the web browser 302. Next, in step S906, the WEB browser 302 acquires the content transmitted in step S905, and displays the content on the operation display unit 211. Specifically, the content acquisition unit 320 of the WEB browser 302 acquires the content transmitted in S905. Then, the screen rendering unit 322 displays the acquired content on the operation display unit 211 via the screen rendering control unit 340.

  In step S907, the WEB server 104 generates a device control instruction for controlling the display language of the MFP 101 based on the language information acquired in step S903.

  In step S <b> 908, the print server application 301 transmits a device control instruction for controlling the display language generated in step S <b> 907 to the service provider 303. In step S <b> 909, the service provider 303 instructs the window manager 304 to control the designated language switching device. Here, the window manager 304 functions as an operation screen control application as shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the device control unit 312 of the print server application 301 generates a language switching device control instruction based on the language information transmitted from the WEB browser 302 and transmits it to the service provider 303. Here, the generated device control instruction may be a control instruction configured by a protocol that the WEB server 104 and the MFP 101 can understand each other. Alternatively, it is also possible to transmit a series of control instructions using the SOAP mechanism based on the HTTP protocol.

  The service provider 303 receives the above device control instruction via the network I / F unit 207. Then, the service provider 303 analyzes the received device control instruction by the instruction content analysis unit 330. If the analyzed instruction content is language switching, the service provider 303 instructs the window manager 304 to perform language switching.

In step S910, the window manager 304 performs language switching of the operation display unit 211 of the MFP 101 in accordance with the language switching instruction instructed in step S909.
In this way, the WEB server 104 can transmit a display language switching instruction to the MFP 101 separately from the content. Then, the user can display the same display language as that of the terminal 105 used at the time of print reservation on the operation display unit 211 of the MFP 101 used at the time of printing, and can perform a print execution operation.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the system configuration and the like are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described here. Similarly to the first embodiment, the third embodiment performs display language switching.
In the third embodiment, an inquiry as to whether the WEB browser 302 has a language switching instruction capability in the first embodiment is transmitted to the print server application 301. When the print server application 301 receives a response in which the WEB browser 302 has a language switching instruction capability, the WEB service processing unit of the print server application 301 transmits a language switching instruction to the WEB browser 302. When the web browser 302 receives a response that does not have language switching instruction capability, the device control unit 312 of the print server application 301 transmits a language switching instruction to the service provider 303.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. This example is a processing example of the language switching of the screen displayed on the operation display unit 211 when printing the print data reserved for printing from the MFP. Each step is realized by the CPU of the MFP 101 or the WEB server 104 loading a control program read from the ROM and HDD into the RAM and executing it.

  In step S1001, the user inputs the receipt number issued in step S404 of FIG. 4 described in the first embodiment from the operation input unit 212 of the MFP 101. In step S <b> 1002, the WEB browser 302 transmits a reception number to the print server application 301 and requests the print server application 301 for a screen necessary for a print processing operation.

Further, the WEB browser 302 notifies the print server application 301 whether or not it has a language switching instruction function when making a reception number and a screen request.
More specifically, when the WEB browser 302 has the function of the language switching instruction unit 323, it can be described in the HTTP User-Agent request header field that the language switching function is provided.
This User-Agent request header field usually describes the name of the WEB client that sends the request, and is used to identify the client accessed by the WEB server. The following shows an example of User-Agen of this HTTP request header.
User-Agent = "MFP Browser has langfunc"

  Here, “MFP Browser has langfunc” is an example of the name of the WEB browser 302. When a language switching function is provided, “has langfunc” or the like can be described at the end of the name as in this example. is there. If the language switching function is not provided, “MFP Browser” can only be described. This User-Agent is included in the reception number of the WEB browser and the HTTP header when the screen request is transmitted in S1002 described above.

  In step S <b> 1003, the print server application 301 receives the reception number described above, and acquires language information from the reception number. Specifically, the WEB service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 receives the reception number and screen request transmitted from the WEB browser 302. Then, the WEB service processing unit 311 confirms the reception number stored in the data storage area 313, and acquires language information corresponding to the corresponding reception number.

  In step S <b> 1004, the WEB service processing unit 311 of the print server application 301 generates content in a corresponding language from the acquired language information. For example, if the language information acquired in S1003 is Japanese, Japanese content is created, and if English, English content is created. Here, when there is no corresponding reception number, it is also possible to generate the content of the error screen in the default language.

  In step S1005, the print server application 301 determines whether the WEB browser 302 has a language switching function in the information from the WEB browser 302 transmitted in step S1002. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether or not there is a description such as “has langfunc” in the HTTP User-Agent request header field transmitted from the WEB browser in S1002.

  If it is determined in S1005 that the WEB browser 302 has a language switching function, the process advances to S1006. Here, after S1006, each step of S1011 is the same processing corresponding to each step of S605 to S610 described in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore details are omitted here.

  If it is determined in S1005 that the WEB browser 302 does not have a language switching function, the process advances to S1012. Here, after S1012, each step of S1017 is the same processing corresponding to each step of S905 to S910 described in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment, and therefore details are omitted here.

  As described above, the WEB server 104 can transmit a display language switching instruction to the MFP 101 according to the function of the WEB browser 302. Then, the user can display the same display language as that of the terminal 105 used at the time of print reservation on the operation display unit 211 of the MFP 101 used at the time of printing, and can perform a print execution operation.

Note that, in accordance with the gist of the present invention, a series of processes obtained by combining some of the steps shown in each flowchart are also included in the process of the present invention.
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. To be executed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

  Each process of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

101 MFP
104 External server 105 Terminal 301 WEB server 302 WEB browser 303 Service provider 304 Window manager

Claims (9)

An acquisition means for acquiring print information from the terminal in accordance with an instruction input via a screen displayed by a terminal application;
Transmission means for transmitting display information for displaying the print information and language information of the screen of the terminal to the information processing device based on a print request regarding the print information received from the information processing device;
The server apparatus, wherein the display information transmitted by the transmission means is displayed on the information processing apparatus, and an operation screen having the same language information as the screen of the terminal is displayed on the information processing apparatus. . An acquisition means for acquiring print information from the terminal in accordance with an instruction input via a screen displayed by a terminal application;
Creating means for creating display information for displaying the print information according to the language information of the screen of the terminal, based on a print request regarding the print information received from the information processing apparatus;
Transmitting means for transmitting the display information created by the creating means to the information processing apparatus;
Instruction means for instructing language switching of an operation display screen to be displayed by the information processing device based on language information of the terminal;
A server device comprising: A server device that provides a service for transmitting print information received from a terminal in response to a request from an information processing device,
An acquisition means for acquiring print information requested using a screen displayed by a terminal application;
Storage means for associating and storing the print information acquired by the acquisition means, language information of the screen, and a receipt number issued to the terminal for the print information;
Inquiry means for inquiring whether or not the information display screen application for displaying information in the information processing apparatus can instruct the operation display screen application for displaying the operation display screen to switch the language;
When the response from the information processing apparatus to the inquiry can be switched, display information for displaying the print information and language information associated with the reception number based on the reception number received from the information processing apparatus Based on the information processing device to create language information indicating the language of the operation display screen to be displayed,
Creation means for creating display information for displaying the print information in accordance with the language information based on the receipt number received from the information processing device when a response from the information processing device to the inquiry cannot be switched; ,
If the response from the information processing device to the inquiry can be switched, the display information and the language information created by the creating means are transmitted to the information processing device,
When the response from the information processing apparatus to the inquiry cannot be switched, a transmission means for transmitting the display information created by the creating means to the information processing apparatus;
If the response from the information processing device to the inquiry cannot be switched, an instruction means for performing a language switching instruction on the operation display screen to be displayed by the information processing device based on language information associated with the reception number;
A server device comprising: An information processing apparatus that acquires and processes display information or print information from a server apparatus,
Information screen control means for controlling an information display screen for displaying information acquired from the server device on a display unit;
An operation screen control means for controlling an operation display screen to be displayed on the display unit,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the operation screen control means switches the language of the operation display screen in accordance with a language switching instruction instructed by the information screen control means in accordance with display information acquired from the server apparatus. An information processing apparatus that acquires and processes display information or print information from a server apparatus,
Information screen control means for controlling an information display screen for displaying information acquired from the server device on a display unit;
An operation screen control means for controlling an operation display screen to be displayed on the display unit,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the operation screen control means switches the language of the operation display screen in accordance with a language switching instruction acquired from the server device. A server device control method comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring print information from the terminal according to an instruction input via a screen displayed by a terminal application;
A transmission step of transmitting display information for displaying the print information and language information of the screen of the terminal to the information processing device based on a print request regarding the print information received from the information processing device;
The server apparatus, wherein the display information transmitted in the transmission step is displayed on the information processing apparatus, and an operation screen having the same language information as the screen of the terminal is displayed on the information processing apparatus. Control method. A server device control method comprising:
An acquisition step of acquiring print information from the terminal according to an instruction input via a screen displayed by a terminal application;
A creation step of creating display information for displaying the print information according to language information of the screen of the terminal, based on a print request regarding the print information received from the information processing apparatus;
A transmission step of transmitting the display information created by the creation step to the information processing device;
An instruction step for instructing language switching of an operation display screen to be displayed by the information processing device based on language information of the terminal;
A control method for a server device, comprising: A control method of a server device that provides a service for transmitting print information received from a terminal in response to a request from an information processing device,
An acquisition step of acquiring print information required using a screen displayed by a terminal application;
A storage step of associating the print information acquired by the acquisition step, the language information of the screen, and a reception number issued to the terminal with respect to the print information in a storage unit;
An inquiry step for inquiring whether or not the information display screen application for displaying information on the information processing apparatus can instruct the operation display screen application for displaying the operation display screen to switch the language;
When the response from the information processing apparatus to the inquiry can be switched, display information for displaying the print information and language information associated with the reception number based on the reception number received from the information processing apparatus Based on the information processing device to create language information indicating the language of the operation display screen to be displayed,
A creation step of creating display information for displaying the print information according to the language information based on the receipt number received from the information processing device when a response from the information processing device to the inquiry cannot be switched; ,
When the response from the information processing device to the inquiry can be switched, the display information and the language information created by the creation step are transmitted to the information processing device,
When a response from the information processing device to the inquiry cannot be switched, a transmission step of transmitting display information created by the creation step to the information processing device;
When the response from the information processing apparatus to the inquiry cannot be switched, an instruction step for performing a language switching instruction of an operation display screen to be displayed by the information processing apparatus based on language information associated with the receipt number;
A control method for a server device, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a server device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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