JP2014056354A - Web server, image forming device, screen control program, and screen control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress automatic update undesirable to a user, on an operation screen.SOLUTION: Screen data of a sub screen 90 to be displayed on a host device of an image forming device includes automatic update data which shows whether to permit or not automatic update of the sub screen. Screen data of an operation screen causes the host device to repeatedly transmit a request for the screen data of the sub screen 90 to a multifunction machine when a setting value for the automatic update on the operation screen shows permission of automatic update (a), and prohibits the automatic update of the sub screen 90 regardless of the setting value for the automatic update when a value of the automatic update data on the sub screen 90 shows non-permission of the automatic update (b).

Description

  The present invention relates to a web server, an image forming apparatus, a screen control program, and a screen control method.

  There is a technique for automatically updating a display in a frame at regular intervals using Java Script (trademark) on a web page (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-353025 A

  In the above-described automatic update technique, HTML data files corresponding to frames are specified in JavaScript (Hypertext Markup Language) data of a web page stored on the web server side, and a predetermined interval is provided on the client side. The HTML data file is repeatedly acquired and the display content of the frame is updated based on the HTML data file.

  However, when automatic updating is performed in this way, if there are user operation units such as input fields and check boxes that accept input values based on user operations in the display content of the frame, the user may have made up to that point at the time of automatic updating. The input value is deleted, the value of the user operation unit is updated to the initial value, and the user must input the value again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a web server, an image forming apparatus, a screen control program, and a screen control method that suppress automatic updating that is undesirable for a user.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is configured as follows.

  A web server according to the present invention transmits a request reception unit that receives a request for screen data of an operation screen of a client device and a screen data of a sub screen included in the operation screen, and a screen data that is received by the request reception unit. A screen data transmission unit that displays an operation screen based on the screen data on the apparatus. The screen data of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or non-permission of automatic update of the sub screen, and the screen data of the operation screen includes (a) the setting value of automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission of automatic update. In the case of display, when the request for the screen data of the sub screen is repeatedly transmitted from the client device to the web server, and (b) the value of the automatic update data of the sub screen indicates that automatic update is not permitted, Regardless of the setting value, automatic updating of the sub-screen is prohibited.

  Thereby, even if the automatic update is set on the operation screen, the automatic update is suppressed for the sub screen that is not to be automatically updated.

  In addition to the above web server, the web server according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, when the sub screen is a screen that accepts an input value based on a user operation, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen has a value indicating that automatic update is not permitted, and the sub screen is a user operation. In the case of a screen that does not accept an input value based on the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub-screen does not have a value indicating that automatic update is not permitted.

  Thereby, even if the automatic update is set on the operation screen, the automatic update is suppressed for the sub screen that receives the input value based on the user operation. Therefore, the user input value caused by the automatic update is not lost.

  In addition to the above web server, the web server according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, when the sub screen is a setting value input screen, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen has a value indicating that automatic updating is not permitted.

  In addition to the above web server, the web server according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, when the sub screen is a status display screen, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen does not have a value indicating that automatic update is not permitted.

  In addition to the above web server, the web server according to the present invention may be configured as follows. In this case, the web server further includes a data file generation unit that dynamically generates screen data of the sub screen that has received the request by the request reception unit, and a storage device that stores a template file of the screen data of the sub screen. The data file generation unit (c1) specifies a template file corresponding to the screen data, (c2) detects a token in the template file, (c3) executes a function corresponding to the detected token, (c4) Replace the token with the return value of the function and generate screen data from the template file. The template file includes the automatic update data described above.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the web server.

  A screen control program according to the present invention is a screen control program described in screen data of an operation screen of a client device. The operation screen includes a sub screen, and the screen data of the sub screen includes the sub screen. Includes automatic update data indicating whether automatic update is permitted or not. Then, the screen control program repeats the request for the screen data of the sub screen from the client device to the web server when the setting value of the automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission for automatic update. (B) When the value of the automatic update data on the sub screen indicates that automatic updating is not permitted, automatic updating of the sub screen is prohibited regardless of the setting value of automatic updating.

  The screen control method according to the present invention controls automatic updating of sub-screens included in the operation screen of the client device. The screen data of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or non-permission of automatic update of the sub screen. Then, (a) when the setting value for automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission for automatic update, the screen data request of the sub screen is repeatedly transmitted from the client device to the web server, and (b) automatic update of the sub screen When the data value indicates that automatic updating is not permitted, automatic updating of the sub-screen is prohibited regardless of the setting value of automatic updating.

  According to the present invention, automatic updating that is undesirable for a user is suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the host apparatus based on the HTML data file acquired from the multifunction machine in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the host device based on the HTML data file acquired from the multifunction machine in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation screen when the user inputs a setting value after the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a host device 2 is connected to the multifunction device 1 via a peripheral device interface or a network. The multi-function device 1 functions as this web server, and the host device 2 functions as a web client.

  The multifunction machine 1 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and includes a printer 11, a scanner 12, a facsimile machine 13, an operation panel 14, a communication device 15, a storage device 16, and an arithmetic processing device 17.

  The printer 11 is a device that prints a document image based on print data. The scanner 12 is a device that optically reads a document image from a document and generates image data of the document image. The facsimile machine 13 is a device that generates and transmits a facsimile signal from document data to be transmitted, and receives the facsimile signal and converts it into document data.

  The operation panel 14 is arranged on the surface of the housing of the multifunction device 1 and includes a display device that displays various information to the user and an input device that detects a user operation. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display device. A key switch, a touch panel, or the like is used as the input device.

  The communication device 15 is a device that can communicate with the host device 2. As the communication device 15, for example, a peripheral device interface circuit such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), a network interface, a modem, or the like is used.

  The storage device 16 is a device capable of storing various programs and various data. As the storage device 16, a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile memory is used. The storage device 16 stores an HTML generation program 21 and an HTML template file 22 in advance.

  The HTML generation program 21 is a program for generating an HTML data file to be transmitted to the host device 2 from the HTML template file 22 by being executed by the arithmetic processing unit 17. In this embodiment, the HTML generation program 21 includes a function code 21a. The function code 21 a is a program code of a multivalent function corresponding to the token described in the HTML template file 22.

  The HTML template file 22 is a text data file including tokens that are dynamically replaced. The parts other than the token description are the same as the corresponding HTML data file.

  The HTML template file 22 of a specific operation screen includes a code for displaying a sub screen in a frame in the operation screen, and (a) when the setting value of automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission of automatic update, When the screen data request of the sub screen is repeatedly sent from the host apparatus 2 to the multifunction peripheral 1, and (b) the value of the automatic update data of the sub screen indicates that automatic update is not permitted, In addition, a code (an example of a screen control program) that prohibits automatic updating of the sub-screen is included. This code is described in, for example, JavaScript (trademark).

  From this HTML template file 22, an HTML data file (an example of screen data) of the operation screen is generated.

  The HTML template file 22 of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or non-permission of automatic updating of the sub screen.

  From the HTML template file 22, an HTML data file (an example of screen data) of a sub screen is generated. For this reason, automatic update data is included in the screen data of the sub screen.

  In this embodiment, when the sub screen is a screen that accepts an input value based on a user operation, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen has a value indicating that automatic update is not permitted. Is a screen that does not accept input values based on user operations, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub-screen does not have a value indicating that automatic update is not permitted.

  For example, when the sub screen is a setting value input screen, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen has a value indicating that automatic updating is not permitted. On this setting value input screen, setting values for various functions of the multifunction machine 1 can be input.

  For example, when the sub screen is a status display screen, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen does not have a value indicating that automatic updating is not permitted. On the status display screen, various statuses (remaining amount of toner, remaining amount of paper, etc.) of the multifunction machine 1 are displayed.

  The arithmetic processing unit 17 is a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and loads a program from a ROM or a storage device (not shown) to the RAM. Various processing units are realized by executing the program by the CPU.

  After the MFP 1 is activated, a program (not shown) is executed by the arithmetic processing unit 17 to realize the communication processing unit 31 and the like. When the communication processing unit 31 receives a request from the host device 2, the HTML generation program 21 is executed to implement the HTML generation unit 32.

  The communication processing unit 31 uses the communication device 15 to perform data communication with the host device 2 using a specific communication protocol. In this embodiment, the communication processing unit 31 has an HTTP server function and performs communication using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

  The HTML generation unit 32 dynamically generates a request data file received by the communication processing unit 31. In this embodiment, the HTML generation unit 32 generates an HTML data file corresponding to a specific URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) in the HTTP command received by the communication processing unit 31. The URI may be an HTML data file name or a CGI name.

  For example, the HTML generation unit 32 identifies (c1) a template file corresponding to the requested operation screen or sub-screen HTML data file, (c2) detects a token in the template file, and (c3) The corresponding function code 21a is executed and (c4) the token is replaced with the return value of the function code 21a to generate screen data from the template file.

  On the other hand, the host device 2 includes a communication device 41, an arithmetic processing device 42, a display device 43, and an input device 44.

  The communication device 41 is a device that can communicate with the multifunction device 1. As the communication device 41, for example, a peripheral device interface circuit such as a USB, a network interface, a modem, or the like is used.

  The arithmetic processing unit 42 is a computer having a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and various processing units are realized by loading a program from a storage device (not shown) into the RAM and executing the program by the CPU. .

  The display device 43 is a liquid crystal display or the like and displays an operation screen. The input device 44 is a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like, and accepts user operations on the operation screen and the sub screen.

  After the host device 2 is activated, a program (not shown) is appropriately executed by the arithmetic processing device 42. In the first embodiment, the processing unit such as the communication processing unit 51 and the display processing unit 52 is realized by the arithmetic processing device 42. The communication processing unit 51 and the display processing unit 52 are realized as a web browser, for example. The communication processing unit 51 operates as a web client, and uses the communication device 41 to transmit an HTTP command to the multi function device 1 and receive an HTML data file. The display processing unit 52 analyzes the received HTML data file and causes the display device 43 to display a screen based on the HTML data file.

  Next, operations of the multifunction device 1 and the host device 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the host apparatus 2 based on the HTML data file acquired from the multifunction machine 1 in FIG.

  Based on the user operation, the host device 2 transmits an HTTP command for acquiring an HTML data file of the operation screen to the multifunction device 1 by the communication processing unit 51. In the multi-function device 1, when the communication processing unit 31 receives the HTTP command, the HTML generation unit 32 generates an HTML data file of the operation screen and transmits the operation screen to the host device 2. The host device 2 receives the HTML data file at the communication processing unit 51, interprets the HTML data file on the operation screen, and executes the following processing. First, the host device 2 displays an operation screen based on the HTML data file on the display device 43 by the display processing unit 52 (step S1).

  In addition, the host device 2 transmits an HTTP command for making an HTML data file of the initial sub-screen described in the HTML data file of the operation screen to the multi-function device 1. In the multifunction device 1, when the communication processing unit 31 receives the HTTP command, the HTML generation unit 32 generates an HTML data file of the sub-screen and transmits the HTML data file to the host device 2 by the communication processing unit 31. The host device 2 receives the HTML data file by the communication processing unit 51, and the display processing unit 52 displays the sub screen on the frame in the operation screen (step S2).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the host device 2 based on the HTML data file acquired from the multifunction device 1 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation screen when the user inputs a setting value after the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed.

  3 and 4, a check box 81 is an operation unit for a user to input a setting value for automatic updating (that is, a setting value indicating whether automatic updating is possible). When it is desired to update, the check box 81 is checked. When the sub screen 90 is not desired to be automatically updated, the check box 81 is unchecked. In the automatic update, an HTTP command for acquiring the HTML data file of the sub screen 90 is repeatedly transmitted at specific time intervals, and the sub screen 90 is repeatedly updated based on the HTML data file acquired by the latest HTTP command. . The manual update button 82 is a button for the user to manually update the sub screen 90. When the pressing of the manual update button 82 by the user is detected, an HTTP command for acquiring the HTML data file of the sub screen 90 is transmitted only once, and the sub screen 90 is based on the HTML data file acquired by the HTTP command. Is updated. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation screen includes a menu of the sub screen 90, a menu item 83 of the status display screen, a menu item 84 of the setting screen, and the like. When the menu item 83 is pressed by the user, the HTML data file of the status display screen is acquired, and the status display screen is displayed as the sub screen 90. When the menu item 84 is pressed by the user, the HTML data file of the setting screen is acquired and the setting screen is displayed as the sub screen 90.

  In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a setting screen is displayed. This setting screen has operation parts such as radio buttons and input fields for the user to input setting values. As shown in FIG. 4, after the user inputs setting values to these operation parts, the setting is confirmed. When the button 85 is pressed, the display processing unit 52 transmits the value (that is, the set value) of the operation unit at that time to the multifunction device 1 by the communication processing unit 51. When the multifunction device 1 receives the set value, it applies the received set value.

  Returning to FIG. 2, at the start of display of the sub-screen, the display processing unit 52 determines whether or not the value of the automatic update flag (that is, the value of the check box 81 described above) is on (that is, the value that permits automatic update). Is determined (step S3). When the value of the automatic update flag is on, the display processing unit 52 determines whether or not the sub screen requests user input based on the automatic update data in the sub screen (step S4). ).

  Note that the initial value of the automatic update flag is specified in the HTML data file of the operation screen, and the value of the automatic update flag can be changed by a user operation on the check box 81 after the display of the operation screen is started.

  If the display processing unit 52 determines that the sub screen does not require user input based on the automatic update flag, the display processing unit 52 sets the automatic update mode as the sub screen update mode (step S5). If it is determined that this sub-screen requires user input, the non-automatic update mode is set as the sub-screen update mode (step S6). If the value of the automatic update flag is not on, the display processing unit 52 sets the non-automatic update mode as the sub screen update mode (step S6).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, even if the automatic update is set by the user, if the sub screen requests user input, the non-automatic update mode is set as the sub screen update mode. . Therefore, the value input by the user as shown in FIG. 4 does not disappear before the confirmation button 85 is pressed due to the automatic update.

  Note that when the automatic update mode is set, the timer starts the update interval.

  Thereafter, the display processing unit 52 determines whether or not a user operation for the menu items 83 and 84 has been detected (step S7), and in the case of the automatic update mode, whether or not it is an automatic update timing (steps S8 and S9), and a check. It is monitored whether the box 81 has been operated (step S10).

  When a user operation on the menu items 83 and 84 is detected, the display processing unit 52 acquires the HTML data file of the sub-screen corresponding to the operated menu item from the multifunction device 1 and based on the HTML data file. The sub screen is displayed (step S11), and the update mode for the sub screen is similarly set (steps S3 to S6).

  In addition, when the automatic update timing comes in the automatic update mode, the display processing unit 52 automatically acquires the HTML data file of the currently displayed sub-screen from the multi-function peripheral 1, and automatically displays the sub-screen with the acquired HTML data file. (Step S12).

  When the check box 81 is operated, the display processing unit 52 changes the value of the automatic update flag according to the operation (step S13), and updates the sub screen based on the changed value of the automatic update flag. The mode is reset (steps S3 to S6).

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the screen data of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or non-permission of automatic update of the sub screen, and the screen data of the operation screen includes (a) operation When the automatic update setting value on the screen indicates automatic update ON, the screen data request for the sub screen is repeatedly transmitted from the host device 2 to the multifunction device 1, and (b) the value of the automatic update data for the sub screen is automatically set. When updating is not permitted, automatic updating of the sub screen is prohibited regardless of the setting value of automatic updating.

  Thereby, even if the automatic update is set by the user on the operation screen, the automatic update is suppressed for the sub screen that is not desired to be automatically updated.

  The above-described embodiments are preferred examples of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there.

  For example, the automatic update data is described as a JavaScript (trademark) variable.

  The present invention is applicable to a host device of an image forming apparatus, for example.

1 MFP (an example of a web server, an example of an image forming device)
2 Client device 16 Storage device 22 HTML template file (example of template file)
31 Communication processing unit (an example of a request receiving unit)
32 HTML generator (an example of a screen data transmitter, an example of a data file generator)
42 Arithmetic processing device (an example of a computer)
90 Sub screen

Claims (8)

A request accepting unit that accepts a request for screen data of the operation screen of the client device and screen data of the sub screen included in the operation screen;
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data received by the request reception unit and displays the operation screen based on the screen data on the client device;
The screen data of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or disapproval of automatic update of the sub screen,
The screen data of the operation screen includes: (a) When the setting value of automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission of automatic update, the screen data of the sub screen is repeatedly transmitted from the client device to the web server. (B) when the value of the automatic update data on the sub screen indicates that automatic update is not permitted, the automatic update of the sub screen is prohibited regardless of the setting value of the automatic update;
A web server characterized by When the sub screen is a screen that accepts an input value based on a user operation, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen has a value indicating that automatic updating is not permitted,
When the sub screen is a screen that does not accept an input value based on a user operation, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen does not have a value indicating that automatic updating is not permitted,
The web server according to claim 1.   3. The web according to claim 2, wherein when the sub screen is an input screen for setting values, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen has a value indicating that automatic updating is not permitted. server.   3. The web according to claim 2, wherein when the sub screen is a status display screen, the automatic update data in the screen data of the sub screen does not have a value indicating that the automatic update is not permitted. server. A data file generation unit that dynamically generates the screen data of the sub screen that has received the request by the request reception unit, and a storage device that stores a template file of the screen data of the sub screen,
The data file generation unit (c1) specifies a template file corresponding to the screen data, (c2) detects a token in the template file, (c3) executes a function corresponding to the detected token, c4) replacing the token with the return value of the function to generate the screen data from the template file;
The template file includes the automatic update data;
The web server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   An image forming apparatus comprising the web server according to claim 1. In the screen control program described in the screen data of the operation screen of the client device,
The operation screen includes a sub-screen,
The screen data of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or non-permission of automatic update of the sub screen,
In the client device computer,
(A) When the setting value of automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission of automatic update, the screen data request of the sub screen is repeatedly transmitted from the client device to the web server, and (b) the sub screen When the value of the automatic update data indicates that automatic update is not permitted, the automatic update of the sub-screen is prohibited regardless of the setting value of the automatic update;
A screen control program. In the screen control method for controlling the automatic update of the sub screen included in the operation screen of the client device,
The screen data of the sub screen includes automatic update data indicating permission or non-permission of automatic update of the sub screen,
(A) When the setting value of automatic update on the operation screen indicates permission of automatic update, the screen data request of the sub screen is repeatedly transmitted from the client device to the web server, and (b) the sub screen When the value of the automatic update data indicates that automatic update is not permitted, the automatic update of the sub-screen is prohibited regardless of the setting value of the automatic update;
A screen control method characterized by the above.

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