JP2014056592A - Image processing apparatus, display device, authentication system, display control method, and display control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of making direct transition from an operation screen of an application to an operation screen of a different application, a display device, an authentication system, a display control method, and a display control program.SOLUTION: In an image processing apparatus to which a plurality of applications can be installed, on an initial screen that is an operation screen of a predetermined application to be displayed in accordance with the fact that a user is authenticated on the basis of user authentication information input by input means, display control means controls to display a GUI component for selecting another application of which screen can be transitioned from that of the predetermined application.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus including a display device, and more particularly to a technique for displaying operation screens of a plurality of applications that realize a mounted function.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses have become more multifunctional due to diversification of usages, and have a plurality of applications that realize installed functions (for example, “copy”, “scanner”, “facsimile”, “printer”, etc.). doing. In addition, the image processing apparatus is provided in a display device (operation panel), and provides a highly convenient function by displaying an operation screen (application screen) for each application.

  Such an image processing apparatus has a function of managing an application, and further has a function of managing an application screen (for example, a “function for controlling transition of an application screen”). For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses a technique for transitioning application screens via an application selection screen displayed by a screen manager in a system that integrally configures a management mechanism that manages applications installed in an image processing apparatus. Is disclosed.

However, the conventional method has a problem that the number of operations at the time of screen transition is large.
For example, if the user wants to fax after copying, the conventional method returns from the copy screen to the application selection screen and transitions to the facsimile screen after selection. In other words, it is not possible to change the screen directly from the copy screen to the facsimile screen. For this reason, the user must perform an operation (function selection) that should originally be performed only once in screen transition between applications (application selection screen display and function selection) twice.

  As described above, in the conventional method, when a process using a plurality of functions is performed, the screen operation is complicated for the user.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a display apparatus, an authentication system, and a display that can directly transition from an application operation screen to an operation screen of a different application A control method and a display control program are provided.

  In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application is an image processing apparatus including a display device having an information input / output function and capable of installing a plurality of applications for realizing a mounted function, wherein the image processing apparatus is installed. A transitionable application list in which applications that can transition between each other are set, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) component for selecting a screen transition to an operation screen of another application on the operation screen of the application A management information holding means for holding data, and a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition on the operation screen of the application displayed on the display device based on the transitionable application list Display control means for controlling to display The means is configured to display a screen from the predetermined application on an initial screen which is an operation screen of the predetermined application displayed when the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information input by the input means for inputting user authentication information. Control is performed to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of transition.

  According to the present invention, a selection button of another application capable of screen transition is displayed on the operation screen of the application, and when the selection button is pressed, the screen transitions to the operation screen of the selected application. It is possible to transition directly from the operation screen to the operation screen of a different application.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the authentication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the operation panel which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a transition operation | movement of an application screen. It is a figure which shows the function structural example which the image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention has. It is a figure which shows the data example of the application information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the management information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data of the user information which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of a process sequence which registers and updates the management information of the display screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence example (the 1) which displays the application screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence example (the 2) which displays the application screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence example (the 3) which displays the application screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a transition operation | movement of the application screen which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an authentication system 1000 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of an authentication system 1000 in which an image processing apparatus 100 and an authentication management apparatus (authentication server) 200 are connected via a predetermined data transmission path N (for example, “LAN: Local Area Network”) such as a network. An example is shown.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is, for example, a device having an image processing function used for work in office work such as MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or LP (Laser Printer). The authentication management apparatus 200 is an information processing apparatus that centrally manages user device usage restrictions based on, for example, user authentication information (“user ID” and “password”) received from the image processing apparatus 100. In the authentication management apparatus 200, for example, the following authentication process is performed.

  Based on the received user authentication information, the authentication management apparatus 200 determines whether to permit the use of the device, and uses the image processing apparatus 100 via the image processing apparatus 100 for a user who intends to use the image processing apparatus 100. Notify permission / denial results (authentication results). The user authentication information input in the image processing apparatus 100 includes, for example, manual input from an operation panel included in the apparatus or reading input of an authentication card having an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag.

  Further, the authentication management apparatus 200 holds user information that is registration information of an authenticated user (a user permitted to use the image processing apparatus) in order to perform the authentication process. In addition to the user authentication information, the user information includes information (usage-permitted application list) that restricts use for each installed function (installed application) of the image processing apparatus 100.

  The authentication system 1000 can provide an authentication management service (authentication management function) that prevents unauthorized use of the image processing apparatus 100 by the system configuration described above.

<Hardware configuration>
Next, a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described.

<Image processing device>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a controller 110, an operation panel 120, a plotter 130, a scanner 140, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The operation panel 120 includes a display unit and an input unit, and provides various types of information such as device information to the user and receives various types of user operations such as operation settings and operation instructions. The plotter 130 includes an image forming unit and forms an output image on a sheet. Examples of a method for forming an output image include an electrophotographic process and an ink jet method. The scanner 140 optically reads a document and generates a read image.

  The controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a storage device 112, a network I / F 113, an external storage I / F 114, and the like, which are connected to each other via a bus B.

  The CPU 111 controls the entire apparatus by executing a program. The storage device 112 stores and holds the program and various data (for example, “image data”). Examples of the storage device 112 include a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a volatile memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a nonvolatile memory, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that has a large-capacity storage area. There is. The RAM functions as a work area for the CPU 111 (a storage area from which programs and data are temporarily read). ROM and HDD are used as storage locations for programs and various data. As a result, in the image processing apparatus 100, the CPU 111 reads the program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and executes the program.

  The network I / F 113 is an interface for connecting the image processing apparatus 100 to a predetermined data transmission path such as a network. The external storage I / F 114 is an interface for connecting a recording medium 114a corresponding to an external storage device. Examples of the recording medium 114a include an SD memory card (SD Memory Card) and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 reads the program and data stored in the recording medium 114a via the external storage I / F 114.

  The image processing apparatus 100 can provide an image processing service (image processing function) with the above hardware configuration.

<Operation panel: Display device>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the operation panel 120 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, on the control board 10 of the operation panel 120, a dedicated CPU 1 independent from the CPU 111 provided in the controller 110 that is the control board of the image processing apparatus 100 is mounted. The control board 10 and the controller 110 are connected by a communication means 11 (for example, “USB”) such as synchronous serial, and can communicate various information such as a display request from the image processing apparatus side and a key input from the operation panel side. It has become. Thereby, the operation panel 120 can display various information of the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing apparatus 100 can operate based on information input from the operation panel 120.

  Connected to the CPU 1 are a ROM 2 that stores various programs and related data related to display processing and input processing, and a RAM 3 that functions as a work area. Further, the CPU 1 is connected to an LCD controller 4 for controlling an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module 6, a touch panel 7 placed on the display screen of the LCD module 6, a driver 9 for the key board 8, and the like. The CPU 1 reads the program stored in the ROM 2 onto the RAM 3 and executes the program, thereby performing the following hardware control, for example.

  The CPU 1 reads data from and writes data to the SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 5 via the LCD controller 4. The SDRAM 5 functions as, for example, a video RAM (VRAM: Video RAM) that holds display pixel data to the LCD module 6. In addition, the CPU 1 performs backlight control of the LCD module 6 via the LCD controller 4. Further, the CPU 1 performs detection of pressing of a key switch (SW) on the key substrate 8 and lighting control of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) via the driver 9.

  The LCD controller 4 refreshes the SDRAM 5 and transfers display data (display signal output) from the SDRAM 5 to the LCD module 6. The LCD controller 4 controls the output of display signals by setting internal registers. The LCD controller 4 has a touch panel I / F function, and when the touch panel 7 is pressed, an interrupt signal is sent from the LCD controller 4 to the CPU 1.

  The operation panel 120 can provide an information processing service including information display and information input (information input / output) by the above hardware configuration.

  The control board 10 includes an external storage I / F (not shown) as with the controller 110. As a result, the operation panel 120 can access the recording medium via the external storage I / F.

<Application screen display function>
The application screen display function according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, data relating to screen transition including a list of applications (transitionable application list) capable of mutual screen transition, and a selection button (GUI) for selecting an application included in the apparatus. Data on the component) is stored as management information. The image processing apparatus 100 displays a selection button of another application on the operation screen of the application based on the transitionable application list, and when the selection button is pressed, the screen transitions to the operation screen of the selected application. At this time, the image processing apparatus 100 displays, on the operation screen of the selected application, a selection button of another application capable of screen transition from the selected application based on the transitionable application list excluding the selected application. The image processing apparatus 100 has such an application screen display function.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition operation of the application screen.
FIG. 4A shows an operation example of screen transition between conventional applications. For example, when the user wants to use the function of application 2 (hereinafter referred to as “application 2”) after using the function of application 1 (hereinafter referred to as “application 1”), the operation screen between applications is as follows: Transition to. First, the application 1 operation screen (hereinafter referred to as “application 1 screen”) W1 returns to the application selection screen WS, and after the application 2 is selected, the operation screen of application 2 (hereinafter referred to as “application 2 screen”) W2. Transition to. That is, in the conventional method, screen transition is performed via the application selection screen WS.

  For this reason, the number of operations at the time of screen transition is one more than when directly transitioning between applications, and screen operations are complicated for the user when processing using a plurality of functions is performed.

  Therefore, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a selection button of another application that can change the screen is displayed on the operation screen of the application, and when the selection button is pressed, the operation screen of the selected application is displayed. Transition.

  FIG. 4B shows an operation example of screen transition between applications of the present embodiment. For example, when the user wants to use the function of the application 3 (hereinafter referred to as “application 3”) after using the function of the application 2, the operation screen between applications is changed from the application 2 screen W2 to the operation screen of the application 3 (hereinafter referred to as “application 3”). It is called “App 3 screen”) and directly transitions to W3.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can directly transition from the operation screen of the application to the operation screen of a different application. As a result, the number of operations at the time of screen transition between applications is reduced, and the complexity of screen operations is reduced.

The configuration and operation of the application screen display function will be described below.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a device information management unit 21, an application screen management unit 22, a display control unit 23, and the like. Specifically, the image processing apparatus 100 includes the device information management unit 21, and the operation panel 120 included in the image processing apparatus 100 includes the application screen management unit 22 and the display control unit 23.

  The device information management unit 21 is a functional unit that manages device information regarding the image processing apparatus 100. The device information includes, for example, hardware / software operation state information in the image processing apparatus 100 and application AP installation information.

  The device information management unit 21 holds device information acquired (or notified) from the image processing apparatus 100 (and the installed function) in a predetermined storage area of a storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the device. FIG. 5 shows an application information holding unit 211 as an example of a functional unit that holds device information. The application information holding unit 211 holds data as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the application information 211D according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the application information 211D data includes application basic information such as [application ID] (application identification information) that identifies the application AP and [application name] (application name information) that indicates the name of the application AP. Is included. Further, the data of the application information 211D includes installation information such as [date / time] (date / time information) when the application AP is installed (or updated). Each information item constituting the application information 211D is associated with each application AP.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The device information management unit 21 adds, changes, and deletes data of each information item by acquiring information from the processing target application AP at the time of installation, update, or uninstallation, and updates the application information 211D for each application. To do.

  In addition, the device information management unit 21 provides device information including application information 211D. The device information management unit 21 provides device information by responding to the requested information in response to an information acquisition request from another function unit (an application screen management unit described later). Therefore, the other function units can confirm the application AP, that is, the installed function of the image processing apparatus 100, based on the application information 211D provided via the device information management unit 21.

  The application screen management unit 22 is a functional unit that manages an operation screen (hereinafter referred to as “application screen W”) of one or more application APs included in the image processing apparatus 100. The application screen management unit 22 acquires the application information 211D from the device information management unit 21, thereby confirming the application AP included in the image processing apparatus 100 and managing the application screen W of each application AP.

  The application screen management unit 22 stores, as management information, data related to a selection button (GUI component) for allowing the user to select an application AP to be used on the screen, screen transition of the application screen W, and the like. And the transition operation between applications.

  The application screen management unit 22 holds the management information in a predetermined storage area of a storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the device. FIG. 5 shows a management information holding unit 221 as a functional unit that holds management information. The management information holding unit 221 holds data as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the management information 221D according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the management information 221D is divided into the two data described above. One is data relating to the selection button (GUI component) shown in FIG. 7A (hereinafter referred to as “GUI component management information”). The other is data relating to the screen transition shown in FIG. 7B (hereinafter referred to as “screen transition management information”).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the data of the GUI component management information 221D1 includes [application ID] (application identification information) and [display application name] (display application name) indicating the application name displayed on the selection button. Information). Further, the GUI component management information 221D1 data includes [icon storage location] (icon storage location information) indicating the storage location of icon data corresponding to the selection button, and [display] indicating the relative arrangement position of the selection button on the screen. Index] (relative placement position information) and the like. These information items constituting the GUI component management information 221D1 are associated with each application AP.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The application screen management unit 22 adds / changes / deletes data of each information item via a predetermined setting screen, and updates the GUI part management information 221D1 for each application. For example, the application screen management unit 22 adds / changes data of each information item based on input values (for example, item values of [application name] and [display index]) input for each information item from the setting screen. The information item [application ID] is updated with the item value of [application ID] of the application information 211D acquired by the application screen management unit 22.

  Further, the GUI part management information 221D1 may be updated based on setting information obtained by reading a file, for example. In this case, the file is created and prepared in advance by the user. The user saves GUI part management information 221D1 (information item name and its item value) and icon data (GUI part data) corresponding to the update application in a predetermined data format, and creates a read file. The image processing apparatus 100 can read the file prepared in this way from a recording medium via, for example, an external storage I / F (not shown) included in the operation panel 120. Therefore, the application screen management unit 22 can update the GUI part management information 221D1 based on the setting information obtained by reading the file, and can also install new icon data.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 allows the data related to the selection button to be acquired from the file, so that the display configuration of the application screen W (for example, “selection button arrangement”) and the display mode (for example, “selection button color arrangement”). ) And the like can be easily customized, and the application screen W with high convenience and visibility can be displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the data of the screen transition management information 221D2 indicates a list of application APs that can perform screen transition among the application APs included in the image processing apparatus 100 [Transition Application List] (transitionable control information), [Transition impossible application list] (transition impossible control information) indicating a list of application APs for which screen transition is impossible, and the like are included.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The application screen management unit 22 adds / changes / deletes data of each information item via a predetermined setting screen, and updates the screen transition management information 221D2. For example, the application screen management unit 22 adds / changes data of each information item based on an input value (item value of [application ID]) input for each information item from a predetermined setting screen. It should be noted that which information item data the input value is assigned to is determined by the user at the time of setting in accordance with the intended use and functional characteristics of the application AP. The user selects an application AP to be allocated from an application list (list of installed applications of the image processing apparatus) displayed on the setting screen based on the application information 211D acquired by the application screen management unit 22 from the device information management unit 21. Can do.

  The screen transition management information 221D2 may be updated based on, for example, user information obtained from the authentication management apparatus 200.

  The authentication management apparatus 200 includes an authentication information management unit 31 that manages authentication information for each user, and performs authentication processing related to use of the image processing apparatus 100. Therefore, the authentication management apparatus 200 holds the authentication information in a predetermined storage area of a storage device (for example, “HDD”) included in the apparatus. FIG. 5 illustrates a user information holding unit 311 that holds user information that is authentication user registration information as an example of a functional unit that holds authentication information. The user information holding unit 311 holds data as shown in FIG. 8, for example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data example of the user information 311D according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 8, the data of the user information 311D includes [user ID] (user identification information) for identifying the user and [user name] (user name information) indicating the name of the user. Further, in the data of the user information 311D, [password] (authentication verification information) to be verified at the time of authentication, [usage permitted application list] (usage permission control information) indicating a list of application APs permitted to be used after authentication, etc. Is included. Each information item constituting the user information 311D is associated with each user.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The application screen management unit 22 updates the screen transition management information 221D2 for each user based on the information item [usable application list] of the user information 311D. First, the application screen management unit 22 obtains the corresponding user information 311D from the authentication information management unit 31 included in the authentication management device 200 as an authentication permission response (authentication result) by use authentication. The application screen management unit 22 updates the screen transition management information 221D2 based on the item value of the “usable application list”. The application screen management unit 22 sets an item value of [usable application list], that is, an application AP permitted to be used by the authenticated user as an item value of [transitionable application list]. On the other hand, the application screen management unit 22 selects an application AP that is not permitted for the authenticated user, as determined from the application AP of the image processing apparatus 100, based on the item value of the “usable application list”. [Item list of impossible application]. Accordingly, the application screen management unit 22 can dynamically update the screen transition management information 221D2 based on the user information 311D obtained from the authentication management device 200 when the user logs in to the image processing device 100. For example, FIG. 7B shows the screen transition management information 221D2 corresponding to the user registered as [user ID: U002] and [user name: SUZUKI] in the user information 311D shown in FIG. An example data is shown.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 cooperates with the authentication management apparatus 200 to reflect the permission condition related to the function use for each user in the data related to the screen transition, thereby improving the confidentiality of the installed function such as prevention of unauthorized use. Can be secured. In other words, the image processing apparatus 100 can provide the user with an environment in which screen transition can be performed only between applications that are permitted to be used.

  When the application screen management unit 22 receives a selection notification of the function to be used by the user from the application AP, the application screen management unit 22 transfers management information 221D to the selected application (hereinafter referred to as “selected application”), and instructs generation of screen data. By doing so, the display operation of the application screen W is managed. Therefore, the application screen management unit 22 includes a screen data generation instruction unit 222.

  The screen data generation instruction unit 222 is a functional unit that transfers management information 221D (GUI component management information 221D1 and screen transition management information 221D2) to the selected application and instructs generation of screen data.

  First, the screen data generation instruction unit 222 identifies [application ID] corresponding to the selected application from the GUI component management information 221D1 based on the selection notification, and sets each information item associated with the [application ID]. Get item value. Further, the screen data generation instruction unit 222 acquires icon data of the selection button according to the acquired item value of [icon storage location]. The screen data generation instruction unit 222 transfers the item values and icon data of [App name] and [Display index] corresponding to the selected application acquired in this way to the selected application.

  Further, the screen data generation instruction unit 222 deletes the item value of [application ID] corresponding to the selected application from the screen transition management information 221D2 based on the selection notification. That is, the screen data generation instruction unit 222 excludes the selected application from the application AP registered in the screen transition management information 221D2. The screen data generation instruction unit 222 transfers the screen transition management information 221D2 (each item value of the [transitionable application list] and [non-transitionable application list]) excluding the selected application to the selected application.

  Thereby, the application screen management unit 22 can display the application screen W on which the selection button of another application AP capable of screen transition is displayed on the selected application based on the transitionable application list excluding the selected application. .

  In recent image processing apparatuses 100, in order to realize function expandability, function development time reduction (prompt product provision), development cost reduction (product price reduction), etc., application software is installed in an operating environment. (Platform) and independent configuration (configuration with little dependency). Therefore, a manufacturer that manufactures the image processing apparatus 100 provides a software vendor (software development side) with an SDK (Software Developer Kit) for realizing the above-described software configuration.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 can cause the application AP itself to perform processing dependent on the application AP, such as application screen data generation processing and application screen rendering processing, which has been conventionally performed on the image processing apparatus 100 side. . That is, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, when an application selection notification is received from the user via the operation panel 120, only an application screen data generation instruction and a drawing instruction are given to the selected application. The display operation of W is managed.

  For this reason, the application AP according to the present embodiment includes the screen data generation unit 41 and the drawing unit 42.

  The screen data generation unit 41 receives the management information 221D transferred from the application screen management unit 22 (each item value of [transitionable application list] and [transition impossible application list], [application name], and [display index]). This is a functional unit that generates application screen data based on item values and icon data.

  First, the screen data generation unit 41 identifies an application AP (hereinafter, referred to as “screen transitionable application”) capable of screen transition from the selected application based on the item value of the “transitionable application list”. The screen data generating unit 41 selects a screen transitionable application selection button from the item values and icon data of [application name] and [display index] corresponding to the identified screen transitionable application. Generate screen data arranged in position. In addition, the data regarding the detailed display mode and display configuration of the application screen W in the screen data is generated based on the display specifications on the application side.

  Further, the screen data generation unit 41 identifies an application AP that cannot perform screen transition from the selected application (hereinafter, referred to as “screen transition impossible application”) based on each item value of the “transition impossible application list”. The screen data generation unit 41 sets the selection button of the screen transition impossible application to a display mode different from the selection button of the screen transitionable application, and arranges the selection button of the screen transition impossible application at a predetermined position on the application screen W. Generated screen data is generated. Note that screen data that does not display a selection button for an application that does not allow screen transition may be generated.

  The drawing unit 42 is a functional unit that draws the screen data generated by the screen data generation unit 41 on the display screen of the operation panel 120. The drawing unit 42 draws a display screen based on the generated screen data in accordance with a drawing instruction from the display control unit 23 described later. For example, when the screen data is generated with Flash (registered trademark: hereinafter abbreviated) data (xx.swf, xx.flv), the drawing unit 42 transfers the screen data to the Flash Player of the operation panel 120, The display screen is drawn by instructing the reproduction of the screen data.

  The display control unit 23 is a functional unit that instructs the selected application to display the application screen W. Therefore, the display control unit 23 includes a drawing instruction unit 231.

  As described above, the drawing instruction unit 231 is a functional unit that instructs the drawing unit 42 of the application AP to draw screen data. The drawing instruction unit 231 instructs to draw screen data in accordance with the display instruction from the application screen management unit 22.

  Thus, in the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the application screen management unit 22 operates in conjunction with the application AP and the display control unit 23, and manages the display of the application screen W as follows. The image processing apparatus 100 displays a screen transition selectable application selection button on the application screen W based on the transitionable application list. When the selection button is pressed, the screen transitions to the application screen W of the selected application. At this time, the image processing apparatus 100 displays a screen transition selectable application selection button on the application screen W of the selected application based on the transitionable application list excluding the selected application.

  As described above, the application screen display function according to the present embodiment is realized by the above-described functional units operating in conjunction.

  Next, the detailed operation of the application screen display function (the operation of associating the functional unit group) will be described with reference to a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure.

  In the application screen display function, a program (software component that realizes the application screen display function) installed (installed) on the operation panel 120 is read from the storage location (for example, “ROM”) onto the RAM 3 by the CPU 1. This is realized by executing the process.

  The processing procedure of the application screen display function is mainly divided into “management information registration / update processing” (initial processing) and “application screen display processing” (application screen display processing). Therefore, in the following description, these two processes will be described in order.

"Initial processing"
FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a processing procedure for registering / updating the display screen management information 311D according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the image processing apparatus 100, the application screen management unit 22 included in the operation panel 120 included in the apparatus requests the device information management unit 21 to acquire installation application information (Step S <b> 101). . As a result, the device information management unit 21 responds to the application screen management unit 22 (request source) with the application information 211D held by the application information holding unit 211.

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 receives the setting of the GUI component management information 221D1 via a predetermined setting screen (step S102). For example, the application screen management unit 22 uses a storage medium connected to the operation panel 120 via an external storage I / F (not shown) based on the storage location information (file path) of the setting file specified on the setting screen. Read the configuration file. Thereby, the application screen management unit 22 receives setting values corresponding to the information items of the GUI component management information 221D1. Note that the GUI component management information 221D1 may accept an input value from the setting screen as a setting value corresponding to each information item.

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 generates GUI component management information 221D1 based on the acquired application information 211D and setting values (step S103). The application screen management unit 22 confirms the installed / uninstalled application AP based on the application information 211D, and adds / updates / deletes the GUI component management information 221D1 for each application AP included in the image processing apparatus 100. Therefore, the application screen management unit 22 generates GUI part management information 221D1 for each application in which the [application ID] of the application AP for which the setting is specified is associated with the setting value of each information item.

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 registers the generated information in the management information holding unit 221 and updates the GUI component management information 221D1 (step S104). The application screen management unit 22 stores the setting value of each information item associated with [application ID] as an item value in the management information holding unit 221 (predetermined storage area) that holds the GUI component management information 221D1. At this time, the application screen management unit 22 also stores selection button icon data and the like in the management information holding unit 221. When the data management method of the storage area is the file system, the storage location of the icon data is the directory specified in [Icon storage location] of the GUI component management information 221D1.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 sets and registers in advance the display mode, display configuration, GUI part data (icon data), and the like of the selection button of the screen transitionable application to be displayed on the application screen W. Can do.

《App screen display processing: Initial screen display》
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure example (part 1) for displaying the application screen W according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a transition operation example of the application screen W according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a processing procedure example in which the user logs in to the image processing apparatus 100 and displays an initial screen (for example, “application screen with high use frequency”). In the following processing procedure example, the following conditions are assumed. First, application 1AP1 to application 6AP6 (hereinafter referred to as “application NAPn”) are installed in image processing apparatus 100. Further, application 1AP1 (hereinafter referred to as “owner application AP1”) is assigned to the application AP having a high usage frequency, and the screen transitionable applications from the owner application AP1 are referred to as application 3AP3 and application 5AP5.

  The image processing apparatus 100 is notified of the user usage permission application information together with the user authentication result (use permission authentication) from the authentication information management unit 31 of the authentication management apparatus 200 (step S201). At this time, the authentication information management unit 31 sends the user's [usable application list] to the application screen management unit 22 of the operation panel 120 based on the user information 311D of the authenticated user held by the user information holding unit 311. Forward.

  The application screen management unit 22 generates screen transition management information 221D2 based on the acquired [usable application list] (step S202). The application screen management unit 22 sets [application ID] in the [usage-permitted application list] as an item value of [transitionable application list] of the screen transition management information 221D2. In addition, the application screen management unit 22 sets the [application ID] not included in the [usable application list] among the [application IDs] of the previously acquired application information 211D to the item value of the [non-transitionable application list]. And The screen transition management information 221D2 generated in this way is stored and held in the management information holding unit 221.

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 requests the display control unit 23 of the operation panel 120 to acquire identification information (application ID) of the owner application AP1 (initial screen application) (step S203). As a result, the display control unit 23 responds to the application screen management unit 22 (request source) with [application ID: AP001] of the preset owner application AP1.

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 excludes the owner application AP1 from [Transitionable Application List] of the generated screen transition management information 221D2 (Step S204). A specific data operation at this time is shown in the upper part of FIG. The application screen management unit 22 first copies (copies) the screen transition management information 221D2 held in the management information holding unit 221 onto the memory. The application screen management unit 22 deletes [application ID: AP001] corresponding to the owner application AP1 from [transitionable application list: AP001, AP003, AP005] of the copied screen transition management information 221D2, and [transitionable application list]. : AP003, AP005].

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 instructs the owner application AP1 installed in the image processing apparatus 100 to generate application screen data by using the screen data generation instruction unit 222 (step S205). The screen data generation instruction unit 222 includes the updated item values of the screen transition management information 221D2 ([transitionable application list] and [non-transitionable application list]) and the GUI component management information 221D1 held by the management information holding unit 221. The item value ([application name] or [display index] of the application that cannot be changed) is transferred to the screen data generation unit 41 of the owner application AP1. As a result, the application screen management unit 22 instructs the owner application AP1 to generate application screen data.

  The owner application AP1 uses the screen data generation unit 41 to generate application screen data based on each item value of the received management information 221D (step S206). First, the screen data generation unit 41 identifies screen-transitionable applications (applications 3 and 5) based on the item values of [transitionable application list: AP003, AP005] of the screen transition management information 221D2. The screen data generation unit 41 sets each item value and icon data (ap003.ico) of [application name: application 3, application 5] and [display index: 1, 3, 1, 5] corresponding to the identified screen transitionable application. , ap005.ico), the selection buttons of the application 3AP3 and the application 5AP5 generate screen data arranged at predetermined positions on the application 1 screen. Further, the screen data generation unit 41 identifies the screen transition impossible application (applications 4, 5, 6) based on each item value of [transition impossible application list: AP002, AP004, AP006], and the application 2AP2, application Screen data that does not display the selection buttons of 4AP4 and application 6AP6 is generated.

  After instructing generation of screen data, the application screen management unit 22 instructs the display control unit 23 of the operation panel 120 to display the application 1 screen (owner application operation screen) W1 (step S207). At this time, the application screen management unit 22 transfers [application ID: AP001] of the owner application AP1 to the display control unit 23, and instructs display.

  In accordance with the display instruction (based on the transferred application ID), the display control unit 23 instructs the drawing unit 42 included in the owner application AP1 to draw screen data using the drawing instruction unit 231 (step S208).

  The owner application AP1 causes the drawing unit 42 to draw the generated screen data on the display screen of the operation panel 120 in accordance with a drawing instruction from the display control unit 23 (step S209). An example of a specific display screen drawn at this time is shown in the upper part of FIG. On the application 1 screen W1 in FIG. 13B, selection buttons for the application 3 and the application 5 that are screen transitionable applications are superimposed and displayed at predetermined positions. As described above, the image processing apparatus 100 can provide an environment in which the application 3 and the application 5 permitted to be used by the user can be selected for the authenticated user without using the application selection screen SW.

<< Application screen display processing: Display of selected application screen (application 3 screen) after screen transition >>
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure example (part 2) for displaying the application 3 screen W3 according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a processing procedure for transitioning from the application 1 screen W1 to the application 3 screen W3 and displaying the operation screen when the authenticated user uses the function of the application 3AP3 after using the function of the owner application AP1. . In the following processing procedure examples, the same conditions as in FIG. 10 are assumed.

  The image processing apparatus 100 receives a use function (application 3) selection instruction (pressing the selection button of the application 3) from the user via the application 1 screen W1 (step S301). As a result, the owner application AP1 notifies the application screen management unit 22 of the operation panel 120 that the application 3AP3 has been selected (step S302). At this time, the owner application AP1 transfers [application ID: AP003], which is identification information of the selected application 3AP3 (hereinafter referred to as “selected application AP3”), to the application screen management unit 22.

  The application screen management unit 22 excludes the selected application AP3 from the [transitionable application list] of the generated screen transition management information 221D2 (step S303). A specific data operation at this time is shown in the middle part of FIG. The application screen management unit 22 deletes [application ID: AP003] corresponding to the selected application AP3 from [transitionable application list: AP001, AP003, AP005] of the screen transition management information 221D2 copied on the memory, and [transition Possible application list: AP001, AP005].

  Subsequently, the application screen management unit 22 instructs the selection application AP3 included in the image processing apparatus 100 to generate application screen data using the screen data generation instruction unit 222 (step S304). The screen data generation instruction unit 222 includes the updated item values of the screen transition management information 221D2 ([transitionable application list] and [non-transitionable application list]) and the GUI component management information 221D1 held by the management information holding unit 221. The item value ([application name] or [display index] of the application that cannot be changed) is transferred to the screen data generation unit 41 of the selected application AP3. Thereby, the application screen management unit 22 instructs the selected application AP3 to generate application screen data.

  The selected application AP3 generates application screen data based on each item value of the received management information 221D by the screen data generation unit 41 (step S305). First, the screen data generation unit 41 identifies screen-transitionable applications (applications 1, 5) based on the item values of [transition-capable application list: AP001, AP005] of the screen transition management information 221D2. The screen data generation unit 41 sets each item value and icon data (ap001.ico) of [application name: application 1, application 5] and [display index: 1, 1, 1, 5] corresponding to the identified screen transitionable application. , ap005.ico), screen data in which the selection buttons of the app 1AP1 and the app 5AP5 are arranged at predetermined positions on the screen of the app 3 is generated.

  After instructing generation of screen data, the application screen management unit 22 instructs the display control unit 23 of the operation panel 120 to display the application 3 screen (operation screen of the selected application) W3 (step S306). At this time, the application screen management unit 22 transfers the [application ID: AP003] of the selected application AP3 to the display control unit 23 to instruct display.

  In accordance with the display instruction (based on the transferred application ID), the display control unit 23 instructs the drawing unit 42 included in the selected application AP3 to draw screen data using the drawing instruction unit 231 (step S307).

  The selection application AP3 causes the drawing unit 42 to draw the generated screen data on the display screen of the operation panel 120 in accordance with a drawing instruction from the display control unit 23 (step S308). An example of a specific display screen drawn at this time is shown in the middle part of FIG. On the application 3 screen W3 in FIG. 13B, selection buttons for the application 1 and the application 5 that are screen transitionable applications are superimposed and displayed at predetermined positions. The authenticated user can transition to the application 3 screen W3 by pressing the selection button (shaded portion in the figure) of the application 3 displayed on the application 1 screen W1. That is, in the image processing apparatus 100, the authenticated user can transition to the application 3 screen W3 of the selected application AP3 that he / she wants to use without going through the application selection screen SW.

<< Application screen display processing: Display of selected application screen (application 5 screen) after screen transition >>
FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure example (part 3) for displaying the application 5 screen W5 according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a processing procedure for transitioning from the application 3 screen W3 to the application 5 screen W5 and displaying the operation screen when the authenticated user uses the function of the application 5AP5 after using the function of the application 3AP3. Yes. In the following processing procedure examples, the same conditions as in FIG. 10 are assumed.

  Steps S401 to S408 shown in FIG. 12 are the same as steps S301 to S308 shown in FIG. 11, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted. Only steps S403 and S408 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.

  The specific data operation in step 403 is shown in the lower part of FIG. The application screen management unit 22 corresponds to the application 5AP5 (hereinafter referred to as “selected application AP5”) selected from the [transitionable application list: AP001, AP003, AP005] of the screen transition management information 221D2 copied on the memory. [Application ID: AP005] is deleted and updated to [Transitionable application list: AP001, AP003].

  A specific display screen example drawn in step S408 is shown in the lower part of FIG. On the application 5 screen W5 in FIG. 13B, selection buttons for the application 1 and the application 3 that are screen transitionable applications are superimposed and displayed at predetermined positions. The authenticated user can transition to the application 5 screen W5 by pressing the selection button (shaded portion in the figure) of the application 5 displayed on the application 3 screen W3. That is, in the image processing apparatus 100, the authenticated user can transition to the application 5 screen W5 of the selected application AP5 that he / she wants to use without going through the application selection screen SW.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the application screen management unit 22 included in the operation panel 120 has the screen transition management information 221D2 including the list of screen transitionable applications [transitionable application list]. And GUI part management information 221D1 for selecting an application AP included in the apparatus is held as management information 221D.

  The image processing apparatus 100 causes the application screen management unit 22 to display a screen transition selectable application selection button on the application screen W based on the [transitionable application list], and when the selection button is pressed, The screen transitions to the application screen W. At this time, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the application screen management unit 22 to display a screen transition selectable application selection button on the application screen W of the selected application based on the [transitionable application list] excluding the selected application.

  As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 can directly transition from the application screen W to the application screen W of a different application AP. As a result, the number of operations at the time of screen transition between applications is reduced, and the complexity of screen operations is reduced.

  The above-described embodiment has been described so far, but the “application screen display function” of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment uses each processing procedure described with reference to the drawings as an operating environment (platform). This is realized by executing a program coded in a certain programming language by the CPU 111 provided in the image processing apparatus 100 and the CPU 1 provided in the operation panel 120.

  The above program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium (for example, “reference numeral 114a shown in FIG. 2”). Examples of the recording medium include an SD memory card and a USB memory.

  Therefore, by storing the program in the recording medium, the image processing apparatus 100 and the operation panel 120 are connected via an external storage I / F (for example, “reference numeral 114 shown in FIG. 2”) that can read the recording medium. Can be installed on. Further, since the image processing apparatus 100 includes the network I / F 113, the program can be downloaded and installed using an electric communication line such as the Internet.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the authentication management apparatus 200 has the user information 311D in which the authenticated user is registered has been described. For example, when the user information 311D includes an information item [priority application] indicating an application AP that is frequently used for each user, the application screen management unit 22 determines the owner application shown in step S203 of FIG. Processing may be performed as follows. The application screen management unit 22 does not acquire the [application ID] of the owner application from the display control unit 23, but from the [priority application] of the user information 311D acquired from the authentication management apparatus 200, the [application ID] of the owner application. To get. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 100 can display the application screen W of the application AP corresponding to the usage frequency of the authenticated user as an initial screen after login.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the information processing apparatus (authentication management apparatus) different from the image processing apparatus 100 performs the use permission authentication function has been described. The image processing apparatus 100 itself may have a use permission authentication function (authentication information management unit).

  Finally, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown here, such as combinations of other elements with the shapes and configurations described in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the present invention can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

21 device information management unit 211 application information holding unit (D: application information)
22 application screen management unit 221 management information holding unit (D1: GUI component management information, D2: screen transition management information)
222 Screen data generation instruction unit 23 Display control unit 231 Drawing instruction unit 31 Authentication information management unit 311 User information holding unit (D: user information)
41 Screen Data Generation Unit 42 Drawing Unit 100 Image Processing Device 110 Controller (Control Board: Image Processing Device)
111 CPU (central processing unit)
112 Storage device 113 Network I / F
114 External storage I / F (a: recording medium)
120 Operation Panel 1 CUP (Central Processing Unit)
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 LCD controller 5 SDRAM
6 LCD module 7 Touch panel 8 Key board 9 Driver 10 Control board 11 Communication means (serial bus)
130 Plotter (image forming unit)
140 Scanner (reading unit)
200 Authentication management device (authentication server)
1000 Authentication system AP Application B Bus N Data transmission path (network)
WS app selection screen Wn app screen

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-049777

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus comprising a display device having an information input / output function and capable of installing a plurality of applications for realizing a mounted function,
A transitionable application list in which applications that can perform screen transition among the applications installed by the image processing apparatus are set, and a GUI for selecting screen transition to an operation screen of another application on the operation screen of the application (Graphical User Interface) management information holding means for holding data on parts,
Display control means for controlling to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition on the operation screen of the application displayed on the display device based on the transitionable application list. And
The display control unit is configured to display the predetermined application on an initial screen that is an operation screen of a predetermined application that is displayed when the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information input by the input unit that inputs user authentication information. An image processing apparatus that controls to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition from an application. Application information holding means for holding application identification information for identifying each application installed by the image processing apparatus;
Device information management means for executing update processing of the application identification information held by the application information holding means at a predetermined timing;
The management information holding unit holds a transitionable application list in which applications that can perform screen transition are set among the applications corresponding to the application identification information held by the application information holding unit. Item 8. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1.   When the GUI component displayed on the operation screen is pressed, when the selected application changes to the operation screen, the operation of the selected application is performed on the basis of a transitionable application list capable of screen transition with the selected application. Screen management means for managing an operation screen of the application so that GUI parts for selecting all other applications that can be changed from the selected application are displayed on the screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The screen management means includes
4. The transitionable application list is set based on application identification information of a use-permitted application list that is a list of applications permitted to be used by the user set according to an authenticated user. An image processing apparatus according to 1. A display device that displays an operation screen related to an image processing apparatus capable of installing a plurality of applications that implement an installed function, and has an information input / output function,
A transitionable application list in which applications that can perform screen transition among the applications installed by the image processing apparatus are set, and a GUI for selecting screen transition to an operation screen of another application on the operation screen of the application Management information holding means for holding data on parts;
Display control means for controlling to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition on the operation screen of the application displayed on the display device based on the transitionable application list. And
The display control unit is configured to display the predetermined application on an initial screen that is an operation screen of a predetermined application that is displayed when the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information input by the input unit that inputs user authentication information. A display device that controls to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition from an application. An authentication system comprising: a display device having an information input / output function; one or a plurality of image processing devices capable of installing a plurality of applications that implement a mounting function; and an authentication management device that manages use authentication of the image processing device Because
Authentication means for executing authentication processing of a user who uses the image processing device based on user authentication information input by the input means for inputting user authentication information;
A transitionable application list in which applications that can perform screen transition among the applications installed by the image processing apparatus are set, and a GUI for selecting screen transition to an operation screen of another application on the operation screen of the application Management information holding means for holding data on parts;
Display control means for controlling to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition on the operation screen of the application displayed on the display device based on the transitionable application list. And
The display control unit is configured to display the predetermined application on an initial screen that is an operation screen of a predetermined application that is displayed when the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information input by the input unit that inputs user authentication information. An authentication system that controls to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition from the application. A display control method in a display device having an input / output function of information and an image processing device capable of installing a plurality of applications for realizing a mounted function,
A transitionable application list in which applications that can perform screen transition among the applications installed by the image processing apparatus are set, and a GUI for selecting screen transition to an operation screen of another application on the operation screen of the application Management information holding means for holding data on parts,
Screen transition from the predetermined application is possible on the initial screen, which is the operation screen of the predetermined application displayed when the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information input by the input means for inputting the user authentication information. A display step of displaying a GUI component for selecting another application on the display device;
When the GUI component displayed on the initial screen is pressed, the operation of the selected application is performed based on a transitionable application list capable of screen transition with the selected application when the selected application transitions to the operation screen. A display control method, comprising: a display step for displaying GUI parts for selecting all other applications capable of screen transition from the selected application on the screen. In a computer, a program for executing display control of an operation screen related to an image processing apparatus capable of installing a plurality of applications for realizing a mounted function,
Computer
A transitionable application list in which applications that can perform screen transition among the applications installed by the image processing apparatus are set, and a GUI for selecting screen transition to an operation screen of another application on the operation screen of the application Function as management information holding means for holding data related to parts in the storage means,
Based on the transitionable application list, on the operation screen of the application displayed on the display device, function as a display control unit that controls to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition,
The display control unit is displayed on an initial screen which is an operation screen of a predetermined application that is displayed when the user is authenticated based on the user authentication information input by the input unit that inputs user authentication information. A display control program for causing a function to display a GUI component for selecting another application capable of screen transition from the application.

Images