JP2014094569A - Image processing apparatus and method for controlling the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that, when an operation in a web browser operating on a PC is applied to a web browser of an MFP, a user may be confused because the operation differs from an operation method in a normal MFP.SOLUTION: When a description instructing to transmit to the web server, data that are input on an operation screen displayed based on a content acquired from a web server, is included in the content, an image processing apparatus notifies a user that it becomes possible to operate an operation key provided in operation means, and transmits the data input on the operation screen displayed based on the content including the description to the web server in response to the operation key being pressed by the user while displaying the operation screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of instructing an operation using a hard key of an operation unit while displaying a screen of a Web browser, and a control method and program thereof.

  It is known that an information processing apparatus such as a PC is connected to a Web server on a network, and an operation screen provided by the Web server is displayed on a Web browser provided in the information processing apparatus. In this case, the content for the Web browser of the information processing apparatus to request an operation screen from the Web server, and the Web application of the Web server to display the operation screen on the Web browser in response to the request from the information processing apparatus Is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. This content includes an HTML file, an image file, a script file, and the like. As a result, the Web browser of the information processing apparatus analyzes the received content and displays an operation screen based on the description of the content. When the user inputs an instruction via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser, the Web browser notifies the Web server of the instruction. Upon receiving this notification, the Web application of the Web server executes processing in accordance with the input instruction.

  Recently, some multifunction peripherals (MFPs) equipped with a scanner and printer have a web browser as described above. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a Web server provides an operation screen for using each function included in an MFP. According to this, the user of the MFP inputs an instruction to the MFP via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser. The input instruction is notified to the Web server by the Web browser of the MFP, and the Web server that receives the notification requests the MFP to execute various processes according to the content of the instruction. Then, the MFP that has received this request executes the requested processing, so that it is not necessary to store all menu data for operating the MFP in the MFP, and menu data can be changed on the Web server. It can be done easily.

JP 2006-127503 A

  Even in an MFP that displays an operation screen acquired from a Web server as described above on a Web browser, it is desired that the user can be provided with the same operability as a normal MFP. In particular, the operation for instructing the MFP to start processing is the operation that is most frequently used by the user. The MFP is provided with a hard key (start key) for instructing the start of processing, and operations for starting processing such as document reading and printing are performed by pressing the start key. It is common. Accordingly, an operation screen provided from a Web server as shown in Patent Document 1 is displayed on the Web browser of the MFP, and even in an MFP that accepts various instructions from the user, an operation for starting processing is performed by the start key. It is desirable from the viewpoint of operability to perform by pressing.

  In some information processing apparatuses such as the MFP described above, some application screens are provided by a Web server, and another application reads and executes a program held in the MFP. Here, an application provided by the Web server is referred to as a “Web application”, and an application that is executed based on information previously stored in the MFP is referred to as a “native application”. For example, there is an MFP in which a copy function is provided as a native application and a scan function is provided as a Web application. In such an MFP, if there is a difference in operability between the Web application and the native application, the user will be confused. However, in the Web application, it is impossible to accept an operation instruction using a hard key provided in the MFP.

  In order to instruct the start of processing by the Web application, it is necessary to submit an HTML form including information input by the user to the Web application. However, such a button for instructing submission is displayed on the operation screen as a soft key in accordance with the description of the content, and the form cannot be submitted by a hard key provided in the MFP.

  On the other hand, some Web browsers that run on a PC move the focus by pressing the tab key provided on the PC, and press the return key while the submit button is in focus to submit the form. There is something you can do. Even if such an operation is applied to the Web browser of the MFP, an operation of pressing the start key after the focus moves is required. Such an operation is different from the operation method in a normal MFP, and therefore confuses the user.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems.

  A feature of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of performing an operation of receiving various instructions from a user by pressing an operation key while an operation screen provided from a Web server is displayed. .

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following arrangement. That is,
Operation means with operation keys;
Display means for displaying an operation screen based on content acquired from a Web server;
Determining means for determining whether or not the content includes a description instructing transmission of data input on the operation screen to the Web server;
A notification means for notifying a user that the operation key provided in the operation means can be operated when the determination means determines that the description is included;
Transmitting means for transmitting data input on the operation screen to the Web server in response to the operation key being pressed by the user while the operation screen displayed based on the content including the description is displayed; It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display an operation screen based on content acquired from a Web server, and notify the user that data input on the operation screen can be transmitted to the Web server in response to pressing of an operation key.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a Web server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the entire system according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining control processing of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of Web application screen data received in S2, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed in S4 of FIG. 5 when screen data illustrated in FIG. 6A is received. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the MFP according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the application screen data containing a several submit element (A), The figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on a display part, when the screen data shown to FIG. 8 (A) are received. It is a figure which shows an example of the selection screen displayed by S31 of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  First, Embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, when a form exists in content acquired by the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment from the Web server 102, an example in which the form is transmitted to the Web server by pressing the start key of the operation unit of the MFP 101 will be described. To do.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus (MFP) according to the first embodiment.

  An MFP 101 and a Web server 102 are connected to the LAN 110 so that they can communicate with each other. In FIG. 1, only one MFP and server are shown, but a plurality of PCs, MFPs, servers, and the like may be connected to the LAN 110.

  FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment.

  A control unit 210 including a CPU 211 controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. The CPU 211 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 212 and executes various control processes such as reading control and transmission control. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area for the CPU 211. The HDD 214 stores image data, various programs, various information tables, and the like. The operation unit I / F 215 controls an interface between the operation unit 219 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 219 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. The MFP 101 has a Web browser function described later. The Web browser of the MFP 101 analyzes an HTML file received from the Web server 102 and displays an operation screen based on the description of the HTML file on the display unit of the operation unit 219. To do. Details of the operation unit 219 will be described later.

  The printer I / F 216 connects the printer 220 and the control unit 210, and image data to be printed by the printer 220 is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer 220 via the printer I / F 216 and recorded in the printer 220. Printed on a medium (sheet). A scanner I / F 217 connects the scanner 221 and the control unit 210, and the scanner 221 reads an image of a document to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217. The network I / F 218 connects the control unit 210 to the LAN 110. The network I / F 218 transmits image data and information to an external device (for example, the Web server 102) of the LAN 110, and receives various types of information from the external device of the LAN 110.

  FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the Web server 102 according to the first embodiment.

  A control unit 230 including a CPU 231 controls the operation of the entire Web server 102. The CPU 231 executes a program loaded from the HDD 234 to the RAM 233 and executes various control processes. The ROM 232 stores a boot program and various data. The RAM 233 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area of the CPU 231. The HDD 234 stores image data, various programs, or various information tables. The network I / F 235 connects the control unit 230 to the LAN 110. The network I / F 235 transmits / receives various information to / from other devices on the LAN 110.

  Next, the configuration of the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating a configuration of the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment.

  The operation unit 219 includes an LCD display unit 301 in which a touch panel sheet 302 is pasted on the LCD. The LCD display unit 301 displays an operation screen and soft keys displayed by a native function module (described later) and a Web browser, and when the displayed key is pressed, position information indicating the pressed position is displayed. Tell the CPU 211. The operation unit 219 is provided with various hard keys such as a start key 303, a stop key 304, a reset key 305, a guide key 306, a top menu key 307, and a numeric key 308. A start key 303 is a hard key for instructing the MFP 101 to start processing, and a green and red two-color LED display unit 309 is provided at the center of the start key 303. The two-color LED display unit 309 indicates whether or not the start key 303 is usable depending on the color. A stop key 304 is a key for stopping an operation in progress. A reset key 305 is a key used when initializing settings. A guide key 306 is a key for displaying how to use the MFP 101. A top menu key 307 is a key for displaying a top menu screen for selecting a function of the MFP 101. A numeric key 308 is a key for inputting a numeric value.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the entire system according to the first embodiment. Each functional unit illustrated in FIG. 4 is realized by a CPU provided in each of the MFP 101 and the Web server 102 executing a control program.

  The MFP 101 includes a native function module 430 that executes functions held in advance by the MFP 101, a Web browser 440, and a service provider 450. The web browser 440 includes a communication unit 441, an analysis unit 442, a screen display unit 443, and an LED control unit 444. The communication unit 441 communicates with the presentation unit 411 of the Web application 410 of the Web server 102 according to the HTTP protocol. Specifically, the communication unit 441 requests the web application 410 for the content of the operation screen displayed on the web browser 440 and receives it from the WEB server 102. Further, the communication unit 441 notifies the Web application 410 of an instruction from the user input via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser 440. The analysis unit 442 analyzes the content of the operation screen received from the Web application 410. This content includes an HTML file, an image file, a script file, and the like. These files include a description indicating the contents of the operation screen to be displayed on the Web browser 440. The screen display unit 443 displays an operation screen on the display unit 301 of the operation unit 219 based on the result of analysis by the analysis unit 442. Based on the result of analysis by the analysis unit 442, the LED control unit 444 determines whether or not an HTML file received from the Web application 410 includes a form submission element, and the two colors at the center of the start key 303 The light emission control of the LED 309 is performed.

  The service provider 450 includes a communication unit 451 and a job generation unit 452. The communication unit 451 receives a processing request from the logic unit 412 of the Web application 410. When execution of processing is requested from the Web application 410, the job generation unit 452 generates a job for executing the requested processing.

  The native function module 430 includes a native application 431, a device management unit 432, and a job execution unit 433. The native application 431 is various applications provided not based on the Web server 102 but based on a program stored in the MFP 101 in advance. The native application 431 includes, for example, an application that executes printing processing by the printer 220 of the MFP 101 and reading processing by the scanner 221. The job execution unit 433 executes a job generated by the native application 431 or the job generation unit 452 of the service provider 450. The device management unit 432 manages the error state of each module of the MFP 101 and notifies the web browser 440 and the service provider 450 of the error information when an error has occurred. The device management unit 432 also performs settings for the entire MFP 101 and application switching processing.

  The web server 102 includes a web application 410, and the web application 410 includes a presentation unit 411 and a logic unit 412.

  The presentation unit 411 communicates with the communication unit 441 of the MFP 101 and transmits the content of the operation screen to be displayed on the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101 to the MFP 101 in response to a request from the MFP 101. Further, the MFP 101 receives an instruction from the user input via the operation screen displayed on the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101. Receiving the instruction from the user, the Web application 410 executes various processes according to the contents of the instruction. Further, the Web application 410 requests the MFP 101 to execute processing in accordance with the content of the instruction from the Web browser 440. Specifically, a request is made to execute a printing process by the printer 220 of the MFP 101, a document reading process by the scanner 221, or a transmission process via the network I / F 218. In this way, when the WEB server 102 requests the MFP 101 to execute processing, the logic unit 412 generates a job to the job generation unit 452 via the communication unit 451 of the service provider 450 provided in the MFP 101. Ask. Here, it is assumed that the Web application 410 is an application that scans a document placed on the document table of the MFP 101 and transmits it to a specific FTP server of the network 110 using the FTP protocol.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing control processing of the MFP 101 according to the first embodiment. Here, a series of operations of the Web browser 440 when the MFP 101 acquires and displays an operation screen from the Web application 410, reads an original when the user presses the start key, and transmits it to a specific FTP server will be described. Each operation shown in this flowchart is executed by the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executing a control program.

  First, in S <b> 1, an operation screen of the Web application 410 displayed on the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101 is requested to the Web server 102. Specifically, communication is performed according to the HTTP protocol with respect to the URL of the Web application 410. This URL may be a URL set in advance as a home page or the like of the Web browser 440, or may be a URL entered by the user in the URL input field of the browser 440. Alternatively, the screen link currently displayed on the Web browser 440 may be selected by the user. In step S2, screen data that is a response from the Web application 410 is received. As described above, the screen data is composed of an HTML file, an image file, a script file, and the like. In step S3, the Web application screen data received in step S2 is analyzed. In S3, as a result of the analysis, whether or not a form submit element is included in the application screen data is stored in the RAM 213 or the like. In step S4, a Web application screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the operation unit 219 of the MFP 1010 based on the analysis result in step S3.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of Web application screen data received in S2 of FIG. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 301 in S4 of FIG. 5 when the screen data illustrated in FIG. 6A is received.

  In FIG. 6A, reference numeral 601 denotes a form start tag, which indicates that this form is transmitted to the “./start” by the POST method when there is a submit instruction by the action attribute and the method attribute. Yes. Reference numeral 602 denotes a select element for designating a reading resolution. Upon receiving this screen data, the Web browser 440 renders these resolutions as pull-down menus as shown by 610 in FIG. Reference numeral 603 denotes a check box element for designating whether to read in full color, and the Web browser 440 renders a check box as indicated by 611 in FIG. 6B according to this element. Reference numeral 604 denotes a reset element for the user to reset the setting, and the Web browser 440 renders the reset button 612 in FIG. 6B according to this element. Reference numeral 605 denotes a submit element, and the Web browser 440 renders a submit button 613 in FIG. When the submit button 613 is pressed by the user, the Web browser 440 transmits the data of this form by the POST method to “./start” according to the description of 601. Here, as the value attribute of the submit element, it is described that the same processing that is executed by pressing the submit button 613 can be executed by pressing the start key 303 of the operation unit 219. Here, the Web browser 440 displays the character string “start (can also be started by the start key)” of the submit element 605 on the submit button 613.

  Returning to FIG. 5 again, in S5, it is determined based on the analysis in S3 whether or not the form submission element exists in the data received in S2. If it is determined in S5 that no submit element exists, the process proceeds to S6. In S6, the LED controller 444 controls the LED 309 at the center of the start key 303 to light up in red. As a result, the user is notified that an operation instruction using the start key 303 is impossible while this screen is displayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined as a result of the determination in S5 that the data received in S2 includes a submit element, the process proceeds to S7. Here, for example, when the data shown in FIG. 6A is received, since this data includes the submit element 605, the process proceeds to S7. In S7, the LED controller 444 controls the LED 309 at the center of the start key 303 to light up in green. As a result, the user is notified that an operation instruction using the start key 303 can be made while this screen is displayed. Next, in S8, it is determined whether or not the submit button 613 in FIG. If it is detected that the submit button 613 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S10. On the other hand, if it is not detected that the submit button 613 is pressed, the process proceeds to S9, and it is determined whether or not the start key 303 is pressed. If it is detected that the start key 303 is pressed, the process proceeds to S10. In step S10, a form transmission process is performed in accordance with the description in the HTML file. Here, the process of transmitting the data of this form is performed with “POST method” for “./start”.

  Thereafter, the form transmitted by the web browser 440 is received by the web application 410 of the web server 102. Further, the Web application 410 communicates with the service provider 450 of the MFP 101 to control the MFP 101 so as to read a document with a designated resolution and send it by FTP.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a start element is included and a start key is usable, when the start key 303 of the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 is pressed, the operation screen is automatically displayed. Submit the form included in the content. As a result, the Web application of the Web server instructs the MFP 101 to start control such as reading of a document based on the submitted form data. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the operability that the start of the process can be instructed by the start key 303 of the operation unit in the Web application or the native application.

  In addition, although the web application 410 showed the form which instruct | indicates control of MFP with respect to the service provider 450 of MFP, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a script describing processing to be performed by the MFP may be transmitted from the Web application 410 of the Web server 102 to the Web browser 440 of the MFP 101, and the MFP may be controlled by the MFP interpreting it.

  Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a case will be described where control is further added to the configuration described in the first embodiment when HTML data including a plurality of submit elements is received. The configuration of the system according to the second embodiment, the Web server, and the MFP are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing processing of the MFP 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, a series of operations of the Web browser 440 when the MFP 101 acquires and displays operation screen data from the Web application 410, reads an original by pressing the start key 303, and transmits it to a specific FTP server will be described. Each operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is a process executed when the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executes a control program. Here, the processing from S21 to S27 is the same as S1 to S7 in FIG.

  In S28, it is determined whether or not the submit button (811 or 812 in FIG. 8B) has been pressed. If it is detected that the submit button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S33, and a form transmission process corresponding to the submit button that has detected the press is performed. On the other hand, if it is not detected in S28 that the submit button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S29. In S29, it is determined whether or not the start key 303 of the operation unit 219 is pressed. If it is detected in S29 that the start key 303 is pressed, the process proceeds to S30. In S30, it is determined whether a plurality of submit elements are included. If there is only one submit element in S30, the process proceeds to S33. If it is determined in S30 that there are a plurality of submit elements, the process proceeds to S31. In S31, a screen on which the user can select which submission process among the plurality of submission elements is to be displayed is displayed (selection screen display).

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of application screen data including a plurality of submit elements. FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a screen example displayed on the display unit 301 when the screen data illustrated in FIG. 8A is received.

  Reference numeral 801 denotes a start tag of the form. When there is a submit instruction by the action attribute and the method attribute, this form should be transmitted to the “./start” by the POST method. Reference numeral 802 denotes a select element for designating the resolution. The Web browser 440 draws a pull-down menu as indicated by 810 in FIG. 8B based on this select element. Reference numeral 803 denotes a first Submit element, and the Web browser 440 renders a first submit button as indicated by 811 in FIG. 8B based on this. Reference numeral 804 denotes a second Submit element, and the Web browser 440 renders a second submit button as shown at 812 based on this.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen displayed in S31 of FIG.

  A button 901 corresponding to the first submit element and a button 902 corresponding to the second submit element are displayed so as to be selectable by the user.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, in S32, it is detected whether or not there is a selection input from the user. If a selection input is detected, the process proceeds to S33. That is, it is detected whether the button 901 or the button 902 in FIG. 9 is pressed. If it is detected that any of the buttons 901 and 902 is pressed, the process proceeds to S33, and a transmission process corresponding to the selected button is performed.

  Thereafter, the web application 410 receives the form transmitted by the web browser 440. The Web application 410 determines which submit process has been performed from the contents of the received form. Then, the MFP 101 communicates with the service provider 450 to control the MFP 101 so as to read a document in color or monochrome and perform FTP transmission.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when there are a plurality of submit elements when the start key of the MFP 101 is pressed, a screen that can select which submit element is to be processed is displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the operability that even an application having a plurality of submit elements can start processing by the start key.

  It should be noted that the submit element to be processed when the start key is pressed is described in the content as the attribute of the submit element, and when the start key is pressed, the submit process is performed according to the description. good.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (13)

Operation means with operation keys;
Display means for displaying an operation screen based on content acquired from a Web server;
Determining means for determining whether or not the content includes a description instructing transmission of data input on the operation screen to the Web server;
A notification means for notifying a user that the operation key provided in the operation means can be operated when the determination means determines that the description is included;
Transmitting means for transmitting data input on the operation screen to the Web server in response to the operation key being pressed by the user while the operation screen displayed based on the content including the description is displayed; ,
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the user that the operation key can be operated by causing a light emitting unit corresponding to the operation key to emit light.   3. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the user that the operation key cannot be operated when the determination unit determines that the description is not included. 4. apparatus. Operation means with operation keys;
Display means for displaying an operation screen based on content acquired from a Web server;
Determining means for determining whether or not the content includes a description instructing transmission of data input on the operation screen to the Web server;
An enabling means for activating the operation key provided in the operation means when the determination means determines that the description is included;
A transmission unit configured to transmit data input on the operation screen to the Web server in response to the operation key activated by the activation unit being pressed by the user while the operation screen is displayed;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising notification means for notifying a user that the operation key can be operated by causing a light emitting unit corresponding to the operation key to emit light.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the notification unit notifies the user that the operation key cannot be operated when the determination unit determines that the description is not included.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content is an HTML file, and the description is a submit element.   8. The transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit further includes a selection unit that selects which description is used to transmit data when a plurality of the descriptions are included in the content. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation key is a start key for instructing image processing.   10. The image processing according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit that executes a process of reading an image on a document and generating image data in response to pressing of the operation key. apparatus. A control method for controlling an image processing apparatus including an operation means having an operation key,
A display step of displaying an operation screen based on content acquired from a Web server;
A determination step of determining whether or not the content includes a description instructing transmission of data input on the operation screen to the Web server;
A notification step for notifying a user that the operation key provided in the operation means can be operated when it is determined in the determination step that the description is included;
A transmission step of transmitting data input on the operation screen to the Web server in response to the operation key being pressed by the user while the operation screen displayed based on the content including the description is displayed; ,
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: A control method for controlling an image processing apparatus including an operation means having an operation key,
A display step of displaying an operation screen based on content acquired from a Web server;
A determination step of determining whether or not the content includes a description instructing transmission of data input on the operation screen to the Web server;
An activation step of activating the operation key provided in the operation means when it is determined in the determination step that the description is included;
A transmission step of transmitting data input on the operation screen to the web server in response to the operation key activated in the activation step being pressed by the user while the operation screen is displayed;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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