JP2015022739A - Information output system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To optimize information acquired through a network on the basis of information previously registered in an information output device and to provide the information to a user.SOLUTION: The information output system includes: output control means for outputting information in an emergency situation by using one or more information output devices; and output information management means for, on the basis of information acquired from the outside, optimizing the content of information to be output to the one or more information output devices in an emergency situation according to at least either user information or environment information registered in the one or more information output devices.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information output system and a program.

  For example, in recent MFPs (Multi Function Printers), it is possible to “exchange information” with a Web site or Web server via a network, and other devices such as MFPs and mobile terminals and peripheral devices (including MFPs). Proposals have been made regarding "cooperation technology" with devices.

  In the event of an emergency or emergency such as an accident, etc. when transportation is paralyzed, or in the event of an earthquake or other disaster, the latest information (driving conditions, alternative route guidance) and peripheral information suitable for each individual (evacuation route, evacuation destination) ) Etc. are required. Due to recent advances in mobile terminals and network technologies, each person possesses a communication device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal, and can “browse” information via the network using the communication device. However, in an emergency or emergency, each communication device has a risk that the operating time is finite because the battery cannot be charged, and a communication failure due to a communication load due to access concentration. For this reason, in an emergency, there is a considerable demand for “outputting and holding electronic information on paper”.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an MFP that accepts simple input and outputs information related to a route of travel by public transportation. The MFP described in Patent Document 1 can output not only optimum information (path) based on a user's input, but also can add and output nearby information.

  However, in Patent Document 1, each user needs to perform a “work” called an input operation on the MFP. In an emergency or emergency, it is necessary for the MFP to accept and process requests from many users who perform similar actions. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, there is a long waiting time from when the user performs an input operation until obtaining paper on which necessary information is printed. As a result, there may be a situation where people gather near the MFP that outputs information and become crowded.

  Therefore, an object of one aspect is to optimize information obtained from the outside based on information registered in advance in an information output device and provide it to a user in an emergency.

One idea is that
Appropriate information to be output in an emergency in one or more information output devices according to at least one of user information and environmental information registered in one or more information output devices based on information acquired from outside Output information management means,
Output control means for outputting the optimized information in an emergency using the one or more information output devices;
An information output system is provided.

  According to one aspect, in an emergency, information acquired from the outside can be optimized based on information registered in advance in the information output device and provided to the user.

The figure which showed a mode that the user gathered in MFP vicinity in order to obtain information. The figure which showed the example in which the optimized information is output automatically from MFP. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which information is automatically output from the MFP beyond the required number of sheets. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which information is output from the MFP for an optimized number of output sheets. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment. FIG. The figure which showed an example of the user information which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed an example of the environmental information which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed an example of the information of the emergency alert which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed an example of the information of the transport system which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed an example of the optimization of the information which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which showed an example of the optimization operation | work which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which showed an example of the setting information in the automatic output judgment which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which showed an example of the optimization operation | work which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which showed the example of a setting of the output condition in emergency which concerns on one Embodiment. The example output in emergency according to the output conditions which concern on one Embodiment. The other example output in emergency in accordance with the output conditions which concern on one Embodiment. The figure which showed an example of the information which each apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment hold | maintains. The figure which showed an example of the optimized information (output content) which concerns on one Embodiment. The other example output in emergency in accordance with the output conditions which concern on one Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the content of the output which concerns on one Embodiment, conditions, and a priority. The figure for demonstrating the update of the user information etc. which concern on one Embodiment. 6 is a display example of an MFP capable of outputting emergency information according to an embodiment. An example of the setting information of the number of output sheets which concerns on one Embodiment. The example of an output processing flow concerning one embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment. FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.
<Introduction>
In the event of an emergency such as paralysis of a transportation system due to an accident or a disaster such as an earthquake, or in the event of an emergency (hereinafter referred to as an emergency including an emergency), the latest information such as driving conditions and alternative route guidance, and evacuation routes Peripheral information suitable for each individual, such as evacuation destination and evacuation destination is required.

  In recent years, most users have mobile terminals such as their mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet terminals. Therefore, the user can browse the information he / she wants to know at any time via the network by operating the mobile terminal even when away from home. However, the mobile terminal has a risk that the operation time is limited because the battery cannot be charged, and a communication failure due to a communication load due to access concentration. For this reason, in an emergency, there is a considerable demand for “outputting and holding electronic information on paper”.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1, when many users try to operate the operation unit of the MFP 100 in order to output necessary information, paper on which necessary information is printed after the user performs an input operation. There is a lot of waiting time to get. In an emergency or emergency, it is necessary for the MFP 100 to accept and process requests from many users who perform similar actions. As a result, a situation may occur in which people gather near the MFP 100 that outputs information and become crowded.

  That is, in an emergency, the “passive output” that the MFP 100 outputs in response to an input operation from the user is not realistic and may cause congestion.

  From the above, in an emergency, the MFP 100 “actively outputs (that is, automatically outputs)” information that is optimized as a whole so that it can be useful to some extent without accepting an input operation from the user. Thereby, it leads to reduction of the operation time which causes congestion, and each one can acquire information quickly and can move to the next action.

  For example, in FIG. 2 showing the information output system example according to the present embodiment, when there are two MFPs 100a and 100b on the same floor, the user outputs necessary information from the contents displayed on the signage units 100a1 and 100b1. Know what equipment you have. The user acquires paper on which necessary information is output from either MFP 100a or 100b. The user immediately moves to the next action after acquiring the information.

  However, unless the number of output sheets from the MFPs 100a and 100b is also managed, smooth distribution of emergency information as shown in FIG. 2 cannot be realized, which may result in confusion.

  For example, FIG. 3 is an example that may occur when the conditions for the number of sheets to be output in an emergency are not set in the MFPs 100a and 100b and output is continued indefinitely. In this state, the vicinity of the MFPs 100a and 100b is scattered, resulting in confusion. On the other hand, if only a certain number or less of output sheets are output, there is a risk that a person who has come to acquire information cannot acquire the information, resulting in a risk of falling into the congestion state of FIG. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the MFPs 100a and 100b need to be set with conditions for the number of output sheets in an emergency so as to output only the number of output sheets optimized in an emergency output.

  The MFP 100 is often installed in an office, such as a convenience store, and is often used for business. Therefore, the user can be managed by registering user attribute information (hereinafter simply referred to as user information) in MFP 100 in advance. It is common to register and manage user information in the MFP 100. For example, user information registered in the MFP 100 is used for ACL control (who can use which function, etc.), authentication during security printing, and the like. In other words, the MFP 100 stores user information for using a device placed in the place for each office or floor or area.

  In the embodiment described below, in an emergency, a service for optimizing output contents by effectively utilizing user information stored in advance using the MFP 100 and outputting the information to paper is performed. In the following embodiments, not only “output contents” but also “output conditions (triggers)” and “number of outputs (upper limit and output method)” are “optimized” in an emergency (such as a disaster).

  In the following embodiment, individually optimized (set) information is output to paper. On the other hand, information optimized to avoid the above congestion is automatically transmitted as electronic data via a short-range communication such as NFC or a network such as WiFi and displayed on the device owned by the user. It is also possible to provide emergency information to the user.

  However, when short-range communication is used, an action for performing communication, such as touching a predetermined place, is required. For this reason, it is expected that congestion will not be resolved compared with a simple action such as “take out the discharged paper”. Therefore, in the following embodiment, the basic service is to “optimize information as a whole” and “automatically output optimized information on paper”.

  In the following description, an apparatus such as the MFP 100 will be described as an example of the information output apparatus. The information output apparatus according to the present embodiment has a network function and outputs information optimized from the acquired information. Other examples of the information output apparatus include an image forming apparatus such as a printer having a communication function, a facsimile apparatus, a digital copying machine, and a digital multifunction machine.

[Functional configuration of MFP]
First, the configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the MFP according to the embodiment.

  The MFP 100 according to the embodiment includes a system control unit 2, an image memory unit 3, a display control unit 4, a reading device unit 5, an operation control unit 6, an image processing unit 7, a communication control unit 8, a print control unit 9, and an emergency. An output information management unit 10, an emergency output setting management unit 11, and an emergency output number setting unit 12 are provided. Each unit is connected by a system bus 1.

  The system bus 1 is a path that connects each part of the system. The system control unit 2 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, expands a program stored in a nonvolatile memory in a work area (RAM or the like), and controls each unit according to the program.

  The image memory unit 3 stores image data, print data, and the like. The display control unit 4 performs various displays on the screen based on the display data input from the system control unit 2. The reading device unit 5 includes a scanner and optically reads information. The display control unit 4 displays information to be automatically output on paper in an emergency on the thumbnail.

  The operation control unit 6 includes a keyboard having various function keys and the like, and transmits a pressed signal of a pressed key to the system control unit 2. The image processing unit 7 performs image processing such as enlargement / reduction and rotation on the input image, and outputs the image processed image to the print control unit 9. The communication control unit 8 communicates with an externally set server or the like.

  The print control unit 9 includes a photosensitive drum, toner, a paper discharge unit, a paper feed unit, and the like. In accordance with a print instruction from the system control unit 2, the print paper is conveyed from the paper feed unit and input from the image processing unit 7. The image is exposed to printing paper. The print control unit 9 transfers and fixes the toner onto the photosensitive printing paper, and discharges the printing paper. The print control unit 9 is an example of an output control unit that outputs information in an emergency using one or more information output devices.

  The emergency output information management unit 10 manages information such as user information and environmental information. The emergency output information management unit 10 optimizes information to be output in an emergency based on user information, environment information, output setting information held by the emergency output setting management unit 11, and the like. The emergency output information management unit 10 based on information acquired from the outside, the one or more information according to at least one of user information and environment information registered in the one or more information output devices It is an example of the output information management means which optimizes the content of the information output to an output device at the time of emergency.

  The emergency output setting management unit 11 outputs the setting information necessary for optimizing the information, the information regarding the output conditions for automatic output, and the settings (conditions) specific to each device in cooperation with a plurality of devices. Manage the information set for the purpose.

  The emergency output number setting unit 12 performs setting management of the output number at the time of emergency output. The output number at the time of emergency output will be referred to when the emergency output setting management unit 11 performs automatic output. The emergency output number setting unit 12 is an example of an output setting management unit that sets emergency output conditions for outputting optimized information for each of the information output devices.

  In FIG. 5, the emergency output setting management unit 11 and the emergency output number setting unit 12 are divided into separate functional blocks. However, the function of the emergency output number setting unit 12 is the same as that of the emergency output setting management unit 11. As a function, the emergency output setting management unit 11 may manage the number of output sheets.

[Information held by MFP (user information, environment information)]
Next, information held by the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows an example of user information held in advance by the MFP 100. FIG. 7 shows an example of environment information according to an embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the user information includes the nearest station information 13c and commuting route information 13d as user profile information in addition to the user ID 13a and the user name 13b. Information about the user such as nearest station information 13c and commuting route information 13d that can be registered is not limited to one, and a plurality of information may be set. The user information is managed by the emergency output information management unit 10.

  In a store such as a convenience store, for example, a user such as a part-time job clerk can be managed at a fine level as in the office. However, ordinary customers use these stores, and such ordinary customers do not need user registration for using MFP 100. Therefore, the MFP 100 registers not only the user information but also the environment information shown in FIG. 7 when the MFP 100 is installed. In FIG. 7, an item 14a and an installation location 14b relating to the installation location are registered as an example of the environment information. User information and environment information can be changed (dedicated application, management server, etc.) via a network using a known technique.

  In addition, in FIG. 6, it is necessary for outputting in an emergency in part of user information used in a known mechanism based on access control such as user ID and PASS (password) required for login to the device. The example which adds the information which becomes is shown. In consideration of security and privacy, the administrator may set and manage the information. For example, the emergency output information management unit 10 in FIG. 5 holds information necessary for the output in the emergency (for example, information on the user such as the nearest station, environmental information in the vicinity of the installation location), and centralizes the administrator. It may be managed. Note that an existing information management unit (not shown) of the MFP 100 such as user information management or device management may manage information necessary for emergency output.

[Information acquired from outside]
Next, information acquired from the outside by the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an example of emergency alert information according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example of transportation information according to an embodiment. Both the emergency alert information and the transportation information are examples of information that the MFP 100 acquires from the outside.

  8 includes an emergency information type 15a and emergency information content 15b. The emergency alert information can be acquired (for example, received by an application) by a mobile terminal or the like in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake. Further, the information on transportation (paralysis (congestion), accident) in FIG. 9 includes a traffic information type 16a and a traffic information content 16b. Transportation information can also be obtained by a mobile terminal or the like as described above. External information such as emergency alert information and transportation information acquired by the mobile terminal is sent to the MFP 100 via the network. MFP 100 may acquire external information directly via a network in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake as long as it can be received by an application or the like.

  Note that even if an attempt is made to acquire the information in an emergency, the information may not be acquired depending on the network environment such as congestion or disconnection. Therefore, the MFP 100 may periodically acquire the external information. Therefore, with regard to the optimization of information to be described later, if there is information acquired in an emergency, the optimization is performed using this information. On the other hand, if there is no information acquired in an emergency, it is possible to perform optimization using information acquired periodically. In this way, it is possible to output optimized information even when the network is disconnected in an emergency.

[Optimization of information]
Next, information optimization will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given of a case where the ratio 17a, the usage route 17b, and the destination (direction) 17c in FIG. 10 are obtained as a result of calculating the usage route ratio based on user information registered in a device of an MFP 100. .

  Regarding the optimization of information, in order to be able to set flexibly according to the situation of users (users), equipment managers, company policies, etc., the priority (weighting) can be set and the situation of each floor etc. It is also possible to determine which information should be output according to. Information optimization is performed by the emergency output information management unit 10.

  As priority, the route that the device user uses most may be given priority, the route that contains the accident information may be given priority, or in advance to a downtown area such as Yokohama or Shinjuku You may give priority to this route. Furthermore, the priority may be changed after designating information acquired from the outside, such as emergency alert information and transportation information.

  For example, in this area, when the information acquired from outside is seismic intensity 4-5, the current driving status, route, and alternative route information of the Odakyu line is output in consideration of the possibility of returning home. (Output conditions) may be set. In addition, “If the information acquired from outside is seismic intensity 6-7, priority is given to information for acting safely, not information to return home, evacuation route to the nearest station (to the north exit), evacuation location, public The priority (output condition) may be set as “output peripheral guidance information such as a toilet”. Further, when determining whether or not the output condition is set, a default output condition may be automatically set if the setting is not made by the user. Further, if there is a content that is to be output in a fixed manner when optimizing information, the output condition may be individually set, for example, to maximize the priority.

As shown in FIG. 10, the user information can be used when calculating the proportion of the route used. The environmental information may be used when outputting the destination and surrounding information. It is also possible to use the user information and environment information in combination for information optimization. Especially in stores (convenience stores and the like), unlike offices, user information is not registered, and user information of an unspecified number of customers is unknown. For this reason, it is desirable to register peripheral guidance information in the environment information in advance. Therefore, in the case of default in which conditions and priority are not set, the location information of the installation location is acquired when the device such as the MFP 100 is installed, and the device itself acquires the location information, or the device is installed. As one of the essential operations, a serviceman may register peripheral guidance information such as position information.
(Optimization flow)
An example of the optimization flow of these information is shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the emergency output information management unit 10 first reads external information in an emergency at step S10. Subsequently, the emergency output information management unit 10 reads user information and environment information in step S12. Next, the emergency output information management unit 10 determines the output contents of the information and the output conditions, that is, optimizes the information according to the output setting information (for example, including the output condition and priority (weight)) in step S14. To end this process.

  In addition, based on the example of the operation setting screen at the time of cooperation shown in FIG. 13 to be described later, when the result (emergency output setting, emergency output information) or the optimized result obtained by the user individually in each step of the flow is obtained. The user can also customize the result to make further changes.

  The emergency output information management unit 10 optimizes information acquired from the outside based on user information and environment information, and determines output contents. Information acquired from the outside can be optimized based on the automatic output condition for each case shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, a case 18a, an automatic output condition 18b, and an additional condition 18c are shown. By considering the automatic output condition 18b when optimizing information, “what to output under the condition for each case” is determined.

[Automatic output of information from a device (output target)]
For automatic output (output target) of information in a device such as the MFP 100, information obtained from the outside is optimized according to output setting information including conditions, priority (weight), and the like based on user information and environment information. The optimized information is an output target and is output to a device such as the MFP 100.

[Automatic output of information on a device (output multiple contents)]
Since the MFP 100 generally has a plurality of paper discharge trays, only one piece of optimized information (for example, the content of information determined to have the highest priority) is not an output target, but a plurality (for example, priority). The content of information determined to be the second highest after that) can be set as an output target. Similarly, a plurality of output conditions can be set. It should be noted that in the emergency output, the optimum setting may be made in the use environment in consideration of “providing immediate optimum information” and “not congesting when providing information”. In addition, when one piece of optimized information is output from a certain device (one unit), it is also possible to output a plurality of pieces of information in cooperation with a plurality of units in an emergency as a method for enabling a plurality of pieces of information to be output. It is. This will be described later.

[Role sharing by multiple units (cooperation sharing and output)]
When one MFP 100 is installed on the floor, information optimized according to the automatic output condition is output from the one MFP 100. On the other hand, there are many cases where there are a plurality of MFPs 100 on the floor depending on the office or the like. In this case, there is a possibility that the contents of information optimized in each device overlap. Duplicate information is not a problem because it is the result of optimizing information on each device, but if you want to provide more information more efficiently, you can output different information on multiple devices. It is possible to provide a wide range of information provision.

  Whether settings such as output setting information are valid only for each device (stand-alone without adjustment with other devices), or whether settings linked with each device are allowed By making either setting possible, more flexible response is possible. In particular, when the setting linked with each device is possible, it is necessary to deal with when the output condition or the like is different for each device. For example, you may make it output according to the automatic output conditions set to all the apparatuses of multiple apparatuses. Alternatively, an automatic output condition set for at least one device may be output according to the condition even if it is not set for all the devices. Assuming a case where multiple devices installed in an office or the like can be linked in this way, a device such as an MFP serving as a master is determined in advance between the floors and operated as an indicator when linking, and the slave It is also possible to re-optimize information based on the user information of the device to be used.

[Role sharing by multiple devices (example of device cooperation setting screen and output example due to differences in application pattern)
(Example of device linkage setting screen)
FIG. 13 is an example of a UI screen for output setting management in the emergency output setting management unit 11. The emergency output setting management unit 11 manages the output setting information set using the UI screen. The screen example shown here is a UI screen example of the “device cooperation setting 19c” tab. On this screen, settings are made regarding whether or not roles can be assigned when multiple MFPs output in cooperation with each other, that is, settings related to operations during cooperation. In addition, as an example of the screen, the setting screens of the “optimization setting 19a” tab and the “automatic output setting 19b” tab are not shown, but the optimization setting and the automatic output setting are also possible on each screen.

  In the UI screen example of the device cooperation setting 19c illustrated in FIG. 13, the device D is not selected as the cooperation target device on the setting screen of the “cooperation target device 19c1”. For this reason, regarding the device D, emergency information is output based on various setting conditions of the device D as a stand-alone without being linked with other devices.

  Conversely, the devices A to C are selected as the cooperation target devices on the setting screen of “cooperation target device 19c1”. Therefore, in the devices A to C, emergency information is output in cooperation with the devices A to C according to the output conditions of the master device. The master device can be selected on the setting screen of “master device selection 19c2”. In FIG. 13, emergency information is output in cooperation with the devices A to C according to the output conditions of the device A selected as the master device.

  In the setting screen of “applied pattern 19c3”, whether to output in accordance with “setting of master device (optimization, automatic output condition)” shown in the lower table of FIG. 13 (custom: master application), “information on entire linked device, It is also possible to select whether to output in accordance with “information and conditions optimized again based on output conditions” (custom: overall optimization).

  For the “automatic” settings shown in the lower table of FIG. 13, the output of information optimized in accordance with default setting information is controlled. As default setting information, if there is information such as the evacuation site near the current position, action guidelines, cautions, know-how, etc. as surrounding or familiar information, these are prioritized. Here, the output condition is assumed to follow the low condition in each device. All these settings can be changed by the user. For example, the user can change the setting such as changing the “automatic” output condition to “follow high conditions” instead of “follow low conditions”.

[Output condition]
When the “automatic” output condition is set to “low condition”, output is performed according to the condition with the lowest setting level among the output conditions set in each of a plurality of cooperating devices. On the other hand, when the “automatic” output condition is set to “high condition”, the output is performed according to the condition with the highest setting level among the output conditions set in each of the cooperating devices.

  Examples of low-condition adaptation include, for example, devices A, B, and C, and device cooperation with three devices is set, the application pattern is “automatic”, and the output condition of each device is seismic intensity 1 or higher for device A When the device B has a seismic intensity of 5 or more and the device C has a seismic intensity of 7 or more, since the condition of the device A is met when an earthquake of seismic intensity 2 occurs, output is performed in cooperation with the devices.

  As an example of high-condition adaptation, for example, when the equipment A, B, and C with the above output conditions is set to “high condition”, the equipment C is required to output at a seismic intensity of 7 or higher. The output will not be executed even if the earthquake of 6 occurs. When an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7 or more occurs, output is executed.

  Note that the user may be able to set the “automatic” output condition to “follow the average” in addition to “follow the low condition” or “follow the high condition”. In this case, output is performed according to an average setting level condition among the output conditions set in each of the cooperating devices.

[Output example 1]
As an output example, FIG. 14 shows output contents (optimized information) and output conditions of the devices A to D (MFPs 100p to 100s). FIG. 15 shows the states of the devices A to D when an earthquake having a seismic intensity of 5 occurs under this condition. In the device A (MFP 100p) and the device D (MFP 100s), the output condition is “seismic intensity 5 or higher”. Therefore, the device A (MFP 100p) and the device D (MFP 100s) determine that the output condition is satisfied with respect to the occurrence of an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5, and automatically output the highest priority information among the output contents. On the other hand, in the device B (MFP 100q), the output condition is “seismic intensity 6 or higher”, and in the device C (MFP 100r), the output condition is “seismic intensity 7 or higher”. Therefore, the device B (MFP 100q) and the device C (MFP 100r) determine that the output condition is not satisfied for the occurrence of the earthquake having the seismic intensity 5, and do not automatically output the emergency information.

  Next, an output example when device cooperation is set will be described. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the cooperation of the devices A to C is set on the setting screen of the cooperation target device 19c1 in the “device cooperation setting 19c” tab. Master application is set on the setting screen of the application pattern 19c3, and the device A is selected on the setting screen of the master device selection 19c2.

  FIG. 16 shows the states of the devices A to D when an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5 occurs under this condition. In this case, since the MFP 100p (device A) is set as the master device, the optimized information (output content) held in the device A is linked to the device A as shown in FIG. B and C are output.

  The output content of the device A is selected as a candidate at the setting portion of “Select output content at each device 19c41” in the “Output content and role setting 19c4” tab at the bottom of the setting screen shown in FIG. ~ C is set for what to output (customization). For this reason, for the occurrence of an earthquake with seismic intensity 5, the output content selected in advance for each device to be linked among the output content held in the device A designated as the master device is the device B (MFP 100q) and the device C (MFP 100r) is automatically output. In FIG. 16, the output condition of the device A is applied. That is, output control is performed in each of the devices A to C based on the output condition of “Seismic intensity 5 or higher” that is the output condition of the device A. However, not only the output conditions of the device A are applied to all the linked devices, but also customization based on the output conditions of other devices is possible. Note that the “output condition setting 19c5” tab is hidden in the screen example of FIG.

Also, here, a description is given of a flow in which slave devices (for example, devices B and C) operate in response to an instruction from a master device (for example, device A). However, when the linkage is set, by acquiring information (output contents, output conditions, etc.) from the master device in advance, after the occurrence of the seismic intensity 5 earthquake, the slave devices (for example, devices B and C) Information set in advance may be output immediately without waiting for an instruction from a master device (for example, device A). However, in this case, it is necessary to obtain the latest information when information is updated (setting change, information reoptimization, etc.). At this time, either the method of “PUSH” the latest information from the master device in advance or the method of “PULL” the latest information from the slave device in advance can be used.
"Output example 2"
FIG. 17A shows an example of information held by the device A. FIG. 17B shows an example of information held by the device B. FIG. 17C shows an example of information held by the device C. 17A shows a case where user information of 40 people is registered in the device A, FIG. 17B shows a case where user information of 30 people is registered in the device B, and FIG. In this example, the user information of 20 people is registered.

  FIG. 17 shows the use route information, priority (weighting for optimization), and priority determination information of each user for the number of registered users in each of the devices A to C at the time of commuting. An example of the result of optimizing the whole based on the information shown in FIG. 17 is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 18A, information is optimized (priority order update) based on a value obtained by multiplying the use route ratio (number of people) by the priority (weighting coefficient). For example, the total point of Shinjuku direction information is 32 (= 18 (device A) +8 (device B) +6 (device C)), and the total point of Atsugi direction information is 29 (= 1 (device A) +18 (device B) +10 (device C)). In this way, the optimized information is held in the order of output priority.

  In FIG. 18 (b), the priority (weighting factor) is the priority in each device, and the information is optimized by evaluating only the ratio (number of people) used without using the coefficient for overall optimization of the information. This is the result. For example, the total point of Shinjuku direction information is 32 (= 18 (device A) +8 (device B) +6 (device C)), and the total point of Atsugi direction information is 12 (= 1 (device A) +6 (device) B) +5 (device C)).

  In this way, the optimization can be flexibly handled by setting conditions such as whether to refer to weighting factors when optimizing information or to evaluate only by the number of users on the route. Also, in the priority determination information (number of people × weighting coefficient) of each device shown in FIGS. 17A to 17C, “priority is applied to the one with the coefficient” or the priority is “at the same point”. It is also possible to preferentially output information closer to the vicinity of the home that the user wants to know, such as “peripheral information> closest station information> OO station vicinity information”.

  FIG. 19 shows a state in which the top three output contents of information optimized based on the criterion of FIG. 18A (when the coefficient is valid) are automatically output to the devices A to C. . That is, here, the device A outputs “Shinjuku direction information (Odakyu)” having the highest priority. Device C outputs “Atsugi direction information (Odakyu)” having the next highest priority. Device B outputs “Ebina peripheral information (Odakyu)” having the next highest priority.

  For device sharing of the output contents, output the relevant information to a highly related device after comparing it with the custom method set by the user (administrator) or other information held in each device (see Fig. 17) It is possible to make it.

  At the time of custom (overall optimization) output in an emergency shown in FIG. 19, the top three output contents are assigned to the three devices A to C after the output content is optimized, and output from each device. Rather than outputting a plurality of contents with one device, it is desirable from the viewpoint of congestion prevention and information diversity to output a plurality of different output contents by outputting one output content with one device. However, the devices A and B can be set to have the same content (contents of priority 1), the device C wants to output content of priority 2 and the like. Also, the upper limit and default value of the number of connected devices may be settable. For example, if there are three devices, the top three output contents with the default settings are listed in order from the device with the highest priority, the device with the highest number of devices used (number of registered members), or the device with the highest SPEC. Etc.) may be settable.

[Output conditions and priority]
The “priority (weight)” indicates what information is output, and the “output condition” indicates when the information is output. The priority may indicate the priority of the output contents when the output conditions (difference in seismic intensity setting) are different for each output content, or when the emergency state is different as in the case of an earthquake and a storm.

  For example, when the application pattern is set to “custom: total optimum” (FIG. 13), in the example shown in FIG. 20, the priority is given to “what to output” from the priorities of the devices A and B. It is decided to output “closest station X route information” with a high value from device A. As for “when to output”, “output content” calculated from the priority as shown in “output condition: automatic output condition reset based on each condition of linked device” in the lower table 19c3 of FIG. Follow the output conditions of the output contents.

  However, the output content “nearest station X route information device (device A)” calculated from the priority is actually the same as “nearest station X route information (device B)”, and only the output conditions are different. As an output condition in this case, by default, an output condition associated with the output content calculated from the priority may be applied. However, separately, when there are a plurality of output conditions associated with the output content calculated from the priority in “custom: total optimum”, it is possible to set the output condition to comply with “low condition” or “high condition”. If the priority of “Peripheral evacuation information (device B)” is 50, this content is the output target. In this case, since the contents are not common to the others, even if a low condition, a high condition, and the like are set, the output condition associated with “neighboring evacuation information (device B)” is obeyed.

  When the application pattern is "Automatic", it is almost equivalent to "Custom: Overall optimization". In this case, it is possible to change it in `` Settings '', but by default the output content is `` Evacuation information etc. of the surroundings '', and the output content depending on members (optimized personal information and `` Nearest station '' Unlike other routes, it can be basically the same for multiple devices. However, although the output contents are common, it is assumed that there are differences in the output conditions for each of the plurality of devices. In this case, the output condition is to comply with “low condition” or “high condition”. In spite of the same output contents, if the output condition of the device that has been given the highest priority from the priority of each device is obeyed, it is desirable that output is difficult when the output condition of this device is high, that is, severe. This is because there is not.

  Device A and B have automatic application patterns (no user custom settings), and device C (application pattern is automatic and custom by the user, and the output content is not the local evacuation information but the nearest station Y route information). In the case of linkage, for example, if the setting “output the top ○ out of optimized output contents” is set, “evacuation information” is set for devices A and B, and “nearest station Y route information” is set for device C. Will be output.

[Display guidance for emergency output]
In an emergency, necessary information may be different for each user. Therefore, it is preferable to notify a user (user) of a device or a person in the vicinity of the device which information necessary for each user is output from among devices that automatically output optimized information. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, MFPs in which signage units (guidance display units) 100a1 and 100b1 are attached to MFPs 100a and 100b are desirable. In an MFP without the signage units 100a1 and 100b1, it may be displayed on the operation unit. However, it is possible to cope with such an operation that a guide regarding contents to be output in an emergency is attached to the floor or the main body of the MFP 100 separately.

[Regular information update and re-optimization]
In the office, the user registration of the MFP 100 may change when a new employee joins or changes employee. Therefore, it is preferable to update user information registered in MFP 100 periodically or as necessary. According to this, since the user information used for optimizing the information output in an emergency is updated, it is necessary to optimize the information again.

  In addition to offices, evacuation information such as nearby evacuation sites and routes may be updated at convenience stores and the like. For this reason, the environmental information also needs to be updated periodically or as needed, and the information that is output in the event of an emergency needs to be reoptimized.

  FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B show an example of an information output system according to this embodiment. FIG. 21A shows an MFP 100a and an MFP 100b connected to the server 150 via the network 200 as an example of the information output system according to the present embodiment. In the MFP 100a and the MFP 100b, user information and environment information are registered in advance for each device. FIG. 21A shows a state in which user information and environment information registered in each device are not updated.

  In contrast, FIG. 21B shows a state in which user information and environment information registered in each device are regularly updated. Regarding this update, the MFP 100a and the MFP 100b may access the server 150 side and acquire update information from the server 150, or receive update information necessary for the timing of providing update information from the server 150 side. May be. Considering that user information and environmental information are regularly updated, the optimization of the information output in an emergency itself is also performed periodically, so that the most optimized information can be output in an emergency. it can. At this time, it is desirable to enable setting of appropriate conditions for the regular update interval according to the usage status.

[Presentation of neighboring related equipment (MFP) information]
FIG. 22 is a display example of the signage section of the MFP 100 that can output information in an emergency out of the MFPs 100 installed mainly in convenience stores and the like. When outputting the evacuation information (evacuation location, route, etc.) as the peripheral information, the installation location of the MFP 100 installed in the vicinity and capable of outputting information in an emergency may be displayed. Accordingly, the user can acquire emergency information output to the MFP 100 installed at the destination, which is useful. Note that when the output content of information output in an emergency in an office or the like is mainly route information (for example, when the evacuation information in the vicinity is not output because it is determined that the priority is low). The installation location of MFP 100 may be displayed using the back side of the paper output in the event of an emergency.

[Emergency output number setting]
FIG. 23 shows setting information for the number of output sheets for each pattern. The output number setting information is managed by the emergency output number setting unit 12. The output number setting information can be set by a user (administrator) selecting a desired pattern. Note that the number of output sheets in an emergency may be set by providing a column for setting the number of output sheets on the setting screen of FIG.

[Output number pattern]
As the output number pattern, one based on the number of people as shown in No. 1 to No. 3 in FIG. 23 or one based on a preset number like No. 4 and No. 5 is assumed. No. 1 is simply based on the number of users registered in a device such as an MFP. When it is not known whether all the users are registered in the device (for example, when user management is not performed), the number of floors No. 2 may be selected. Note that the manager may set the number of floors, and it is possible to acquire the number of floors from a predetermined management server or the like and periodically update the number of floors.

  As for No.3, it is linked with the entrance / exit information management and occupancy management system (for example, unlocking by holding the IC card over the door of the room) and other detection systems (for example, human sensor) to grasp the number of people on the equipment installation floor. Thus, the number of people on the floor can be set to a more accurate number. As for No3, feedback to No1 and No2 (for example, No1 pattern is selected, but if the registered management system determines that one registered user is absent, it is currently set in conjunction with this. It is also conceivable that the number of output sheets set is changed from “30” to “29”. Here, each pattern of No1, No2, and No3 is explained in a distinguished form without being linked.

  No. 4 is a pattern for outputting the number of sheets preset by the administrator or the like. On the other hand, No. 5 is a pattern that keeps a state in which a certain number of sheets are always output to the tray so as not to wait for output. Even in a pattern in which a state in which a certain number of sheets is always output to the tray is maintained, the upper limit value of the number of output sheets can be set. It is also possible to provide a setting item for making the upper limit of the number of output sheets unlimited.

[Optimization of output number in emergency and output flow]
(optimisation)
Regarding the setting of the number of output sheets described above, it is possible to set a value optimized in advance according to the installation state of the device. Regarding the number of output sheets, it is important not only to acquire information but also to evacuate smoothly in buildings with a hierarchy such as offices. Therefore, for example, in order to limit the number of output sheets on the assumption that the stay time is shorter on the upper floor, it is possible to select output number patterns No1 to No3 and select patterns No4 and No5 on the lower floor. For example, since everyone passes if it is a 1F lobby or the like, if a large number of output sheets is set, the degree of utilization of information increases and the effect of this system increases. No. 5 pattern is suitable also at convenience stores other than the office, and anyone in the store, including pedestrians outside the store, can easily receive emergency information.

  The optimization of the number of output sheets is set in advance by default at the time of shipment of a device such as an MFP (for example, 1F is an output number pattern No. 5), and the administrator changes the setting to a more suitable output number pattern after the device is installed. You may make it do.

"Output flow"
FIG. 24 shows an output processing flow executed when the emergency output conditions are met. Information that is output in an emergency in advance by regular update or the like is optimized.

  In step S20, the emergency output information management unit 10 determines whether it is necessary to update (reread) the number of output sheets in an emergency. When it is determined that the update is necessary, the process proceeds to step S22, and the emergency output information management unit 10 updates (rereads) the output number in an emergency, and proceeds to step S24. If it is determined that the update is unnecessary, the process directly proceeds to step S24.

  A necessary number of output sheets may be read at the time of automatic output condition determination. In that case, it is determined in step S20 that the update is unnecessary. On the other hand, the number of output sheets may be set more accurately by grasping the number of persons on the floor more accurately in conjunction with the in-building management system in accordance with the conditions for setting the number of output sheets. For this reason, it may be determined in step S20 that updating is necessary, and the output number may be updated again immediately before the output based on the latest information such as how many people are on the floor. In that case, whether or not the information needs to be updated is confirmed in step S20, and the number of output sheets can be updated (reread) in step S22. Next, output processing is executed according to the setting of the number of output sheets (upper limit and paper discharge method). That is, in step S24, the emergency output information management unit 10 determines whether information is output by the number of emergency output sheets considering the upper limit value of the output number. As a result of the determination, the information output process in step S24 is repeated until the required number of information is output. After the required number of information is output, the emergency output process is terminated in step S28.

  As described above, according to the information output system according to the present embodiment, in accordance with at least one of user information and environment information registered in the MFP or the like based on information acquired from the outside by a device such as the MFP via the network. Information output in an emergency can be optimized and automatically output to an MFP or the like. According to this, the user can acquire paper on which information optimized for emergency is automatically output without performing an operation for outputting information to the MFP or the like. As a result, the user can immediately obtain useful information, and can avoid the crowding of people near a device such as an MFP.

  In addition, by sharing the output of emergency information in cooperation between multiple devices, the user can obtain the necessary information more efficiently, avoiding congestion in the vicinity of devices such as MFPs. can do.

  For example, it is not efficient to print emergency information on “A: Route from Ebina to Yokohama” and emergency information on “B: Route from Ebina to Shinjuku” alternately on one MFP 100 in the office. There is a risk of congestion. On the other hand, one of the two MFPs 100 outputs emergency information related to “A: a route from Ebina to Yokohama”, and the other outputs emergency information related to “B: a route from Ebina to Shinjuku”. In addition, if “Emergency information on“ A: Route from Ebina to Yokohama ”is displayed” on the signage (or operation unit screen) of the MFP 100 and the user is made aware of the situation, the human Congestion can be avoided effectively.

  For example, it is difficult to eliminate congestion if each user inputs information and outputs emergency information. Therefore, instead of optimizing the information separately for each individual user after analyzing the registered user information etc., the entire user needs from the entire registered user information And provide optimized information based on user information. This eliminates the need for user operation when acquiring emergency information. As a result, congestion near the information output device can be eliminated.

(Hardware configuration example)
Finally, a hardware configuration example of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the MFP 100 includes an input device 101, a display device 102, an external I / F 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 105, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 106, a communication I / F. F107, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 108, and the like are connected to each other via a bus B.

  Input device 101 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is used to input each operation signal to MFP 100. Display device 102 includes a signage (display) and the like, and displays a processing result by MFP 100.

  Communication I / F 107 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to network 200. Accordingly, the MFP 100 can perform data communication with other devices (such as the server 150) via the communication I / F 107.

  The HDD 108 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include basic software and application software that control the entire apparatus. The HDD 108 stores data and programs such as user information, environment information, output setting information, and output number setting information.

  The external I / F 103 is an interface with an external device. The external device includes a recording medium 103a. Accordingly, the MFP 100 can read and / or write the recording medium 103a via the external I / F 103. The recording medium 103a includes a floppy (trademark or registered trademark) disk, CD (Compact Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), SD memory card (SD Memory card), USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), and the like. is there.

  The ROM 105 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain internal data even when the power is turned off. The ROM 105 stores programs and data such as network settings. The RAM 104 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily stores programs and data. The CPU 106 is an arithmetic device that realizes control and mounting functions of the entire apparatus by reading programs and data from the storage device (for example, “HDD” and “ROM”) onto the RAM and executing processing.

  As described above, the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment can provide various information processing services including information optimization (optimization) with the above hardware configuration. For example, the MFP 100 can automatically output the optimized information to the designated MFP 100 in an emergency by executing a program for the CPU 106 to optimize (optimize) the information stored in the ROM 105. it can. Various information such as user information, environment information, output setting information, and the set number of output sheets can be stored in the RAM 104, the HDD 108, the server 150 connected via the network 200, or the like.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the information output system and the program has been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the configuration of the information output system according to the above embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose. For example, the functions of the output control means, output information management means, output number setting means, and display control means may be provided in an information output device such as an MFP, or as shown in FIG. May be provided in a connected server. Various information such as user information, environment information, output setting information, and output number setting information is held for each information output device such as an MFP, and is periodically or as required as shown in FIG. It may be updated. These pieces of information may be held in a server connected to the MFP or the like via a network, and may be updated periodically or as needed under the management of the server. These pieces of information may be managed collectively by the server, may be managed individually by each information output device, or may be managed collectively by any of a plurality of information output devices. You may make it do. Note that the number of servers and information output devices connected via a network may be one or two or more.

2: System control unit 3: Image memory unit 4: Display control unit 5: Reading device unit 6: Operation control unit 7: Image processing unit 8: Communication control unit 9: Print control unit 10: Emergency output information management unit 11: Emergency output setting management unit 12: Emergency output number setting unit 100: MFP

Japanese Patent No. 4924252

Claims (10)

Appropriate information to be output in an emergency in one or more information output devices according to at least one of user information and environmental information registered in one or more information output devices based on information acquired from outside Output information management means,
Output control means for outputting the optimized information in an emergency using the one or more information output devices;
An information output system comprising: The output control means includes
If the output condition is set so that output is performed by another information output device in cooperation with one information output device that is a master device among the one or more information output devices, the master device is Based on the information that has been optimized to output in an emergency in the information output device of, to identify information to be output in an emergency using the other information output device that cooperates,
The information output system according to claim 1. Further comprising output setting management means for setting, for each information output device, an output condition for outputting the optimized information in an emergency.
The information output system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The output condition outputs the priority order of information to be output in an emergency out of the optimized information, information on an output destination device that outputs the optimized information in an emergency, and the optimized information Including at least one of timing information,
The information output system according to claim 3. An output number setting means for setting an output number of the optimized information to be output to the one or more information output devices;
The output control means includes
Outputting the optimized information according to the set number of output sheets using the one or more information output devices;
The information output system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The number of output sheets is
It is set based on user information held for each information output device, or set based on the user information and entry / exit information indicating the user's access to the installation area of the information output device,
The information output system according to claim 5. The number of output sheets is
Set to the number of output sheets selected by user operation using the setting screen.
The information output system according to claim 5. The output control means includes
Controlling the output so that the optimized information is held in a tray provided for each of the information output devices for a predetermined number of times in an emergency.
The information output system according to claim 1, wherein the information output system is an information output system. The output information management means includes
Information to be output in an emergency for each information output device is periodically re-adjusted or re-appropriate according to the timing at which at least one of the information acquired from the outside, the user information and the environment information is updated ,
The information output system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: Appropriate information to be output in an emergency in one or more information output devices according to at least one of user information and environmental information registered in one or more information output devices based on information acquired from outside And
Outputting the optimized information in an emergency using the one or more information output devices;
A program that causes a computer to execute processing.

Images