JP2015060402A - Information processing apparatus, presentation method and program of application, and mobile network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which: an enormous number of applications are present for mobile terminals, and it is difficult to determine if a function expansion application using the function of a device is an application that can be operated in the device in use.SOLUTION: An MFP operation application and a device each hold a corresponding application list that records the correspondence relationship between the device and function expansion applications, and a mobile terminal extracts the latest corresponding application list from the device and displays application information on a UI of the MFP operation application.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an application presentation method and program, and a mobile network system that improve searchability of, for example, a mobile application.

  As a prior art, a system has been proposed in which information about a peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as a device) to which a computer is connected is acquired and a UI capable of setting functions that can be realized by the connected device is displayed ( Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-303162 A

  The mobile terminal can expand the functions of the mobile terminal by installing various application programs (hereinafter referred to as applications or applications). For this reason, a huge amount of applications are generally published on application publishing sites on the Internet. In order for a user to use, for example, a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) from a mobile terminal, it is necessary to install a function expansion application corresponding to the MFP on the mobile terminal. Therefore, when a user searches for an application that the user wants to use by a keyword such as a manufacturer name or a function, an enormous number of applications are displayed as search results, which may increase the load of searching for an application desired by the user. On the other hand, Patent Document 1 does not disclose searching for an application using acquired device information. Moreover, apart from the large number of searched applications, there is also a problem that the search result is only a keyword hit, and the content is not necessarily what the user wants.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object thereof is to solve the above problems.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An information processing apparatus capable of installing an application,
Selection means for selecting an image forming apparatus;
Acquisition means for acquiring function information of the selected image forming apparatus;
Presentation means for presenting an application that can be used for the image forming apparatus based on the acquired function information of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, only apps that are compatible with the device used by the user are displayed on the UI of the MFP operation app, and the user installs the desired app without hesitation and uses the expanded function. be able to.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a smartphone according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an MFP operation application in the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the MFP according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is an example of a list of compatible applications held by an MFP operation application according to the first exemplary embodiment. 4 is an example of a list of compatible applications held by the MFP according to the first exemplary embodiment. 12 is an example of a list of compatible applications held by an MFP operation application according to the second embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a server in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an MFP operation application in the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the MFP according to the third exemplary embodiment. , , FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a merge process of a list of compatible applications in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration in a second embodiment. 6 is an example of a UI for displaying an extended function application on the MFP operation application according to the first exemplary embodiment. 6 is an example of a UI of a page of a purchase site of an extended function application in the first embodiment. 14 is an example of a list of compatible applications held by the MFP according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration in a second embodiment. 6 is an example of option information held by the MFP according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration in a third embodiment. 6 is an example of a UI of a home screen of an MFP operation application in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a UI showing a device search result of an MFP operation application in the first embodiment. 6 is an example of a UI of a HOME screen after device selection of the MFP operation application according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[Embodiment 1]
<System and device configuration>
Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a mobile network system according to the present embodiment. A smartphone 1000 that is a portable terminal is an information processing apparatus that can install an application, that is, a computer, and is connected to the network 10 via an access point 2000. Similarly, a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) 3000, which is a peripheral device, is also connected to the network 10, can communicate with the smartphone 1000, and operates according to a command (command) from an application installed in the smartphone 1000. Note that the MFP is sometimes simply referred to as an image forming apparatus. The application purchase site server 4000 is arranged on the Internet, distributes a purchaseable application in response to access from the smartphone 1000, and, when purchased, downloads the application to the smartphone. Note that the MFP 3000 may be connected to the network 10 via the access point 2000 in the same manner as the smartphone 1000.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the smartphone 1000. The smartphone includes a touch screen display 1080, a button 1090, a communication unit 1020, an audio output unit 1030, an audio input unit 1040, a storage 1070, a controller 1010, a camera 1050, a connector 1060, and an acceleration sensor 1100. , Direction sensor 1110, and gyroscope 1120.

  The touch screen display 1080 displays graphics such as characters, images, and graphics, and detects user operations (tap, flick, etc., performed with a finger or a stylus pen) performed on the screen.

  The button 1090 is operated by the user and has a plurality of buttons. The controller 1010 detects an operation (click, double click, push, etc.) on the button by cooperating with the button 1090. For example, the buttons include a home button, a power on / off button, and a volume button.

  The communication unit 1020 is a module that performs communication. The communication method performed by the communication unit 1020 is a wireless communication standard. For example, there are portable wireless communication standards such as 2G, 3G, and 4G as wireless communication standards. Other wireless communication standards include WIFI (IEEE 802.11), WiMAX, NFC, and the like. The communication unit 1020 may support one or more of the communication standards described above.

  The audio output unit 1030 outputs the audio signal transmitted from the controller 1010 as audio. The voice input unit 1040 converts the voice of the user or the like into a voice signal and transmits the voice signal to the controller 1010.

  The storage 1070 stores programs and data. For example, the control program, application, and setting data are stored. The storage 1070 is also used as a work area for temporarily storing the processing result of the controller 1010. The storage 1070 may include any storage device such as a semiconductor storage device and a magnetic storage device. The storage 1070 may include a plurality of types of storage devices. The storage 1070 may be a combination of a portable storage medium such as a memory card and a storage medium reading device.

  The programs stored in the storage 1070 include an application that is executed in the foreground or the background, and a control program that supports the operation of the application. For example, the application causes the touch screen display 1080 to display a predetermined screen and causes the controller 1010 to execute processing corresponding to the gesture detected by the touch screen display 1080. The control program is, for example, an OS. The application and the control program are installed in the storage 1070 via wireless communication by the communication unit 1020.

  The control program provides functions related to various controls for operating the smartphone 1000. The control program realizes a call by controlling the communication unit 1020, the voice output unit 1030, the voice input unit 1040, and the like, for example.

  The controller 1010 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller 1010 may be an integrated circuit such as a SoC (System-on-a-chip) in which other components such as the communication unit 1020 are integrated. The controller 1010 controls various operations of the smartphone 1000 to realize various functions. Specifically, the controller 1010 executes instructions included in a program stored in the storage 1070 while referring to data stored in the storage 1070 as necessary. The controller 1010 realizes various functions by controlling the touch screen display 1080, the communication unit 1020, and the like. The controller 1010 may change the control according to detection results of various detection units such as the touch screen display 1080, the button 1090, and the acceleration sensor 1100.

  The camera 1050 is an out camera that photographs an object. The connector 1060 is a terminal to which another device is connected. The connector 1060 may be a general-purpose terminal such as a universal serial bus (USB), a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) (high-definition multimedia interface), a light peak (thunderbolt), and an earphone microphone connector. Connector 1060 may be a dedicated terminal such as a Dock connector. Devices connected to the connector 1060 include, for example, an external storage, a speaker, and a communication device.

  The acceleration sensor 1100 detects the direction and magnitude of acceleration acting on the smartphone 1000. The direction sensor 1110 detects the direction of geomagnetism. The gyroscope 1120 detects the rotation of the smartphone 1000. The detection results of the acceleration sensor 1100, the orientation sensor 1110, and the gyroscope 1120 are used in combination in order to detect changes in the position and orientation of the smartphone 1000.

  In addition, the configuration of the smartphone 1000 illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example, and may be appropriately changed within a range that does not impair the gist of the present invention. For example, the number and type of buttons 1090 are not limited to the example of FIG. In addition, a camera or a sensor may or may not be provided.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 3000, and the controller of the multifunction peripheral of the present invention also has the same configuration. In FIG. 3, the MFP 3000 includes a CPU 3020 that executes software stored in a ROM 3030 or a large-scale storage device 3110 such as a hard disk, and the CPU 3020 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 3010.

  The RAM 3040 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 3020. An external input controller (PANELC) 3060 controls instruction inputs from various buttons provided on the multifunction peripheral or the touch panel 3070 and the like. A display controller (DISPC) 3080 controls display of a display module (DISPLAY) 3090 configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display. The disk controller 3100 controls the large-scale storage device 3110.

A network interface card (NIC) 3050 exchanges data bidirectionally with other network devices or file servers via the network 10.
The printer 3200 is a paper printing unit realized by an electrophotographic method. The printing method may not be an electrophotographic method. The scanner 3300 is an image reading unit for reading an image printed on paper. In many cases, an auto document feeder (not shown) is attached to the image reading unit 3300 as an option, and a plurality of documents can be automatically read. Note that the large-scale storage device 3110 may be used as a temporary storage location for images depending on circumstances.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the present embodiment. In the smartphone 1000, the application 1500 is stored in the storage 1070 and executed by the controller 1010. The corresponding application list (host side) holding unit 1510 holds a device, a function expansion application corresponding to the device, and a correspondence table. The corresponding application information generation unit 1520 compares the corresponding application list (host) held by the application 1500 with the corresponding application list (device) acquired from the device, and generates and holds a corresponding application list (for display). The corresponding application list display unit 1530 acquires the corresponding application list (for display) from the corresponding application information generation unit 1520 and displays the corresponding application on the UI. The compatible application list (device) and option information acquisition unit 1540 acquires a compatible application list (device) and option information (also referred to as function information) indicating an optional function of the device from a compatible application list (device) information transmission unit 3510 described later. And hold.

  In MFP 3000, the corresponding application list (device) information transmission unit 3510 and the corresponding application list (device) and option information holding unit 3520 are all stored in the ROM 3020 and executed by the CPU 3020. The corresponding application list (device) information transmission unit 3510 transmits a corresponding application list (device) and option information in response to a request from the corresponding application list (device) information acquisition unit 1540. The compatible application list (device) and option information holding unit 3520 holds a list of function expansion applications corresponding to the device, that is, the MFP 3000, and option information attached to the device.

  Currently, since the MFP operation application and the extended function application are not related to each other and are displayed on the application purchase site, searching for an extended function application that can be used by the MFP operation application (available in the MFP 3000 in this example) from the application purchase site. It is difficult.

  On the other hand, by displaying the link of the extended function application on the MFP operation application, the user can easily recognize an application (an application related to the MFP) that can be used by the selected MFP. Although the MFP operation application maintains a correspondence table (corresponding application list) indicating correspondence between the MFP and the extended function application as shown in FIG. 7, for the MFP released after the release of the MFP operation application, the correspondence of the application Information cannot be retained. Therefore, the MFP operation application requests the selected MFP for a list of applications supported by the MFP itself as shown in FIG. 8 and option information attached to the MFP. The reason for requesting the option information is that the extended function application that can be used differs depending on the installation status of the option. The MFP operation application compares its own application compatibility list with the information in the corresponding application list acquired from the device. If the device has a newer information update date, the MFP operation application list ( Merge compatible device list (device) with device on host. If there is a format difference, the format is adjusted instead of simply merging. Thereby, MFPs released after the release of the application can also be added to the corresponding application list (for display). Further, applications that can be used are filtered according to the option information, and a list of compatible applications is displayed on the UI. When displaying a list of compatible applications, the MFP operation application displays an installed application and an uninstalled application in an identifiable manner. For example, an application that is not installed may be displayed in a light color or may be marked as not installed. When an installed application is tapped, the application is activated, and when an uninstalled application is tapped, an application purchase site as a link destination is displayed.

<Application information collection processing>
Specific processing will be described in detail below with reference to flowcharts. Before that, first, the corresponding application list shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described. FIG. 7 is a list of compatible applications (host) held by the smartphone 1000. The corresponding application list (host) includes an update date of the table and a record. Each record includes an application name (application name), a product name (device name) that can be used in the application, device options necessary for using the application, and an address (for example, URL) of the application provider. including. Each item included in one record represents the correspondence between the extended function application and the device. On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a list of compatible applications (devices) held by the device. Since the content held is similar to that shown in FIG. The difference from FIG. 7 is that it does not include a device name that can be used by the application. Each item included in one record represents an application corresponding to the device holding the table.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the MFP operation application installed in the smartphone 1000. The application program is stored in the storage 1070 and executed by the controller 1010. In the present embodiment, a flow for displaying a compatible application with the device name “MFP9000” will be described as an example.

  In step S501, the MFP operation application accepts device selection. Specifically, first, when the MFP operation application is activated, a HOME screen is displayed. An image object (such as an icon) indicating the currently selected device is displayed on the screen, but an unselected state (user interface screen) is displayed by default (FIG. 21). When an unselected image object is tapped, device search is started. The device searching means is performed by a general protocol such as SNMP or a unique protocol. Alternatively, a method of manually inputting an IP address or the like and performing a search may be used. When the device search is completed, a list of searched devices is displayed (FIG. 22). When the user taps a desired device from the device list, the device is selected and the screen returns to the HOME screen (FIG. 23). After the device is selected, the selected device is displayed on the HOME screen. In the example of FIG. 23, “MFP 9000” is searched and selected, and an image object indicating the MFP 9000 is displayed. As another device selection method, a device may be selected using near field communication.

In step S502, the MFP operation application records, for example, the corresponding application list (device), the option information of the device, and the corresponding application list (device) in FIG. 8 from the device selected in S501 (here, MFP 9000). Get the date and time. In step S503, the MFP operation application extracts a corresponding application from the acquired corresponding application list (device) and option information. For example, when the corresponding application list (device) in FIG. 8 is acquired and the device information as shown in FIG. 19 is acquired and there is information on FAX installation as an option of the device, ABC Send, XYZ Scan, FAX Tool 3 Are extracted. If the FAX option is not installed, only XYZ Scan that does not require FAX installation is extracted. In step S504, the MFP operation application compares the date and time of the corresponding application list (host) and the corresponding application list (device) to determine whether the corresponding application list (device) is newer. If the date / time of the corresponding application list (device) is newer than the corresponding application list (host), the process proceeds to step S505, and if not, the process proceeds to step S508. In step S505, the corresponding application list (device) extracted in step S503 is merged with the corresponding application list (host) in FIG. Then, the MFP operation application selects an application to be extracted from the merged corresponding application list based on the selected device and the acquired option information. At the time of merging, since the device name is not included in the corresponding application list (device), the device name column is supplemented with the device name of the device holding the corresponding application list (device). On the other hand, in S508, the MFP operation application selects an application to be extracted from the corresponding application list (host) based on the selected device and the acquired option information. Note that three cases can be considered as the relationship between the update times of the corresponding application list (host) and the corresponding application list (device).
(A) When the MFP operation application is released after the device and the corresponding application list (host) is the latest (b) When the device is released after the MFP operation application and the corresponding application list (device) is the latest (C) When the extended function application is released after the MFP operation application is released, and then the device software is updated and released, and the corresponding application list (device) is the latest.

  In the case of (a), the information in the corresponding application list (host) is newer, which corresponds to S504-No. The MFP operation application refers only to the information of the corresponding application list (host) in order to select an application that can be used on the selected device. Then, the MFP operation application generates a compatible application list (for display) from the compatible application list (host) (S508). Specifically, since the selected device is the MFP 9000, ABC Send, XYZ Scan, and FAX Tool, which are applications that can be used in the MFP 9000, are extracted, and a list of compatible applications (for display) that are referred to by arrows in FIG. ) Is generated. That is, in the above example, since the device 9000 has the FAX option, a list of compatible applications (for display) as shown in FIG. 13A is generated. If the device 9000 does not have the FAX option, XYZ Scan is extracted, and a corresponding application list (for display) including only XYZ Scan is generated.

  In the case of (b), since the information of the corresponding application list (device) is newer, this corresponds to S504-Yes. The MFP operation application merges the corresponding application list (host) and the corresponding application list (device) (specifically, ABC Send, XYZ Scan, FAX Tool). The MFP operation application extracts ABC Send, XYZ Scan, and FAX Tool related to the selected MFP 9000 from the merged compatible application list, and generates a compatible application list (for display). In FIG. 13B, the corresponding application list (host) is older than that in FIG. 13A, and the corresponding application list (host) does not indicate that the application FAXTool corresponds to the MFP 9000.

  In the case of (c), since the information of the corresponding application list (device) is newer, this corresponds to S504-Yes. The MFP operation application merges the corresponding application list (device) and the corresponding application list (host). Then, the MFP operation application extracts ABC Send, XYZ Scan, and FAX Tool related to the selected MFP 9000 from the merged compatible application list, and generates a compatible application list (for display) (see FIG. 13C).

  In step S <b> 506, the MFP operation application refers to information on an application already installed in the smartphone 1000.

  In step S507, the MFP operation application presents (displays in this example) the application listed in the corresponding application list (for display) on the UI as an application usable for the selected device (for image forming apparatus). . For example, an application that is not installed is displayed in an identifiable manner as not installed as shown in FIG. That is, the MFP operation application displays the installed application and the non-installed application in a distinguishable manner. In FIG. 15, uninstalled applications are surrounded by dotted lines, and installed applications are surrounded by practice. When an installed application is tapped, the application is activated, and when an uninstalled application is tapped, an application purchase site is displayed according to the link information as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the device. This control program is stored in the ROM 3030 and executed by the CPU 3020.

  In step S601, the device determines whether there is a request for a list of compatible applications (device) and option information in step S502 of FIG. If there is a request, the process proceeds to step S602. In step S602, the device transmits the corresponding application list (device), option information, and the date and time of the corresponding application list (device) to the requesting terminal (smart phone).

  According to the above procedure, according to the present embodiment, the host and the device hold information indicating the correspondence relationship between the device and the application for using the device, respectively, and the application that can use the device is specified based on the information. Is possible. Therefore, the user can know the applications that can be used for the desired device by reflecting the option information of the desired device, and operations such as narrowing down from unspecified applications are unnecessary, and workability and production The characteristics are greatly improved.

[Embodiment 2]
The supported application list may be held by a server on the Internet and acquired from the server. Differences from the first embodiment will be described, and other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram of this embodiment. A corresponding application information holding server 5000 that holds information of a corresponding application list is connected to be communicable. FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the present embodiment. The corresponding application list information transmission unit 5010 transmits the corresponding application list in response to a request from the corresponding application list information acquisition unit 1540. The compatible application list information holding unit 5020 holds list information of function expansion applications corresponding to devices connected to the network 10. In the second embodiment, the corresponding application list (device) and option information holding unit 3520 holds only option information. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in detail using a flowchart.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the MFP operation application. The processes in S501 and S506 to S507 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In step S902, the MFP operation application acquires a list of compatible applications for the selected device from the server, and the process advances to step S903. In step S903, the MFP operation application acquires option information from the selected device, and generates a corresponding application list of the selected device from the acquired corresponding application list and option information. An example of the generation method is to generate a corresponding application list by extracting an application related to option information acquired from the device from the corresponding application list.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server 5000. In step S1001, it is determined whether there is a request for a list of compatible applications. If there is a request, the process proceeds to step S1002. In step S1002, a list of compatible applications for the designated device is transmitted.

  The operation of the device is the same as in the first embodiment, but the information to be transmitted is only option information.

  As a result, the list of compatible applications is acquired from the server, and appropriate application information can be displayed on the UI simply by updating the information on the server.

[Embodiment 3]
The purchase site of the compatible application may be held by the device body, not the server on the Internet.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the present embodiment. The corresponding application list (device) and option information holding unit 3520 of the device holds a corresponding application list as shown in FIG. 17 and option information as shown in FIG. The corresponding application list generation unit 3530 generates available corresponding application list information from the corresponding application list (device) and the corresponding application list (device) held by the option information holding unit 3520 and the option information. The corresponding application list (device) information transmission unit 3510 transmits the generated corresponding application list in response to the request. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in detail using a flowchart. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing of the application. The processes in S501 and S506 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In step S1102, the terminal acquires a list of compatible applications from the device. The compatible application list includes an address (URL) of an application download site of the device body. In step S1103, the corresponding application list application is displayed on the UI. When an uninstalled application is tapped, an application purchase page of the device URL is displayed. The application is held in the device, and is provided to the smartphone terminal that is the client by the web server function of the device.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the device. In step S1201, it is determined whether there is a request for supported application list information. If there is a request, the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, a list of compatible applications is transmitted. The corresponding application list includes a URL for downloading the application as shown in FIG. If there are no options on the device, only apps that are available without options are sent.

  Thus, since the device itself holds the application, an appropriate application can be displayed and installed as long as it can be connected to the device.

[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, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus capable of installing an application,
Selection means for selecting an image forming apparatus;
Acquisition means for acquiring function information of the selected image forming apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: presenting means for presenting an application that can be used for the image forming apparatus based on the acquired function information of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus can communicate with the information processing apparatus;
The acquisition unit acquires the function information from the image forming apparatus,
The presenting means includes a first correspondence table indicating correspondence between an application, an image forming apparatus related to the application, and functional information required for the image forming apparatus to use the application. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an application that can be used for the image forming apparatus is presented based on the first correspondence table and the function information. In addition to the function information, the acquisition unit receives, from the image forming apparatus, a correspondence between an application related to the image forming apparatus and function information necessary for the image forming apparatus to use the application. Get the correspondence table of
The information processing apparatus further includes means for merging the second correspondence table with the first correspondence table when the second correspondence table is newer than the first correspondence table. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first correspondence table or the second correspondence table further includes an address of a provider that provides the application.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a multi-functional peripheral apparatus having a plurality of functions, and the application is an application for using the plurality of functions from the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents the application installed in the information processing apparatus and the application not installed in a manner capable of being identified. .   The program for functioning a computer as an information processing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A mobile network system, wherein an image forming apparatus that provides the functional information to the information processing apparatus is connected via a network. An application presentation method in an information processing apparatus capable of installing an application,
A selection step of selecting an image forming apparatus;
An acquisition step of acquiring function information of the selected image forming apparatus;
And a presentation step of presenting an application usable for the image forming apparatus based on the acquired function information of the image forming apparatus.

Images