JP2015214084A - Information processor, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor including a display control section easily and selectably displaying a function according to an execution history of an engine section.SOLUTION: An information processor 100 is connected to an engine section 17. The engine section 17 executes one or a plurality of functions. A storage section 60 stores first information. The first information is information associating history information showing an execution history of a function executed by the engine section 17 with an output image that at least a part of the execution condition of the function shown in the history information is imaged. A display control section 50 controls to display a reception screen including the output image as a reception screen to receive the selection of the history information corresponding to an execution object function and an execution object execution condition on a display section 40B.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

  A technique for displaying a reception screen for accepting selection of an execution target function among a plurality of functions such as image formation that can be executed by an engine unit is known.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for displaying a frequently used function in a selectable manner for the user based on the history information of the user. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for displaying information that introduces functions of an image forming apparatus to a user when the user's usage history satisfies display conditions.

  However, conventionally, functions that can be executed or frequently used are displayed as character information for the user in accordance with the user's history information. For this reason, the user has not been able to select a function according to the usage history of other users. Further, since the history information is displayed in characters, it is difficult to select an execution condition to be executed from the history information list. That is, conventionally, it has not been possible to easily select an execution condition according to the execution history of the engine unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus connected to an engine unit that executes one or a plurality of functions, and includes history information indicating an execution history of the function, and history information. A storage unit that stores first information in which at least a part of an execution condition of the function shown is imaged, and a function corresponding to the function to be executed and the execution condition to be executed, The information processing apparatus includes: a display control unit that performs control for displaying the reception screen including the output image on a display unit as a reception screen for receiving selection of history information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display the execution conditions according to the execution history of the engine unit so as to be easily selectable.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP and the operation unit. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the MFP and the operation unit. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the first information. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a reception screen. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a registration process procedure. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a display processing procedure. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the home screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a narrowing information selection screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first input screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second input screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the third input screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fourth input screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the information processing apparatus is applied to a multifunction peripheral (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP)) will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Note that a multifunction peripheral is a device having at least two functions among a printing function, a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing system 1000 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1000 includes an MFP 10, an operation unit 20, and a server device 30. The MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected via a dedicated communication path 29 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication path 29 may be, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, but may be of any standard regardless of wired or wireless. The communication path 29 may be a network such as the Internet or a telephone line. The server device 30 and the MFP 10 are connected via a network 40 such as the Internet. The server device 30 and the operation unit 20 are connected via a network 40. The MFP 10 is connected to an external device (not shown) via the network 40.

  FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the number of operation units 20 connected to the MFP 10 is one, but is not limited thereto, and the number of operation units 20 is arbitrary. Further, the number of MFPs 10 connected to the operation unit 20 is not limited to one, and the number of MFPs 10 is arbitrary.

  The MFP 10 is a device that can realize various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. Specifically, the MFP 10 includes an engine unit 17. The engine unit 17 executes various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function.

  The operation unit 20 receives an input corresponding to a user operation. Although the details will be described later, the operation unit 20 has a unique OS and a screen transition mechanism. The MFP 10 performs an operation according to the input received by the operation unit 20.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 10 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an engine unit 17 and an information processing apparatus 100. The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, a connection I / F (Interface) 16, and the like. And a communication I / F 19. The engine unit 17, the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the HDD 14, the connection I / F 16, and the communication I / F 19 are connected to each other via a system bus 18.

  The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10. The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10 by executing a program stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 14 or the like using the RAM 13 as a work area (working area). The printer function and various functions described later are executed.

  The connection I / F 16 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 20 via the communication path 29. The communication I / F 19 is an interface for communicating with the server device 30 and an external device (not shown) via the network 40. The external device is a known PC (personal computer).

  The engine unit 17 is hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. The engine unit 17 includes, for example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that performs printing on a sheet material such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication. . Further, a specific option such as a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials or an ADF (automatic document feeder) for automatically feeding a document can be provided.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a connection I / F 26, an operation panel 27, and a communication I / F 25, which are system buses. They are connected to each other through 28.

  The CPU 21 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 20. The CPU 21 uses the RAM 23 as a work area (work area) and executes a program stored in the ROM 22 or the flash memory 24, thereby controlling the operation of the entire operation unit 20 and realizing various functions to be described later.

  The connection I / F 26 is an interface for communicating with the MFP 10 via the communication path 29.

  The operation panel 27 accepts various inputs according to user operations, and displays various information and various images such as a reception screen described later. In this example, the operation panel 27 is configured by a liquid crystal display device (LCD) having a touch panel function, but is not limited thereto. For example, the operation panel 27 may be configured by an organic EL display device equipped with a touch panel function. Further, in addition to or instead of this, an operation unit such as a hardware key and a display unit such as a lamp may be provided. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 27 will be described with respect to a case where the operation panel 27 is configured to integrally include both a reception function for receiving various inputs and a display function for displaying various information. It is not limited to the configuration. For example, the operation panel 27 may include a device that accepts various inputs and a device that displays various information as separate units.

  Next, the software configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20.

  The MFP 10 includes an application layer 101, a service layer 102, and an OS layer 103. The entities of the application layer 101, the service layer 102, and the OS layer 103 are various software stored in the ROM 12, the HDD 14, and the like. Various functions are provided by the CPU 11 executing these software.

  The software of the application layer 101 is application software for operating a hardware resource to provide a predetermined function (in the following description, it may be simply referred to as “application”). For example, examples of the application include a copy application for providing a copy function, a scanner application for providing a scanner function, a fax application for providing a fax function, a printer application for providing a printer function, and the like.

  The software of the service layer 102 is software that is interposed between the application layer 101 and the OS layer 103 and provides an interface for using hardware resources of the MFP 10 for the application. More specifically, it is software for providing a function of accepting an operation request for a hardware resource and arbitrating the operation request. As an operation request received by the service layer 102, a request such as reading by a scanner or printing by a plotter can be considered.

  Note that the interface function by the service layer 102 is provided not only to the application layer 101 of the MFP 10 but also to the application layer 201 of the operation unit 20. That is, the application layer 201 (application) of the operation unit 20 can also realize a function using hardware resources (for example, the engine unit 17) of the MFP 10 via the interface function of the service layer 102.

  The software of the OS layer 103 is basic software (operating system) for providing a basic function for controlling hardware included in the MFP 10. The software of the service layer 102 converts a hardware resource use request from various applications into a command interpretable by the OS layer 103 and passes the command to the OS layer 103. Then, when the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 103, the hardware resource performs an operation according to the request of the application.

  Similarly, the operation unit 20 includes an application layer 201, a service layer 202, and an OS layer 203. The application layer 201, the service layer 202, and the OS layer 203 included in the operation unit 20 are the same as those on the MFP 10 side in terms of the hierarchical structure. However, the functions provided by the applications in the application layer 201 and the types of operation requests that can be accepted by the service layer 202 are different from those on the MFP 10 side. The application in the application layer 201 may be software for operating a hardware resource included in the operation unit 20 to provide a predetermined function, but mainly includes a function (copy function, scanner function, fax function, This is software for providing a UI (user interface) function for performing operations and display related to the printer function.

  In this embodiment, the software of the OS layer 103 on the MFP 10 side and the software of the OS layer 203 on the operation unit 20 side are different from each other in order to maintain the independence of functions. That is, the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 operate independently of each other with different operating systems. For example, it is possible to use Linux (registered trademark) as software of the OS layer 103 on the MFP 10 side and Android (registered trademark) as software of the OS layer 203 on the operation unit 20 side.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 operate with different operating systems. For this reason, communication between the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 is performed as communication between different devices, not communication between processes in a common device. An operation (command communication) for transmitting an input (contents of instruction from the user) received by the operation unit 20 to the MFP 10 and an operation for the MFP 10 notifying the operation unit 20 of an event correspond to this. Here, the function of the MFP 10 can be used when the operation unit 20 performs command communication with the MFP 10. Further, the event notified from the MFP 10 to the operation unit 20 includes the execution status of the operation in the MFP 10 and the contents set on the MFP 10 side.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where power supply to the operation unit 20 is performed from the MFP 10 via the communication path 29 will be described. However, the power control of the operation unit 20 may be performed separately (independently) from the power control of the MFP 10.

  Next, functional configurations of the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 according to the present embodiment. Below, it demonstrates focusing on the function regarding the display process performed with the information processing system 1000. FIG.

  The display process is a process of displaying various screens such as a reception screen described later on the operation unit 20.

  First, the function of the operation unit 20 will be described. The operation unit 20 includes a reception unit 40A, a display unit 40B, a control unit 42, and a communication unit 44.

  Part or all of the reception unit 40A, the display unit 40B, the control unit 42, and the communication unit 44 may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software, an IC, or the like. It may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by using software and hardware together.

  The accepting unit 40A accepts various inputs. In this example, the accepting unit 40A accepts input of various information by a user's touch operation on the screen (surface on which an image is displayed) of the operation panel 27 equipped with a touch panel function.

  The display unit 40B displays various images. In the present embodiment, display unit 40B corresponds to the screen of operation panel 27 (an area where an image is displayed). The display unit 40B displays various screens such as a home screen, a reception screen, and an input screen. The home screen is a screen that is first displayed on the display unit 40B after the user logs in to the MFP 10. The reception screen is a screen for receiving selection of history information corresponding to an execution target function and an execution target execution condition. Details of the reception screen will be described later. The input screen is a screen displayed when a user selects or inputs various information.

  The communication unit 44 exchanges various information and signals with the information processing apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 44 receives, from the information processing apparatus 100, display instruction information indicating instructions for displaying various screens on the display unit 40B. The display instruction information includes screen information of a screen displayed on the display unit 40B and a display instruction. The screen information is information indicating a character, an image, a button image selected when an instruction to execute various processes is included, and a layout of the character and the image, which are included in the screen displayed on the display unit 40B. The screen information is described in, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language).

  In addition, the communication unit 44 transmits selection information indicating the selection content by the user received by the receiving unit 40 </ b> A to the information processing apparatus 100.

  The control unit 42 displays a screen (a home screen, a reception screen, an input screen, etc.) indicated by the screen information included in the display instruction information received from the MFP 10 on the display unit 40B. In addition, the control unit 42 transmits the selection information received from the reception unit 40A to the information processing apparatus 100.

  Next, functions of the MFP 10 will be described. The MFP 10 includes an information processing apparatus 100 and an engine unit 17 (see FIG. 1).

  As described above, the engine unit 17 executes various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a display control unit 50, a reception unit 52, a generation unit 54, a search unit 56, an engine control unit 58, and a storage unit 60.

  Some or all of the display control unit 50, the reception unit 52, the generation unit 54, the search unit 56, and the engine control unit 58 cause a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, software. May be implemented by hardware such as IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be implemented by using software and hardware in combination.

  The storage unit 60 stores various information. The storage unit 60 corresponds to the HDD 14 in FIG. In the present embodiment, storage unit 60 stores first information.

  The first information is information in which history information indicating an execution history of a function executed by the engine unit 17 is associated with an output image. The first information may be, for example, a DB (database). In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the first information is a DB will be described. The output image is an image obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution conditions of the function indicated in the corresponding history information (details will be described later).

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the first information. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the first information is information in which history information, a keyword, a processing time, and an output image are associated with each other. The processing time is the time required for processing the corresponding function. The first information may be information that associates at least the history information and the output image, and may be information that does not include at least one of the processing time and the keyword. Further, the first information may be information associated with other information.

  The history information indicates an execution history of functions executed by the engine unit 17. The history information includes, for example, the type of function executed by the engine unit 17, the function execution date and time, the function execution condition, and the like.

  The type of function indicates a function executed by the engine unit 17 such as a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. In FIG. 4, the types of functions are omitted.

  The function execution date / time includes the function execution year, execution month, execution start time, execution end time, and the like.

  The function execution condition indicates a condition when the function is executed. Specifically, the execution conditions of the printer function are: density at the time of printing, image layout at the time of printing according to the bookbinding method after image formation (case binding, left binding, folding in two, staple, weekly magazine, how to open), The type of paper to be recorded, the printing color on the paper (color printing, monochrome printing), the image layout (such as aggregation) on the paper, the printing method on the paper (single side, double side, enlargement / reduction), and the like. Further, the execution conditions of the fax function are a transmission destination, an image density, a transmission method (direct transmission, memory transmission), and the like. The execution condition of the function included in the history information is the execution condition of the executed function. Note that the types of execution conditions are not limited to the above.

  A keyword is a key word when searching for execution conditions. The keyword is each of at least some of the plurality of words indicating the execution condition. As shown in FIG. 4, when the execution condition indicated in the corresponding history information includes “case binding left binding”, the first information includes, for example, “walnut”, “bookbinding”, “ Each of the “left binding” is stored as a keyword corresponding to the history information. Note that the keyword of the execution condition indicated in the history information is extracted by an extraction unit described later and registered in the first information (details will be described later). Further, the keyword is not limited to the above.

  The processing time indicates the time required when the function indicated in the history information is executed under the execution condition indicated in the corresponding history information in the engine unit 17. The processing time is calculated by a calculation unit described later and registered in the first information (details will be described later).

  The output image is an image obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution conditions indicated in the corresponding history information. Specifically, the output image is an image that schematically shows various settings included in the execution condition to an extent that can be understood from the image (image).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the output image 61. The output image 61A is an image of the execution condition “case binding left binding”. The output image 61B is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “bi-fold”. The output image 61 </ b> C is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “one side 2 in 1 (images for two pages are arranged on one sheet)”. The output image 61D is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “aggregation 4 in 1 (images for four pages are arranged in one sheet)”. The output image 61E is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “sort”. The output image 61F is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “staple”. The output image 61G is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “weekly magazine”. The output image 61H is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “FAX transmission”. The output image 61I is an image obtained by imaging the execution condition “specify group destination”.

  The output image 61 is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 4 as long as it is an image obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution conditions indicated in the corresponding history information.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the display control unit 50 performs control to display various screens such as a reception screen on the display unit 40 </ b> B of the operation unit 20. The reception screen is a screen for receiving selection of history information corresponding to an execution target function and an execution target execution condition. The reception screen includes an output image corresponding to the history information.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the reception screen 72.

  The reception screen 72 displays, for each execution history, a history ID, character information indicating at least a part of execution conditions indicated in the history information identified by the history ID, and the output image 61 in association with each other. The reception screen 72 may be a screen that displays the output image 61 for each execution history, and may not include character information indicating execution conditions.

  Note that the character information indicating the execution condition corresponding to each output image 61 included in the reception screen 72 preferably includes at least an execution condition that is difficult to express in the corresponding output image 61.

  In addition, the history ID corresponding to the history information included in the reception screen 72 may be all or a part of the history IDs registered in the first information stored in the storage unit 60. Also good.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40 </ b> B to display various screens by transmitting display instruction information of various screens to the operation unit 20. Specifically, the display control unit 50 creates display instruction information including screen information of a screen to be displayed on the display unit 40 </ b> B and a display instruction, and transmits the display instruction information to the operation unit 20.

  The receiving unit 52 receives various information from the operation unit 20. In the present embodiment, the accepting unit 52 accepts selection information selected via the screen displayed on the display unit 40 </ b> B from the operation unit 20. That is, the accepting unit 52 accepts the selection information by accepting from the operation unit 20 the selection information that is received by the accepting unit 40A and that indicates the selection content by the user.

  In the present embodiment, the reception unit 52 receives one of the output images 61 included in the reception screen 72 displayed on the display unit 40B. Specifically, the reception unit 40A of the operation unit 20 receives selection information indicating the selected output image 61 and the corresponding history ID among the output images 61 included in the reception screen 72. Then, under the control of the control unit 42, the communication unit 44 transmits selection information to the information processing apparatus 100. In the reception unit 52 of the information processing apparatus 100, the selected output image 61 and the corresponding history ID included in the selection information received from the operation unit 20 are read and included in the reception screen 72 displayed on the display unit 40B. One of the output images 61 is selected. The selection information is not limited to a form including both the selected output image 61 and the history ID. For example, the selection information may include a history ID corresponding to the selected output image 61 and no output image 61.

  The engine control unit 58 is configured to execute the function indicated by the history information corresponding to the output image 61 or the history ID included in the selection information received by the receiving unit 52 under the execution condition indicated by the history information. The unit 17 is controlled.

  For example, it is assumed that the selection information received by the reception unit 52 includes the history ID “1” and the output image 61A registered in the first information illustrated in FIG. In this case, the engine control unit 58 reads the execution condition indicated in the history information corresponding to the history ID “1” and the output image 61A included in the received selection information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, this execution condition includes image layout “case binding left binding” at the time of printing according to the bookbinding method after image formation, paper type “A3”, print color “color” printing on paper, The density at the time of printing is “density 4”. In this case, the engine control unit 58 controls the engine unit 17 to execute the print function under these execution conditions.

  The generation unit 54 generates first information (see FIG. 4). Further, every time a function is executed by the engine unit 17, the generation unit 54 generates history information including the executed function and the execution condition of the function, and stores the history information in the storage unit 60.

  The generation unit 54 includes a derivation unit 54A, a calculation unit 54B, and an extraction unit 54C.

  The deriving unit 54A derives the output image 61 corresponding to the history information of the function executed by the engine unit 17.

  For example, the derivation unit 54A previously creates an output image 61 corresponding to each setting content for each setting content included in the execution condition, and stores the output image 61 in association with the setting content in the storage unit 60 as the second information. . Note that the second information in which the setting contents are associated with the output image 61 may be received from an external device or the like.

  Then, the derivation unit 54A reads, from the second information, the output image 61 corresponding to the setting content included in the execution condition indicated by the history information, which is generated each time the function is executed by the engine unit 17. Thereby, the deriving unit 54A derives the output image 61. The derivation unit 54A may generate the output image 61 indicating the execution condition indicated in the history information every time the history information is generated.

  Then, the generation unit 54 associates the generated history information with the derived output image 61, assigns a new history ID, and registers the first history information stored in the storage unit 60.

  The calculation unit 54B calculates the processing time of the function executed by the engine unit 17. Each time the function is executed by the engine unit 17, the calculation unit 54B calculates the processing time required to execute the function. For example, when the function is executed by the engine unit 17, the calculation unit 54B measures the time from the execution start time of the function until the end of the execution of the function, and calculates the processing time. Then, the generation unit 54 registers the processing time calculated by the calculation unit 54B in the first information in association with the corresponding history information.

  The extracting unit 54C extracts a predetermined keyword from the execution condition indicated in the history information that is generated each time the function is executed by the engine unit 17. Then, the generation unit 54 registers the keyword extracted by the extraction unit 54C in the first information in association with the corresponding history information.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the accepting unit 52 may accept the input of narrowed-down information for narrowing down history information including the execution condition to be executed before accepting the selection of the output image 61 via the accepting screen. preferable.

  The narrowing down information includes at least one of the processing time of the function to be executed by the user, the execution condition of the execution target, and the keyword.

  The search unit 56 searches the first information for the output image 61 and the history ID corresponding to the narrowed-down information received by the reception unit 52 and notifies the display control unit 50 of the search result. In this case, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the reception screen 72 that includes the history ID and the list of output images 61 corresponding to the notified history ID.

  Next, information processing executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the registration process to 1st information (DB) is demonstrated as information processing which the information processing apparatus 100 performs.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of registration processing executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the engine control unit 58 determines whether or not the engine unit 17 has executed a function (step S200). If a negative determination is made in step S200 (step S200: No). This routine ends. If an affirmative determination is made in step S200 (step S200: Yes), the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the generation unit 54 generates history information including the function executed by the engine unit 17, the execution condition of the function, and the like, and stores the history information in the storage unit 60 (step S202).

  Next, the deriving unit 54A derives the output image 61 corresponding to the history information of the function executed by the engine unit 17 (step S204).

  Next, the calculation unit 54B calculates the processing time of the function executed by the engine unit 17 (step S206). Next, the extraction unit 54C extracts a predetermined keyword from the execution condition indicated in the history information generated in step S202 (step S208).

  Next, the generation unit 54 stores the history information stored in step S202, the output image 61 derived in step S204, the processing time calculated in step S206, and the keyword extracted in step S208 in association with each other. A new history ID that has not been registered is assigned to the first information of the unit 60 and then registered in the first information (step S210).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the first information is information in which history IDs uniquely identifying each history information, history information, keywords, processing time, and output image 61 are associated with each other. .

  Next, display processing will be described as information processing executed by the information processing apparatus 100.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of display processing executed by the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 50 controls to display the home screen on the display unit 40B of the operation unit 20 (step S300). Specifically, the display control unit 50 transmits display instruction information including a display instruction for the home screen to the operation unit 20. When the operation unit 20 receives the display instruction information, the control unit 42 performs control to display the home screen on the display unit 40B. That is, the control unit 42 generates a home screen using the screen information of the home screen stored in advance according to the home screen display instruction included in the display instruction information, and displays the home screen on the display unit 40B.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the home screen 59. As shown in FIG. 8, the home screen 59 displays a plurality of icons (button images) corresponding to a plurality of types of applications on a one-to-one basis. In the present embodiment, the application layer 201 of the operation unit 20 is equipped with a usage history application for accepting selection of history information corresponding to an execution target function and an execution target execution condition. On the home screen 59, an icon 59A for instructing execution of the usage history application is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 7, next, in step S302, the reception unit 52 determines whether or not the selection of the use history application has been received (step S302). It is assumed that the user designates an icon 59A for instructing execution of the usage history application while referring to the home screen 59 displayed on the display unit 40B. Then, the receiving unit 40A receives information indicating an instruction of the icon 59A. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits information indicating an instruction to execute the usage history application to the information processing apparatus 100. The reception unit 52 determines whether or not the information indicating the execution instruction of the usage history application has been received, thereby determining step S302.

  If a negative determination is made in step S302 (step S302: No), the process proceeds to step S301. In step S301, normal processing is executed (step S301), and this routine ends. The normal process is a process of controlling the engine unit 17 so as to execute a function corresponding to an icon designated by the user among icons indicating various applications displayed on the home screen 59.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S302 (step S302: Yes), the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the narrowing information selection screen on the display unit 40B (step S304). The narrowing information selection screen is a screen including an icon for instructing selection by narrowing down. The display control unit 50 transmits display instruction information including the screen information of the narrowed-down information selection screen and a display instruction to the operation unit 20. The control unit 42 of the operation unit 20 generates a narrowed information selection screen from the screen information of the narrowed information selection screen included in the display information received from the information processing system 1000, and displays it on the display unit 40B.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the narrowing information selection screen 62. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the narrowing information selection screen 62 includes an icon 62A for instructing selection by narrowing down and an icon 62B for instructing to return to the home screen 59.

  Returning to FIG. 7, next, the receiving unit 52 determines whether or not a narrowing instruction has been received (step S306). For example, when the icon 62A for instructing selection by narrowing down is instructed by the operation of the operation panel 27 by the user, the receiving unit 40A receives information indicating the instruction of the icon 62A. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits information indicating selection by narrowing down to the information processing apparatus 100. The accepting unit 52 performs the determination in step S306 by determining whether or not the information indicating selection by narrowing has been accepted.

  The accepting unit 52 repeats the negative determination (step S306: No) until an affirmative determination is made in step S306 (step S306: Yes).

  In step S308, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the narrowed-down information input screen (step S308).

  The narrowing information input screen is a screen that accepts input of narrowing information. In the present embodiment, for example, a case will be described in which input of any one of an execution condition, a processing time, and a keyword is received as the narrowing information. The narrowing information may be at least one of execution conditions, processing time, and keywords. Moreover, you may use each item (for example, function execution date etc.) contained in the historical information of 1st information as narrowing-down conditions.

  In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the first input screen, the second input screen, the third input screen, and the fourth input screen are used as the narrowing information input screen. In addition, these screens are examples and are not limited to these four.

  The first input screen is a narrowed-down information input screen for accepting selection of which of execution condition, processing time, and keyword is used as narrowed-down information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first input screen 64. As shown in FIG. 10, the first input screen 64 includes an icon 64A for receiving selection of an execution condition, an icon 64B for receiving selection of a processing time, and an icon 64C for receiving keyword input. Including.

  The second input screen is a narrowing information input screen for accepting input of execution conditions as narrowing information. The second input screen controls the reception unit 52 to display on the display unit 40B when an icon 64A for receiving selection of an execution condition is designated on the first input screen 64.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second input screen 66. As shown in FIG. 11, second input screen 66 includes a plurality of icons 66 </ b> A for receiving selection of each setting item included in the execution condition, and icon 66 </ b> B for receiving a search execution instruction. .

  The third input screen is a narrowing information input screen for accepting input of processing time as narrowing information. The third input screen is controlled such that when the icon 64B for receiving the selection of the processing time is instructed on the first input screen 64, the receiving unit 52 displays on the display unit 40B.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the third input screen 68. As shown in FIG. 12, the third input screen 68 includes an icon 68A for accepting an input of processing time, and an icon 68B for accepting an input of a function execution date and time included in the history information.

  The fourth input screen is a narrowing information input screen for accepting input of keywords as narrowing information. The fourth input screen is controlled such that when the icon 64C for receiving the selection of the keyword is instructed on the first input screen 64, the receiving unit 52 displays on the display unit 40B.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the fourth input screen 70. As shown in FIG. 13, the fourth input screen 70 includes an input field 70A for accepting keyword input and an icon 70B for accepting a search execution instruction.

  Returning to FIG. 7, in step S308, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B so as to display the first input screen 64 as the narrowed-down information input screen (step S308). The display control unit 50 transmits display instruction information including the screen information of the first input screen 64 and the display instruction to the operation unit 20. The control unit 42 of the operation unit 20 generates the first input screen 64 from the screen information of the first input screen 64 included in the display information received from the information processing system 1000 and displays it on the display unit 40B.

  For this reason, the first input screen 64 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit 40B of the operation unit 20, for example.

  Next, the reception unit 52 determines whether or not selection of an execution condition has been received from the operation unit 20 as narrowing information (step S310). Assume that the user operates the operation panel 27 while referring to the first input screen 64 to instruct an icon 64A for accepting selection of an execution condition. Then, accepting unit 40A accepts a signal indicating an instruction of icon 64A from display unit 40B. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits information indicating selection of an execution condition, which is a signal corresponding to the icon 64A, to the information processing apparatus 100. The receiving unit 52 may perform the determination in step S310 by determining whether information indicating the selection of the execution condition has been received from the operation unit 20.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S310 (step S310: Yes), the process proceeds to step S312. In step S312, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the second input screen 66 (step S312).

  Specifically, the display control unit 50 transmits display instruction information including the screen information of the second input screen 66 and a display instruction to the operation unit 20. The control unit 42 of the operation unit 20 generates the second input screen 66 from the screen information of the second input screen 66 included in the display information received from the information processing system 1000 and displays it on the display unit 40B.

  Therefore, for example, the second input screen 66 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 40B of the operation unit 20. And it progresses to step S322 mentioned later.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S310 (step S310: No), the process proceeds to step S314. In step S314, the reception unit 52 determines whether or not selection of a processing time has been received from the operation unit 20 as narrowing information (step S314). Assume that the user operates the operation panel 27 while referring to the first input screen 64 to instruct the icon 64B for accepting the selection of the processing time. Then, the reception unit 40A receives a signal indicating an instruction of the icon 64B from the display unit 40B. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits information indicating the selection of the processing time, which is a signal corresponding to the icon 64B, to the information processing apparatus 100. The receiving unit 52 may perform the determination in step S314 by determining whether information indicating selection of the processing time is received from the operation unit 20 or not.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S314 (step S314: Yes), the process proceeds to step S316. In step S316, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the third input screen 68 (step S316).

  Specifically, the display control unit 50 transmits display instruction information including the screen information of the third input screen 68 and a display instruction to the operation unit 20. The control unit 42 of the operation unit 20 generates the third input screen 68 from the screen information of the third input screen 68 included in the display information received from the information processing system 1000 and displays it on the display unit 40B.

  Therefore, for example, the third input screen 68 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit 40B of the operation unit 20. And it progresses to step S322 mentioned later.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S314 (step S314: No), the process proceeds to step S318. In step S318, the reception unit 52 determines whether keyword selection is received from the operation unit 20 as narrowing information (step S318). Assume that the user operates the operation panel 27 while referring to the first input screen 64 to instruct the icon 64C for accepting keyword selection. Then, the accepting unit 40A accepts a signal indicating an instruction of the icon 64C from the display unit 40B. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits information indicating selection of a keyword, which is a signal corresponding to the icon 64C, to the information processing apparatus 100. The receiving unit 52 may perform the determination in step S318 by determining whether or not information indicating selection of this keyword has been received from the operation unit 20.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step S318 (step S318: Yes), the process proceeds to step S320. In step S320, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the fourth input screen 70 (step S320).

  Specifically, the display control unit 50 transmits display instruction information including screen information of the fourth input screen 70 and a display instruction to the operation unit 20. The control unit 42 of the operation unit 20 generates the fourth input screen 70 from the screen information of the fourth input screen 70 included in the display information received from the information processing system 1000 and displays it on the display unit 40B.

  For this reason, for example, a fourth input screen 70 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display unit 40B of the operation unit 20. And it progresses to step S322 mentioned later.

  In step S322, it is determined whether or not input of narrowing information has been accepted (step S322). In step S322, a second input screen 66, a third input as a narrowed information input screen for accepting the input of narrowed information displayed on the display unit 40B by the processes of steps S312, S316, and S320. It is determined whether or not narrowing information (including at least one of execution conditions, processing time, and keywords) is received via each of the screen 68 and the fourth input screen 70.

  Specifically, the user inputs the narrowing information by operating the operation panel 27 while referring to each of the second input screen 66, the third input screen 68, and the fourth input screen 70. Then, the reception unit 40A receives a signal indicating the input narrowing information from the display unit 40B. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits the received narrowing information to the information processing apparatus 100. The narrow-down information selection screen 62 may perform the determination in step S322 by determining whether or not this narrow-down information has been received from the operation unit 20.

  In step S322, a negative determination (step S322: No) is repeated until an affirmative determination is made (step S322: Yes). If an affirmative determination is made in step S322 (step S322: Yes), the process proceeds to step S324.

  In step S324, the search unit 56 searches the first information for history information corresponding to the narrowed-down information received in step S322 from the first information (step S324).

  Next, the display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the reception screen 72 including the output image 61 corresponding to the narrowing information and the list of history IDs searched for in step S324 in the first information. (Step S326).

  For this reason, for example, a reception screen 72 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 40B.

  Next, the reception unit 52 determines whether or not at least one of the output images 61 included in the reception screen 72 displayed on the display unit 40B has been received (step S328). The user operates the operation panel 27 while referring to the reception screen 72 to select at least one display area of the plurality of output images 61 corresponding to each history ID displayed on the reception screen 72. Assume that the execution button 72B (see FIG. 5) is instructed. Then, the receiving unit 40A receives a signal corresponding to the selected display area from the display unit 40B. Then, the communication unit 44 transmits information indicating the output image 61 and the history ID displayed in the display area to the information processing apparatus 100 as a signal corresponding to the selected display area. The receiving unit 52 may perform the determination in step S328 by determining whether or not information has been received from the operation unit 20.

  The reception unit 52 repeats the negative determination (step S328: No) until an affirmative determination is made in step S328 (step S328: Yes). If an affirmative determination is made in step S328 (step S328: Yes), the process proceeds to step S330.

  In step S330, the engine control unit 58 executes the function indicated in the history information corresponding to the history ID and the output image 61 received in step S328 in the first information under the execution condition indicated in the history information. Next, the engine unit 17 is controlled (step S330). By the processing in step S330, the engine unit 17 executes the function indicated by the history information selected by the user via the reception screen 72 under the execution condition indicated by the history information. Then, this routine ends.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is connected to the engine unit 17. The engine unit 17 performs one or a plurality of functions. The storage unit 60 stores the first information. The first information is information in which history information indicating the execution history of the function executed by the engine unit 17 is associated with the output image 61 obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution conditions of the function indicated in the history information. is there. The display control unit 50 controls the display unit 40B to display the reception screen 72 including the output image 61 as the reception screen 72 for receiving selection of history information corresponding to the execution target function and the execution target execution condition. I do.

  For this reason, when the user selects the execution target function and execution condition from the execution history executed in the past by the engine unit 17, the user selects the output image 61 that shows the execution condition as an image. Functions and execution conditions can be selected.

  Therefore, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment can display a function according to the execution history of the engine unit 17 so that it can be easily selected.

  The history information is execution histories of various users who have caused the engine unit 17 to execute the function regardless of the user who will use the MFP 10 from now on. For this reason, the function according to the history information of the user who will use the MFP 10 from now on is not limited, and the function according to the history information of other users can be displayed in a selectable manner.

  In addition, the reception screen 72 preferably includes the output image 61 and character information indicating an execution condition corresponding to the output image 61. When the reception screen 72 further includes character information indicating the execution condition, it is possible to easily present the execution condition that is difficult to express in the corresponding output image 61 to the user.

  Moreover, it is preferable that 1st information matches historical information, the output image 61, and at least one of processing time and a keyword. Since the first information includes the processing time and the keyword, the output image 61 to be displayed on the reception screen 72 can be narrowed down using the execution condition indicated by the history information, the processing time, and the keyword as a narrowing condition. .

  For this reason, in addition to the above-described effects, a function corresponding to the execution history of the engine unit 17 can be easily displayed in a selectable manner.

  Note that various information (first information and the like) stored in advance in the information processing system 1000 of the present embodiment is stored in the server device 30 connected to the network 40, a storage medium such as an external hard disk, or an external device (not shown). Or the like.

  Further, in the information processing system 1000 described in the present embodiment, the system configuration in which the MFP 10 and the operation unit 20 are connected is an example, and there are various system configuration examples depending on applications and purposes. Not too long.

  An information processing program for executing the registration processing, display processing, and the like, which is executed by the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment described above, is a file in an installable format or an executable format and is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk ( (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, etc. may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and provided via a network such as the Internet. It may be configured to be provided or distributed on. Various programs may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  Although several embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

40B Display unit 50 Display control unit 52 Reception unit 54 Generation unit 54A Derivation unit 54B Calculation unit 54C Extraction unit 58 Engine control unit 60 Storage unit 100 Information processing apparatus

Japanese Patent No. 4875727 JP 2013-228965 A

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus connected to an engine unit that performs one or more functions,
A storage unit for storing first information in which history information indicating the execution history of the function is associated with an output image obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution condition of the function indicated in the history information;
Display control for performing control to display the reception screen including the output image as a reception screen for receiving selection of the history information corresponding to the function to be executed and the execution condition of the execution target. And
An information processing apparatus comprising: The display control unit
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to display the reception screen including the output image and character information indicating the execution condition corresponding to the output image on the display unit. A reception unit that receives one of the output images included in the reception screen;
An engine control unit that controls the engine unit to execute the function indicated in the history information corresponding to the received output image under the execution condition indicated in the history information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising the information processing apparatus. The reception unit
Before accepting selection of the output image, a processing time indicating a time required for processing of the function to be executed, the execution condition to be executed, and a predetermined keyword included in the execution condition to be executed Accept further input of refinement information, including at least one,
The storage unit
Storing the first information in which the history information, the output image, and at least one of the processing time and the keyword are associated with each other;
The display control unit
Including control of displaying the reception screen on the display unit, including the output image corresponding to the received narrowing information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a generation unit that generates the first information in which the history information of the function executed by the engine unit is associated with the output image. The generator is
A derivation unit for deriving the output image corresponding to the history information of the function executed by the engine unit, and generating the first information associating the history information with the output image. Item 6. The information processing device according to Item 5. The generator is
A calculation unit configured to calculate the processing time of the function executed by the engine unit; and generating the first information in which the history information of the function, the output image, and the processing time are associated with each other. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. The generator is
The first information that includes an extraction unit that extracts a predetermined keyword included in an execution condition of the function executed by the engine unit, and that associates the history information, the output image, and the keyword The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, which generates Connected to an engine unit that executes one or more functions, and corresponds to history information indicating an execution history of the function and an output image obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution conditions of the function indicated in the history information An information processing method that is executed by an information processing apparatus including a storage unit that stores the attached first information,
Performing a control to display the reception screen including the output image on a display unit as a reception screen for receiving selection of the history information corresponding to the function to be executed and the execution condition of the execution target. Including,
Information processing method. Connected to an engine unit that executes one or more functions, and corresponds to history information indicating an execution history of the function and an output image obtained by imaging at least a part of the execution conditions of the function indicated in the history information In a computer having a storage unit for storing the attached first information,
Performing a control to display the reception screen including the output image on a display unit as a reception screen for receiving selection of the history information corresponding to the function to be executed and the execution condition of the execution target. ,
An information processing program for execution.

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