JP2017011425A - Information distribution system, information distribution server, image processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an image processing apparatus to display a content during job execution and acquire a reply to the content by a user during the job execution.SOLUTION: An information distribution server 2 compares job execution time information 35 and reply prediction time information 33 with each other and selects a content corresponding to the reply prediction time information 33 under the job execution time information 35 out of plural pieces of content information 30. An image processing apparatus 3 calculates completion timing of user's reply to a content displayed by a display control part 53 and when the reply completion timing is after job completion timing, delays the job completion timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information distribution server, an image processing apparatus, and a program, and in particular, transmits contents for requesting an answer to a user from the information distribution server to the image processing apparatus for display, and collects an answer result by the user Related to the system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus having a copy function, a print function, and the like can accept a job setting operation by a user and execute a job by reflecting the setting designated by the user. At this time, since the image processing apparatus displays an operation screen that can be operated by the user on an operation panel or the like, the user can change the setting contents by operating the operation unit while referring to the operation screen.

  In recent years, there has been a business model for displaying a questionnaire or an advertisement for market research or the like on a screen in an image processing apparatus. In other words, a supplier who sells or maintains an image processing apparatus undertakes a questionnaire or the like from a person who conducts market research or the like. Then, display contents such as questionnaires and advertisements on the screens of image processing devices installed in offices of companies, etc., and instead provide incentives such as discounting selling prices and maintenance costs to users of image processing devices. give. As a result, not only a market researcher and an advertiser, but also a company that installs an image processing apparatus can enjoy a system.

  In relation to these trends, content such as a plurality of advertisements is stored in advance in an image processing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals), and within the required print time calculated based on print settings by the user. There has been proposed a technique for selecting content that can be terminated and displaying the content on a screen during printing (for example, Patent Document 1). According to this conventional technique, it is possible to allow a user waiting in front of the image processing apparatus to effectively browse contents such as advertisements while printing is being performed in the image processing apparatus.

JP 2014-138298 A

  By the way, for example, when a user asks a user a question like a questionnaire and obtains some answer, or when a user receives an impression, an opinion, or a request after PR of a product, the user However, it is necessary to input an answer by operating the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. In general, the operation speed when a user grasps a question or the like and performs an answer input operation is different for each user. For users with slow operation speeds, the job may end before answering all questions. When the job ends, the user may leave the image processing apparatus. Therefore, if there is an unanswered part at the end of the job, it becomes difficult to obtain an answer from the user for the unanswered part after the job ends. . Therefore, if the job ends before the user inputs the answers to all questions, the acquisition of answer information becomes insufficient, and the purpose of knowing the purpose of market research and customer needs cannot be fully achieved. There is a fear.

  Accordingly, the present invention has the above-described conventional problems as a solution to be solved, and an information distribution system, an information distribution server, and an image processing apparatus capable of obtaining sufficient answers from a user during execution of a job in the image processing apparatus And to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to a user, and a job specified by the user. An information distribution system comprising: an image processing apparatus that is executable and displays the content received from the information distribution server during execution of a job and receives an input of an answer by a user, the information distribution server A predicted response time acquisition unit that acquires a predicted response time of a user for each of the plurality of contents, an execution time acquisition unit that acquires a job execution time of a job executed in the image processing apparatus, and the job execution time And the response prediction time, and the response prediction time from the plurality of contents Includes: a content selection unit that selects content shorter than the job execution time; and a content transmission unit that transmits the content selected by the content selection unit to the image processing device. A job execution means for controlling the execution of the information, a display control means for displaying the content received from the information distribution server, and a reply for accepting answer information input by the user for the content displayed by the display control means The response progress management means for calculating the answer end timing when the user's answer operation is completed based on the progress status of the user's answer input operation for the content displayed by the display control means, and the answer progress management means The response end timing is There when is later than the job end time to end a structure, characterized in that it comprises, a job delay means for delaying said job end time.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to the first aspect, the job delay means delays the job end timing by reducing the processing speed of the job. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to the second aspect, the job is a print job that is output by forming an image on a print sheet, and the job execution unit is arranged along a predetermined conveyance path. The print job is executed by sequentially transporting printing paper, and the job delay unit reduces the processing speed of the job by reducing the transport speed of the printing paper by the job execution unit. It is.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the information distribution system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the job execution unit is capable of executing an image stabilization process for stabilizing an image in the middle of execution of the job. The job delay unit is configured to delay the job end timing by causing the job execution unit to execute the image stabilization process during execution of the job.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the response progress management unit calculates the response end timing in conjunction with the progress of the job by the job execution unit. It is the structure characterized by doing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the predicted response time acquisition means stores the predicted response time in a predetermined manner in association with each of the plurality of contents. And the image processing apparatus further includes a record acquisition unit that generates record information related to the operation record of the user's answer input operation on the content displayed by the display control unit and transmits the record information to the information distribution server. The information distribution server reads out the response prediction time from the record management means for managing the record information received from the image processing apparatus in association with each content, and obtained from the storage means, and obtained by the record management means Based on the result information, the answer prediction time associated with each of the plurality of contents is not yet determined. Prediction updating means for updating an answer estimated time associated with the content that is not delivered to the image processing apparatus, a configuration that further comprising a.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to the sixth aspect, the prediction update means calculates an average response time of the user for each content based on the actual result information, and the average response time Accordingly, the response prediction time associated with content that has not yet been distributed is updated.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the information distribution system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the result acquisition unit displays the content displayed by the display control unit at a predetermined timing after completion of execution of the job. If there is an unanswered portion in which no answer is input by the user, information on the unanswered portion is added to the result information and transmitted to the information distribution server, and the prediction update means receives from the image processing device The response prediction time corresponding to the unanswered portion of the content is updated based on the result information.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the information delivery system according to claim 8, wherein the content selection means preferentially selects content having an unanswered portion from the plurality of contents. is there.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to any one of the sixth to ninth aspects, the job delay unit is a user's answer input operation for the content displayed by the display control unit in the performance information. When there is no response history indicating that the job has been performed, the job end timing is not delayed.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the image processing apparatus manages a job received during execution of a job by the job execution unit as a standby job. Receiving means, and the job delay means does not delay the job end timing of the job being executed by the job execution means when there is a standby job managed by the job reception means. It is a configuration.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information distribution system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the content may include a priority question clause that preferentially requests an answer from a user, and the display control means includes The priority question clause is extracted and displayed when the answer end timing is later than the job end timing.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the information distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the image processing apparatus transmits the response information received by the response reception unit to the information distribution server. And a transmission unit.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the information distribution system according to claim 13, wherein the response transmission means applies the content displayed by the display control means at a predetermined timing after the execution of the job. When there is an answer part in which an answer by the user is input and an unanswered part in which no answer by the user is input, the answer information corresponding to the answer part is transmitted to the information distribution server. It is a configuration.

  The invention according to claim 15 is an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content out of a plurality of contents that request an answer from a user, and the user's estimated response time for each of the plurality of contents The response predicted time acquisition means for acquiring the execution time acquisition means for acquiring the job execution time of the job executed in the image processing apparatus capable of displaying the content, the job execution time and the response predicted time are compared. A content selection unit that selects a content shorter than the job execution time from the plurality of contents, and a content transmission unit that transmits the content selected by the content selection unit to the image processing apparatus. , Comprising the above.

  The invention according to claim 16 is an image processing apparatus capable of executing a job designated by a user, wherein job execution means for controlling execution of a job, and when job execution by the job execution means is started, Communicating with an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of content requesting an answer to the user, and content corresponding to the job execution time of the job executed by the job execution means Communication control means acquired from an information distribution server, display control means for displaying content acquired from the information distribution server by the communication control means, and progress of user's answer input operation for content displayed by the display control means Calculate the answer end timing when the user's answer operation ends based on the situation Answer progress management means, and job delay means for delaying the job end timing when the answer end timing calculated by the answer progress management means is later than the job end timing at which the execution of the job ends. It is the structure characterized by this.

  The invention according to claim 17 is a program executed in an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to a user, and the information distribution server A predicted response time acquisition unit that acquires a predicted response time of a user for each of a plurality of contents, an execution time acquisition unit that acquires a job execution time of a job executed in an image processing apparatus capable of displaying the content, and the job execution time And a response selection time, a content selection means for selecting a content shorter than the job execution time from the plurality of contents, and a content selected by the content selection means Functions as a content transmission means that transmits to the image processing device A structure characterized by Rukoto.

  The invention according to claim 18 is a program executed in an image processing apparatus capable of executing a job designated by a user, wherein the image processing apparatus controls job execution, job execution means for controlling job execution, and job execution means When execution of a job is started, the job is executed by the job execution unit by communicating with an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to the user Means for acquiring content corresponding to the job execution time from the information distribution server, display control means for displaying the content acquired from the information distribution server by the communication control means, and a user for the content displayed by the display control means The user's response operation is based on the progress of the response input operation An answer progress management means for calculating an answer end timing to be completed, and when the answer end timing calculated by the answer progress management means is later than a job end timing at which the execution of the job ends, the job end timing is It is configured to function as job delay means for delaying.

  According to the present invention, the information distribution server selects and distributes content with an expected response time shorter than the execution time of the job executed by the image processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. Can complete the answer input operation.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus can delay the job end timing when the user's answer end timing is later than the job end timing. It is possible to achieve the objective sufficiently.

It is a figure showing the example of composition of the whole information distribution system. It is a figure which shows an example of content information. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen structure in case a content is displayed on an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of an information delivery server and an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram explaining a part of structure of an information delivery server in detail. It is a figure which shows an example of reply prediction time information. It is a figure which shows an example of answer time performance information. It is a figure which shows the result of having updated the reply prediction time information of FIG. It is a block diagram explaining a part of structure of an image processing apparatus in detail. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the main processing procedures performed in an information delivery server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific process sequence of a content selection process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific process sequence of an estimated time update process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the main processing procedures performed with an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific process sequence of a progress management process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific process sequence of a job delay process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the specific process sequence of a halfway completion process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, members that are common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment. The information distribution system 1 includes an information distribution server 2 and an image processing device 3, and these are connected so as to communicate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). It is. The information distribution server 2 may be a cloud server installed on the Internet, for example, or may be a local server installed on a local network. The image processing apparatus 3 is configured by a multi-functional peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scan function, a print function, and a FAX function. In the example shown in the figure, the information distribution server 2 communicates with one image processing apparatus 3, but the information distribution server 2 can also communicate with a plurality of image processing apparatuses 3. .

  The information distribution server 2 and the image processing device 3 can transmit and receive document data and image data to each other via a network. For example, document data and image data uploaded from the image processing device 3 or the like are stored in the information distribution server 2, and the image processing device 3 downloads the data from the information distribution server 2 and prints out the data. It can be carried out. That is, the image processing apparatus 3 can execute the job by acquiring data to be executed from the information distribution server 2.

  For example, when document data stored in the information distribution server 2 is designated as print target data by the user, the image processing apparatus 3 transmits setting information such as print settings set by the user to the information distribution server 2. . The information distribution server 2 generates a job for printing out document data designated by the user based on the setting information received from the image processing device 3, and transmits the job to the image processing device 3 to perform image processing. It is also possible to cause the apparatus 3 to execute a job.

  Further, the information distribution server 2 distributes the content that requests an answer to the user of the image processing device 3 to the image processing device 3 and displays it when the job execution is started in the image processing device 3. Configured to get answers from users during the execution of. Such an information distribution server 2 includes a storage unit 11 that stores content information 30 that can be displayed on the image processing apparatus 3. The content information 30 is information including a plurality of contents for requesting answers from the user, and includes, for example, a questionnaire and an advertisement. The advertisement in the present embodiment does not provide information to the user unilaterally, but requests a user's response such as the user's impression after PR of the product.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content information 30. In the content information 30, a content number and a predetermined question are registered for each of a plurality of contents. For example, the content information 30 in FIG. 2 illustrates a case where four contents are registered. When the information distribution server 2 transmits each content included in the content information 30 to the image processing device 3, a question included in each content is shown to the user who instructs the image processing device 3 to execute the job. It is. Each content is created based on the request of the client such as a questionnaire or an advertisement, and is registered in the content information 30.

  The image processing apparatus 3 includes an operation panel 45 for performing job setting operations and the like when the user uses the image processing apparatus 3. The operation panel 45 serves as a user interface when the user uses the image processing apparatus 3, and includes a display unit 45a that displays various types of information and an operation unit 45b that receives input operations by the user. . The display unit 45a is composed of, for example, a color liquid crystal display, and displays a job setting screen, work status, and the like. The display unit 45a can also display content acquired from the information distribution server 2 during job execution. The operation unit 45b includes touch panel keys arranged on the display screen of the display unit 45a, push button keys arranged around the display unit 45a, and the like.

  For example, the user can shift the image processing apparatus 3 to a login state by inputting an ID, a password, or the like on the operation panel 45. When the image processing apparatus 3 shifts to the login state, a job setting operation or Execution instructions can be performed. When the image processing apparatus 3 detects a job execution instruction operation by the user, the image processing apparatus 3 transmits setting information of the job to the information distribution server 2. Thereby, the information distribution server 2 can specify what job is executed in the image processing apparatus 3, and is executed by the image processing apparatus 3 from among a plurality of contents included in the content information 30. One content suitable for the job to be selected is selected and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3. The image processing apparatus 3 displays the content received from the information distribution server 2 on the operation panel 45 as the job starts, and accepts an answer input operation by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration displayed on the image processing apparatus 3 when the content with the content number “4” in FIG. 2 is selected. A questionnaire screen G11 for requesting an answer from the user is displayed on the display unit 45a of the image processing apparatus 3. When a plurality of button displays B1a to B1d are shown in the screen G11, the user can input an answer to the question by touching a position corresponding to any of the plurality of button displays B1a to B1d. . When a plurality of questions are included in the displayed content, when an answer to one question is input, the next question is displayed on the display unit 45a. As described above, when the content acquired from the information distribution server 2 includes a plurality of questions, the image processing apparatus 3 displays the plurality of questions one by one on the display unit 45a one by one, thereby allowing the user to display the content. Answer input operations are sequentially performed on the included questions one by one.

  In the information distribution system 1 of this embodiment, the information distribution server 2 always maintains an activated state. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus 3 establishes a connection state with the information distribution server 2 when activated by turning on the power, and constructs a state in which various information can be transmitted to and received from the information distribution server 2. When the connection state between the information distribution server 2 and the image processing apparatus 3 is established, job setting information such as print settings can be transmitted from the image processing apparatus 3 to the information distribution server 2. For example, when document data is stored in the information distribution server 2, the user operates the operation unit 45b of the image processing apparatus 3 to display a list of document data stored in the information distribution server 2 on the display unit 45a. The document data to be printed can be designated from the list, and the print setting for printing the designated document data can be performed. Then, the image processing apparatus 3 transmits job setting information set by the user to the information distribution server 2. When such setting information is transmitted from the image processing device 3, the information distribution server 2 generates a job for printing the document data designated by the user on the image processing device 3. At this time, the information distribution server 2 generates execution time information 35 indicating the job execution time of the job executed by the image processing apparatus 3. The execution time information 35 is calculated with reference to setting information such as the number of pages of document data, presence / absence of color setting, resolution, paper size, duplex / single-sided, and processing capability of the image processing apparatus 3.

  The storage unit 11 of the information distribution server 2 stores in advance answer prediction time information 33 associated with each of a plurality of contents included in the content information 30. The predicted answer time information 33 is information that predicts the time required for a general user to perform an answer input operation on all questions included in each content of the content information 30. The predicted response time information 33 is generated in consideration of, for example, individual question contents included in the content, and is stored in the storage unit 11 in association with the content when the content is registered in the content information 30. The That is, the predicted response time information 33 is information that is generated in advance for each content included in the content information 30 and stored in the storage unit 11.

  When the information distribution server 2 generates the execution time information 35 of the job executed in the image processing apparatus 3, the information distribution server 2 obtains the execution time information 35 and the predicted response time information 33 for each content registered in the content information 30. In contrast, one content whose response predicted time is shorter than the job execution time is selected from the plurality of contents registered in the content information 30, and the content is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3 together with the job.

  When the image processing apparatus 3 receives the content together with the job, the image processing apparatus 3 starts job execution, displays the content received from the information distribution server 2 on the display unit 45a, and accepts an answer input operation by the user. That is, the image processing device 3 is configured to display content that requests a user's answer on the display unit 45a and acquire the user's answer to at least one question included in the content when executing a job. is there.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 3 monitors the progress status of the answer input operation by the user during the execution of the job, and based on the progress status, the answer is completed for the user to complete the answer input operation for all the questions included in the content. Calculate timing. Then, when the user's answer end timing is later than the job end timing, the image processing apparatus 3 performs job delay processing such as reducing the job processing speed, so that the job currently being executed ends. Delay timing. That is, the image processing apparatus 3 delays the job end timing when the user's answer pace for each question included in the content is delayed from the predicted answer prediction time until the job ends. Users can answer all questions. In other words, when the user has not completed the answer input operation for all the questions at the end of the job, the user may leave the image processing apparatus 3 at the end of the job, whereas the end of the job By delaying the timing, the user can complete the answer input operation for all questions until the job is completed. When all the answer input operations by the user are completed, the image processing apparatus 3 transmits the answer information acquired based on the user input operation to the information distribution server 2. Thereby, the information distribution server 2 can collect and manage the answer information by the user.

  Next, detailed configurations of the information distribution server 2 and the image processing apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration in each of the information distribution server 2 and the image processing device 3.

  The information distribution server 2 includes a CPU 6, a storage unit 11, and a communication control unit 8. The CPU 6 functions as a job management unit 15, a predicted response time management unit 17, a content selection unit 19, and a content transmission unit 20 by executing a predetermined program. The communication control unit 8 is for communicating with the image processing apparatus 3 via a network. The program executed in the CPU 6 is installed in advance in the storage unit 11 which is, for example, a nonvolatile storage unit.

  The job management unit 15 manages jobs executed by the image processing apparatus 3 based on information received from the image processing apparatus 3. The job management unit 15 can also generate a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus 3. For example, when it is specified that the document data held in the information distribution server 2 is specified and printing is specified, the job management unit 15 performs image processing that is operated by the user based on the specified document data. A print job for performing print output by the apparatus 3 is generated and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the job management unit 15 includes a job generation unit 70, a job transmission unit 71, and an execution time acquisition unit 73. The job generation unit 70 is a processing unit that generates a job based on setting information such as print settings received from the image processing apparatus 3. The job transmission unit 71 is a processing unit that transmits the job generated by the job generation unit 70 to the image processing apparatus 3.

  The execution time acquisition unit 73 acquires the job execution time of a job executed in the image processing apparatus 3 and stores the job execution time as execution time information 35 in the storage unit 11 for management. The job execution time can be calculated based on setting information such as print settings received from the image processing apparatus 3 as described above. Therefore, the execution time acquisition unit 73 acquires the job execution time corresponding to the job executed by the image processing apparatus 3 by performing such a calculation operation. However, the job execution time may be generated by the image processing apparatus 3 without being limited thereto. In this case, the execution time acquisition unit 73 acquires the job execution time generated by the image processing device 3 via the network, and stores the job execution time as execution time information 35 in the storage unit 11 for management.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the predicted response time management unit 17 is a processing unit that manages the predicted response time of the user for each content included in the content information 30. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the response prediction time management unit 17 includes a response prediction time acquisition unit 80 and a prediction update unit 82. The answer prediction time acquisition unit 80 acquires the answer prediction time required for the user to perform an answer input operation for all questions included in each content of the content information 30, and uses the answer prediction time as the answer prediction time information 33. It is a processing unit to be managed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the response prediction time information 33. As shown in FIG. 6, the predicted response time information 33 is information in which a predicted response time required for the user to perform an answer input device for each content registered in the content information 30 is recorded. In the predicted response time information 33, a general user item 33a in which an initial value of predicted response time assuming that a general user performs an answer input operation is recorded, and for each user who uses the image processing apparatus 3, And the individual user item 33b in which the estimated response time is recorded. The estimated response time recorded in the individual user item 33b is based on the response record when each user makes an answer to each content, and the estimated response time obtained by correcting the estimated response time recorded in the general user item 33a for each user. It's time. In the initial state, as shown in FIG. 6, the same estimated response time as the estimated response time of the general user item 33a is recorded in the individual user item 33b of each user. The predicted response time acquisition unit 80 generates such predicted response time information 33 and stores it in the storage unit 11 for management.

  The prediction update unit 82 is a processing unit that updates the response prediction time information 33 based on the response results when the user performs an answer input operation on each content included in the content information 30. In other words, when each user performs an answer input operation for each content, the prediction update unit 82, based on the answer record including the operation time, the answer of the individual user item 33b corresponding to the user who made the answer and other users Correct and update the forecast time. The update process by the prediction update unit 82 will be described in detail later.

  The content selection unit 19 is a processing unit that selects one content to be transmitted to the image processing device 3 from among a plurality of contents registered in the content information 30. The content selection unit 19 includes a job execution time of a job executed by the image processing device 3 and a predicted response time required for a user using the image processing device 3 to perform an answer input operation on a content question. Based on the above, one content is selected. More specifically, the content selection unit 19 first reads the execution time information 35 from the storage unit 11 and identifies the job execution time of the job executed by the image processing apparatus 3. Next, the content selection unit 19 reads the predicted response time information 33 and extracts the predicted response time required for the login user of the image processing apparatus 3 to perform an answer input operation on each content included in the content information 30. At this time, the content selection unit 19 does not read the predicted response time from the general user item 33 a of the predicted response time information 33, but reads the predicted response time from the individual user item 33 b corresponding to the login user of the image processing apparatus 3. Therefore, if the estimated response time of the individual user item 33b corresponding to the login user is corrected based on the past response results of the login user and other users, the correction value is read out. Then, the content selection unit 19 compares the job execution time with the predicted response time corresponding to each content, and selects a content whose predicted response time is shorter than the job execution time. At this time, a plurality of contents whose response predicted time is shorter than the job execution time may be registered in the content information 30. In that case, it is preferable that the content selection unit 19 selects, for example, the content with the longest answer prediction time from among the plurality of contents. This makes it possible to preferentially select content that requires a long time for an answer input operation. In addition, there may be no content whose estimated response time is shorter than the job execution time. In that case, the content selection unit 19 selects the content with the shortest predicted answer time from among the plurality of contents registered in the content information 30.

  When the content selection unit 19 performs the content selection as described above, the login user completes the answer input operation for all the questions between the start and end of job execution in the image processing apparatus 3. The content that can be selected is selected. However, when a job is being executed in the image processing apparatus 3, the login user does not always perform an answer input operation on the content question displayed on the operation panel 45. The answer may be interrupted. In such a case, content in which an unanswered part by the login user exists is generated. Therefore, when there is content with an unanswered part among the plurality of contents included in the content information 30, the content selection unit 19 gives priority to the content with the unanswered part over other contents. You may make it select. By preferentially selecting and displaying content having such an unanswered portion, it is possible to obtain a user's answer to a question that has not yet been answered.

  The content transmission unit 20 is a processing unit that transmits the content selected by the content selection unit 19 to the image processing apparatus 3. For example, when the information distribution server 2 transmits a job to the image processing apparatus 3, the content transmission unit 20 transmits the content to the image processing apparatus 3 together with the job. As a result, when the image processing apparatus 3 starts executing the job, it is possible to display the content requesting the login user's response on the operation panel 45, and the login user's response input to all questions by the job end timing. The operation can be terminated.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 6 of the information distribution server 2 further functions as a performance management unit 25 and an answer acquisition unit 27. The response acquisition unit 27 is a processing unit that acquires response information generated by accepting a login user's response input operation in the image processing device 3, and stores the response information acquired from the image processing device 3 in the storage unit 11. And save. The track record management unit 25 is a processing unit that manages track record information 38 related to the track record of the user's answer input operation for content displayed by the display control unit 53 described later in association with each content of the content information 30. The performance information 38 is information including the results of each user answering a question included in the content, such as the response time (operation time) by each user, the number of responses, and the presence or absence of a delay in job end timing.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the response time record information 38a regarding the response time of each user in the record information 38. In the response time record information 38a shown in FIG. 7, “User 1” has completed responses to “Content 1”, “Content 2”, and “Content 4”, but has not yet completed responses to “Content 3”. Is shown. In the example of FIG. 7, the answer to “content 2” is completed by three users “user 1”, “user 3”, and “user 4”. Based on the information received from the image processing device 3, the result management unit 25 generates answer time result information 38a as shown in FIG. 7, generates information related to other results, and stores the result information 38 including them. Stored in the unit 11 for management. Moreover, the performance management unit 25 updates the performance information 38 every time each user makes an answer to each content.

  When the record information 38 is generated or updated by the record management unit 25, the response prediction time management unit 17 causes the prediction update unit 82 to function, and performs a process of updating the response prediction time information 33 based on the record information 38. . That is, the prediction update unit 82 corrects and updates the predicted answer time recorded in the individual user item 33 b of the predicted answer time information 33 based on the record information 38. More specifically, the prediction update unit 82 sets the predicted response time corresponding to the content that is not answered by each user registered in the predicted response time information 33 to the other recorded in the response time record information 38a. Correct and update based on the answer time of the user or other content.

  For example, in the response time record information 38a shown in FIG. 7, “user 1”, “user 3”, and “user 4” all have completed the answer to “content 2” until the predicted response time ( 30 seconds) and twice as long (60 seconds) as the predicted value. Therefore, it can be said that it is preferable to correct the answer prediction time of “content 2” to a time (60 seconds) that is about twice the initial value. On the other hand, “User 2” has completed the responses to “Content 1” and “Content 4”, and has completed the responses earlier than the predicted value, and the time required for the responses is almost initial. The time is about 60% of the value. Therefore, it is preferable to correct the response prediction time corresponding to “content 2” that has not been answered by “user 2” to a time (36 seconds) that is about 60% of a time that is about twice the initial value (60 seconds). . In addition, “User 5” has completed responses to “Content 1” and “Content 3”, and has completed the response in a time later than the predicted value, and the time required for the response is approximately the initial value. Is about 130% of the time. Therefore, it is preferable to correct the answer prediction time corresponding to “content 2” that “user 2” has not answered to about 130% of the time (60 seconds) that is about twice the initial value (60 seconds) (78 seconds). .

  The prediction update unit 82 calculates the correction value of the response prediction time corresponding to the content that has not been answered by each user by performing the analysis processing as described above, and uses the correction value of the response prediction time information 33. The predicted response time information 33 is updated by rewriting the predicted response time recorded in the individual user item 33b. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a result of updating the predicted response time information 33 in FIG. In the predicted response time information 33 shown in FIG. 8, the predicted response time when “User 2” answers “Content 2” is updated to “36 seconds”, and “User 5” 2 ”is updated to“ 78 seconds ”. After the response prediction time is updated in this way, when the content selection unit 19 selects content, the updated response prediction time is referred to. For this reason, the content reflecting the answer results of each user is selected, and the difference between the predicted value and the time required for the actual answer is eliminated. As described above, the prediction update unit 82 can update the predicted response time information 33 according to the response speed of each user based on the response performance of each user. Further, the prediction update unit 82 calculates the average answer time for each content based on the record information 38 and can update the answer prediction time associated with the uncompleted answer according to the average answer time. It is.

  Next, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 3 includes a CPU 40, a communication control unit 42, and an operation panel 45. Further, it also includes configurations of a storage unit, a printer unit, a FAX unit, a scanner unit, and the like (not shown). The communication control unit 42 communicates with the information distribution server 2 via a network. For example, content and jobs transmitted from the information distribution server 2 are received via the communication control unit 42.

  The CPU 40 executes a predetermined program stored in a nonvolatile storage unit (not shown). Thereby, the CPU 40 performs the job control unit 51, the content acquisition unit 52 that acquires content from the information distribution server 2, the display control unit 53 that displays the content on the display unit 45a, the answer processing unit 55, and the user. It functions as an answer progress management unit 57 that manages the progress of answers. The content acquisition unit 52 acquires content transmitted from the information distribution server 2 via the communication control unit 42. The display control unit 53 displays the content acquired by the content acquisition unit 52 on the display unit 45 a of the operation panel 45. As a result, it is possible to display content for which an answer is requested for a login user who has instructed execution of a job by operating the operation panel 45 of the image processing apparatus 3.

  The answer processing unit 55 receives an answer input operation by the user via the operation unit 45b when content is displayed by the display control unit 53, and generates answer information indicating the answer result by the user based on the answer input operation. To do. Then, the response processing unit 55 transmits the generated response information to the information distribution server 2. When the answer processing unit 55 receives an answer input operation by the user, the answer processing unit 55 notifies the display control unit 53 that an answer has been made. Thereby, the display control part 53 can make the question currently displayed on the display part 45a transfer to the next question. In addition, the answer processing unit 55 notifies the answer progress management unit 57 that the answer has been made by the user as the answer information is generated based on the answer input operation by the user.

  The answer progress management unit 57 monitors the user's answer progress with respect to the content displayed on the display unit 45a by the display control unit 53, and finishes answering all questions included in the content according to the progress. It is a processing unit that predicts timing. For example, the answer progress management unit 57 starts a timer as the display of the content is started by the display control unit 53. When a plurality of questions are included in the displayed content, the answer progress management unit 57 refers to the count value of the timer each time an answer to one question is input by the user, and based on the number of answers so far Calculate the answering time per question. Then, the answer progress management unit 57 calculates the answer end timing based on the answer usage time per question and the number of remaining questions. The answer progress management unit 57 may predict the answer end timing each time the user answers one question, or the answer end timing when the user answers a predetermined number of questions. May be predicted. The answer progress management unit 57 may predict the answer end timing in conjunction with the progress of the job. For example, the answer end timing may be predicted every 10% of all jobs being processed, or the answer end timing may be predicted when half of the jobs being executed are completed. May be. By predicting the response end timing in conjunction with the progress of the job, it can be easily determined whether or not an answer input operation by the user is progressing according to the progress of the job. When the progress status is delayed, the answering operation can be ended before the job ends by delaying the job end timing at which the job ends.

  The job control unit 51 controls jobs executed by the image processing apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 9A, the job control unit 51 includes a job reception unit 91 that receives a job, a job execution unit 93 that controls job execution, and a control that delays the job end timing at which the job ends. And a job delay unit 95 to perform.

  The job reception unit 91 functions when the image processing apparatus 3 shifts to the login state, and receives a job specified by the login user. For example, the job receiving unit 91 displays a setting screen for performing a job setting operation on the display unit 45a, and generates job setting information based on the setting operation by the user. If the job specified by the user is a print job for downloading and printing out the document data stored in the information distribution server 2, the job reception unit 91 receives the setting information generated based on the user's setting operation. The information is transmitted to the information distribution server 2. The job reception unit 81 receives a job transmitted from the information distribution server 2 via the communication control unit 42.

  The job execution unit 93 controls the execution of the job received by the job reception unit 91. For example, in the case of a print job, the job execution unit 93 drives a printer unit (not shown) to convey sheets as printing media one by one at a predetermined conveyance speed, and when the sheet passes a predetermined position. An image is formed by transferring a toner image onto a sheet, and then, when the sheet passes through the fixing unit, an overheating and pressurizing process is performed to discharge the sheet from the discharge port.

  The job delay unit 95 delays the job end timing of the job currently being executed. The job delay unit 95 operates when the response end timing predicted by the response progress management unit 57 is later than the job end timing of the job currently being executed. For example, if the answer end timing comes after the job end timing because the user's answer speed is slow, the user may leave the image processing apparatus 3 if the job ends first. In this case, since answers to all questions included in the currently displayed content cannot be obtained, there is a possibility that the purpose of a questionnaire or the like cannot be achieved. Therefore, when it is determined that the response end timing calculated by the response progress management unit 57 is later than the job end timing, the job delay unit 95 delays the job end timing of the job before the end of the response. It is possible to avoid the end of the job and obtain answers to all the questions included in the content.

  There are various methods for the job delay unit 95 to delay the job end timing. The first technique is a technique for reducing the processing speed of a job that is currently being executed. For example, in the case of a print job, the processing speed of the job can be reduced by reducing the conveyance speed of the paper that is the print medium. In order to reduce the sheet conveyance speed, for example, the fixing temperature of the fixing unit may be decreased. As another method for reducing the job processing speed, a paper feeding interval, which is a time interval for sequentially feeding paper one by one, may be increased.

  The second method is a method of executing an image stabilization process for stabilizing a toner image by an interrupt process during the execution of a job. For example, in the case of a print job, when the job delay unit 95 outputs an instruction to execute image stabilization processing to the job execution unit 93 during the execution of the job, the job execution unit 93 interrupts the currently executing job, and the image stabilization Execute the conversion process. This image stabilization process takes a certain time to complete. When the image stabilization process ends, the job execution unit 93 rereads the interrupted job, and resumes job execution from the point of interruption. Therefore, if the image stabilization process occurs during the job execution by the interrupt process, the job end timing of the job currently being executed is delayed.

  The job delay unit 95 may acquire the record information 38 from the information distribution server 2 and determine whether to delay the job end timing based on the record information 38. As described above, the record information 38 stores information related to the operation record when each user performs an answer input operation on the content. It is possible to determine whether or not an answer input operation has been performed. If the logged-in user of the image processing apparatus 3 has no record of performing an answer input operation on the content in the past, it can be said that there is a possibility that the answer input operation on the content will not be performed this time as well. Therefore, the job delay unit 95 refers to the record information 38, and if the logged-in user has no record of performing an answer input operation on the content in the past, even if the answer end timing is later than the job end timing, It is preferable not to delay the job end timing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the end timing of the job from being unnecessarily delayed.

  The job delay unit 95 may determine whether to delay the job end timing according to whether there is a waiting job. For example, when another job is already received by the job receiving unit 91 and the job is a standby job, the job delay unit 95 sets the job even if the answer end timing is later than the job end timing. It is preferable not to delay the end timing. In other words, if the next job to be executed after the current job ends is waiting, the start start of the waiting job will be delayed by not delaying the end timing of the current job. It will be possible to avoid.

  If the job delay unit 95 determines not to delay the job end timing as described above, the display control unit 53 may change the order in which the questions included in the content are displayed. For example, multiple questions included in the currently displayed content include a priority question clause that requires a logged-in user's preferred answer and a general question clause that does not require a logged-in user's preferred answer. If so, the display control unit 53 preferentially extracts and displays the priority question clauses included in the content. In other words, when the user's answer end timing is later than the job end timing, the display control unit 53 preferentially extracts and displays the priority question clauses from the content. In particular, when the user's answer end timing is later than the job end timing and the job delay unit 95 determines not to delay the job end timing, priority question clauses are preferentially extracted from the content. Thus, it is possible to perform effective content display. In other words, it is possible to preferentially display the questions (priority question clauses) that the user wants to answer preferentially and have the users answer, so that at least the answer to the priority question clauses can be obtained before the job ends. It becomes like this.

  Further, the CPU 40 further functions as a result acquisition unit 61 as shown in FIG. The result acquisition unit 61 is a processing unit that generates the result information 38 related to the user's answer results for the content displayed by the display control unit 53 and transmits the result information 38 to the information distribution server 2. The result acquisition unit 61 functions when the content is displayed by the display control unit 53, and generates information related to the response result every time the user performs an answer input operation on a question included in the content. When the user completes the answer input operation for all the questions included in the content, the result obtaining unit 61 generates the answer time result information 38a based on the user's answer time required to answer all the questions. Then, the result acquisition unit 61 transmits the information as the result information 38 to the information distribution server 2. As a result, the information distribution server 2 can update the predicted response time information 33 based on the response result information 38 by the user. In addition, when there is an unanswered portion in which no answer is input by the user in the content being displayed on the display unit 45a at a predetermined timing after the execution of the job is completed, the results obtaining unit 61 displays the unanswered portion. The information shown is generated, and the information is included in the performance information 38 and transmitted to the information distribution server 2.

  Next, specific processing procedures performed in each of the information distribution server 2 and the image processing apparatus 3 of the information distribution system 1 will be described.

  First, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main processing procedure performed by the information distribution server 2. For example, when the information distribution server 2 is activated, the CPU 6 reads and executes a predetermined program, thereby repeatedly executing the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 at regular intervals. When this process is started, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not new content information 30, answer prediction time information 33, or the like has been input (step S1). If it is determined that the information has been input (YES in step S1). The input content information 30 and the like are updated and stored in the storage unit 11 (step S2). If it is determined that no input has been made (NO in step S1), step S2 is skipped. Next, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not the image processing device 3 is connected (step S3). If it is determined that the image processing device 3 is not connected (NO in step S3), the processing ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image processing device 3 is connected (YES in step S3), the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not setting information related to a job such as print settings has been received from the image processing device 3. (Step S5). If it is determined that job setting information has been received (YES in step S5), the information distribution server 2 generates a job specified by the user based on the setting information (step S6). On the other hand, when it is determined that the job setting information has not been received (NO in step S5), the information distribution server 2 ends this processing. When the information distribution server 2 generates a job in step S6, the information distribution server 2 calculates a job execution time required from when the image processing apparatus 3 starts executing the job to when it ends (step S7). The job execution time is calculated based on, for example, the number of pages, color settings, resolution, paper size, and the like. However, the information distribution server 2 may acquire the job execution time calculated in the image processing device 3 via the network.

  Next, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not the content information 30 stored in the storage unit 11 includes unanswered content that has not yet been answered by the login user of the image processing apparatus 3. (Step S9). This unanswered content includes content that includes only questions that the login user has not answered, and content that has been answered for some questions but has not been answered for the remaining questions. If it is determined that there is no unanswered content (NO in step S9), the information distribution server 2 transmits the job generated in step S6 to the image processing apparatus 3 (step S16), and ends this process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is unanswered content (YES in step S9), the information distribution server 2 executes content selection processing for selecting content to be transmitted to the image processing device 3 (step S10). . A specific processing procedure of the content selection processing will be described later. When the content selection process ends, the information distribution server 2 transmits the job generated in step S6 to the image processing apparatus 3 (step S11). At this time, the information distribution server 2 transmits the content selected in the content selection process to the image processing apparatus 3 together with the job.

  Thereafter, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not response information has been received from the image processing apparatus 3 (step S12). If the response information has been received (YES in step S12), the received response information is displayed. The accumulation process is performed (step S13). On the other hand, if the answer information has not been received (NO in step S12), the process in step S13 is skipped. Next, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not the record information 38 for the content has been received from the image processing apparatus 3 (step S14). If the record information 38 has been received (YES in step S14), the predicted time An update process (step S15) is performed, and this process ends. If the record information 38 has not been received (NO in step S14), the process returns to step S12 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific processing procedure of the content selection processing (step S10 in FIG. 10). When starting this processing, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not there is content that is partially unanswered by the logged-in user in the content information 30 (step S21). If it exists (YES in step S21), the content in the middle of the answer is selected as a transmission target (step S2). As a result, if there is content that is partially unanswered, the content is preferentially selected, so that the partially unanswered state is resolved early.

  If there is no partially unanswered content by the logged-in user (NO in step S21), the information distribution server 2 refers to the predicted response time information 33 (step S21). The predicted response time recorded in the individual user item 33b of the content that has not been answered at all is read out. At this time, the predicted response times of a plurality of contents may be read out. Then, the information distribution server 2 determines whether or not there is a content with a predicted response time shorter than the job execution time (step S24). If there is content with an estimated response time shorter than the job execution time (YES in step S24), the information distribution server 2 selects one content with an estimated response time shorter than the job execution time. That is, when there are a plurality of contents whose answer prediction times are shorter than the job execution time, the contents having the maximum answer prediction time are selected from the plurality of contents as a transmission target to the image processing apparatus 3 ( Step S25). By the processing in step S25, content that can be answered by the login user within the job execution time is selected.

  On the other hand, when there is no content with a predicted response time shorter than the job execution time (NO in step S24), the information distribution server 2 selects one content from the content with a longer response predicted time than the job execution time. select. In other words, when there are a plurality of contents whose response prediction time is longer than the job execution time, the content having the minimum response prediction time is selected from among the plurality of contents as a transmission target to the image processing apparatus 3 ( Step S26). In the process of step S25, after the execution time of the job has elapsed, the content that allows the login user to complete the answer input operation is selected as soon as possible. This is the end of the content selection process.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the predicted time update process (step S15 in FIG. 10). When starting this process, the information distribution server 2 updates the record information 38 stored in the storage unit 11 based on the record information 38 received from the image processing device 3 (step S31). Next, the information distribution server 2 calculates a correction value for the predicted response time of each user or each content recorded in the predicted response time information 33 based on the response time when the logged-in user performs the response input operation, The answer prediction time is updated based on the correction value (step S33). At this time, the information distribution server 2 may update the answer prediction time considering the average answer time by calculating an average answer time of a plurality of users and deriving a correction value.

  Next, operations performed in the image processing apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a main processing procedure performed by the image processing apparatus 3. The image processing apparatus 3 starts this process when the CPU 40 reads and executes a predetermined program from a non-volatile computer-readable recording medium at the time of activation. When starting this processing, the image processing apparatus 3 first connects to the information distribution server 2 (step S101), and establishes a state in which communication with the information distribution server 2 is possible. Thereafter, when the image processing apparatus 3 shifts to the login state by an input operation such as an ID or a password by the user, the image processing apparatus 3 generates setting information based on a job setting operation by the login user.

  When the image processing apparatus 3 generates job setting information based on a job setting operation by the login user, the image processing apparatus 3 transmits the job setting information to the information distribution server 2 (step S102). When the image processing apparatus 3 detects a job execution instruction from the login user (YES in step S105), the image processing apparatus 3 transmits a job execution instruction to the information distribution server 2 (step S106). As a result, the information distribution server 2 performs job generation processing and content selection processing. Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 3 receives a job from the information distribution server 2 (step S107), and further receives content (step S108). Then, the image processing apparatus 3 starts executing the job (step S110), and at the same time, starts the content display process (step S112).

  When the display of the content is started, the image processing apparatus 3 performs a progress management process (step S115) until the job currently being executed is completed, and manages the response progress status of the login user for the content. A specific processing procedure of the progress management process will be described later. When the execution of the job is completed, the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not the answer to the content has been completed, that is, whether or not the answers to all the questions included in the content have been completed (step S116). If it is determined that the content is being displayed (YES in step S116), the content display process is terminated (step S121). On the other hand, if the logged-in user has not answered all the questions (NO in step S116), the image processing apparatus 3 performs an intermediate termination process (step S120) for determining whether or not to end the display of the content. After that, the content display process is terminated (step S121). A specific processing procedure of the midway termination processing (step S120) will be described later. When the image display apparatus 3 finishes the content display process, the image processing apparatus 3 transmits response information and record information 38 to the information distribution server 2 (step S123), and ends all processes.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific processing procedure of the progress management process (step S115 in FIG. 13). When starting this processing, the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether it is time to check the progress status of the logged-in user's response to the currently displayed content (step S131). This timing can be set as appropriate. For example, it may be confirmed every time a job is being executed, or may be confirmed every predetermined time. If an answer input operation by the logged-in user is detected, confirmation may be made at that timing. Further, the progress of the response may be confirmed in accordance with the progress of the job in conjunction with the progress of the job. If it is determined in step S131 that it is not the response progress confirmation timing (NO in step S131), the process waits until the answer progress confirmation timing is reached. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is the confirmation timing of the reply progress status (YES in step S131), the image processing apparatus 3 confirms the reply progress status by the login user (step S132). For example, the image processing apparatus 3 confirms the response progress status by acquiring the number of responses that the logged-in user has answered so far and the count value of the timer. Then, the image processing apparatus 3 calculates the answer end timing required until the login user completes the answer input operation for all the questions (step S133).

  Next, the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not the answer end timing is after the job end timing (step S135). If the answer end timing is after the job end timing (YES in step S135), the job Job delay processing for determining whether or not to end the end timing is performed (step S140). On the other hand, if the answer end timing is earlier than the job end timing (NO in step S135), the job delay process (step S140) is skipped. However, it is not limited to such processing. For example, unlike the example shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 3 may always perform processing for delaying the job end timing instead of performing the job delay processing when the response end timing is later than the job end timing. .

  Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not the job has ended (step S141). If it is determined that the job has ended (YES in step S141), the progress management process ends. If it is determined that the job has not ended (NO in step S141), the process returns to step S131, and the processes in and after step S131 are repeatedly executed until the job ends.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of job delay processing (step S140 in FIG. 14). When starting this process, the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not the logged-in user has a record of performing an answer input operation on content displayed in the past (step S151). If the logged-in user has a record of performing an answer input operation in the past (YES in step S151), the image processing apparatus 3 next determines whether there is a waiting job (step S153). As a result, if there is no job waiting (NO in step S153), the image processing apparatus 3 delays the job end timing (step S155). In other words, the image processing apparatus 3 initially sets the end timing of the currently executing job by reducing the processing speed of the currently executing job or by causing the image stabilization process to be executed by an interrupt process. This delays the timing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S151 that the logged-in user has no past record of answer input operations (NO in step S151), or if it is determined in step S153 that there is a waiting job (YES in step S153). ), The image processing apparatus 3 determines whether there is a priority question clause in the currently displayed content (step S157). If there is a priority question clause (YES in step S157), the image processing apparatus 3 extracts the priority question clause from the content acquired from the information distribution server 2 and displays it on the display unit 45a (step S158). That is, if NO in step S151 or YES in step S153, the image processing apparatus 3 performs control so as not to delay the job end timing of the job currently being executed. If there is a priority question clause (YES in step S157), only the priority question clause is extracted and displayed from a large number of questions included in the content, and the user answers all the priority question clauses before the job ends. It is made possible to acquire. If there is no priority question clause (NO in step S157), step S158 is skipped and the job delay process is terminated. Accordingly, when there is no priority question clause, no special change occurs in the content display state on the display unit 45a.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a specific processing procedure of the midway termination process (step S120 in FIG. 13). When the image processing apparatus 3 starts this processing in a state where the answer to the content is incomplete at the end of the job execution, first, an intermediate end button is displayed on the screen of the display unit 45a displaying the content (step S160). . The halfway end button is a button that can be operated by the login user, and is a button for ending the answer input operation for the content. The image processing apparatus 3 displays such a halfway end button in a corner of the screen so as not to overlap with a question or answer button being displayed on the display unit 45a. Therefore, even when the halfway end button is displayed, the login user can continue the answer input operation for the content.

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not the operation of the halfway end button by the logged-in user has been detected (step S161). If the button operation is detected (YES in step S161), the halfway termination process is terminated. Let If the operation of the halfway end button by the login user is not detected (NO in step S161), the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not all the answer input operations for the content have been completed (step S162). As a result, when all the answer input operations are completed (YES in step S162), the midway termination process is terminated. Further, when all the answer input operations have not been completed (NO in step S162), the image processing apparatus 3 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of job execution (step S163). As a result, when the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in step S163), the process by the image processing apparatus 3 returns to step S161, and the processes of steps S161 to S163 described above are repeated. If a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of job execution (YES in step S163), the midway end process ends. Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 3 ends the content display process as described above (step S121 in FIG. 13), and transmits response information and the like to the information distribution server 2 (step S123 in FIG. 13). Accordingly, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the end of job execution, the image processing apparatus 3 automatically transmits response information and the like based on the previous response input operation to the information distribution server 2.

  As described above, the information distribution server 2 according to the present embodiment acquires the job execution time of a job executed by the image processing apparatus 3, and the job execution time and the estimated response time required for the user to perform an answer input operation. In contrast, the content with a predicted response time shorter than the job execution time is selected and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3. According to such a configuration, when a job is executed in the image processing apparatus 3, it is possible to display on the image processing apparatus 3 content that can complete an answer input operation during execution of the job. The user's answer to can be effectively obtained.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment displays an answer that the user completes the answer input operation based on the progress of the answer input operation of the user when the content acquired from the information distribution server 2 is displayed during the job execution. The end timing is calculated. The image processing apparatus 3 is configured to delay the job end timing of the job currently being executed when the answer end timing is later than the job end timing. According to such a configuration, it is possible to delay the timing at which the job is completed as the progress status of the answer input operation of the actual user is delayed from the progress status scheduled at the predicted response time. Therefore, the user can complete the answer input operation for the question included in the content before the job is completed. Therefore, the user's answer to the content can be acquired effectively.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 3 in the present embodiment acquires the record information 38 regarding the user's answer input operation performed on the content, and transmits the acquired record information 38 to the information distribution server 2. Then, the information distribution server 2 updates the predicted response time corresponding to the content that has not been answered by each user based on such result information 38. As a result, the information distribution server 2 can improve the accuracy of the predicted response time set for each content, and can select the content that is accurate with respect to the job execution time.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment concerning the present invention was described, the present invention is not limited to what was explained by the embodiment mentioned above, and various modifications are applicable to the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case where a job is generated mainly in the information distribution server 2 and the job is transmitted from the information distribution server 2 to the image processing apparatus 3 is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a job may be generated in the image processing apparatus 3. In this case, the image processing apparatus 3 may calculate the job execution time of the job when generating the job, and transmit the job execution time to the information distribution server 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the job executed mainly by the image processing apparatus 3 is a print job has been illustrated. However, the job executed by the image processing apparatus 3 is not limited to a print job, and may be another job such as a scan job or a FAX job.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information distribution system 2 Information distribution server 3 Image processing apparatus 19 Content selection part (content selection means)
20 Content transmitter (content transmitter)
25 Results management department (results management means)
30 Content information (content)
33 Answer prediction time information (answer prediction time)
35 Execution time information (execution time)
38 Performance information (result information)
53 Display control unit (display control means)
73 execution time acquisition unit (execution time acquisition means)
80 predicted response time acquisition unit (response predicted time acquisition means)
82 Prediction update unit (prediction update means)
91 Job reception section (job reception means)
93 Job execution unit (job execution means)
95 Job delay part (job delay means)
101 Reply reception part (reply reception means)
102 Reply sending unit (answer sending means)

Claims (18)

An information distribution server that selects and distributes one of a plurality of contents for which a user is requested to answer,
An image processing apparatus capable of executing a job specified by a user, displaying the content received from the information distribution server during execution of the job, and receiving an input of a reply by the user;
An information distribution system comprising:
The information distribution server is
A predicted response time acquisition means for acquiring a predicted response time of the user for each of the plurality of contents;
Execution time acquisition means for acquiring a job execution time of a job executed in the image processing apparatus;
Content selection means for comparing the job execution time and the predicted answer time, and selecting content that is shorter than the job execution time from the plurality of contents.
Content transmitting means for transmitting the content selected by the content selecting means to the image processing device;
With
The image processing apparatus includes:
Job execution means for controlling execution of the job;
Display control means for displaying the content received from the information distribution server;
Answer accepting means for accepting answer information input by a user for the content displayed by the display control means;
An answer progress management means for calculating an answer end timing at which the user's answer operation ends based on a progress status of the user's answer input operation on the content displayed by the display control means;
Job delay means for delaying the job end timing when the answer end timing calculated by the answer progress management means is later than the job end timing at which the execution of the job ends;
An information distribution system comprising:   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the job delay unit delays the job end timing by reducing a processing speed of the job. The job is a print job for forming and outputting an image on a printing paper,
The job execution unit executes the print job by sequentially transporting printing paper along a predetermined transport path,
3. The information distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the job delay unit decreases the processing speed of the job by decreasing the conveyance speed of the printing paper by the job execution unit. The job execution means can execute an image stabilization process for stabilizing an image during the execution of the job,
4. The information distribution according to claim 2, wherein the job delay unit delays the job end timing by causing the job execution unit to execute the image stabilization process during execution of the job. system.   The information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the response progress management unit calculates the response end timing in conjunction with the progress of the job by the job execution unit. The response prediction time acquisition unit stores the response prediction time in a predetermined storage unit in association with each of the plurality of contents,
The image processing apparatus includes:
A record acquisition means for generating record information related to the operation record of the user's answer input operation for the content displayed by the display control means and transmitting the record information to the information distribution server;
Further comprising
The information distribution server is
Achievement management means for managing the achievement information received from the image processing apparatus in association with each content;
The response prediction time is read from the storage unit, and the image processing device is still in the response prediction time associated with each of the plurality of contents based on the result information acquired by the result management unit. Prediction update means for updating the response prediction time associated with the content that has not been distributed;
The information distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The prediction update means calculates an average response time of the user for each content based on the record information, and calculates the response prediction time associated with content that has not been distributed according to the average response time. The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the information distribution system is updated. The performance acquisition means, when there is an unanswered portion in which no answer is input by the user in the content displayed by the display control means at a predetermined timing after the end of execution of the job, Add information about the unanswered part and send it to the information delivery server,
The information distribution system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the prediction update means updates a response prediction time corresponding to an unanswered portion of the content based on the performance information received from the image processing device. .   9. The information distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the content selection unit preferentially selects a content having an unanswered part among the plurality of contents.   The job delay means does not delay the end timing of the job when there is no answer history indicating that a user's answer input operation has been performed on the content displayed by the display control means in the performance information. 10. The information distribution system according to claim 6, wherein The image processing apparatus includes:
Job accepting means for managing a job accepted during execution of the job by the job executing means as a standby job;
Further comprising
11. The job delay unit does not delay the job end timing of a job being executed by the job execution unit when there is a standby job managed by the job reception unit. Information distribution system described in Crab. The content may include priority question clauses that require users to preferentially answer,
12. The information distribution system according to claim 10, wherein the display control unit extracts and displays the priority question clause when the answer end timing is later than the job end timing. The image processing apparatus includes:
Answer sending means for sending the answer information accepted by the answer accepting means to the information distribution server;
The information distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising:   The answer transmission means is configured such that at a predetermined timing after completion of execution of the job, an answer portion in which an answer by the user is input to the content displayed by the display control means and an answer by the user are input. 14. The information delivery system according to claim 13, wherein when there is an unanswered part, the reply information corresponding to the reply part is transmitted to the information delivery server. An information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to a user,
A predicted response time acquisition means for acquiring a predicted response time of the user for each of the plurality of contents;
Execution time acquisition means for acquiring a job execution time of a job executed in the image processing apparatus capable of displaying the content;
Content selection means for comparing the job execution time and the predicted answer time, and selecting content that is shorter than the job execution time from the plurality of contents.
Content transmitting means for transmitting the content selected by the content selecting means to the image processing device;
An information distribution server comprising: An image processing apparatus capable of executing a job designated by a user,
Job execution means for controlling job execution;
When job execution by the job execution unit is started, the job execution unit communicates with an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to the user. Communication control means for acquiring content corresponding to the job execution time of the job to be executed from the information distribution server;
Display control means for displaying content acquired from the information distribution server by the communication control means;
An answer progress management means for calculating an answer end timing at which the user's answer operation ends based on a progress status of the user's answer input operation on the content displayed by the display control means;
Job delay means for delaying the job end timing when the answer end timing calculated by the answer progress management means is later than the job end timing at which the execution of the job ends;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A program executed in an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to a user, and the information distribution server includes:
A predicted response time acquisition means for acquiring a predicted response time of the user for each of the plurality of contents;
Execution time acquisition means for acquiring a job execution time of a job executed in the image processing apparatus capable of displaying the content;
Content selection means for comparing the job execution time with the predicted answer time, and selecting content that is shorter than the predicted job execution time from the plurality of contents, and
Content transmitting means for transmitting the content selected by the content selecting means to the image processing apparatus;
A program characterized by functioning as A program executed in an image processing apparatus capable of executing a job designated by a user, wherein the image processing apparatus is
Job execution means for controlling job execution,
When job execution by the job execution unit is started, the job execution unit communicates with an information distribution server that selects and distributes one content from among a plurality of contents that request an answer to the user. Means for acquiring content corresponding to the job execution time of the job to be executed from the information distribution server;
Display control means for displaying content acquired from the information distribution server by the communication control means;
An answer progress management means for calculating an answer end timing at which the user's answer operation ends based on the progress status of the user's answer input operation on the content displayed by the display control means; and
Job delay means for delaying the job end timing when the answer end timing calculated by the answer progress management means is later than the job end timing at which the execution of the job ends;
A program characterized by functioning as

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