JP2017019228A - Image processing device, control method for the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device that is configured to display an operation screen of an optimum operation specification, when the device accepts operation from an operation portion which can accept operation for HTTP access and when the device does not accept the operation, respectively.SOLUTION: The image processing device, when accepted access is not access through an HTTP communication, displays on an operation portion a first operation screen requiring explicit and definite operation, and if the accepted access is the access through the HTTP communication, displays on the operation portion a second operation screen which does not require the explicit and definite operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus has a user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as UI) for operating functions such as copying, scanning result transmission, and facsimile transmission. As a feature of these UIs, there is a button for performing an operation of confirming selected setting contents. For example, when setting the color at the time of printing a copy, in addition to print color options such as full color, black and white, and automatic, buttons for confirming and confirming OK and Cancel are provided. By pressing the OK button, the item being set, for example, the item of full color could be confirmed. Such UIs are also provided at station ticket machines and bank ATMs. Hereinafter, such a UI is temporarily referred to as an explicit operation confirmation UI. On the other hand, the UI is changing with the advent of smartphones and tablets. For example, a setting item is automatically determined when returning to a previously displayed screen after performing some setting. Hereinafter, such a UI is temporarily referred to as an implicit operation determination UI.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620 proposes control for displaying a user interface suitable for an application when the user selects a printer driver to be used from the application. Specifically, as the display control of the print setting item options, the user interface for the touch panel and the user interface for the mouse are switched according to the application for which the printer driver is selected.

JP 2013-77284 A

  However, the above prior art has the following problems. For example, it has not been possible to provide a method for switching control while maintaining the system of each operation specification for two types of users who expect different operation specifications depending on the access method. The first type of user is a user who wants to use operation specifications equivalent to a conventional operation panel. The second type of user is a mobile terminal or a user who expects the same operation specifications as a mobile terminal or a Web application through HTTP access. In the above prior art, an appropriate user interface cannot be provided for such a user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. The operation with the optimum operation specification is performed when the operation is received from the operation unit capable of receiving the HTTP access operation and when the operation is not performed. The purpose is to provide a mechanism for displaying the screen.

  The present invention is an image processing apparatus, a receiving unit that receives an access from a user, a determination unit that determines whether or not the access received by the receiving unit is an access by HTTP communication, and a determination by the determination unit As a result, a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation is displayed on the operation unit unless the access is based on the HTTP communication, and an explicit confirmation operation is not necessary if the access is based on the HTTP communication. And a display control means for displaying an operation screen on the operation unit.

  The present invention is also an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a Web server, wherein an accepting unit that accepts access from a user, and an access accepted by the accepting unit is accessed via an application provided by the image processing apparatus. Or a determination unit that determines whether the access is through an application provided by the Web server, and as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the access is through an application provided by the image processing apparatus. A first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation is displayed on the operation unit, and a second operation screen that does not require an explicit confirmation operation if accessed via an application provided by the Web server. And display control means for displaying on the screen.

  In addition, the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external terminal, wherein a reception unit that receives access from a user and whether the access received by the reception unit is access from an operation unit of the image processing apparatus. Alternatively, a determination unit that determines whether the access is from the external terminal, and a result of determination by the determination unit is that the access from the operation unit of the image processing apparatus requires an explicit confirmation operation. And a display control unit that displays a first operation screen on the operation unit and displays a second operation screen on the operation unit that does not require an explicit confirmation operation when accessed from the external terminal.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display an operation screen having an optimum operation specification in each of a case where an operation is accepted from an operation unit capable of accepting an HTTP access operation and a case where the operation is not.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MFP and a Web server FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the MFP according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the software structure of the whole system which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control processing relevant to 401, 402, 403 of FIG. 4 which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the color setting relevant to the flowchart of FIG. 5 which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the double-sided setting relevant to the flowchart of FIG. 5 which concerns on one Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the control processing relevant to 404,405,406 of FIG. 4 which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the color setting relevant to the flowchart of FIG. 8 which concerns on one Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the double-sided setting relevant to the flowchart of FIG. 8 which concerns on one Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing a control process for displaying an explicit confirmation UI or an implicit confirmation UI according to an embodiment.

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

<System configuration>
An embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the screen display definition data of the native application displayed on the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 serving as the image processing apparatus is converted so that it can be displayed as the screen display definition data in the Web application format. Here, the native application indicates an application provided by executing a control program or the like stored in advance by the MFP 101. On the other hand, an application provided by a web server or the like that is an external terminal is referred to as a web application.

  First, a configuration of a system including an image processing apparatus (MFP) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. An MFP 101 and a Web server 102 are connected to the LAN 110 so that they can communicate with each other. In FIG. 1, only one MFP and server are shown, but a plurality of PCs, MFPs, servers, and the like may be connected to the LAN 110.

  Next, configuration examples of the MFP 101 and the Web server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the configuration of the MFP 101 will be described. The MFP 101 includes a control unit 210, an operation unit 219, a printer 220, and a scanner 221. The control unit 210 includes a CPU 211, ROM 212, RAM 213, HDD 214, operation unit I / F (interface) 215, printer I / F 216, scanner I / F 217, and network I / F 218.

  A control unit 210 including a CPU 211 controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. The CPU 211 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 212 and executes various control processes such as reading control and transmission control. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory or work area for the CPU 211. The HDD 214 stores image data, various programs, various information tables, and the like. The operation unit I / F 215 controls an interface between the operation unit 219 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 219 functions as a reception unit and includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like.

  Further, the MFP 101 has a Web browser function described later. The Web browser of the MFP 101 analyzes the HTML file received from the Web server 102 and displays an operation screen based on the description of the HTML file on the display unit of the operation unit 219. indicate. Details of the operation unit 219 will be described later.

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

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

<Configuration of operation unit>
Next, the configuration of the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows an appearance of the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 according to the present embodiment.

  The operation unit 219 includes an LCD display unit 301 in which a touch panel sheet 302 is pasted on the LCD. The LCD display unit 301 displays an operation screen and soft keys displayed by a later-described native function module or Web browser, and when the displayed key is pressed, position information indicating the pressed position is displayed. Is transmitted to the CPU 211.

  The operation unit 219 is provided with various hard keys such as a start key 303, a stop key 304, a reset key 305, a guide key 306, a top menu key 307, and a numeric key 308. A start key 303 is a hard key for instructing the MFP 101 to start processing, and a green and red two-color LED display unit 309 is provided at the center of the start key 303. The two-color LED display unit 309 indicates whether or not the start key 303 is usable depending on the color. A stop key 304 is a key for stopping an operation in progress. A reset key 305 is a key used when initializing settings. A guide key 306 is a key for displaying how to use the MFP 101. A top menu key 307 is a key for displaying a top menu screen for selecting a function of the MFP 101. A numeric key 308 is a key for inputting a numeric value.

  Here, the operation unit 219 provided in the MFP 101 has been described. When the user accesses the MFP from an external terminal such as a PC or a portable terminal, screen information corresponding to the screen displayed on the operation unit 219 is notified. You may do it. According to the present embodiment, an explicit confirmation UI (first operation screen) that explicitly requires a confirmation operation or an implicit confirmation UI (second operation that does not require an explicit confirmation operation) according to a user access method. Screen) is displayed on the operation unit 219. Alternatively, the screen information is notified to the external terminal. That is, in the MFP 101 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suitably switch and use the screens of the two operation specifications of the explicit confirmation UI and the implicit confirmation UI. In the following, a configuration for displaying these UIs on the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 will be described. However, as described above, the screen information may be notified to an external terminal and displayed.

<Software configuration>
Next, a software configuration of the entire system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each control function unit illustrated in FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU 211 provided in the MFP 101 executing a control program. A configuration in which the MFP 101 is arranged from another PC connected via the LAN 110 is also included in the present invention.

  The MFP 101 includes an explicit confirmation UI display unit 401, an explicit confirmation UI event reception unit 402, and an explicit confirmation UI event determination unit 403 as control configurations. Furthermore, an implicit confirmation UI display unit 404, an implicit confirmation UI event reception unit 405, an implicit confirmation UI event determination unit 406, and a setting item processing unit 407 are provided.

  The explicit confirmation UI display unit 401 displays an explicit confirmation UI on the operation unit 219. Here, the explicit confirmation UI is an interface having an operation unit such as a button for confirming selected setting contents during setting display. The explicit confirmation UI event reception unit 402 accepts a user operation via the explicit confirmation UI displayed by the explicit confirmation UI display unit 401. The explicit confirmation UI event determination unit 403 analyzes the event received by the explicit confirmation UI event reception unit 402 and notifies the setting item processing unit 407 of the analysis result.

  The implicit confirmation UI display unit 404 displays an implicit confirmation UI on the operation unit 219. Here, the implicit confirmation UI is an interface that does not have an operation unit such as a button for confirming selected setting contents during setting display. The implicit confirmation UI event reception unit 405 receives a user operation via the implicit confirmation UI displayed by the implicit confirmation UI display unit 404. The implicit confirmation UI event determination unit 406 analyzes the event received by the implicit confirmation UI event reception unit 405 and notifies the setting item processing unit 407 of the analysis result.

<Display control>
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, in the MFP 101 according to the present embodiment, when an access from the user is accepted, whether to display an explicit confirmation UI (to be described later) or an implicit confirmation UI, which will be described later. The switching control will be described. The processing described below is executed when the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executes a control program. Needless to say, when this operation is performed in a PC connected via the LAN 110, the CPU 211 executes the control program.

  In step S <b> 1101, when the CPU 211 receives some access from the user, the CPU 211 determines whether the operation unit accessed by the user is an operation unit capable of HTTP access. Here, the HTTP access is access by communication using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and indicates, for example, a user operation via a web application provided by the web server 102 or a user operation via a mobile terminal. That is, access to the MFP 101 using HTTP communication. Even when the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101 is operated, HTTP access is provided if the operation screen is provided by the Web application (Web server 102). Therefore, the CPU 211 can determine that HTTP access is possible when access is received from a web application, a mobile terminal, or the like. On the other hand, when access is received from an application or device other than those, for example, when access is received via a native application provided in advance in the MFP 101, it is determined that HTTP access is not possible. Further, when access is received from the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101, it is determined that HTTP access is not possible, and when access is received from an external terminal such as a mobile terminal or a PC, it is determined that HTTP access is possible. Also good. Note that these determination methods are examples, and other determination methods may be used. If the CPU 211 determines that HTTP access is possible, the process advances to step S1102. If the CPU 211 determines that HTTP access is not possible, the process advances to step S1103.

  In step S1102, the CPU 211 displays an implicit confirmation UI, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, on the operation unit 219, and ends the process. On the other hand, in step S1103, the CPU 211 displays an explicit confirmation UI, which will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, on the operation unit 219, and ends the process. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the display screen displayed on the operation unit 219 is switched in consideration of the method that the user has accessed.

<Control procedure in explicit confirmation UI>
Next, a control procedure in the explicit confirmation UI of the MFP 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, an example of items and processing set on the color setting screen 601 of FIG. 6 displayed on the explicit confirmation UI display unit 401 or the duplex setting screen 701 of FIG. 7 on the MFP 101 will be described. The processing described below is executed when the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executes a control program. Needless to say, when this operation is performed in a PC connected via the LAN 110, the CPU 211 executes the control program.

  First, in step S <b> 501, the CPU 211 determines a user event accepted by the explicit confirmation UI event reception unit 402. This is an accepted event in a state where the color setting screen 601 shown in FIG. 6 or the duplex setting screen 701 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  A color setting screen 601 is a screen for setting color settings when the MFP 101 scans a document. A duplex setting screen 701 is a screen for setting duplex settings when the MFP 101 copies a document. For example, in the case of the color setting screen 601, the CPU 211 determines which one of the automatic button 602, the black and white button 603, the cancel button 604, the full color button 605, the two color button 606, and the OK button 607 is pressed. To do. In the case of the duplex setting screen 701, any one of the simplex → double side button 702, double side → single side button 703, setting cancel button 704, double side → double side button 705, double page → double side button 706, and OK button 707 in this screen. The CPU 211 determines whether the button has been pressed. The determination method is generally determined based on the event type notified by the explicit confirmation UI event reception unit 402, but may be determined by another method. The CPU 211 advances the process to any one of S502 to S506 according to the determined event.

  In step S502, the CPU 211 performs setting item determination processing. This process is executed according to an event that occurs when the OK button 607 on the color setting screen 601 or the OK button 707 on the duplex setting screen 701 is pressed. When this event occurs, the content of the currently selected setting item is confirmed. In step S503, the CPU 211 performs setting item setting cancellation processing. This process is an event that occurs when an OK button 607 on the color setting screen 601 is pressed. When this event occurs, the contents of the currently selected setting item are canceled. In step S <b> 504, the CPU 211 performs processing for canceling the setting item setting. This process is an event that occurs when the cancel button 604 of the color setting screen 601 is pressed. When this event occurs, the contents of the currently selected setting item are canceled. Note that this processing is equivalent to S503.

  In step S505, the CPU 211 performs setting item selection processing. This processing occurs when any of the automatic button 602, the monochrome button 603, and the full color button 605 on the color setting screen 601 is pressed, or when any of the buttons 702 to 706 on the duplex setting screen 701 is pressed. Event. When this event occurs, the setting item corresponding to the pressed button is selected. When the processing of S502 to S504 is executed in the state selected here, the item of the setting content is confirmed or canceled.

  In step S506, the CPU 211 performs setting item selection processing. This process is an event that occurs when the two-color button 606 on the color setting screen 601 is pressed. When this event occurs, a process for transitioning to another screen is performed. Description of screen control at the transition destination is omitted.

<Control procedure in implicit determination UI>
Next, a control procedure in the implicit confirmation UI of the MFP 101 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, an example of items and processes set on the color setting screen 901 of FIG. 9 displayed on the implicit confirmation UI display unit 404 or the duplex setting screen 1001 of FIG. 10 on the MFP 101 will be described. The processing described below is executed when the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 executes a control program. Needless to say, when this operation is performed in a PC connected via the LAN 110, the CPU 211 executes the control program.

  First, in step S <b> 801, the CPU 211 determines a user event accepted by the implicit confirmation UI event reception unit 405. This is an event received in a state where the color setting screen 901 in FIG. 9 or the duplex setting screen 1001 in FIG. 10 is displayed.

  A color setting screen 901 is a screen for setting color settings when the MFP 101 scans a document. A duplex setting screen 1001 is a screen for setting duplex settings when the MFP 101 copies a document. For example, in the case of the color setting screen 901, the CPU 211 determines which of the return button 902, automatic button 903, full color button 904, black and white button 905, and two-color button 906 in this screen has been pressed. In the case of the duplex setting screen 1001, any one of a return button 1002, no setting button 1003, one-sided → double-sided button 1004, double-sided → double-sided button 1005, double-sided → single-sided button 1006, and spread → double-sided button 1007. Determine whether it was pressed. The determination method is generally determined based on the event type notified by the implicit confirmation UI event reception unit 405, but may be determined by another method. The CPU 211 advances the process to either S802 or S803 depending on the determined event.

  In step S <b> 802, if the event determined in step S <b> 801 is a screen transition event, the CPU 211 performs screen transition processing. This process is an event that occurs when the return button 902 or the two-color button 906 on the color setting screen 901 is pressed. Further, the double-side setting screen 1001 corresponds to the return button 1002. When the screen transition process is executed in S802, the CPU 211 ends the process.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 803, if the event determined in step S <b> 801 is a setting item selection event, the CPU 211 determines whether a setting item is further selected for the received event. If a setting item is not selected, the process proceeds to S804. If a setting item is selected, the process proceeds to S805.

  In step S804, the CPU 211 performs setting cancellation processing. This processing is processing corresponding to an event that occurs when a button corresponding to the no setting button 1003 on the duplex setting screen 1001 in FIG. 10 is operated. Here, the CPU 211 executes setting cancellation processing in the setting item processing unit 407.

  On the other hand, in step S805, the CPU 211 performs setting item selection processing. In the case of the color setting screen 901, when it is determined that any one of the automatic button 903, the full color button 904, and the monochrome button 905 is pressed, the processing is executed. In the case of the double-sided setting screen 1001, the process is executed when any one of the single-sided → double-sided button 1004, double-sided → double-sided button 1005, double-sided → single-sided button 1006, and spread → double-sided button 1007 is pressed. For example, when the automatic button 903 is pressed, a process of selecting “automatic” as the color setting is executed. Subsequently, in step S806, the CPU 211 executes setting item determination processing. Here, processing corresponding to S502 in FIG. 5 is executed.

  As described above, according to the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, when an access from a user is accepted, whether an access is made from an application (for example, a web application) capable of HTTP access or an external terminal. judge. Based on the determination result, if the access is from an app or device capable of HTTP access, an operation screen with an implicit confirmation UI is displayed, and access from an app (for example, a native app) or device that is not capable of HTTP access. For example, an operation screen with an explicit confirmation UI is displayed. As a result, an operation screen with an optimum operation specification can be displayed in each of the cases where the operation is accepted from the operation unit capable of accepting the HTTP access operation and the case where the operation is not. For example, even a web application can provide operability that is highly compatible with the operability of a native application displayed on the operation unit 219 of the MFP 101.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  101: MFP, 102: control unit, 401: explicit confirmation UI display unit, 402: explicit confirmation UI event reception unit, 403: explicit confirmation UI event determination unit, 404: implicit confirmation UI display unit, 405: implicit 406: Implicit confirmation UI event determination unit, 407: Setting item processing unit, 601: Color setting screen, 701: Duplex setting screen example, 901: Color setting screen, 1001: Duplex setting screen

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus,
Accepting means for accepting access from users,
Determining means for determining whether or not the access accepted by the accepting means is access via HTTP communication;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation is displayed on the operation unit unless the access is based on the HTTP communication, and an explicit confirmation operation is performed if the access is based on the HTTP communication. An image processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that displays a second operation screen that is not required on the operation unit. An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a Web server,
Accepting means for accepting access from users,
Determining means for determining whether the access accepted by the accepting means is access via an application provided by the image processing apparatus or access via an application provided by the Web server;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, an application provided by the Web server is displayed on the operation unit and displays a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation if the access is through an application provided by the image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that displays a second operation screen on the operation unit that does not require an explicit confirmation operation if access is performed through the network. An image processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external terminal,
Accepting means for accepting access from users,
A determination unit that determines whether the access received by the reception unit is an access from an operation unit of the image processing apparatus or an access from the external terminal;
As a result of determination by the determination means, if the access is from the operation unit of the image processing apparatus, a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation is displayed on the operation unit, and if the access is from the external terminal An image processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that displays a second operation screen that does not require an explicit confirmation operation on an operation unit. First processing means for processing a user operation event received via the first operation screen;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second processing unit configured to process an event of a user operation received via the second operation screen.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first processing unit determines the content of an item selected when an explicit determination operation is performed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second processing unit determines the content of an item corresponding to each operation every time each operation is performed. A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:
An accepting step for accepting access from a user;
A determination step for determining whether or not the access received in the reception step is an access by HTTP communication;
If the result of determination in the determination step is that the display control means does not access through the HTTP communication, the display control means displays a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation on the operation unit. And a display control step of displaying a second operation screen that does not require a specific confirmation operation on the operation unit. An image processing apparatus control method capable of communicating with a Web server,
An accepting step for accepting access from a user;
A determination step in which the determination unit determines whether the access received in the reception step is access through an application provided by the image processing apparatus or access through an application provided by the Web server. When,
If the result of determination in the determination step is that the display control means is an access via an application provided by the image processing apparatus, the display control means displays a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation on the operation unit, and the Web A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: performing a display control step of displaying a second operation screen on an operation unit that does not require an explicit confirmation operation if the access is through an application provided by a server. An image processing apparatus control method capable of communicating with an external terminal,
An accepting step for accepting access from a user;
A determination step of determining whether the access received in the reception step is an access from the operation unit of the image processing apparatus or an access from the external terminal;
If the result of determination in the determination step is that the display control means is an access from the operation unit of the image processing apparatus, the display control unit displays a first operation screen that requires an explicit confirmation operation on the operation unit, and from the external terminal A display control step of displaying a second operation screen that does not require an explicit confirming operation on the operation unit.   The program for making a computer perform each process in the control method of the image processing apparatus of any one of Claims 7 thru | or 9.

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