JP2017033036A - Information processing apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus which executes function customization properly.SOLUTION: In customizing a function of an information processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus determines whether an execution unit which executes the function can execute customization or not. When the execution unit can execute customization, the information processing apparatus instructs the execution unit to execute customization based on setting information corresponding to a log-in user. When the execution unit cannot execute customization, the information processing apparatus suspends the instruction to the execution unit to execute customization based on the setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus capable of customizing functions, a control method, and a program.

  In recent image forming apparatuses, many image forming modes such as a double-sided mode and an image editing mode are prepared, and more functions such as using these modes in combination are progressing. On the other hand, since the setting method of the image forming mode is becoming complicated due to such multi-functionalization, an operation panel using a display device capable of displaying characters such as an LCD is often employed. For example, an operator-guided operation panel that displays not only the mode setting configuration (keys and the like) but also the explanatory text of the setting method has become mainstream.

  The explanatory text of the above setting method is preferably displayed in the language of the country in which the image forming apparatus is used, and generally corresponds to the national language of the operation panel display. Developed a language switching function to switch the display language, especially for foreign companies and regions where multiple ethnic groups coexist, with multiple language data installed in advance, and the operator can selectively select the language that the device should display Has been.

  Patent Document 1 describes a copying machine that determines a language to be displayed from a set paper and a power supply voltage as an example of an image forming apparatus having such a language switching function. Patent Document 2 describes a facsimile apparatus that determines a place (country) based on radio waves from a satellite and determines a display language.

JP 05-127475 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-46179

  The language switching function generally displays all screens in the selected language when a certain display language is selected, regardless of each application such as copying, FAX, and printer. However, if an attempt is made to customize language switching before the initialization of the application is completed, the initialization process and the language switching process conflict, and the application that has not been initialized cannot be switched.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such conventional problems. In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program that appropriately execute function customization.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus, and executes an execution unit that executes a function of the information processing apparatus, and logs in when the login to the information processing apparatus is accepted. An acquisition unit that acquires setting information for customizing the function of the information processing apparatus corresponding to a user, and a state in which the execution unit can execute the customization when executing the customization of the function of the information processing apparatus If the determination means determines that the execution means is in a state where customization can be performed, the execution based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition means is executed. If the determination means determines that the execution means is not ready for customization, the execution means And control means for holding an indication of customization based on the setting information to the stage, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to the present invention, customization of functions can be executed appropriately.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the MFP. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an MFP activation sequence. It is a figure which shows a language resource. It is a figure which shows the process which customizes based on a personal setting after login. It is a figure for demonstrating inconsistency of a display language. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows the control process of a language switching request | requirement.

  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 embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. . The same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 101. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 101 includes a configuration specific to functions that can be executed by the MFP 101 in addition to a configuration as a general information processing apparatus such as a PC. The configuration shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration in the present embodiment, and other components not shown are included as necessary.

  The CPU 111, RAM 112, ROM 113, input control I / F 114, display control I / F 115, storage device I / F 116, communication I / F controller 117, scanner 121, and printer 122 are connected to each other via the system bus 110. Has been. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 comprehensively controls the MFP 101. For example, each function of the MFP 101 is executed in cooperation with a CPU included in the scanner 121 or the printer 122.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 is a volatile memory, and is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 111. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 is a non-volatile memory, and stores image data, other data, various programs for operating the CPU 111, and the like in predetermined areas. Various tables and parameters used in the operation of the present embodiment are also stored in the ROM 113.

  The CPU 111 realizes the operation of the present embodiment by, for example, reading a program stored in the ROM 113 into the RAM 112 and executing the program. A program for operating the CPU 111 may be stored in the storage device 120 such as a hard disk in addition to being stored in the ROM 113.

  The input control interface (I / F) 114 receives a user operation on the user interface, generates a control signal corresponding to the operation, and outputs the control signal to the CPU 111. For example, the input control I / F 114 includes a character information input device (not shown) such as a keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown) and a touch panel 118 as input devices that receive user operations. The touch panel 118 is an input device configured to output coordinate information corresponding to a position touched with respect to an input unit configured in a planar manner, for example.

  The CPU 111 controls each unit of the MFP 101 based on a control signal output from the input control I / F 114 in response to a user operation performed on the input device. Thereby, the CPU 111 controls the operation of the MFP 101 in accordance with the user operation. The display control I / F 115 outputs a display signal for displaying an image on the display 119 (display unit). For example, the CPU 111 outputs a display control signal generated according to the program to the display control I / F 115. The display control I / F 115 generates a display signal based on the display control signal and outputs the display signal to the display 119. For example, the display control I / F 115 causes the display 119 to display a GUI screen configuring a GUI (Graphical User Interface) based on the display control signal generated by the CPU 111.

  The touch panel 118 may be configured integrally with the display 119. For example, the touch panel 118 is configured such that the light transmittance does not hinder the display of the display 119 and is attached to the upper layer of the display surface of the display 119. Then, input coordinates on the touch panel 118 and display coordinates on the display 119 are associated with each other. Thereby, it is possible to configure a GUI as if the user can directly operate the screen displayed on the display 119.

  For example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flexible disk, or a storage device 120 such as a CD, a DVD, a flash memory, or a memory card can be attached to the storage device I / F 116. The CPU 111 controls reading of data from the attached storage device 120 and writing of data to the storage device 120. The storage device 120 may be used as a storage unit instead of the ROM 113.

  The communication I / F controller 117 performs communication with various networks such as a LAN, the Internet, wired communication, and wireless communication under the control of the CPU 111. Various devices such as a PC, another MFP, a printer, and a server are connected to the network 102 so as to be communicable with the MFP 101.

  The scanner 121 optically reads a document with a reading unit including a light source such as an LED and an image sensor, and generates image data. For example, the CPU 111 controls the scanner 121 to execute the scan function according to a user instruction received via the input control I / F 114. The scanner 121 reads a document placed on a document table or a document supplied from an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), converts the read signal into digital data, and generates image data. The scanner 121 stores the generated image data in the storage device 120 via the storage device I / F 116.

  The printer 122 prints image data stored in the storage device 120 by various recording methods such as an inkjet recording method and an electrophotographic method. For example, the CPU 111 controls the printer 122 to execute the print function according to a user instruction received via the input control I / F 114 or a command instruction received from an external device via the communication I / F controller 117. The printer 122 reads image data from the storage device 120, converts it into a printable data format, and forms an image on a recording medium.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the MFP 101. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration in the present embodiment, and other components are included as necessary. Each control unit in FIG. 2 is stored as a program in the ROM 113, and is realized by being expanded in the RAM 112 as necessary, such as when the MFP 101 is activated or when a function is executed, and executed by the CPU 111.

  The software configuration of the MFP 101 includes a control bus 240, an OS control unit 200, a display operation control unit 201, an authentication control unit 202, and a setting value storage control unit 203. Information is exchanged between the control units by the configuration of the control bus 240. Information for delivery is stored in the RAM 112, the storage device 120, or the like.

  The OS control unit 200 implements a software interface corresponding to each hardware control I / F in FIG. The OS control unit 200 also provides basic system functions such as activation and shutdown of the MFP 101.

  The display operation control unit 201 receives instruction information input by the user, temporarily stores it in a storage area such as the RAM 112, and notifies the set value storage control unit 203 that an input instruction from the user has been accepted. In addition to controlling the setting database (DB) 230, the set value storage control unit 203 also operates as a display control unit that reads instruction information from the RAM 112 and executes display control according to the instruction information.

  The MFP 101 has a control unit corresponding to one or more functions (hereinafter referred to as functions) that can be executed by the MFP 101. For example, the MFP 101 includes a copy control unit 210, a transmission control unit 211, and a print control unit 212. The copy control unit 210 corresponds to a “copy” function, the transmission control unit 211 corresponds to a “transmission” function, and the print control unit 212 corresponds to a “print” function. Further, a control unit other than the control unit illustrated in FIG. 2, for example, a fax control unit corresponding to a “fax” function may be included.

  The copy control unit 210 optically reads a document, controls a copy function for copying and printing. The copy control unit 210 acquires image data generated by reading with the scanner 121, performs image processing on the acquired image data with an image processing control unit (not shown), and performs image processing. Data is output to the printer 122.

  The transmission control unit 211 controls a transmission function for optically reading a document and transmitting it to an external server. The transmission control unit 211 acquires image data generated by reading with the scanner 121, and performs image processing on the acquired image data with an image processing control unit (not shown). For example, JPEG, TIFF, etc. A file with a typical file format. Then, the transmission control unit 211 sends the generated file to a server, for example, or attaches it to an E-Mail and sends it to a transmission destination.

  The print control unit 212 receives a print request from a PC or a printer driver via the network 102, acquires a print target file, and stores it in the storage device 120. The print control unit 212 converts the file to be printed into image data suitable for the printer 122, causes the printer 122 to print on the recording medium based on the converted image data, and discharges the file to the discharge tray.

  The MFP 101 may have other functions. For example, the MFP 101 has a “secure print” function in which a print job input from a printer driver is retained in the MFP 101 and only an authenticated user or a user who knows a password associated with the print job can print. Further, for example, the MFP 101 has a “box” function for saving image data in the MFP 101, a “help” function for displaying a help screen, and a “fax” function for receiving a FAX document from a public communication network.

  Here, a startup sequence of the MFP 101 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a startup sequence of the MFP 101. The processing of each control unit in FIG. 3 is realized by reading a program stored in the ROM 113 into the RAM 112 and executing it by the CPU 111. The CPU 111 controls each control unit in FIG. 2 to execute the following processing.

  When the MFP 101 is turned on, the OS control unit 200 requests initialization processing from each control unit in FIG. 2 (S301). Upon receiving a request for initialization processing, each control unit executes initialization processing necessary for the operation of the control unit (S302). When the initialization process is completed, each control unit notifies the OS control unit 200 to that effect. The processes of S301 and S302 are repeated until the initialization process of all the control units is completed.

  Reference is again made to FIG. The display operation control unit 201 controls the input control I / F 114 and the display control I / F 115. For example, the display operation control unit 201 performs display on the display 119 via the display operation unit 115 (operation as a display control unit) or an input control I / F 114 according to an instruction from another control unit in FIG. The information input by the user on the touch panel 118 is acquired.

  The authentication control unit 202 performs an authentication process for identifying the user, and determines whether the operator of the MFP 101 is a valid user of the MFP 101. Starting a session when it is determined that the user is a valid user as a result of the authentication processing is called login. The authentication control unit 202 manages a user information DB 220 that is a database storing user information. The user information DB 220 is configured in the storage device 120.

  The authentication control unit 202 may connect not only to the user information DB 220 inside the MFP 101 but also to an external authentication server via the communication I / F controller 117 and perform authentication using the authentication result of the external authentication server. . Exchange of authentication information with an external authentication server is performed by a general authentication protocol. In addition, when the user ends the operation of the MFP 101 and ends the session of the user, this is called logout.

  Further, the authentication control unit 202 provides an operation function of the user information DB such as user registration and deletion, and user information update. Furthermore, the authentication control unit 202 provides a group function. A group is a collection of a plurality of users, and a plurality of groups can be registered. The authentication control unit 202 can make a user belong to one or more groups as a group operation function. The authentication control unit 202 also provides group operation functions such as group registration and deletion, group information update, user belonging to the group, and user withdrawal from the group. A user identifier for uniquely identifying a user and a group identifier for uniquely identifying a group are stored in the user information DB 220 and managed by the authentication control unit 202.

  The set value storage control unit 203 manages device settings, personal settings, and group settings. The device setting is setting information that can be referred to in common by all users, the personal setting is setting information that can be referred only to each user, and the group setting can be referred only to users belonging to each group. Setting information. The setting value storage control unit 203 manages device setting values, personal setting values, and group setting values stored in the setting DB 230 in the storage device 120.

  The MFP 101 has a personalization function. When the user logs in using the personalization function, the setting value storage control unit 203 reads the personal setting value in the setting DB 230 when the user logs in, and reflects the setting in each unit of the MFP 101. Therefore, the user can use the MFP 101 customized in accordance with the personal settings registered by the user. Further, the setting value storage control unit 203 reads the device setting in the setting DB 230 at the time of logout and reflects it in the setting of each unit of the MFP 101. Therefore, the functions that can be used in the unlogged state are functions that can be used with settings common to all users.

  Display language setting will be described as an example of personal settings that can be customized. The display language setting is a setting for displaying on the user interface screen in a language such as “Japanese”, “English”, “Chinese”, and the like. For each executable function, there is a language resource 400 that stores a character string of the corresponding language. The language resource 400 is stored in the storage device 120.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the language resource 400. As shown in FIG. 4, the language resource 400 table stores an ID for identifying a resource and a character string corresponding to each language. For example, in the case of ID 1 in FIG. 4, “copy” in Japanese is “Copy” in English and “shadow” in Chinese.

  Next, a process of switching from a device setting value to a login user's personal setting value by login will be described. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the display language setting of the device setting (that is, the default language) is “English” and the display language setting of the user A is “Japanese”. On the login screen (not shown) in the unlogged state, since the device setting is valid, the display language is displayed in “English”.

  When the user A performs the login process by the personalization function and the authentication is successful, the screen reflects the display language setting of the user A. That is, in the login state, the display language is “Japanese”. That is, if the first screen displayed after login is the main menu screen (not shown), the main menu screen is displayed in “Japanese”. Also, when logging out, the display language setting of the device is restored. That is, the display language of the main menu screen is displayed in “English”.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating customization processing for switching the display language based on personal settings after login, using the display language as an example. Reflection of the login user's personal settings for languages other than the display language is performed in the same sequence. Hereinafter, when the copy control unit 210, the print control unit 212, and the transmission control unit 211 in FIG. 2 are not distinguished, they are collectively referred to as a function control unit. The processing in FIG. 5 is realized by, for example, reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 113 by the CPU 111. The CPU 111 controls each control unit in FIG. 2 to execute the following processing.

  After the user login operation, when the CPU 111 requests user authentication (S501), the authentication control unit 201 performs user authentication, and the user enters a login state (S502). As described above, user authentication may be performed in the MFP 101 or may be requested from an external authentication server. The setting value management control unit 203 receives a login notification from the authentication control unit 201 (S503), and acquires the personal setting (display language setting) of the login user from the setting DB 230 (S504). The set value management control unit 203 makes a display language switching request to each function control unit (S505).

  Each function control unit reads the language resource 400 for the display language acquired in S504 from the storage device 120 (S506). Each function control unit outputs a redisplay request based on the read language resource 400 to the display operation control unit 202 as display information of a user interface screen such as a display screen or a dialog (S507). Upon receiving the redisplay request, the display operation control unit 202 redraws and redisplays the user interface screen (S508).

  Next, a case where the function control unit that has not completed the initialization process in S302 of FIG. 3 receives the display language switching request in S505 of FIG. 5 will be described. In this case, the function control unit cannot execute the display language switching process because the initialization process has not been completed. When each control unit is instructed to execute initialization processing in sequence, depending on the timing of the display language switching request in S505, a function control unit that has completed initialization processing and a function control unit that has not completed processing. May exist. In such a case, only the function control unit that has completed the initialization process performs display language switching, resulting in an inconsistent state in which languages displayed between functions are different.

  The above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a state in which the main menu screen is displayed in Japanese. Each icon on the main menu screen is displayed when each function control unit requests the display operation control unit 202 to display. The copy control unit 210 requests the display operation control unit 202 to display a character string “copy” and an icon in a predetermined language, and the transmission control unit 211 transmits a character string “scan and transmit” in a predetermined language. The display operation control unit 202 is requested to display the icon. The print control unit 211 requests the display operation control unit 202 to display a character string “print” and an icon in a predetermined language.

  However, for example, it is assumed that the timing when the initialization process of the print control unit 211 is not completed. In that case, when the display language switching request (switch from Japanese to English) in S505 is received, only the character string of the icon of the “print” function is “print” in Japanese as shown in FIG. Default language in this example).

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when there is a function control unit that has not been initialized, the setting value storage control unit 203 suspends the processing of the display language switching request in S505 for the function control unit.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process of a language switching request by the set value storage control unit 203. The processing in FIG. 7 is realized by, for example, reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 113 by the CPU 111. The CPU 111 controls each control unit in FIG. 2 to execute the following processing.

  When the setting value storage control unit 203 receives a login notification from the authentication control unit 201 in S503, the setting value storage control unit 203 acquires the personal setting (display language setting) of the login user from the setting DB 230 (S701). The set value storage control unit 203 determines whether or not the initialization processing of all function control units has been completed (S702). If it is determined that initialization processing for all function control units is complete, the process proceeds to S703. If it is determined that initialization processing for all function control units is not complete, the process proceeds to S704. .

  When it is determined in S702 that the initialization processing of all function control units has been completed, the set value storage control unit 203 issues a display language switching request in S505 to each function control unit (S703). The process of FIG. 7 is terminated.

  If it is determined in S702 that the initialization processing of all function control units has not been completed, the process proceeds to S704. In S704, the set value storage control unit 203 suspends the display language switching request in S505. Then, the display operation control unit 201 displays a message on the display 119 indicating that the display language mismatch in the main menu screen occurs because the initialization processing of all the function control units is not completed. Further, the display operation control unit 201 displays a message including prompting the user to log in again on the display 119.

  In step S <b> 705, the display operation control unit 201 displays a login screen, and the authentication control unit 202 performs authentication based on the logged-in user information (ID, password), and whether or not the authentication has been successful and the user has logged in again. Determine. Here, when it is determined that the authentication has been successful and the user has logged in again, the determination process of S702 is performed again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the authentication has failed and the user has not logged in again, the process of S705 is repeated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the conflict between the display language switching process and the initialization process is prevented, and the display language switching request in S505 is performed at the timing when the initialization process of all the function control units is completed. be able to. As a result, display language mismatch on the user interface screen can be prevented. When a message including prompting re-login in the above S704 is displayed on the display 119, a screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to re-login may be displayed. That is, when an instruction to re-login is received from the user, a login screen is displayed in S705. When an instruction not to re-login is received from the user, the CPU 111 may instruct each function control unit to set the default language as the display language, and the processing in FIG. 7 may be terminated. In this case, although displayed in the default language, it is possible to prevent display language inconsistencies on the user interface screen.

  The configuration that prompts the user to log in again in S704 when it is determined in S702 in FIG. 7 that the initialization processing of all function control units has not been completed has been described. This is because when the re-login is completed, there is a high possibility that the initialization process of each function control unit after the activation of the MFP 101 is completed.

  Therefore, the processing in the case where it is determined in S702 that the initialization processing of all the function control units has not been completed increases the possibility that the initialization processing of each function control unit after the MFP 101 has been activated has been completed. The configuration is not limited to the configuration that prompts re-login. An example other than the operations of S704 and S705 described above will be described. For example, in S704, the CPU 111 starts a timer and starts measuring a predetermined measurement time. Here, the predetermined measurement time is a time set so that all the function control units can complete the initialization process. In step S <b> 705, the CPU 111 determines whether a predetermined measurement time has elapsed. If it is determined that a predetermined measurement time has not elapsed, the process of S705 is repeated. If it is determined that the measurement time has elapsed, the determination process of S702 is performed again. Such an operation can also prevent display language inconsistencies on the user interface screen (for example, the main menu screen).

  Further, for some reason, it may be determined that the initialization processing of all the function control units is not completed by the processing of S702 multiple times via S704 and S705 of FIG. In that case, for example, when the determination process of S702 is performed a predetermined number of times, the CPU 111 instructs each function control unit to set the default language as the display language without performing the process of S703, and performs the process of FIG. You may make it complete | finish. With such a configuration, each function control unit transmits a display request in the default language to the display operation control unit 201 in S507 of FIG. 5, and as a result, the display language of the user interface screen is unified by the default language. The In this case, a message indicating that the display language is not specified by the login user may be displayed to prompt re-login.

[Other Examples]
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.

  111 CPU: RAM 112: ROM 113: 203 Setting value storage control unit: 210 Copy control unit: 211 Transmission control unit: 212 Print control unit

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus,
Execution means for executing the function of the information processing apparatus;
Upon receiving a login to the information processing device, an acquisition unit that acquires setting information for customizing the function of the information processing device corresponding to the logged-in user;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the execution unit is in a state in which the customization can be performed when the customization of the function of the information processing apparatus is performed;
When the determination unit determines that the execution unit is ready to perform customization, the execution unit instructs the execution unit to perform customization based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the execution unit executes customization. A control unit that suspends a customization instruction based on the setting information to the execution unit when the determination unit determines that the state is not possible;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   When the determination unit determines that the execution unit is not in a state where customization can be performed, the control unit controls the display unit to display a display screen for accepting re-login to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   3. When receiving a re-login to the information processing apparatus, the control unit causes the determination unit to determine again whether or not the execution unit is in a state in which customization is possible. The information processing apparatus described.   The state in which the execution unit can perform customization is a state in which the initialization process of the execution unit has been completed after the information processing apparatus is activated. The information processing apparatus described.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution unit further outputs display information of a user interface screen for executing a function of the information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the execution unit outputs display information of the user interface screen corresponding to at least one of a print function and a scan function.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the setting information includes information on a display language of the user interface screen. A control method executed in an information processing apparatus,
Upon receiving a login to the information processing apparatus, an acquisition step for acquiring setting information for customizing the function of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the logged-in user;
A determination step of determining whether or not execution means for executing the function is in a state in which the customization can be performed when the customization of the function of the information processing apparatus is performed;
When it is determined in the determination step that the execution unit is ready to perform customization, the execution unit is instructed to perform customization based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the execution unit executes customization. When it is determined in the determination step that it is not possible, a control step for deferring customization instructions based on the setting information to the execution means;
A control method characterized by comprising: Computer
Upon receiving a login, an acquisition unit that acquires setting information for customizing the function of the computer corresponding to the logged-in user;
A determination unit that determines whether or not an execution unit that executes the function is in a state in which the customization can be performed when the customization of the function of the computer is performed;
When the determination unit determines that the execution unit is ready to perform customization, the execution unit instructs the execution unit to perform customization based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit, and the execution unit executes customization. Control means for holding a customization instruction based on the setting information to the execution means when the determination means determines that the state is not possible;
Program to function as.

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