JP2019016113A - Information processing device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that notifies a user about campaign information without degrading the screen operation convenience to the user.SOLUTION: When display of a user interface screen in accordance with a prescribed screen transition satisfies the display condition of campaign information for promoting execution of a function, a user interface screen is displayed in which information indicating the presence of the campaign information has been added to information included in a prescribed user interface screen that is displayed when the display condition is not satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program for notifying a user of campaign information.

  In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, various point services such as a point service at a shopping site and an airplane mileage service have been provided. These point services are linked to the Web, and the user can check their own point balance and use their own points on the Web by logging into the various services. In addition, campaigns may be conducted with these point services. During the campaign period, the user can obtain some kind of privilege such as the amount of points given is increased from the normal time.

  In recent years, multifunction devices (hereinafter referred to as MFPs) equipped with printers, scans, card slots, faxes, and network functions have become widespread. As one of the functions of the MFP, there is a function for a user to send log information using the MFP to a server via a network. Further, it is desired to realize a point service in the MFP using such log information.

JP 2009-245269 A

  In patent document 1, when the input identification information and transaction information of a credit card correspond to the conditions of campaign notification, a pop-up screen is displayed to that effect. However, as a result, the transition order of the displayed screens differs depending on whether the campaign is a target or not. If the screen of the campaign information suddenly appears in the middle of the original screen transition, the current procedure or operation is interrupted for the user. As a result, the user feels that the number of extra operation procedures has increased, leading to a decrease in operability.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such conventional problems. In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a program for notifying a user of campaign information without reducing the convenience of the user's screen operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention acquires display control means for displaying a user interface screen on a display unit according to a predetermined screen transition, and campaign information for promoting execution of a function. And when the display of the user interface screen by the display control means satisfies the display condition of the campaign information acquired by the first acquisition means, the display control means A user interface screen in which information indicating the presence of the campaign information is added to information included in a predetermined user interface screen displayed when the condition is not satisfied is displayed.

  According to the present invention, campaign information can be notified to a user without deteriorating the convenience of the user's screen operation.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an information processing system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of an MFP. It is a figure which shows the block configuration of a log collection server. It is a figure which shows the block configuration of a point totaling server. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an event log transmission operation from the MFP. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the summary log transmission from a log total server. It is a figure which shows display regulation information. It is a figure which shows an example of the display regulation information of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display of the campaign content on the screen in process. It is a figure which shows the display of the campaign content on a home screen. It is a figure which shows the display of the campaign content on a printing condition setting screen. It is a figure which shows campaign information. It is a figure which shows an example of the campaign information of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of display control of a campaign content. It is a figure which shows the achievement degree provided to campaign information. It is a figure which shows the display of the campaign content and achievement level on the screen in process. It is a figure for demonstrating the display of a campaign content.

  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.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system in the present embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes an MFP 100, a log collection server 200, and a point totaling server 300 that are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 400 constituted by the Internet or an intranet. In the information processing system 10, log information on the use of the MFP 100 by the user is transmitted to the log collection server 200 via the communication network 400. Then, the point totaling server 300 totals the points from the log information, and the point service in the MFP 100 is provided to the user. In the information processing system 10, there may be a campaign in which the amount of points given is increased from the normal time. The campaign is for facilitating the execution of the function of the MFP 100 such that, for example, when the number of times of printing reaches a predetermined number of times, the ink tank replacement point is doubled.

  When the MFP 100 is first connected to the communication network 400, the MFP 100 communicates with the log collection server 200 and registers the MFP 100 in the log collection server 200. By registering the MFP 100, the MFP 100 and the log collection server 200 are associated with each other, and the following communication is possible between the MFP 100 and the log collection server 200.

  The MFP 100 transmits an event log as an event log transmission 500 to the log collection server 200 when a print job is executed or an ink tank is replaced. If there is campaign information, the log collection server 200 transmits the campaign information to the MFP 100 as the campaign information transmission 600 after transmitting the event log. The event log transmission 500 and the campaign information transmission 600 will be described later with reference to FIG. As the summary log transmission 700, the log collection server 200 transmits a summary log obtained by collecting the collected event logs for one day to the point totaling server 300, for example, once a day. For example, when the event log transmission 500 from the MFP 100 to the log collection server 200 is performed three times, the log collection server 200 transmits a summary log including three event logs to the point aggregation server 300. The summary log transmission 700 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The point totaling server 300 calculates points to be given based on the summary log, adds up the points given during one month, and sets and manages an expiration date for the points added up every month. When the MFP 100 is registered in the log collection server 200, the log collection server 200 communicates with the point totaling server 300, creates an account and password for the MFP 100, and notifies the MFP 100. A user who uses the MFP 100 can check the monthly points, expiration date, and the like of the MFP 100 by logging in to the point totaling server 300 from a PC or a mobile terminal browser (not shown) using an account and a password. . The user can also purchase accessories such as an ink tank of the MFP 100 by using the points. In addition, when the MFP 100 has not transmitted an event log for a predetermined period after the MFP 100 is registered with the log collection server 200, for example, for one year, the MFP 100 has not been used for a long period of time, so the registration with the log collection server 200 is cancelled. The Communication between the MFP 100 and the log collection server 200 and the point totaling server 300 is performed according to a protocol such as HTTP or XMPP, for example.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a block configuration of MFP 100. In the MFP 100, the CPU 101 is a system control unit and controls the entire MFP 100 in an integrated manner. The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101, a data table, an embedded operating system (OS) program, and the like. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 102 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 102. Further, the ROM 102 holds display regulation information that defines the display timing and display format of the campaign contents. Campaign information stored in the RAM 103 described later is displayed on the operation display unit 108 described later at a predetermined display timing and display format based on the display regulation information.

  The RAM 103 is constituted by an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) that requires a backup power source, and data is held by a primary battery for data backup (not shown). The RAM 103 stores, for example, program control variables. The RAM 103 is provided with a memory area for storing an event log when the event log cannot be transmitted to the log collection server 200, such as when not connected to the Internet. The RAM 103 is also provided with a memory area for storing a plurality of information used in the point service such as campaign information. The image memory 104 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores image data. Also, a part of the area is secured as a work area for executing software processing.

  The data conversion unit 105 performs conversion of image data such as analysis of a page description language (PDL) and the like, and CG (Computer Graphics) development of character data. The reading control unit 106 optically reads a document image by a reading unit 107 using a CIS image sensor and converts an image signal converted into electrical image data into a binarization process or the like via an image processing control unit (not shown). Various image processing such as halftone processing is executed, and image data is output. Note that the reading control unit 106 and the reading unit 107 may be configured by any one of the following two reading control methods. The first method is a sheet reading control method in which reading is performed by a fixed CIS image sensor while conveying a document. The second method is a book reading control method in which a document fixed on a document table is scanned with a moving CIS image sensor.

  The operation display unit 108 includes minimum necessary keys such as a numeric input key, a mode setting key, an enter key, and a cancel key, and an LED (light emitting diode) or 7 segment (seg) display unit. It is possible to accept various function instructions and setting operations. With respect to the LCD, when the user does not operate for a certain period of time, not during a job, the backlight is turned off to reduce power consumption.

  A communication control unit 109 connects the MFP 100 to the communication network 400 to connect to an Internet provider and communicate data, image information, and the like with the log collection server 200 and the point totaling server 300. Further, the communication control unit 109 can determine whether the MFP 100 is connected to the Internet or only to the LAN. Connection to the communication network 400 is performed according to a protocol such as HTTP or XMPP.

  The resolution conversion processing unit 110 performs resolution conversion control such as mutual conversion between millimeter image data and inch image data, for example. Note that the resolution conversion processing unit 110 can perform enlargement / reduction processing of image data. The encoding / decoding processing unit 111 executes encoding / decoding processing and enlargement / reduction processing on image data (non-compressed, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100. The recording control unit 112 performs various image processing, such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction, on the image data to be printed via an image processing control unit (not shown), thereby obtaining a high-definition image. The data is converted and output to the recording unit 113. In addition, the recording control unit 112 acquires the state information of the recording unit 113 periodically by controlling the USB host control unit 115. The recording unit 113 is a recording unit including a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like, and prints color image data or monochrome image data generated by the recording control unit 112 on a recording medium such as a sheet.

  The USB function control unit 114 performs communication control of the USB interface, and performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard. Data from a USB function control task executed by the CPU 101 is converted into a packet and USB packet transmission is performed to an external PC, or a USB packet transmitted from an external PC is converted into data and transmitted to the CPU 101. The USB host control unit 115 is a control unit for performing communication using a protocol defined by the USB communication standard. The USB communication standard is a standard for performing bidirectional data communication at high speed, and a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). The USB host control unit 115 has a host function in USB communication. Each component other than the reading unit 107 in FIG. 2 is connected to each other via a CPU bus 121 managed by the CPU 101.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the log collection server 200. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls the operation of the entire log collection server 200 according to a program read from the external storage medium 206 via the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the internal storage device 204, and the external storage device interface (IF) 205. . The ROM 202 stores a control program for the CPU 201 and the like. The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs and image data, and functions as a work memory for operating the log collection server 200 at high speed. The internal storage device 204 stores an operating system, various application programs, image data, and the like. The internal storage device 204 is installed with various control commands for the MFP 100 and the point totaling server 300 and application software for transmitting and receiving data. The internal storage device 204 also stores event log information received from the MFP 100 and campaign information transmitted to the MFP 100.

  Normally, these application softwares receive data from other computer-readable media in which they are stored via an external storage medium 206 (such as a CD / DVD medium) and are installed by the external storage device IF 205. The operation unit 207 controls a keyboard and a pointing device (not shown) configured to accept an instruction from the operator. The display unit 208 displays various user interface screens for the operator (user). The communication unit 209 is connected to the communication network 400 to connect to an Internet provider and communicate data and the like with the MFP 100 and the point totaling server 300. Connection to the communication network 400 is performed according to a protocol such as HTTP or XMPP. Each component other than the external storage medium 206 in FIG. 3 is connected to each other via a CPU bus 210 managed by the CPU 201.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a block configuration of the point totaling server 300. The CPU 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the external storage device 305, the external storage medium 306, the operation unit 307, the operation unit 307, and the communication unit 309 are the same as those described in the CPU 201 to RAM 203 and the external storage device IF 205 to the communication unit 209 in FIG. . Therefore, those descriptions are omitted. The internal storage device 304 stores an operating system, various application programs, image data, and the like. The internal storage device 304 is installed with various control commands for the point totaling server 300 and application software for transmitting and receiving data. Further, the internal storage device 304 stores point information to be given to the contents of the summary log received from the log totaling server 200. Components other than the external storage medium 306 in FIG. 4 are connected to each other via a CPU bus 310 managed by the CPU 301.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of event log transmission 500 from MFP 100 to log collection server 200. In step S501, the MFP 100 monitors whether an event that is a target of an event log, such as printing or ink tank replacement, has occurred. When an event that is a target of the event log occurs in S501, the MFP 100 determines whether or not the event log can be transmitted to the log collection server 200 in S502. The determination in S502 may be performed, for example, by inquiring of the communication control unit 109 whether or not connection to the Internet is possible, or by connecting to an Internet connection confirmation server (not shown).

  If it is determined in S502 that transmission is not possible, in S503, the MFP 100 stores the event log that could not be transmitted in the RAM 103 as an untransmitted event log, and repeats the processing from S501. On the other hand, if it is determined that transmission is possible, the MFP 100 transmits an event log to the log collection server 200 in S504. When the MFP 100 transmits the event log, the MFP 100 waits for a response from the log collection server 200.

  In S504, when there is an unsent event log stored in the RAM 103 in S503, the MFP 100 also transmits the unsent event log. Although not shown, when the transmission of the event log or the unsent event log fails in S504, the MFP 100 stores the event log that could not be transmitted in the RAM 103 as an unsent event log, and performs the processing from S501. repeat.

  In step S <b> 505, the log collection server 200 receives the event log from the MFP 100 and updates the event log information stored in the internal storage device 204. In step S <b> 506, the log collection server 200 transmits campaign information to the MFP 100. In step S507, the MFP 100 stores the received campaign information in the RAM 103, and repeats the processing from step S501.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the summary log transmission 700 from the log aggregation server 200 to the point aggregation server 300. In step S <b> 601, the log totaling server 200 determines whether it is the transmission timing of the summary log to the point totaling server 300. The transmission timing is a timing such as 17:00 in one day. If it is determined in S601 that the transmission timing is not reached, the processing in S601 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in S601 that the transmission timing is reached, in S602, the log totaling server 200 collects one or more event log information stored in the internal storage device 204 and collects the point totaling server 300 as a summary log. Send to.

  In step S <b> 603, the point totaling server 300 receives the summary log from the log totaling server 200. Then, the point totaling server 300 analyzes the contents of the summary log, determines points to be given, and gives them to the user. For example, a point to be given for each event log, such as 1 point for printing one page and 10 points for replacing one ink tank, is determined, and points are given based on the rules. Further, the rule for assigning points can be arbitrarily changed by the point totaling server 300. For example, it is possible to increase the number of points temporarily in a campaign or the like to prompt the user to print. If it is described in the summary log that five pages have been printed and the two ink tanks have been replaced, 1 × 5 + 10 × 2 = 25 points will be given if the rules described above are followed. In addition, when the campaign “double point at ink tank replacement” is applied here, 1 × 5 + 10 × 2 × 2 = 45 points will be awarded.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing display regulation information. The display regulation information is stored in the ROM 102 of the MFP 100, for example. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the display regulation information includes display information and highlight information. As shown in FIG. 7A, the display information includes a display ID 701, a display timing 702, and a display format 703. The display ID 701 is identification information associated with the display timing and display format of the campaign contents. The display timing 702 is information indicating the screen transition timing for displaying the campaign contents. The display format 703 is information indicating the display format of the campaign content displayed at the display timing.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the enhancement information includes an enhancement ID 704, an enhancement target 705, and an enhancement condition 706. The emphasis ID 704 is identification information associated with the emphasis target and the emphasis condition. The emphasis target 705 is information representing a target to be highlighted among the campaign contents displayed at the display timing. The emphasis condition 706 is information indicating a condition for highlighting the emphasis target. Hereinafter, a description will be given using an example of display regulation information.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display regulation information in FIG. The “display timing” included in the display information in FIG. 8A defines a screen transition timing for displaying the campaign contents. For example, an item “confirmation of campaign information” is selected, a power-off process screen is displayed, a home screen is displayed, and a print condition setting screen is displayed. The “display format” included in the display information defines what display format is used for display at each display timing. Further, in the highlight information, it is defined which item of each printing condition is to be highlighted.

  The “when“ Confirm Campaign Information ”” is selected in the display timing of FIG. 8A represents a time when a menu capable of confirming the campaign contents is provided in one of the main menus of the MFP 100 and that menu is selected. The user can confirm the campaign contents when selecting the menu. In the present embodiment, in the “confirm campaign information” menu, each campaign is first displayed in a list, and when selected on the list, details of the selected campaign are displayed. Accordingly, in FIG. 8A, the “display format” of the display information is defined as “list + detail screen”.

  “Display screen during power-off process” in the display timing of FIG. 8A represents a time when a screen during processing when the power of the MFP 100 is turned off is displayed. Normally, on the power-off processing screen, only “In-process” display and a power-off progress bar are displayed. However, in this embodiment, when there is a campaign content to be displayed, the power-off processing is in progress. Notify the campaign details on the screen. Therefore, the “display format” of the display information is defined as “processing screen”. The same applies to “when printing screen is being displayed” of the display timing in FIG. FIG. 9 shows an example of the campaign content display on the processing screen. In FIG. 9, a campaign ID and a campaign title described later are displayed.

  “Home screen display time” in the display timing of FIG. 8A represents the time when the home screen is displayed. In the present embodiment, in each function icon on the home screen, a highlight mark is assigned to a function item in accordance with the campaign content, and when the highlight mark is selected, a campaign content detail screen is popped up. . Therefore, in FIG. 8A, “display format” is defined as “highlight display + detail screen”. In the present embodiment, which icon on the home screen is highlighted is distinguished by the display ID. For example, when a campaign identified by the display ID D03 is being executed, highlighting is performed on the copy icon in the home screen. Further, when the campaign identified by the display ID D05 is being implemented, the card printing icon in the home screen is highlighted. FIG. 10 shows an example of the campaign content display on the home screen. In FIG. 10, when a campaign is being executed for an item of card printing, a star mark is added to the icon to highlight that the campaign is being held to the user. Note that the MFP 100 may display the star mark image data combined with the image data of the screen displayed when the campaign is not being held (the screen without the star mark in FIG. 10), or includes a star mark in advance. The image data of the displayed screen may be displayed. In any case, a user interface screen in which a star mark is added to information (“card print”, “copy”, etc.) displayed in common even when the campaign is not being held is displayed. This makes it possible to notify the user that the campaign is in progress without displaying a special screen that is not displayed when the campaign is not being held. When the star icon is further selected, a campaign details screen pops up.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when there are a plurality of items that are the target of the application condition of the campaign, it is possible to visually display which item the campaign is applied to in an easy-to-understand manner.

  “Print condition setting screen display” of the display timing in FIG. 8A represents the time when the print condition setting screen is displayed. In this embodiment, an emphasis mark is given to the printing conditions according to the campaign content, and when the emphasis mark is selected, a campaign content detail screen is displayed in a pop-up. Therefore, in FIG. 8A, the display format is defined as “highlight display + detail screen”. For example, when a campaign identified by the display ID D04 is being executed, highlighting is performed on the copy printing condition setting screen. Further, when a campaign identified by the display ID D06 is being implemented, highlighting is performed on the print condition setting screen for card printing.

  In this embodiment, which of the printing conditions is to be highlighted is identified by the highlight ID of the highlight information included in the display regulation information shown in FIG. When the campaign identified by the emphasis ID A05 is being implemented, the emphasis display is performed when the paper size is a postcard. FIG. 11 shows an example of the campaign content display on the print condition setting screen. In FIG. 11, when a campaign is being executed for postcard printing, star marks are assigned to the setting items “paper size” and “postcard”. With such a configuration, the campaign for the “paper size” is being held, and the “postcard” in the campaign is highlighted to the user. If a star mark is further selected, a campaign details screen pops up.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing campaign information. The campaign information is stored in the RAM 103 of the MFP 100. As shown in FIG. 12, the campaign information includes a campaign ID 1201, a title 1202, details 1203, a display ID 1204, an emphasis ID 1205, and an expiration date 1206. The campaign ID 1201 is an ID for identifying a campaign. A title 1202 represents a campaign title. Details 1203 represent detailed information on the campaign contents to explain to the user. The display ID 1204 is a display ID of the display regulation information stored in the ROM 102, and represents the campaign display timing and the display format as shown in FIG. The emphasis ID is an emphasis ID of display regulation information stored in the ROM 102, and represents an emphasis target and emphasis condition for campaign display, as shown in FIG. 8B. The expiration date 1206 represents the expiration date of the campaign. An example of the campaign information is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of campaign information of the MFP 100 in the present embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that three types of campaigns are executed, and IDs for identifying the campaigns are C001, C002, and C003.

  The C001 campaign is a campaign for New Year's card printing, and when a certain number of sheets are printed within a predetermined period and the paper size is postcard, the number of points given more than a certain number will be doubled. is there. The MFP 100 displays the campaign contents using the campaign information, while the point totaling server 300 gives points based on the number of postcards printed. As shown in FIG. 13, the campaign information includes a display ID and an emphasis ID applied to each campaign.

  The display ID and highlight ID applied to the campaign of C001 are D01, D02, D04, D06, D07, and A05. As shown in FIG. 13, D01 “when“ confirm campaign information ”is selected” and D02 “when the screen is being displayed during power-off processing” and D07 “when the screen is being displayed during printing” are displayed for all campaigns C001, C002, and C003. Applied. D04 “when printing condition setting screen is displayed (copy)” and D06 “when printing condition setting screen is displayed (card)” are applied when the printing conditions are campaign targets. In the case of the three campaigns in FIG. Applies to campaigns targeting New Year's card printing. The printing conditions here are paper type, paper size, and print quality as shown in FIG. 8B, and D04 and D06 are not applied to card direct printing and printing marathon that do not target them. In the case of a C001 campaign, on each print condition setting screen, emphasis display is performed based on the setting of the emphasis information ID of A05, that is, the emphasis target is “paper size” and the emphasis condition is “postcard”. Is called.

  The campaign of C002 is a campaign for card direct printing, and is a campaign that doubles the card direct printing grant points within a predetermined period. Display IDs and emphasis IDs applied to the C002 campaign are D01, D02, D05, and D07. Note that the display IDs and emphasis IDs of D04 and D06 are not applied to the campaign of C002 because the printing conditions are not targeted for the campaign. Since the campaign of C002 is a campaign for card direct printing, D05 “At home screen display (card)” is applied.

  The campaign of C003 is a campaign targeting the continuous execution days of the print function, and is a campaign in which the granted points are doubled when the print function is executed every day and the execution days become a certain number or more. Further, no deadline is set for the campaign of C003. Display IDs applied to the campaign of C003 are D01, D02, D03, D05, and D07. Note that the display IDs and emphasis IDs of D04 and D06 are not applied to the campaign of C003 because the printing conditions are not targeted for the campaign. Since the campaign of C003 targets the printing function, copying and card direct printing also apply. Therefore, D03 “when home screen is displayed (copy)” and D05 “when home screen is displayed (card)” are applied.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for comparing and displaying the display of campaign contents in MFP 100 when this embodiment is not applied and when it is applied. FIG. 17A shows an example of screen transition when a campaign is not performed. FIG. 17B shows a screen transition example when the present embodiment at the time of campaign holding is not applied, and FIG. 17C shows a screen transition example when the present embodiment at the time of campaign holding is applied. Yes. In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the campaign of C001 in FIG. 13 is being performed.

  When the campaign is not performed, as shown in FIG. 17A, when “Copy” is selected on the home screen 1701, the screen transition is performed so that the print setting screen 1702 is displayed.

  Next, a case where a campaign is performed but this embodiment is not applied will be described. In this case, as shown in FIG. 17B, a screen transition in which the campaign information screen 1703 is inserted during the transition from the home screen 1701 to the print setting screen 1702 can be considered. However, in the case of such screen transitions, the transition order of the displayed screens is different compared to when the campaign is not held, causing the user to feel that the extra operation procedure has increased, and operability is reduced. Will be invited. Also, it is difficult for the user to grasp which items are subject to the campaign application conditions on the print setting screen.

  When a campaign is performed and this embodiment is applied, as shown in the print setting screen 1704 in FIG. 17C, the campaign is held by highlighting that shows a specific mark on the print setting screen. Is presented. When a star mark is further selected by the user, a campaign content detail screen corresponding to the campaign information screen 1703 is displayed in a pop-up manner. Such a screen transition allows the user to clearly grasp the target of the campaign without increasing unnecessary operation procedures accompanying the screen transition for the user.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing campaign content display control processing in the MFP 100 according to this embodiment. Each process of FIG. 14 is realized by, for example, the CPU 101 reading out a program stored in the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executing it. The process of FIG. 14 is started when the screen transition of the screen displayed on the operation display unit 108 is triggered. First, in S1401, the CPU 101 refers to the display timing of the display regulation information held in the ROM 102, and determines whether or not the screen to be displayed can be the display timing of the campaign contents. For example, when the screen transition to the in-process screen is performed on the operation display unit 108, it is determined that the display timing of the campaign contents can be reached. If it is determined in S1401 that the campaign content display timing cannot be reached, the processing in FIG. 14 ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the campaign content display timing can be reached, in S1402, the CPU 101 sets the campaign ID to an initial value, for example, C001 in order to determine the campaign information stored in the RAM 103 in order from the top. In step S <b> 1403, the CPU 101 determines whether campaign information exists in the set campaign ID among the campaign information stored in the RAM 103. Here, when it is determined that the campaign information does not exist in the set campaign ID, the search of the campaign information is completed, and thus the processing of FIG. 14 is ended. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is campaign information for the set campaign ID, the process proceeds to S1404.

  In step S <b> 1404, the CPU 101 determines whether the display timing of the display ID of the campaign information with the set campaign ID matches the screen to be displayed. For example, if the screen to be displayed from now on is a processing screen, D02 corresponds to a campaign with a campaign ID of C001, so it is determined that they match. If it is determined in S1404 that they do not match, it is determined that there is no content to be displayed with the set campaign ID, and the process proceeds to S1407 in order to set the next campaign ID as a determination target. On the other hand, if it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to S1405.

  In step S1405, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the campaign information of the set campaign ID is within the expiration date. If it is determined that it is not within the campaign expiration date (that is, the expiration date has expired), it is determined that the campaign with the set campaign ID is not a display target, and the process proceeds to S1407 to set the next campaign ID as a determination target. . On the other hand, if it is determined that it is within the campaign expiration date, the process proceeds to S1406. In step S <b> 1406, the CPU 101 displays the campaign contents on the operation display unit 108. In step S1407, the CPU 101 sets the campaign ID to the ID in the subsequent order, and then repeats the processing from step S1403. By repeatedly executing the processes of S1403 to S1407 for all campaign IDs, the user is notified of each campaign.

  As described above, it is determined whether the screen to be displayed matches the display timing specified in the display definition information. If the screen matches the display timing, the operation display unit 108 is displayed in the display format specified in the display definition information. Campaign information is displayed. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling that an extra operation procedure has increased. In addition, since all the corresponding campaigns are displayed on the screen that will be displayed after the screen transition, the contents of the campaign can be effectively notified to the user.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the method for effectively notifying the user of the contents of the campaign has been described. By the way, it is assumed that the user wants to grasp the achievement level of how much the campaign is currently being executed for the campaign currently being executed. If the user can grasp the degree of achievement of the campaign, the motivation will be improved, and it is expected that the user will behave more actively for printing toward the achievement of the campaign. In consideration of these points, in the present embodiment, a method for notifying the user of the achievement level of the campaign being executed will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when the campaign content is displayed on the operation display unit 108 in S1406 of FIG. 14, the campaign achievement level is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the point achievement server 300 in FIG. 1 holds the degree of campaign achievement for each user. The point totaling server 300 calculates the achievement level of the campaign being executed based on the summary log transmission 700 and transmits the campaign achievement level to the log collection server 200. The log collection server 200 gives a campaign achievement level to the campaign information at the next campaign information transmission 600 and transmits the campaign information 600 to the MFP 100.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the achievement level given to the campaign information to which the present embodiment is applied. In the present embodiment, each campaign shown in FIG. 13 is executed, and the achievement levels of the respective campaigns are 30, −1, and 80. In the present embodiment, the achievement level is, for example, an integer in increments of −1 to 100. 0 to 100 represents an achievement ratio with respect to the campaign being executed, and -1 represents that it is not a target of achievement level display. Note that the unit of achievement in this embodiment is a percentage, but if the degree of achievement is represented, it is not limited to the percentage display, for example, a graphic display indicating how many of the five-star ratings are. It may be a thing to let you.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the campaign contents and the achievement level display on the processing screen to which the present embodiment is applied. In FIG. 16, in addition to the campaign content display example described in FIG. 9, the degree of achievement of the campaign is displayed. The campaign achievement level is displayed as a percentage of the achievement level. Moreover, since the thing of achievement level -1 is a target of achievement degree display, "-" is displayed in this embodiment.

  As described above, the MFP 100 acquires the campaign achievement level and displays the achievement level for each campaign on the processing screen. Thereby, the user can easily recognize the achievement level of each campaign.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the display regulation information has been described as being stored and referred to in advance in the ROM 102 of the MFP 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display regulation information may be transmitted together with the campaign information from the log collection server 200 to the MFP 100, and the MFP 100 may set the display conditions based on the transmitted display regulation information.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, a star mark is used as the highlighting display, but other display methods may be used. For example, it is possible to use an emphasis method capable of distinguishing from others, such as emphasis by other symbols, emphasis by color, emphasis by size change, and emphasis by blinking. Further, although the detailed screen display has been described as notification in a pop-up display, it may be changed to another screen.

  In addition, when a plurality of campaigns are displayed in the detailed screen display, they may be divided into a plurality of pages in ascending order of the campaign ID, or a plurality of campaigns may be displayed within one screen. The contents may be displayed. Further, the event log is transmitted every time an event occurs, and the summary log is transmitted once a day. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the event log may be transmitted after a predetermined number of plural (for example, two) event logs are accumulated. The transmission frequency of the summary log may be once a week or once an hour. The display method of the display targets of the plurality of campaigns and the transmission frequency of the summary log may be settable on the setting screen.

  In addition, the event that is the target of the event log has been described as an event that occurs when the user uses ink, such as printing by the recording unit 113 or replacement of the ink tank, but is not limited thereto. For example, implementation of a scan function or a FAX function (not shown) by the reading unit 107 may be an event that is a target of an event log. Further, although the log collection server 200 and the point totaling server 300 have been described as separate servers, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which a plurality of functions operate in one server may be used, or a configuration in which the server operates by dividing into a plurality of servers may be used.

  Moreover, although the MFP 100, the log collection server 200, and the point totaling server 300 are described as having one each, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the log collection server 200 and the point totaling server 300 may be installed for each region or destination information of the MFP 100 (Japan, North America, Europe, etc.). In this case, for example, the log collection server 200 accessed by the MFP 100 may be changed according to destination information (Japan, North America, Europe, etc.).

(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.

  100 MFP: 101 CPU: 102 ROM: 103 RAM: 200 Log collection server: 300 Point totaling server

Claims (14)

Display control means for displaying a user interface screen on the display unit according to a predetermined screen transition;
First acquisition means for acquiring campaign information for promoting execution of the function,
When the display of the user interface screen by the display control means satisfies the display conditions of the campaign information acquired by the first acquisition means, the display control means is displayed when the display conditions are not satisfied. Displaying a user interface screen in which information indicating the presence of the campaign information is added to the information included in the predetermined user interface screen;
An information processing apparatus characterized by that. Storage means for storing the display conditions;
Whether the display of the user interface screen by the display control unit refers to the display condition stored in the storage unit corresponding to the campaign information acquired by the first acquisition unit, and satisfies the display condition. Determination means for determining whether or not
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display condition includes a timing for displaying the campaign information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the timing for displaying the campaign information includes display of a predetermined screen in the predetermined screen transition. The display condition includes a display format of the campaign information,
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit adds information indicating the presence of the campaign information to the user interface screen according to a display format of the campaign information.   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display format of the campaign information adds information indicating the presence of the campaign information by highlighting a predetermined item related to the function on the user interface screen. .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit adds a mark to the predetermined item.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display control unit displays a screen showing the campaign information when the mark is selected.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined screen includes a screen indicating that processing is being performed.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit displays the campaign information on a screen indicating that the processing is being performed. A second acquisition means for acquiring the achievement level of the campaign,
The display control means causes the display unit to display the degree of achievement of the campaign acquired by the second acquisition means.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a printing apparatus, and the function is a printing function. A control method executed in an information processing apparatus,
A display control step of displaying a user interface screen on the display unit according to a predetermined screen transition;
A first acquisition step of acquiring campaign information for promoting execution of the function,
When the display of the user interface screen in the display control step satisfies the display condition of the campaign information acquired in the first acquisition step, the display control step displays when the display condition is not satisfied. Displaying a user interface screen in which information indicating the presence of the campaign information is added to the information included in the predetermined user interface screen;
A control method characterized by that.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the information processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 12.

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