JP2019139741A - Multifunctional peripherals and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a multifunctional peripherals and a program capable of designing an MFP user interface so that functions frequently used in various businesses are displayed on a menu of top-level or higher level.SOLUTION: An MFP 110 displays an available business category list on a display, and reads an application group corresponding to the selected business category. When the read application group used as default, the MFP is configured to: register the application group as a user interface screen; read a customization application corresponding to a firmware version of the MFP when executing customization; register an application corresponding to a necessary device function among customization applications; and display on the display so that the updated user interface including the registered application should be confirmed if there is no change of the MFP firmware.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3a

Description

  The present invention relates to customization of multifunction peripherals. More specifically, it relates to a safe and easily assisted multifunction peripheral and program for specific business or user needs.

  Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and email gateways. In recent years, there are devices equipped with two or more of these functions in an office environment. These devices are called multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or composite devices (MFDs). In this specification, the MFP means any one of the above devices.

  The set of functions provided by the MFP that can be used by the end user of the device cannot be edited. In addition to printing, copying, scanning, and e-mail, some MFP functions have additional options. Copying and printing may involve punching holes or stapling. Printing may be done in black and white or in color. The scanning may scan an image file, or may scan a file containing text by optical character recognition. These options and other options are typically selectable by the MFP user via a user interface (such as a touch screen display integrated with the MFP).

  MFPs are becoming increasingly powerful and sophisticated devices. As MFPs become more powerful and have higher performance, the complexity of interaction between the MFP and the user has increased. Multiple menus with a hierarchical structure with multiple selectable layers may be generated on the user interface display of the MFP. The user must learn how to search for these menus and controls. Typically, the MFP user interface is designed such that the most frequently used functions are displayed in the top or top menu. It can be difficult to find device functions that are less likely to be used in general, and it takes time to find them. Depending on the user, the function that the user frequently uses may be a function that is generally less likely to be used. Some users need to search complex menu structures in order to access such functions.

  Certain MFP functions may be necessary particularly frequently for certain businesses, but may not be necessary for other businesses. In such situations, MFP users often have to spend considerable time manipulating the MFP user interface to complete document processing tasks. In a business using a plurality of different MFPs, the steps required to complete the same job may be different when one MFP usable in the business is used and when another MFP is used.

  In addition to the above, various businesses often have a frequently used set of forms. For example, a car dealer may have a form for car sales, car leasing, car rental, or car purchase. Car dealers may also have forms such as margin transaction applications, license plate orders, insurance information, and the like. A car salesperson may put a form in his / her own document clip, take out the original manuscript of the required form from the document clip, and copy the form for a customer with a copier. This method increases the sales staff's work. There may also be a salesperson with a different or older version of the form between the documents. For this reason, there is a risk that mistakes and contradictions may occur in this document pinching method. Furthermore, depending on the specific form, the creation may be completed by taking a copy (two copies). The salesperson must not forget to take a copy and must bother to go back to the MFP and take a copy. In addition, certain customer data may be confidential and may even protect privacy under the law (such as personal information that should be handled in a margin transaction application).

  Some other specialists have MFP needs unique to specialists, which are considered to be very different from other business needs. Legal professionals may require, for example, a subpoena, complaint, certificate of delivery, and invoice form. The health care professional may require a patient consent form, prescription, patient information questionnaire, or patient insurance information form. Legal and medical professionals are examples of businesses that always require a very high level of confidentiality. If legal professionals do not maintain a high level of confidentiality, they compromise the confidentiality of attorneys' agents and customers. If medical professionals do not maintain a high level of confidentiality, they will violate the confidentiality provisions of, for example, the US Federal Act on Health Insurance Interoperability and Accountability (HIPAA). This can result in criminal or civil defaults. Inappropriate or outdated forms can cause procedural damage and / or damage the patient in medical situations. Of course, this can lead to medical malpractice lawsuits.

JP 2011-015179 A JP 2011-154474 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that it is possible to design an MFP user interface so that functions frequently used in various businesses are displayed in a top-level menu or a high-level menu by customization through simple operations. The purpose is to provide a multifunction peripheral and a program.

  The multi-function peripheral device according to the embodiment is installed with a processor, a storage means for storing a usable business category list, a plurality of application groups, and a plurality of customization applications, and attached to the main body, and displays a user interface screen. A display for displaying. The processor displays the usable business category list from the storage unit on the display, receives a business category selected by an operation from the display, and selects the application group corresponding to the selected business category When the application group read out from the storage unit is set as the default, the application group is set and registered as the user interface screen, and the customization application corresponding to the MFP firmware version is read out from the storage unit when the customization is executed. , Registering an application corresponding to a required device function among the customization applications, Registration is successful, and the Without changing the MFP firmware, and displays on the display to confirm the user interface is updated including the registered applications.

  A program according to an embodiment includes a processor, a storage unit that stores a list of usable business categories, a plurality of application groups, and a plurality of customization applications, and a display that is attached to the main body and displays a user interface screen. And executed by a computer of a multifunction peripheral device. The program includes a procedure for displaying the usable business category list from the storage unit on the display, a procedure for receiving a business category selected by an operation from the display, and the program corresponding to the selected business category. When the application group is read from the storage unit, and when the read application group is set as a default, the procedure for setting and registering the application group as a user interface screen, and customization, the MFP firmware version is changed from the storage unit. A procedure for reading out the customization application corresponding to the application and an application corresponding to a required device function among the customization applications. And a step of displaying on the display so as to confirm an updated user interface including the registered application if the registration of the application is successful and the MFP firmware has not been changed. Cause the computer to execute.

1 is a diagram showing an MFP network according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a document drawing system according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the 1st flowchart which can provide the MFP which can customize the business which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second flowchart capable of providing a business customizable MFP according to the embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the customization of the application which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the customization of the application which concerns on embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a screen of the customization of the application which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a first flowchart of MFP customization related to a usable form according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a second flowchart of MFP customization related to a usable form according to the embodiment. The 1st flowchart of the introduction system of the customization and customized user interface which concern on embodiment. The 2nd flowchart of the introduction system of the customization and customized user interface which concern on embodiment.

  Various embodiments can be better understood with reference to the description, claims, and drawings.

  The system and method disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the drawings by way of example. It should be noted that modifications to the disclosed and described examples, facilities, configurations, components, elements, apparatus, devices, methods, systems, etc. can be suitably made and can be required for specific applications. In the present disclosure, specific techniques, equipment, etc. are the same as the specific examples presented, or are simply the same as general descriptions of the techniques, equipment, etc. Unless specifically stated otherwise, it is not intended or should not be construed as essential or limiting to the same specific details or examples.

  According to the embodiments of the present invention, a multifunction peripheral device, a business customization method, and a program for customizing an MFP are provided for an end user or a system administrator (hereinafter simply referred to as an administrator). . The customization improves the accessibility of functions specific to a specific business using the MFP interface. The MFP interface is provided in a part or all of a driver (printer driver or the like) provided in a user interface of the MFP itself, communicated by a network-connected MFP via a web interface, or called on a user device. Just do it.

  Certain functions of the MFP (such as color printing or color copying) may be disabled by the MFP user in order to reduce toner or ink consumption. As another example, an administrator may implement mandatory device functionality (such as automatically encrypting all emails). The administrator may provide a customized interface using the company color scheme and company logo. The administrator may recreate the menu hierarchy and place specific needs or frequently needed functions where they can be easily accessed. As a further advantage, employees can use electronic documents (forms, templates, etc.) stored in the MFP equally. In addition to the above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, an MFP in which a library of forms, controls, menus, and the like generally used in other businesses of the same type is stored in advance can be used in another business. it can.

  For example, an MFP pre-filled with different business-specific settings, menus or electronic documents can be delivered to the business. For example, “law professional” may be selected as an administrator setting by default. “Legal Experts” include legal forms, legal documents, preparatory written templates, and blank time charge slips. A “law professional” may include address information of various courts and administrative agencies. This allows you to quickly set the needs of all or some law firms.

  Thereafter, the administrator may add or replace the electronic document, such as by uploading or scanning paper. The administrator may further add necessary MFP functions that are not included in the standard “legal expert” settings. The administrator may add or change the menu structure, or customize the color, font, resolution, and the like. The administrator may import the company logo and display the company logo on the user interface display. Preferably, the company logo may be imported via a portable data communication device (USB drive, CD or DVD, etc.), via a network connection, or by scanning a paper document containing the logo. The administrator may export and duplicate this interface to other MFPs used in the business.

  The customization system in the multifunction peripheral device includes a processor and a memory that stores a plurality of specific customization groups. Each customization group includes a plurality of files, and each customization group corresponds to a unique business type. The memory is a plurality of device customization data sets, each data set storing a plurality of device customization data sets corresponding to the document processing of the multifunction peripheral device corresponding to the firmware version of the multifunction peripheral device. The print engine and the scanner engine can be controlled by at least one data set. An indication is generated on the user interface display that identifies a plurality of customization groups by business type. User selection data corresponding to the selected specific customization group selected from the instructions is received via user input.

  A customization menu listing the customizations available from the particular selected customization group corresponding to the firmware version of the multifunction peripheral is generated on the user interface display. A document processing option menu is generated on the user interface display that includes document processing options corresponding to a portion of the device customization data set associated with the particular customization group that has been selected. The customization menu is user editable. Register the customization interface according to the edited customization menu. Enable the operation of multifunction peripherals with a registered customization interface.

  FIG. 1 shows an MFP network 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The MFP network 100 includes one or more MFPs 110 and 114. The MFP network 104 may preferably be a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) (which may include the global Internet), or a combination thereof. A system administrator or another user (hereinafter simply referred to as an administrator) can operate the MFP 110 via a user interface 118 including a user interface panel integrated with the MFP (which may be configured with a touch screen display panel or the like). It is. Alternatively, the MFP 110 can be remotely controlled from the workstation 122 via the network cloud 104. In FIG. 1, the workstation 122 is a wired computer. Alternatively, the workstation 122 may be a suitable data communication device (including a smartphone, a tablet, a notebook computer, etc.) that can be connected to a network wirelessly or by wire. The workstation 122 is preferably able to communicate by accessing the MFP 110 using a network address (such as an internet protocol (IP) address). Access from the remote device may be performed directly via the web interface.

  The MFP 110 has a data storage 126. The data storage 126 electronically stores data corresponding to usable device function applications, background images, color palettes, icons, business groupings, and the like. For example, the data storage 126 stores a usable business category list, a plurality of application groups, a plurality of form libraries, a plurality of customization applications, and the like.

  The data storage 126 may further store additional applications that can be used to control the MFP 110. Additional applications can also be sent to MFP 110 via a portable data communication device (eg, flash drive 130, etc.). Alternatively, the data can be transmitted to the MFP 110 using other suitable data transfer mechanisms (including Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), optical disc, CD, DVD, wireless or wired network, etc.). Additional applications may be purchased from the application store 134 or the like via the network cloud 104.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a document drawing system 200 according to the embodiment. The document drawing system 200 is included in an MFP (such as the MFPs 110 and 114 in FIG. 1). The document drawing system 200 includes a controller 201. The controller 201 includes one or more processors (the illustrated processor 202 or the like). The processor 202 is connected to a ROM 204 as a nonvolatile memory and a RAM 206 as a random access memory via a data bus 212.

  The processor 202 is further in data communication with a storage interface (I / F) 208. The storage interface 208 reads and writes data from and to the storage 216 in accordance with instructions from the processor 202. The storage 216 (corresponding to the data storage 126 in FIG. 1) may comprise a hard disk, optical disk, solid state disk, cloud-based storage, or other suitable data storage. Various data / applications stored in the storage 216 are expanded in the RAM 206 via the storage interface 208 and processed or executed by the processor 202. Data created on the RAM 206 by various processes of the processor 202 is stored in the storage 216 via the storage interface 208.

  The processor 202 is further in data communication with a network interface (I / F) 210. The network interface 210 functions as an interface to the network interface controller (NIC) 214. A network interface controller (NIC) 214 also provides a data path for a wired network (eg, bus connection line) connection 220. Alternatively, the network interface controller (NIC) 214 provides a data path for the wireless data connection via the wireless network interface. The wireless connection is, for example, a cellular system, Wi-Fi 218, Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface 226, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, or the like. The interface of the wired network 220 is, for example, Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Apple Lighting, a telephone line, or the like.

  The processor 202 is further capable of data communication with a user input / output (I / O) interface. The user input / output (I / O) interface performs data communication with user peripheral devices (display, keyboard, mouse, trackball, touch screen, etc.). The hardware monitor 221 provides device event data to the user in cooperation with the monitoring system. As another example, the monitoring system may include a page counter, sensor output (a consumption level sensor, a temperature sensor, a power quality sensor, a device error sensor, a door open / close sensor, etc.). Those detection data are stored in the storage 216 or the like as one or more device logs.

  Further, the document processor interface 222 connected to the hardware monitor 221 can perform data communication with a unit connected to the data bus 212. Furthermore, the document processor interface 222 can perform data communication with the hardware function unit 250 of the MFP. In the example of FIG. 2, the hardware function unit 250 of the MFP includes copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244, and fax hardware 246. The copy hardware 240, the scan hardware 242, the print hardware 244, and the fax hardware 246 constitute functional hardware included in the MFP. The hardware function unit 250 is an intelligent unit including hardware or a software platform.

  3A and 3B show a flowchart 300 for providing a business customizable MFP (hereinafter described using the MFP 110 of FIG. 1) according to the embodiment. The business customization process of MFP 110 begins at block 304 and proceeds to block 308. In block 308, the administrator logs in to the MFP 110 through an operation from the MFP user interface 118. Alternatively, the user logs in to the MFP 110 from the remote terminal workstation 122 via the network cloud 104. At block 312, the customization menu is displayed on the display of the user interface 118 for the administrator. At block 316, the available business category list retrieved from the data storage 126 is displayed on the display. At block 320, an available business category selected by the administrator via the user interface 118 is accepted.

  At block 324, a preset group of MFP applications for the selected business (eg, including individually selectable or group selectable applications) is read from storage 126 (same as storage 216 in FIG. 2). . At block 328, the read MFP application group is displayed on the display of the user interface 118 to the administrator. Note that a function related to a business category (or type) preselected by the administrator may be selected in advance, and the preselected function may be read and displayed.

  Next, if the default list of displayed MFP application groups is to be changed at block 332 (Yes at block 332), at block 336, the administrator adds, deletes, or changes the MFP application group. Then, at block 340, the administrator changes are saved to the storage 126 via the RAM 206 as the default user interface. Further, in block 344, it is checked whether the customized logo is additionally displayed on the MFP user interface 118. If it is determined in block 332 that the default list of the MFP application group is not to be changed (No in block 332), the process proceeds directly to the logo change check in block 344.

  If the administrator chooses to customize (including adding) the logo at block 344 (Yes at block 344), customized logo data via physical media, wireless connection, wired connection or network connection at block 348 Are stored (imported) in the RAM 206 of the MFP 110. At block 352, the administrator performs customized logo positioning on the display screen (s). At block 356, the MFP default user interface is updated according to the positioning, and block 360 proceeds. The updated user interface screen is stored in the storage 126 via the RAM 206.

  In block 360 of FIG. 3b, the administrator checks to determine whether to customize and use the background displayed on the MFP user interface panel. Note that if the customized logo is not used in block 344 (No in block 344), the process proceeds directly to block 360. If the background customization is selected in block 360 (Yes in block 360), the optional background data already available in the MFP 110 or the background data imported from the workstation 122 or the like is used in block 364. Set background customization as well as logo customization. At block 368, the default user interface is updated according to the customization. The updated user interface is similarly stored in the storage 126. Next, at block 376, the administrator determines whether to change the display color or layout of the MFP user interface panel. Note that if it is selected not to change the background displayed on the MFP user interface panel in block 360 (No in block 360), the process proceeds directly to block 376.

  If, at block 376, the administrator selects to change the display color or layout of the MFP user interface panel (Yes at block 376), at block 380, the administrator accepts modification of the display color or layout of the MFP user interface panel. At block 384, the default user interface is updated according to the display color or layout customization. The updated user interface is similarly stored in the storage 126. Next, at block 388, the administrator checks whether to complete application customization. If it is determined in block 376 that the display color or layout is not to be changed (No in block 376), the process proceeds directly to block 388. At block 388, the administrator checks application customization. If so (Yes in block 388), block 392 customizes the application properties and block 396 ends the customization process. If it is determined at block 388 not to customize the application (No at block 388), the customization process is also terminated at block 396.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows a screen example 400 for application management customization according to the embodiment. In this example, the administrator can set application settings (scan quality 404, color mode 408, output file type 412, page scanning 416, finishing 420, etc.). The administrator can select whether or not to print a confirmation receipt in the scan confirmation 424 setting.

  FIG. 5 shows a screen example 500 for application management customization according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 5, a list 504 of available applications is displayed. In the list 504, the application can be set to install / uninstall, or the application can be changed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example screen 600 for customization according to the embodiment. The vertical application (or UI customization) shown here is designed to include one or more installed applications. Furthermore, the administrator can configure the UI. It is possible to customize with the following setting items 602, 604, 608, and 612. In the setting item 602, the user selects a background image or an uploaded background image stored in advance in the storage 126 from the set. In the setting item 604, the user adds a tag line and selects a font color. In the setting item 608, the user selects from available (installed) applications, changes the display order and position, and adds an application tag level. In the setting item 612, the user adds a company logo. The window 610 displays a preview of the set background image, company logo, and tag line.

  Next, FIGS. 7a and 7b show a flowchart 700 of MFP customization associated with a usable form according to an embodiment. The form customization process starts at block 702 and proceeds to block 704. At block 704, the administrator selects a business type from the available options. At block 708, the form library associated with the selected business type is retrieved from storage 126. At block 712, the retrieved form list is displayed on the display of the user interface. At block 714, the administrator selects whether to view the form. If the form is to be viewed (Yes at block 714), at block 718, the administrator selects a form for viewing. At block 722, the selected form is displayed on the display of the user interface. At block 724, the administrator selects whether to delete or edit the form displayed on the user interface display. Note that if the form for view is not selected at block 714 (No at block 714), the process also proceeds directly to block 724.

  If the administrator edits or deletes the form at block 724 (Yes at block 724), the modified content edited or deleted at block 728 is accepted, and the modified content is stored in the storage 126 at block 732 and is transferred to block 736. move on. If the administrator does not edit or delete the form in block 724 (No in block 724), the process proceeds directly to block 736.

  If the administrator wants to review the list again at block 736, the process returns to block 712. If the list is not reviewed again (No at block 736), at block 740, the administrator selects whether to request a new form. If no new form is required (No in block 740), the process ends at block 744.

  If a new form is requested (Yes at block 740), at block 748 of FIG. 8b, the administrator checks whether the MFP 110 has a new form (such as a form associated with another business library). If the MFP 110 does not have a new form (No in block 748), in block 752, a new form is uploaded or scanned with the scanner of the MFP 110 to obtain a new form. If the new form of the MFP 110 is available (Yes in block 748), or if a new form is uploaded or scanned, the new form is stored in the storage 126 and entered into the default library at block 756. . The process then returns to block 740. At block 740, the administrator determines whether to request another new form and proceeds to block 748 to request, otherwise ends at block 744.

  8a and 8b show a flowchart 800 of a customization and customized user interface implementation system according to an embodiment. The installation process starts at block 804 and at block 808 the user interface displayed on the current MFP user interface display is stored in the storage 126 for backup. At block 812, the administrator determines the MFP firmware version. At block 814, the user interface customization application corresponding to the determined version is loaded from storage 816 (same as storage 126 of FIG. 1). At block 820, if an error condition occurs during the customization process, the read customization application is stored in the storage 126 for backup. In block 824, the application (subset) of the device function that is considered necessary among the loaded customization applications is stored in the storage 126 and registered in advance. At block 828, customization is completed. A suitable customization operation is described in detail below.

  At block 830, the newly selected application corresponding to the selected device function or user interface option is automatically registered. At block 834, a registration error is checked. If there is no error (No in block 834), the firmware version is checked in block 854 of FIG. 8b. Block 858 then checks the firmware version against the current version. If the firmware versions are different (Yes at block 858), the backup user interface at block 808 is restored to the storage 126 at block 838 of FIG. 8a. At block 842, the backup user interface is registered. At block 846, a stop notification is generated and at block 850 the installation process is terminated. If there is no version change (No in block 858), in block 860, the administrator verifies the user interface update. If the user interface update is confirmed (Yes in block 860), the process ends at block 850. If the user interface update is not confirmed, the user interface is unregistered at block 864 and the installation process proceeds to block 838 described above. At block 838, the backup interface is restored and registered.

  According to the embodiment, an MFP pre-filled with different business-specific settings, menus or electronic documents can be delivered to the business. Then, the ease of accessing functions specific to a specific business is improved by using an MFP interface customized for a different business.

  Although embodiments of the present technology have been described above, the embodiments are merely examples, and the present technology is not limited only to the above-described embodiments. The above-described novel embodiments can be realized in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The claims and their equivalents cover these forms or modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... MFP network 104 ... Network cloud 122 ... Workstation 126, 216, 816 ... Data storage 130 ... Flash drive (USB memory)
134 ... Application store 200 ... Document drawing system 201 ... Controller 202 ... Processor 204 ... ROM
206 ... RAM
208 ... Storage interface (I / F)
210 ... Network interface 212 ... Data bus 214 ... Network interface controller (NIC)
221 ... Hardware monitor 222 ... Document processor interface 250 ... MFP function units 400, 500, 600 ... Customization screen example

Claims (5)

A processor;
A storage means for storing a list of available business categories, multiple application groups, and multiple customization applications;
A display installed on the main body and displaying a user interface screen;
A multi-functional peripheral device comprising:
The processor is
Displaying the available business category list from the storage means on the display;
Accept the business category selected by the operation from the display,
Reading the application group corresponding to the selected business category from the storage means;
If the read application group is the default, the application group is set and registered as the user interface screen,
Upon execution of customization, the customization application corresponding to the MFP firmware version is read from the storage means,
Among the customization applications, register an application corresponding to the required device function,
If the registration of the application is successful and there is no change in the MFP firmware, display on the display to confirm an updated user interface including the registered application;
Multifunctional peripheral device.   The multifunction peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the processor receives one or more modifications of a logo, a background image, a color, or a layout of the user interface screen, and changes the modified user interface screen to the default.   The multifunction peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein, when the application included in the read application group is customized, the processor customizes the property of the application.   The multifunction peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the registration of the application includes registration of an application corresponding to a newly selected device function. Multi-function comprising a processor, storage means for storing a list of available business categories, a plurality of application groups, and a plurality of customization applications, and a display installed on the main body and displaying a user interface screen A program executed by a peripheral computer,
Displaying the available business category list on the display from the storage means;
A procedure for accepting a business category selected by an operation from the display;
Reading the application group corresponding to the selected business category from the storage means;
When the read application group is set as a default, a procedure for setting and registering the application group as a user interface screen
A procedure for reading out the customization application corresponding to the version of the MFP firmware from the storage means when performing the customization;
Among the customization applications, a procedure for registering an application corresponding to a required device function;
A procedure for displaying on the display to confirm an updated user interface including the registered application if registration of the application is successful and there is no change in the MFP firmware;
A program for causing the computer to execute.