JP2022023565A - Information processing device, information processing system, set value recommendation method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To recommend a set value suitable for each user.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: an apparatus; and an information processing device connected to the apparatus through a network. The apparatus includes a use history transmitter unit which transmits, to the information processing device, use history data indicative of use history of an authenticated user having used the apparatus. The information processing device includes: a use state data collection unit which receives the use history data from the apparatus to collect use state data which indicates a user-by-user apparatus use state; and a recommended set information output unit which, based on the collected use state data and user-by-user apparatus set information, outputs recommended user-by-user apparatus set information to the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a reflection operation reception unit of a recommended set value, which receives the set information output from the recommended set information output unit, displays the set value included in the set information, and receives from each user an operation for reflecting the set value, included in the set information, in the set information of the authenticated user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, a set value recommendation method, and a program.

For devices used by multiple users, functions have been developed to realize individual settings for each user.

In addition, devices have been developed that display recommended functions to users. For example, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus that aggregates combination information about the frequency with which one function is combined with another function and displays a function that is often combined with one function selected by the user.

In devices used by multiple users, there is a request to recommend appropriate settings as individual settings for each user. Even if the above-mentioned conventional technique is applied to such a request, it is difficult to recommend a setting value suitable for each user because the recommended setting is determined based on the combination of functions.

The disclosed technique aims to recommend settings suitable for individual users.

The disclosed technology is an information processing system including a device and an information processing device connected to the device via a network, and the device displays usage history data indicating the history of the authenticated user using the device. It is equipped with a usage history transmission unit that transmits to the information processing device, and the information processing device has a usage status data collection unit that receives usage history data from the device and collects usage status data indicating the usage status of the device for each user. The device is provided with a recommended setting information output unit that outputs the setting information for each user of the recommended device to the device based on the collected usage data and the setting information of the device for each user. The user performs an operation to receive the setting information output from the recommended setting information output section, display the setting value included in the setting information, and reflect the setting value included in the setting information in the setting information of the authenticated user. It is an information processing system further equipped with a recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit that receives from.

Setting values suitable for individual users can be recommended.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration of an information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the function of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the function of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the user information. It is a figure which shows an example of the usage situation data. It is a figure which shows an example of the user setting information. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing flow of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of an image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an information processing system.

The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10 and an image forming device 20.

The information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the communication network 30.

The information processing device 10 has, for example, an external linkage function for linking with external services such as user authentication, device authentication, tenant information management, device information management, user information management, screen information management, file management, and cloud storage as basic functions. Has. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 has various functions including an API for receiving a request from the image forming apparatus 20 and executing each function, and functions as a Web service providing system that provides each function.

The information processing device 10 is constructed, for example, as a platform for providing cloud services having various functions. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 executes the processing specified in various Web application programs (hereinafter referred to as Web applications) as the above-mentioned cloud service. The Web application is an application program that defines a function provided by the information processing device 10 as a Web server to the image forming device 20 which is a Web client.

The image forming apparatus 20 is an apparatus that realizes an image forming function such as scanning, printing, and copying. The image forming apparatus 20 not only realizes the image forming function by itself, but also functions as a Web client that uses various functions provided by the information processing apparatus 10.

The image forming apparatus 20 has a function of performing different operations based on a set value for each user. For example, the home screen displayed on the image forming apparatus 20 has an icon layout and a background image based on setting values for each user. Further, the screen displayed by the image forming apparatus 20 is expressed in a language based on the set value for each user.

The communication network 30 may be wireless communication or wired communication, and may be, for example, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), VPN (Virtual Private Network), the Internet, or the like.

Next, the hardware configuration of each device included in the information processing system 1 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus.

The information processing device 10 is constructed by a computer, and has a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an HD 104, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 105, a display 106, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 108, a network I / F 109, and a bus. It includes a line 110, a keyboard 111, a pointing device 112, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 114, and a media I / F 116.

Of these, the CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 10. The ROM 102 stores a program used for driving the CPU 101 such as an IPL (Initial Program Loader). The RAM 103 is used as a work area of the CPU 101. The HD 104 stores programs and various other data such as guest network creation applications. The HDD controller 105 controls reading or writing of various data to the HD 104 according to the control of the CPU 101. The display 106 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images.

The external device connection I / F 108 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external device in this case is, for example, a device such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 109 is an interface for performing data communication with another device by using the communication network 30. The bus line 110 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 101 shown in FIG.

Further, the keyboard 111 is a kind of input means including a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions and the like. The pointing device 112 is a kind of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 114 controls reading or writing of various data to the DVD-RW 113 as an example of a detachable recording medium. The DVD-RW is not limited to the DVD-RW, and a DVD-R or the like may be used. The media I / F 116 controls reading or writing (storage) of data to the media 115 such as a flash memory.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 20 includes a main body unit 210 that realizes an image forming function, and an operation unit 220 that accepts a user's operation. It should be noted that accepting a user's operation is a concept including accepting information (including a signal indicating a coordinate value of a screen) input according to the user's operation.

The main body 210 and the operation 220 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via the communication path 201. As the communication path 201, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard can be used. The communication path 201 may be of a standard other than the USB standard regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

The main body 210 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 212, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 213, a storage unit 214, a communication I / F (Interface) 215, a connection I / F 216, and an engine unit 217. , External connection I / F 218, system bus 219, etc.

The CPU 211 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire main unit 210 by executing a program stored in the ROM 212, the storage unit 214, or the like with the RAM 213 as a work area (work area). For example, the CPU 211 realizes various functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and printing by using the engine unit 217.

The ROM 212 is, for example, a non-volatile memory that stores a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) executed when the main body 210 is started, various settings, and the like. The RAM 213 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 211. The storage unit 214 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device that stores an OS (Operating System), an application program, various data, and the like, and is composed of, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. ..

The communication I / F 215 is a network interface such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN for connecting the main body 210 to the communication network 70 and communicating with an external device. The connection I / F 216 is an interface for communicating between the main body unit 210 and the operation unit 220 via the communication path 201.

The engine unit 217 is hardware that performs general-purpose information processing and processing other than communication in order to realize functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, and printing. The engine unit 217 includes, for example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that prints on a sheet material such as paper, and a fax unit that performs fax communication. .. Further, the engine unit 217 may include a finisher for sorting printed sheet materials and specific options such as an ADF (automatic document feeding device) for automatically feeding documents.

The external connection I / F 218 is an interface for connecting an external device to the main body 210. The external device may include, for example, an IC card reader 103, a mobile sensor, and the like. The system bus 219 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

The operation unit 220 includes a CPU 221, ROM 222, RAM 223, flash memory 224, communication I / F 225, operation panel 226, connection I / F 227, external connection I / F 228, camera 229, system bus 230, and the like.

The CPU 221 is an arithmetic unit that controls the operation of the entire operation unit 220 by executing a program stored in the ROM 222, the flash memory 224, or the like with the RAM 223 as a work area (work area). The ROM 222 is, for example, a non-volatile memory that stores a BIOS executed when the operation unit 220 is started, various settings, and the like. The RAM 223 is a volatile memory used as a work area or the like of the CPU 221. The flash memory 224 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device that stores an OS, an application program, various data, and the like.

The communication I / F 225 is a network interface such as a wireless LAN or a wired LAN for connecting the operation unit 220 to the communication network 70 and communicating with an external device.

The operation panel 226 accepts various inputs according to the user's operation and displays various information. The operation panel 226 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) equipped with a touch panel function, but is not limited thereto. The operation panel 226 may be composed of, for example, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device equipped with a touch panel function. Further, the operation panel 226 may be provided with an operation unit such as a hardware key or a display unit such as a lamp in addition to or in place of the operation panel 226.

The connection I / F 227 is an interface for communicating between the operation unit 220 and the main body unit 210 via the communication path 201. The external connection I / F228 is an interface such as USB for connecting an external device.

The camera 229 is a photographing device that captures an image of the user. The camera 229 may be installed outside the image forming apparatus 20 and connected to the operation unit 220 via the external connection I / F 228. The system bus 230 is connected to each of the above components and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

Next, the functions of each device included in the information processing system 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the information processing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 11, an authentication unit 12, a usage status data collection unit 13, a usage status determination unit 14, a recommended setting information output unit 15, and a user setting information update unit 16.

The storage unit 11 stores various information. Specifically, the storage unit 11 stores the user information 901, the usage status data 902, and the user setting information 903.

The user information 901 is information for authenticating a user who uses the image forming apparatus 20. A specific example of the user information 901 will be described later.

The usage status data 902 is data indicating the usage status of the image forming apparatus 20 for each user. A specific example of the usage status data 902 will be described later.

The user setting information 903 is information indicating the setting value of the image forming apparatus 20 for each user. A specific example of the user setting information 903 will be described later.

The authentication unit 12 executes user authentication in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 20. Specifically, the authentication unit 12 receives data indicating a combination of the user's e-mail address and password input to the image forming apparatus 20, and collates it with the user information 901.

Then, when the user information 901 has a record that matches the combination of the e-mail address and the password, the authentication unit 12 sends a signal indicating the success of the authentication to the image forming apparatus 20 and matches the combination of the e-mail address and the password. If the record to be used does not exist in the user information 901, a signal indicating an authentication failure is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20.

The usage data collection unit 13 collects usage data from the image forming apparatus 20. Specifically, the usage status data collecting unit 13 receives usage history data indicating the history of using the function from the image forming apparatus 20, and based on the received usage history data, the function of the image forming apparatus 20. Aggregate the number of uses for each user.

For example, the usage status data collecting unit 13 receives data indicating the history that the user A has used the copy function from the image forming apparatus 20, and adds 1 to the number of times the user A has used the copy function.

The usage status determination unit 14 determines whether or not there is a second user whose usage status is similar to that of the first user, based on the collected usage status data. For example, in order to determine the setting value recommended for the user A (first user), the usage status determination unit 14 uses the user B (second user) whose usage status is similar to the user A in the usage status data. Search from. Judgment as to whether or not they are similar is realized by a method of calculating the degree of similarity of data such as the number of times each function is used and the ratio of the number of times of use for each function.

The recommended setting information output unit 15 outputs recommended setting information indicating the setting value of the image forming apparatus 20 recommended for each user based on the collected usage status data 902 and the user setting information 903. Specifically, the recommended setting information output unit 15 is included in the user setting information 903 when it is determined by the usage status determination unit 14 that there is a second user whose usage status is similar to that of the first user. The recommended setting information is output with the setting value included in the setting information of the second user as the recommended setting value.

For example, when the usage status determination unit 14 determines that the usage status of the user B is similar to the user A, the recommended setting information output unit 15 sets the user B as the recommended setting value for the user A. The recommended setting information indicating is output.

The user setting information updating unit 16 updates the setting information of the first user among the user setting information 903 stored in the storage unit 11 with the setting value of the image forming apparatus 20 recommended for the first user. Specifically, the user setting information updating unit 16 updates the setting information of the first user based on the request from the image forming apparatus 20.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the function of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 20 includes an authentication request unit 21, a user setting acquisition unit 22, a recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit 23, a user individual processing execution unit 24, and a usage history transmission unit 25.

The authentication request unit 21 requests the information processing apparatus 10 to authenticate the user. Specifically, the authentication request unit 21 transmits data indicating a combination of an e-mail address and a password input by the user to the information processing apparatus 10. The information used for authentication is not limited to these, and may be a user ID, PIN code, or the like.

The user setting acquisition unit 22 acquires the setting information for each user from the information processing apparatus 10. Specifically, in the case of realizing a function that behaves differently according to a set value for each user, such as a display on a home screen, after the authentication requested to the information processing apparatus 10 by the authentication requesting unit 21 is successful. In addition, the user setting acquisition unit 22 acquires the setting information of the user from the information processing apparatus 10.

The recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit 23 receives the recommended setting information output from the recommended setting information output unit 15 of the information processing apparatus 10, and displays the setting value included in the recommended setting information on the screen. Then, an operation of reflecting the setting value included in the recommended setting information in the setting information of the authenticated user is accepted from the user. A specific example of the displayed screen will be described later.

The user individual process execution unit 24 executes individual processes for each user in order to realize a function that behaves differently for each user. For example, in a copy function that reads an image on paper and prints the read image on another paper, the user automatically determines whether to print in color or black and white based on the read image. It shall be possible to set it as a set value.

In this case, when the set value of the user A is a value indicating that the automatic determination is made, the user individual processing execution unit 24 prints in color based on the read image when the copy function of the user A is realized. Executes the process of automatically determining whether to print in black and white.

The usage history transmission unit 25 transmits the usage history data indicating the history of the authenticated user using the function of the image forming apparatus 20 to the information processing apparatus 10. For example, when the authenticated user A uses the copy function, the usage history transmission unit 25 processes data including a user ID indicating the user A, a function name indicating the copy function, a usage date and time, etc. as usage history data. It is transmitted to the device 10.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of user information.

The user information 901 includes a user ID, a user name, an e-mail address, and a password as items.

The value of the item "user ID" is an identifier for identifying the user.

The value of the item "user name" is a name such as a user's name.

The value of the item "email address" is the user's email address.

The value of the item "password" is the password for authentication.

The user information 901 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of information for authentication, and may be other information. For example, when authenticating with a PIN code, the user information 901 includes a PIN code as an item.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of usage status data.

The usage status data 902 includes a usage status ID, a usage status name, a user ID, and a value as items.

The value of the item "usage status ID" is an identifier for identifying the usage status.

The value of the item "Usage status name" is the name of the usage status.

The value of the item "user ID" is an identifier for identifying the user.

The value of the item "value" is a value indicating the usage status. For example, in the case of the usage status name "number of times of copying by changing the number of sheets", the value of the item "value" is a numerical value indicating the number of times of copying by changing the number of sheets.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of user setting information.

The user setting information 903 includes a function ID, a function name, a setting ID, a setting name, a user ID, and a setting value as items.

The value of the item "function ID" is an identifier for identifying the function.

The value of the item "function name" is the name of the function.

The value of the item "setting ID" is an identifier for identifying the setting.

The value of the item "setting name" is the name of the setting.

The value of the item "user ID" is an identifier for identifying the user.

The value of the item "setting value" is a setting value for each user.

For example, according to the user setting information 903 shown in FIG. 8, the image forming apparatus 20 binds a book when copying by the operation of the user "U0002", but does not bind the book when copying by the operation of the user "U0003". ..

Next, the operation of the information processing system 1 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow of the image forming apparatus.

When the image forming apparatus 20 receives the user's activation operation or the return operation from the energy saving mode, the authentication requesting unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 accepts the authentication information input operation (step S101). The image forming apparatus 20 may execute the process of step S101 at the time of executing the process requiring authentication. Specifically, the authentication request unit 21 displays a login screen.

Next, the authentication requesting unit 21 requests the information processing apparatus 10 to authenticate (step S102). Specifically, the authentication request unit 21 transmits the input information to the information processing apparatus 10, and receives information indicating the authentication result as a response.

The image forming apparatus 20 determines whether or not the authentication result is the authentication success (step S103). When the image forming apparatus 20 determines that the authentication result is not successful (step S103: No), the image forming apparatus 20 ends the process.

When the image forming apparatus 20 determines that the authentication result is successful (step S103: Yes), the user setting acquisition unit 22 acquires the user setting information 903 from the information processing apparatus 10 (step S104).

Next, the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 determines whether or not there is user setting information for the authenticated user (step S105). Here, when the process of step S101 is authentication for a specific function, the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 may determine whether or not there is a setting value for the function.

When the operation receiving unit 23 for reflecting the recommended setting value determines that there is no user setting information (step S105: No), the information processing apparatus 10 acquires information indicating the setting value recommended for the authenticated user (step S106). ..

Next, the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 displays the setting value recommended for the authenticated user on the screen (step S107). Then, the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 determines whether or not the operation for reflecting the setting value recommended by the user has been received (step S108).

When it is determined that the operation for reflecting the set value recommended by the user has not been received (step S108: No), the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 ends the process.

When the reception unit 23 for the recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit 23 determines that the operation for reflecting the setting value recommended by the user has been received (step S108: Yes), the information processing apparatus 10 is requested to update the user setting information (step S109). .. Specifically, the recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit 23 provides information including a user ID indicating an authenticated user and information including a function ID, a setting ID, and a setting value as information indicating a recommended setting value. It is transmitted to the processing device 10.

Then, the user individual processing execution unit 24 executes the user individual processing (step S110). Further, in the process of step S105, if the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 determines that there is user setting information (step S105: Yes), the process proceeds to the process of step S110.

In the process of step S110, the user individual process execution unit 24 performs individual process for each user based on the user setting information acquired in step S105 or the information indicating the recommended setting value acquired in the process of step S106. Execute.

When the process shown in FIG. 9 is completed, the image forming apparatus 20 may execute a process common to all users.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow of the information processing apparatus.

When the authentication unit 12 of the information processing apparatus 10 receives an authentication request from the image forming apparatus 20, the authentication unit 12 authenticates the user (step S201). Specifically, the authentication unit 12 collates the information received from the image forming apparatus 20 with the user information 901, and determines whether or not the user information 901 includes information matching the received information. Then, the authentication unit 12 transmits the authentication result to the image forming apparatus 20.

The usage status data collection unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 collects usage status data (step S202). Specifically, the usage status data collecting unit 13 receives usage history data indicating the history of using the function from the image forming apparatus 20, and based on the received usage history data, the function of the image forming apparatus 20. Aggregate the number of uses for each user.

The timing at which the usage status data collecting unit 13 collects the usage status data may be other than that. For example, the usage status data collection unit 13 may collect usage status data by a batch process executed once a day.

The information processing apparatus 10 transmits user setting information in response to a request from the user setting acquisition unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20 (step S203).

Next, in the usage status determination unit 14 of the information processing device 10, in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 20, a user (second user) whose usage status is similar to that of the authenticated user (first user) It is determined whether or not it exists (step S204).

Specifically, the usage status determination unit 14 uses a method of calculating the similarity of data such as the number of times each function is used and the ratio of the number of times each function is used, to the usage status of the first user and each user. Determine if they are similar and determine if a second user exists.

For example, the usage status determination unit 14 determines that there is a user “U0004” whose usage status is similar to that of the authenticated user “U0001” based on the usage status data 902 shown in FIG. 7.

When the usage status determination unit 14 determines that there is no second user whose usage status is similar to that of the first user (step S204: No), the usage status determination unit 14 ends the process.

Further, when the usage status determination unit 14 determines that there is a second user whose usage status is similar to that of the first user (step S204: Yes), the recommended setting information output unit 15 sets the user of the second user. Information is acquired (step S205), and recommended setting information indicating a setting value included in the acquired user setting information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 (step S206).

Upon receiving a request from the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 20, the user setting information updating unit 16 updates the user setting information 903 stored in the storage unit 11 (step S208). Specifically, the user setting information updating unit 16 receives information indicating a user ID, a function ID, a setting ID, and a setting value from the image forming apparatus 20, and is associated with the received user ID, the function ID, and the setting ID. Update the set value with the received set value.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus 20 receives an operation of activating the copy function from the user A, executes the process of step S105 shown in FIG. 9, and determines that there is no user setting information about the copy function of the user A. The screen shown in (a) is displayed.

Next, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the screen shown in FIG. 11B, and when it receives the selection of "Yes", it executes the process of step S106 and waits for the process of the information processing apparatus 10. The screen shown in FIG. 11 (c) is displayed.

Next, when the information processing apparatus 10 executes the process of step S206 shown in FIG. 10, the image forming apparatus 20 executes the process of step S107 shown in FIG. 9 and is shown in FIG. 11 (d). Display the screen.

On the screen shown in FIG. 11D, the set value of the user B whose usage status is similar to that of the user A is displayed. When the user A selects "apply this setting", the image forming apparatus 20 determines that the operation reflecting the recommended setting value has been received in the process of step S108 shown in FIG. 9, and executes the process of step S109. do.

Then, when the information processing apparatus 10 executes the process of step S207 and updates the user setting information of the user A, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the screen shown in FIG. 11 (e). When the user A selects "execute", the image forming apparatus 20 executes the process of step S110 shown in FIG.

Since the user setting information of the user A has been updated, the setting values shown in FIGS. 11 (d) and 11 (e) are initially displayed when the user A activates the copy function next time.

According to the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, in order to determine the recommended setting value based on the data indicating the usage status of the user, the setting value set by the user having similar tastes, behavior patterns, etc. is used. Based on this, realistic settings can be recommended.

Further, since the information processing device 10 different from the image forming device 20 can collect data indicating the usage status of the user from the plurality of image forming devices 20 and determine the recommended setting value, it can be used as information for many users. Highly accurate processing based on this is possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the recommended setting information output unit 15 of the information processing apparatus 10 recommends the setting value of the second user determined to be similar to the first user to the first user. An example of outputting as is shown. However, the setting value recommended for the first user may be other. For example, the recommended setting value may be determined by selecting a plurality of similar users and extracting the average setting value of the selected plurality of users.

For example, user B, user C, and user D similar to user A are selected, and their respective setting values are "black and white, with binding, 2in1", "black and white, without binding, without aggregation", "color, with binding, and aggregation". In the case of "None", the setting value of "Black and white, with binding, without aggregation" may be recommended as the average setting value. In this example, the resulting recommended settings do not exactly match any of User B, User C, and User D settings.

In the above-described embodiment, the recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit 23 of the image forming apparatus 20 has shown an example of displaying the recommended setting value for a user who does not have the user setting information. However, the setting value may be recommended to the user who has the user setting information. By doing so, it is possible to give the user who has set the set value an opportunity to consider changing his / her own set value by referring to the set value of another user.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the image forming apparatus 20 transmits usage history data, and the usage history data received by the information processing apparatus 10 is aggregated to generate data indicating a usage status. However, the image forming apparatus 20 may aggregate the usage history data, generate data indicating the usage status, and transmit the generated usage status data to the information processing apparatus 10.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the user setting information referred to by the image forming apparatus 20 is stored in the storage unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 10. However, the user setting information may be stored in the image forming apparatus 20 or another apparatus such as an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server. In that case, the information processing apparatus 10 may periodically receive user setting information from the image forming apparatus 20 or another apparatus such as an LDAP server, and in the process of step S205 shown in FIG. 10, image forming. User setting information may be received from the device 20 or another device such as an LDAP server.

The group of devices described in each embodiment represents only one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, the information processing apparatus 10 may be configured as an information processing system such as a cloud service or a Web service, which includes a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including networks, shared memory, and the like, and the processes disclosed herein may be performed.

Further, the information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps in various combinations. Further, each element of the information processing device 10 and the image forming device 20 may be integrated into one server device, or may be divided into a plurality of devices.

Each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" as used herein is a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to execute each function described above. It shall include devices such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and conventional circuit modules.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an image forming apparatus is shown as an example of the device. However, the device is not limited to the image forming device as long as it is a device having a communication function. Devices include, for example, PJs (Projectors), output devices such as digital signage, HUD (Head Up Display) devices, industrial machines, medical devices, network home appliances, connected cars, notebook PCs (Personal Computers), and mobile phones. It may be a telephone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

Although the present invention has been described above based on each embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. With respect to these points, the gist of the present invention can be changed to the extent that the gist of the present invention is not impaired, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form thereof.

1 Information processing system 10 Information processing device 11 Storage unit 12 Authentication unit 13 Usage status data collection unit 14 Usage status determination unit 15 Recommended setting information output unit 16 User setting information update unit 20 Image forming device 21 Authentication request unit 22 User setting acquisition unit 23 Recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit 24 User individual processing execution unit 25 Usage history transmission unit 30 Communication network

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-268345

Claims (9)

An information processing system including a device and an information processing device connected to the device via a network.
The device is
It is provided with a usage history transmission unit that transmits usage history data indicating the history of the authenticated user using the device to the information processing apparatus.
The information processing device is
A usage status data collection unit that receives the usage history data from the device and collects usage status data indicating the usage status of the device for each user.
A recommended setting information output unit that outputs recommended setting information for each user of the device based on the collected usage status data and setting information of the device for each user is provided.
The device is
The setting information output from the recommended setting information output unit is received, the setting value included in the setting information is displayed, and the setting value included in the setting information is used as the setting information of the authenticated user. It also has a recommended setting value reflection operation reception unit that accepts the operation to be reflected from the user.
Information processing system. The device includes a user setting acquisition unit that acquires the setting information of the authenticated user.
The recommended setting value reflection operation receiving unit displays the setting information output from the recommended setting information output unit when the user's setting information acquired by the user setting acquisition unit does not exist.
The information processing system according to claim 1. The device is
The information processing device is further provided with an authentication request unit that requests user authentication.
The information processing device is
Further provided with an authentication unit that executes user authentication in response to a request from the device.
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2. A usage data collection unit that collects usage data that shows the usage status of devices for each user,
Based on the collected usage status data, the setting information of the device for each user, and the recommended setting information output unit for outputting the recommended setting information indicating the setting value of the device recommended for each user. Prepare, prepare
Information processing equipment. Further provided with a usage status determination unit that determines whether or not there is a second user whose usage status is similar to that of the first user based on the collected usage status data.
When the usage status determination unit determines that the second user exists, the recommended setting information output unit sets the device recommended to the first user based on the setting information of the second user. Output the setting information indicating the value,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. A storage unit that stores the setting information of the device for each user,
A user setting information update unit for updating the setting information of the first user stored in the storage unit with the setting value of the device recommended for the first user is provided.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. The usage status data collecting unit aggregates the number of times the function of the device is used for each user as the usage status data.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The method performed by the computer
Steps to collect usage data that shows the usage status of the device for each user, and
A step of outputting the recommended setting information for each user of the device based on the collected usage data and the setting information of the device for each user is provided.
Recommended setting method. On the computer
Steps to collect usage data that shows the usage status of the device for each user, and
A step of outputting recommended setting information for each user of the device based on the collected usage data and setting information of the device for each user.
A program to execute.

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