JP5142852B2 - Image forming apparatus having customizable user interface - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of image forming apparatuses having customizable user interfaces.

  In recent years, functions of image forming apparatuses such as multi-function copiers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, and printers have been diversified, and it is not always easy for users to use these functions. In addition, there are functions that are not used at all depending on the user, and therefore, operations on the user interface are often difficult to use.

  Under such circumstances, an image forming apparatus having an easy-to-use user interface is being proposed by a user registering and arranging buttons or the like that are frequently used on the screen.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism that enables customization of an operation screen that the image forming apparatus holds as a standard. This mechanism forms an operation screen by using screen design information read from a storage unit held by the image forming apparatus and information necessary for customization input by a user.

Storing information about the button size, position, written character string, and the like input by the user, and acquiring the saved customization information and the screen design information read from the storage unit of the image forming apparatus, A mechanism is disclosed that enables a customized screen specified by a user to be used by generating and displaying a customized screen.
JP 2006-133520 A

However, since the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not easily have an image after the creation of the user interface screen, it is difficult for the user to understand the customization settings of the user interface screen. In addition, since the button shape and the like are determined as standard, the user cannot create a shape that is easier to operate by changing the appearance of the customized screen. Furthermore, the user interface screen customized by the user can be used only by the device, and cannot be used by another device.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily creating and customizing a user interface screen so that the created screen can be easily imaged.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a user interface screen including an operation screen, an operation display image displayed on the operation screen, and the operation image displayed on the operation screen. Display image information reading means for reading the display image information from an information holding medium in which display image information including position information for specifying the position of the operation display image and operation information associated with the operation display image is embedded. And generating a user interface screen in which the operation display image associated with the operation information is arranged at a position specified by the position information based on the display image information read by the display image information reading unit. And a user interface screen generation means for performing the above-described processing in the image forming apparatus. Display image information generating means for generating the display image information from the user interface screen; output means for embedding the display image information in the information holding medium and outputting the display image information generated by the display image information generating means; The display image information reading unit reads the display image information from an information holding medium in which the display image information is embedded by the output unit.

  In the image forming apparatus, the information holding medium is a paper medium, and the output unit prints the display image information embedded in the paper medium.

  In the image forming apparatus, the output unit embeds and prints the display image information as a barcode on the paper medium.

  The image forming apparatus is connected to another image forming apparatus having the display image information reading unit and the user interface screen generating unit via a network, and the information holding medium is a data file. The output means transmits and outputs the data file in which the display image information is embedded to the other image forming apparatus via the network.

  In addition, what applied the arbitrary combination of the component of this invention, expression, or a component to a method, an apparatus, a system, a computer program, a recording medium, etc. is also effective as an aspect of this invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily creating and customizing a user interface screen in a form in which the created screen can be easily imaged.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings in each embodiment.
(Outline and configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a main configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes, as main components, an operation panel 11, a storage medium I / F (Interface) 12, a controller 13, a data communication I / F 14, a scanner 15, and a plotter 16. , HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17 and are connected to each other. A brief description is given below.

  The operation panel 11 includes an input device 11a and a display device 11b. The input device 11a includes hardware keys and is used to input each operation signal to the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the display device 11b is configured by a display or the like, and displays, for example, various types of information regarding the image forming operation. The data communication I / F 14 includes an interface device 14a, and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 10 to a data transmission path such as a network.

  The controller 13 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13b, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13c. The ROM 13a is executed when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated. Program and various data are stored. In addition, a program or the like related to generation of a user interface screen according to the present invention is stored. The RAM 13b temporarily stores various programs and data read from the ROM 13a and the HDD 17. Further, the CPU 13c executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 13b. For example, when the print data is received via the data communication I / F 14, the controller 13 reads a program (PDL parser) that can read PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 13a onto the RAM 13b by the CPU 13c. Execute and interpret the print data to generate a bitmap image.

  The scanner 15 includes an image reading device 15a, and optically reads a document placed on a reading surface and generates image data. The scanner 15 includes a barcode reader that can also read a barcode that is an identifier representing a numerical value or a character by the thickness of a striped line. The plotter 16 has a printing device 16a and prints a bitmap image on a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic process method.

  The HDD 17 stores various data such as received document data and read image data handled by the image forming apparatus 10, log files, and data (interface screen data, display image information, etc.) according to the present invention. Further, the HDD 17 manages these various data by a predetermined file system or DB (Data Base).

  Various data stored in the HDD 17 includes electronic data recorded by an external device. In such a case, it is provided to the image forming apparatus 10 by a recording medium 12b such as a memory card or uploaded through a network or the like as a data transmission path. The recording medium 12b is set in the drive device 12a included in the storage medium I / F 12, and various data are stored in the HDD 17 from the recording medium 12b via the drive device 12a.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment realizes a plurality of functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile (FAX), and a scanner by the above hardware configuration.

  The PC 20 is a client terminal that uses services such as a copy, printer, facsimile, and scanner provided by the image forming apparatus 10 via the network 30 by the user. A general personal computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, input / output device, display device, communication device, and the like may be used. The network 30 includes wired and wireless networks, and connects the image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 20 to each other.

(software)
Next, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, a software configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a software configuration included in the image forming apparatus 10. The software 20 constituting the image forming apparatus 10 provides a user interface layer that provides a user interface to a user, an application layer (application layer) for realizing each application function, and controls the hardware to provide the function. It is configured by a service layer for

  The user interface layer includes a device UI 201 that provides a user interface to the operation panel 11 of the apparatus main body, and a Web UI 201 that provides a user interface for the user of the apparatus to operate the apparatus from the PC 20 using a Web browser.

  The application layer includes a copy application 211 for realizing a copy function, a fax application 212 for realizing a fax function, a printer application 213 for realizing a printer function, a scanner application 214 for realizing a scanner function, and the like. .

  The service layer manages the hardware 21 and provides respective functions to each application, and controls the printing service 221 that controls the plotter device 16a, the reading service 222 that controls the input device 11a, and the interface device 14a. The network service 223 and the memory service 224 for managing work memory such as the RAM 13b are included.

  For example, when the user attempts to copy a document using the operation panel 11 of the apparatus main body, the device UI 201 first receives an instruction from the user. Then, the device UI 201 instructs the copy application 211 on the content of the copy operation, and the copy application 211 instructs the reading service 222 and the printing service 221 to read and print the document according to the instruction, whereby the user can copy the document. The copy output result can be obtained.

(Function of image forming apparatus according to the present invention)
The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention is characterized in that the user interface screen is generated using an information holding medium such as paper or a data file so that the created screen is easy to imagine. For example, the user illustrates (draws) a user interface screen to be created on paper or the like, and causes the image forming apparatus 10 to read the illustrated paper or the like. The image forming apparatus 10 displays a user interface screen illustrated by the user on the screen of the display device 11b (operation panel 11) based on input from paper or the like.

  In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, display image information according to the present invention will be described. The display image information is information included in an information holding medium such as paper or a data file, and is information for the image forming apparatus 10 to generate a user interface screen (or a part thereof) based on the display image information. . The display image information includes an operation display image displayed on an operation screen such as the display device 11b (operation panel 11), position information indicating a position where the operation display image is installed (arranged) on the operation screen, and This is information including operation information associated with the operation display image.

  The operation display image displayed on the operation screen is an operation display image that is a target of direct operation when the user operates on a user interface screen (operation screen) used by the user. One example is an image having a shape such as a pushable button.

  The position information of the operation display image on the operation screen is information indicating a position on the operation screen where the display image information is set on the user interface screen (operation screen). For example, it represents a specific position on the operation screen.

  The operation information associated with the operation display image is, for example, information such as an operation, an instruction, and a job executed when the user presses the button when the operation display image has a button shape. . For example, an operation for executing functions such as a copy, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. Therefore, when the operation display image is pressed, the associated execution operation is performed.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention reads display image information from an information holding medium such as paper or a data file, and displays a user interface screen intended by the user on the screen of the display device 11b (operation panel 11). To do.

(Functional configuration)
Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a display image information reading unit 301 that reads display image information from an information holding medium such as paper and a data file, a user interface screen generation unit 302 that generates a user interface screen based on the display image information, and a generated interface User interface screen display control means 303 for displaying a screen, display image information generation means 304 for generating display screen information from the generated user interface screen, output means 305 for outputting to an information holding medium including display image information, and display image information Display image information transmitting means 306 for transmitting to the other image forming apparatus.

  The display image information reading unit 301 is a unit that reads display image information from the information holding medium. As described above, the display image information is information including an operation display image displayed on the operation screen, position information of the operation display image on the operation screen, and operation information associated with the operation display image. Information necessary for realizing the present invention. The information holding medium is a paper information medium such as printing paper, for example, by an image reading device 15a (scanner device), and if it is an electronic information medium such as a data file, for example, from the drive device 12a or the interface device 14a. Entered.

  The user interface screen generation unit 302 is a unit that generates a user interface screen on the operation screen from the display image information. Based on the operation display image displayed on the operation screen included in the display image information, the position information of the operation display image on the operation screen, and the operation information associated with the operation display image (or its user interface screen) Part). For example, when the operation display image is a rectangular button image, the position information of the operation display image represents the center of the operation screen, and the operation information associated with the operation display image is a command to perform color copying. Creates an interface screen in which a rectangular button is generated at the center of the operation screen and color copying is performed (executed) when the button is pressed. The display image information read by the display image information reading unit 301 is stored in the HDD 17 or the like. After the user interface screen is generated by the user interface screen generation unit 302, it may be stored as data of this user interface screen.

  The user interface screen display control unit 303 controls display of the user interface screen generated by the user interface screen generation unit 302 on the display device 11b.

  The display image information generation unit 304 is a unit that generates display image information from the user interface screen generated by the user interface screen generation control unit 303. This will be described later.

  By the way, the user can further customize the created user interface screen on the operation panel 11 (changing the shape of a button or the like, changing the position of the button or the like on the screen, changing the information associated with the button or the like). . Along with this change, the display image information related to the changed user interface screen is also changed, so that the display image information after the change is stored in the HDD 17 or the like.

  An output unit 305 embeds display image information in an information holding medium (paper, barcode, data file, etc.) and outputs the information. When the information holding medium is paper, barcode or the like, the information is printed on the paper medium by the printing device 16a. When the information holding medium is a data file or the like, it is stored as data in the HDD 17.

  A display image information transmission unit 306 transmits display image information to another image forming apparatus via the network 30. This is because the same interface screen can be used in other image forming apparatuses. In addition to transmitting the display image information itself, the output means 305 can transmit display image information in the form of an information holding medium (data file).

(Process flow)
Next, the process of generating the user interface screen of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described using the flowchart showing the processing steps in FIG. 4 and the flowchart showing the transition of the screen in FIG. The flowchart in FIG. 4 describes a new operation screen creation operation. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing screen transitions when a new operation screen creation operation is performed.

  First, the operation screen new creation operation will be described. When the user selects the item “customize” on the general top screen 501 (FIG. 5), the screen transitions to the customization function top screen 502 (in FIG. 4, transition from start to S 401). Then, when the user selects the item “new creation” on the customization function top screen 502, the screen transitions to a screen 503 for selecting a new creation method (transition from S402 to S403 in FIG. 4).

  When the user selects to acquire display image information with a scanner from a customization information description sheet (described later) including display image information on the screen 503 for selecting new creation, the screen transitions to the screen 504. By transitioning to the screen 504, the user is informed that an image reading operation is in progress (transition from S403 to S404 in FIG. 4). After the reading operation is completed on the screen 504, a customized operation screen is created (S405 in FIG. 4). At this time, the screen transitions to a screen 506 to notify the user that an operation screen is being created. When the creation is completed, the screen transitions to a screen 507 to notify the user of the completion of work. When the user confirms the contents of the screen and touches the screen, the created operation screen 508 that can be actually used is displayed (S406 in FIG. 4). The user can actually use the displayed operation screen thereafter (S407 in FIG. 4).

  A screen 508 is an example of the created operation screen, and a button written “PUSH” is displayed at the center position of the screen. When the user presses the “PUSH” button at the center, an instruction to perform color copy is issued, and the image forming apparatus 10 performs a color copy operation.

  On the other hand, when the user selects to create a new operation screen from a file on the screen 503, the screen transitions to the file selection screen 505 (transition from S403 to S410 in FIG. 4). The user selects a file to be used for creating a new operation screen. This file is a data file including display image information. After the user selects a file on the screen 505, a new operation screen is created (S405 in FIG. 4). At this time, the screen transitions to a screen 505 to inform the user that an operation screen is being created. When the creation work is completed, the screen transitions to a screen 507 to inform the user of the work completion. When the user confirms the contents of the screen and touches the screen, the device displays the operation screen 508 that is created by the user and can be actually used (S406 in FIG. 4). The displayed operation screen can actually be used (S407 in FIG. 4).

  When the user selects the item “existing selection” on the customization function top screen 502, the screen transitions to a selection screen 509 for existing screens that can be selected. When the user selects an existing screen as the screen 509, the selected existing screen is installed. When the selected existing screen is being installed, the screen transitions to a screen 510 that informs the user that the existing screen is being installed. When the installation work is completed, the screen transitions to a screen 507 to inform the user of the work completion. When the user confirms the contents of the screen and touches the screen, an operation screen 508 that can be actually used selected by the user is displayed (S406 in FIG. 4). The user can actually use the displayed operation screen thereafter (S407 in FIG. 4).

  In addition, while the screen customization is being executed, the notation “screen customization” is always displayed at the top of the screen to indicate to the user that the screen customization is being executed. In addition, a “return” button is arranged at the right end of the upper part of the screen. The user can end the state where the screen customization is executed by this button.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when registering the created operation screen (step following FIG. 4, S406). FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing screen transitions when registering a customized operation screen (steps following FIGS. 5 and 508).

  S601 displays the operation screen (customization screen) created in the flow of FIGS. 4 and 5 (the same step as S406 in FIG. 4). When registering the created operation screen (S602), the user can name the operation screen and save the operation screen in the HDD 17 or the like (S603). Even when the power is turned off, the user can use the same screen again by calling the registered screen. Further, even when the screen is not called from the state where the image forming apparatus is turned off and then restarted, it is possible to set the customized operation screen to be displayed from the beginning.

  When the operation screen 701 is terminated, the inside of the registered content is searched for whether the same screen as the created operation screen is registered. When the display image information (display image for operation, position information, operation information) is all the same, it is determined that the operation screen is the same. Regarding the display image for operation, it is determined whether the images are the same by comparing the contents of the image files themselves. For the position information and the operation information, the contents represented as character strings are compared. If the screen has not been registered yet, the screen transitions to a screen 702 that asks for execution of registration (in FIG. 6, transition from S601 to S602). When registering a screen, when the user selects the item “Yes”, the screen transitions to a screen 703 that asks for a screen name (transition from S602 to S603 in FIG. 6). When registration with the name input by the user is performed in 703, the screen transitions to a screen 704 to inform the user that registration is successful. When the registration is completed, the device returns to the general top screen (in FIG. 6, a transition from S603 to end). When registration is not performed, the user selects the item “No” on the screen 702 (transition from S602 to end in FIG. 6).

(Customization information description form)
FIG. 8 shows an example of the customized information description sheet. The customization information description sheet has display image information for generating a user interface screen, and is read into the image forming apparatus 10 by an input from a scanner or the like. When a sheet having display image information is read into the image forming apparatus 10 by a scanner or the like, it is necessary to predetermine how to describe information on the sheet. Therefore, a standard format for creating (generating) a user interface screen called a customized information description sheet is prepared, and the user inputs necessary for generating the user interface according to the format. In the image forming apparatus 10, rules are set in advance in association with positions (coordinates) on the format in accordance with this format. The rules are determined when the format is read in advance, such as which position (coordinates) on the format has the setting information corresponding to the operation display image and which operation information is associated with which position is marked. It is a necessary rule that should be kept. In this way, the image forming apparatus 10 (display image information reading unit 301) can accurately read the display image information from the customization information description sheet.

  Next, an example of items described on the customization information description sheet will be described. It is standardized so that the operation display image displayed on the operation screen, the position information of the operation display image on the operation screen, and the operation information associated with the operation display image can be acquired from the items 801, 802, and 803, respectively. ing.

  First, in 801, the user displays (draws) an operation display image displayed on an operation screen such as buttons and tabs according to a desired shape. Next, in 802, the user designates the position of the operation display image on the operation screen in accordance with a desired position. Marking is performed so as to correspond to the image 801 within the range where the grid-like line exists. In 803, the user designates the operation information associated with the operation display image using the mark sheet method of 803. For example, when “copy” and “color” are marked in 803, the “color copy” processing operation is associated with the operation display image.

  Also, from the viewpoint of extensibility, an item “others” is created in the choices of the mark sheet. This is because the operation to be handled on the operation screen does not exist as a selection item. When the item “others” is selected, an operation content desired to be handled as the operation content can be additionally set as the operation content by selecting the operation using the panel or the hard key.

  Note that the customization information description sheet in FIG. 8 is an example, and a plurality of operation display images can be created (arranged). Similarly, the items that can be set are examples, and detailed settings are possible. For example, it may be possible to perform settings such as “duplex” copying or printing a plurality of pages on one sheet. Since the image forming apparatus 10 has the format information of the customization information description sheet in advance, any number of customization information description sheets (unfilled ones) can be printed.

(data file)
As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the display image information for generating the user interface screen using the customization information description sheet. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 can read similar information not only by the customized information description sheet but also by a data file or the like. When the image forming apparatus 10 reads the display image information in the data file format, it may be read from the HDD 17 or sent via the network 30 and read.

  FIG. 9-12 is an example of data described using various data formats such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Extensible Markup Language (XML), XML User Interface Language (XUL), and Extensible Application Markup Language (XAML). An example of acquiring display image information from a data file using data in a specific format will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-12.

  FIG. 9 is an example of data in PDF format. In the PDF file, display image information (901, 902, 903) similar to that of the customized information description sheet is handled. When PDF format data is input, the same processing as described above when the customized information description sheet is read by a scanner or the like is performed. That is, the display image information reading unit 301 reads display image information such as an operation display image, position information, and operation information on the operation screen from the PDF file, and the user interface screen generation unit 303 displays the user interface screen. create.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of XML format data. In the XML format file, text information is described using a markup language. Therefore, the operation display image on the operation screen, the position of the operation terminal, and the operation information can be expressed by attaching respective tags. . When a display format is determined in advance and XML format data is input, an operation display image, position information, and operation information on the operation screen are acquired. That is, the display image information reading unit 301 reads display image information such as an operation display image, position information, and operation information on the operation screen from XML format data, and the user interface screen generation unit 303 Create a screen.

  In each tag of FIG. 10, image.jpg represents the operation display image 1001, (10,10) (50,110) represents the position information 1002, and operation information 1003 is operation information associated with 1001. Represents a color copy.

  FIG. 11 is an example of data in the XUL format. In the XUL format file, the contents are described using the interface format prepared by the OS. Since it is composed of a content, a skin, and a locale, each can be set as operation information, a display image for operation, and position information. The image forming apparatus 10 acquires a display image for operation, position information, and operation information when data in XUL format is input or sent from another image forming apparatus or the like via a network. By using the acquired information, a customized screen can be created.

  In each tag of FIG. 11, image.jpg represents the operation display image 1101 of the operation terminal, width = “100” height = “40” represents the position 1102 on the operation terminal, and operation information 1103 includes 1101. A color copy is represented as operation information associated with.

  FIG. 12 is an example of data in the XAML format. In an XAML format file, it can be described in the form of an interface of application software. Therefore, the display image for operation, position information, and operation information on the operation screen are described in the interface format, and the customization screen is displayed. It can be sent to another image forming apparatus to be used. The image forming apparatus 10 acquires a display image for operation, position information, and operation information when data in the XAML format is input or sent from a device such as another image forming apparatus via a network. By using the acquired information, a customized screen can be created.

In each tag of FIG. 12, image.jpg represents the operation display image 1201 on the operation screen, width = "100" height = "40" represents the position 1202 on the operation screen, and operation information 1203 A color copy is represented as operation information associated with 1201.
(Transition of customized user interface screens to other devices)
A transition of the customized user interface screen to another image forming apparatus will be described. When the user wants to use the customized user interface screen in another image forming apparatus 10, the user interface screen can be used in the other image forming apparatus 10 as it is by the migration.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the display image information generation unit 304 generates display image information from the user interface screen generated by the user interface screen generation control unit 303. This is realized by passing the display image information to another image forming apparatus 10 through the information holding medium output / transmitted by the output unit 305 or the display image information transmission unit 306.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where a customized information description sheet is output based on a customized user interface screen and used in another image forming apparatus 10.

  The image forming apparatus A 1301 performs print output by embedding display image information in a customized information description sheet 1303 from a customized user interface screen 1302. Specifically, the information is embedded (written) and printed as in the completed customized information description sheet in FIG. By reading (scanning) the printed customized information description sheet with another image forming apparatus 10, the same customized user interface screen 1305 can be generated in the image forming apparatus B 1304.

  FIG. 14 shows an example in which display image information related to a customized user interface screen is transmitted by e-mail. The image forming apparatus A 1301 can transmit display image information related to the customized user interface screen 1302 to another image forming apparatus B 1304 using mail. By reading display image information as a data file on the image forming apparatus B 1304 side, a customized operation screen 1305 can be called. The mail may be transmitted in a format in which a data file such as the PDF described above is attached, or the display image information may be mounted in the mail text after specifying the format.

  FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which display image information related to a customized user interface screen is transmitted using an RSS feed. The image forming apparatus A 1301 can transmit display image information related to the customized user interface screen 1302 to another image forming apparatus B 1304 using an RSS feed. By reading display image information as a data file on the image forming apparatus B 1304 side, a customized operation screen 1305 can be called.

  FIG. 16 illustrates the reuse of the customized user interface screen 1302 in the image forming apparatus B 1304 using a bar code. The image forming apparatus A 1301 already has a customized user interface screen 1302. The image forming apparatus A 1301 converts the display image information on the customized user interface screen 1302 into a barcode format and prints it out on a paper medium. The barcode 1601 printed on the paper medium is read using the barcode reader 1602 of the image forming apparatus B1304. Image forming apparatus B 1304 reads display image information from the read information. In this way, the image forming apparatus B 1304 can have a customized user interface screen 1305 as with the image forming apparatus A 1301.

  In addition, although the part created by customization on the customized operation screen can be re-edited, it can be re-edited even in the case of a customized user interface screen sent from another image forming apparatus. it can. When re-editing is performed, the information before re-editing is backed up and can be restored.

1 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a main configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an example of a software configuration diagram included in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing steps of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing transition of screens included in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the processing step of registration of a customization screen. It is a flowchart showing the transition of the registration screen of a customization screen. It is a figure showing the example of a customization information description paper It is an example of a file in PDF format. It is an example of an XML format file. It is an example of the file of a XUL format. It is an example of the file of a XAML format. This is an example using a customized information description sheet. This is an example using email. This is an example using an RSS feed. This is an example using a barcode.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation panel 11a Input panel 11b Display apparatus 12 Storage media I / F
12a Drive device 12b Recording medium 13 Controller 13a ROM
13b RAM
13c CPU
14 Data communication I / F
14a Interface device 15 Scanner 15a Image reading device 16 Plotter 16a Printing device 17 HDD
20 PC
30 Network 301 Display Image Information Reading Unit 302 User Interface Screen Generation Unit 303 User Interface Screen Display Control Unit 304 Display Image Information Generation Unit 305 Output Unit 306 Display Image Information Transmission Unit

Claims (3)

Display means for displaying a user interface screen including an operation screen;
Display image information including an operation display image displayed on the operation screen, position information for specifying a position of the operation display image on the operation screen, and operation information associated with the operation display image Display image information reading means for reading the display image information from a paper medium in which is embedded,
A user who generates a user interface screen in which the operation display image associated with the operation information is arranged at a position specified by the position information based on the display image information read by the display image information reading unit. Interface screen generation means;
Display image information generating means for generating the display image information from the user interface screen;
Output means for embedding the display image information in a paper medium and printing out the display image information generated by the display image information generation means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The output means embeds and prints the display image information as a barcode on the paper medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Including an operation display image displayed on the operation screen of the user interface screen, position information for specifying a position of the operation display image on the operation screen, and operation information associated with the operation display image. A display image information reading procedure for reading the display image information from a paper medium in which the display image information is embedded;
A user who generates a user interface screen in which the operation display image associated with the operation information is arranged at a position specified by the position information based on the display image information read by the display image information reading procedure Interface screen generation procedure,
A display procedure for displaying the user interface screen;
A display image information generation procedure for generating the display image information from the user interface screen;
An output procedure for embedding the display image information in a paper medium and printing out the display image information generated by the display image information generation procedure ;
A method for generating a user interface screen, comprising:

Images