JP5232723B2 - Image forming system, server, and screen data management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, a server, and a screen data management program, and more particularly to a technique for freely displaying a display screen desired by a user on a display unit of an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus that receives an instruction from a user and performs an operation indicated by the instruction, a display unit including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is provided on an operation panel on the front surface of the apparatus. A technique is adopted in which an operation execution instruction corresponding to each operation button in a display screen displayed on the display unit is received from a user by a touch panel function provided on the display unit (see Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2007-232908 A Publication

  However, in the image forming apparatus, when a plurality of display screens are displayed on the display unit in a transitional manner, it takes time to convert the data format so that the screen data of each display screen can be displayed on the display unit. Cost. This is because the display data of all the display screens customized by the user can be displayed when the user wants to realize the display control that allows the display screen to freely display the display screen arranged by customizing the operation buttons as desired. This is particularly a problem when performing display control that the image forming apparatus has and converts the data format of the display data to display on the display unit.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and reduces the data conversion time required to enable display when screen data is displayed on a display unit in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus. For the purpose.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming system having at least a server and an image forming apparatus,
The server
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the image forming apparatus from a user, and an instruction to place the selected display target part on the display screen An action for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the display target part selection instruction received by the layout instruction receiving unit and the part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user A screen data generation unit having a setting unit, and a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by action setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit;
A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
A display frequency calculation unit that calculates a display frequency on the display unit for each screen data stored in the storage unit;
At the time of display on the display unit of the image forming apparatus, screen data to be displayed is read from the storage unit and converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, and stored in the storage unit Screen data indicating a high frequency with a predetermined display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit is previously converted into the data format before display control on the display unit is started. A data conversion unit to be
A screen data transmission unit that transmits screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit that acquires screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit from the server;
A display control unit configured to display the display data acquired by the data acquisition unit on the display unit.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the data conversion unit of the server performs the processing when the display frequency of the screen data indicates the high frequency. Display data for screen data is stored in the storage unit, and display data for the screen data is not stored in the storage unit when the display frequency for the screen data does not indicate the high frequency. Thus, data conversion is performed before starting display control for the screen data performed according to whether or not the frequency is high.

The invention according to claim 6 is a server for generating and managing screen data to be displayed as a display screen of a display unit provided in the image forming apparatus,
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the image forming apparatus from a user, and an instruction to place the selected display target part on the display screen An action for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the display target part selection instruction received by the layout instruction receiving unit and the part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user A screen data generation unit having a setting unit, and a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by action setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit;
A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
A display frequency calculation unit that calculates a display frequency on the display unit for each screen data stored in the storage unit;
At the time of display on the display unit of the image forming apparatus, screen data to be displayed is read from the storage unit and converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, and stored in the storage unit Screen data indicating a high frequency with a predetermined display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit is previously converted into the data format before display control on the display unit is started. A data conversion unit to be
A screen data transmission unit configured to transmit screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 7 is a screen data management program for causing a server to function so as to generate and manage screen data to be displayed on a display unit provided in an electric device.
The server
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the electrical device from a user, and a layout that instructs an arrangement of the selected display target part on the display screen Action setting for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the layout instruction receiving unit that receives the instruction from the user and the display target part selection instruction received by the part selection instruction receiving unit A screen data generation unit, and a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with content determined by action setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit;
A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
A display frequency calculation unit that calculates a display frequency on the display unit for each screen data stored in the storage unit;
At the time of display on the display unit of the electric device, screen data to be displayed is read from the storage unit and converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, and stored in the storage unit Among the screen data, screen data indicating a high frequency with a predetermined display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit is converted in advance into the data format before the display control on the display unit is started. Data converter
The screen data as display data converted by the data converter is caused to function as a screen data transmitter for transmitting to the electric device.

  In these inventions, the data conversion unit converts screen data frequently displayed on the display unit before the display control of the display unit is started by the display control unit (for example, when the image forming apparatus or the electric device is started up). In addition, since it is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, even if it takes time for the data reading process from the storage unit and the data conversion process for the screen data, a display with a high display frequency is performed. The screen data of the screen can be immediately displayed on the display unit when it needs to be displayed on the display unit, and the performance can be improved.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display frequency calculation unit of the server is provided for each display target part constituting the screen data. Calculating the display frequency;
The data conversion unit performs the data conversion before display control on the display unit is started for a display target part whose display frequency is the high frequency.

  According to the present invention, in the server, the data conversion unit allows the display target part whose display frequency is high to be displayed on the display unit before the display control on the display unit is started. For example, when the generation unit completes the screen data to be displayed by combining the display target parts, the display target part having a high display frequency is already included in the above data. Since it has already been converted, the data conversion process can be further reduced.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data conversion unit of the server has the display frequency less than the high frequency. Even for the screen data, display control in the display unit is performed for screen data that is predetermined as not to be changed by the user based on the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting. The data conversion before starting is performed.

  According to this invention, even if the data conversion unit is screen data whose display frequency is less than high frequency, the display unit stores the screen data stored in the storage unit in advance so as not to be changed by the user. Since the data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit before display control is started, the time required for the data read processing and data conversion processing for screen data that is not customized by the user is reduced. Thus, when the display of the screen data becomes necessary, it can be immediately displayed on the display unit, and the performance can be improved.

The invention described in claim 5 is the image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a client computer,
The client computer includes a web browser capable of operating the screen data generation unit of the server from the client computer.

  According to this invention, the user can generate screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus by operating the web browser of the client computer.

  According to the present invention, when screen data is displayed on a display unit in an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, the data conversion time required to enable the display can be reduced.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure required for the production | generation process of a display screen, and a display process about a server computer, PC, and a multifunctional device. It is a flowchart which shows the display screen production | generation process by a panel creator part. (A) (b) is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on a display part, (c) is a figure which shows the example of the display screen produced by the production | generation process by a panel creator part. It is a figure which shows an example of a customization reception screen. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of display processing on a display unit of a multifunction peripheral for a display screen generated by the server computer, and operation execution control of the multifunction peripheral based on an operation execution instruction from a user by the image forming system. is there. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of display processing on a display unit of a multifunction peripheral for a display screen generated by the server computer, and operation execution control of the multifunction peripheral based on an operation execution instruction from a user by the image forming system. is there. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of display processing on a display unit of a multifunction peripheral for a display screen generated by the server computer by the image forming system, and operation execution control of the multifunction peripheral based on an operation execution instruction from a user. is there. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the display screen production | generation process by a panel creator part. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of a structure required for the production | generation process of a display screen, and a display process about a server computer, PC, and an MFP.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system, a server, and a screen data management program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 10 includes a plurality of multifunction peripherals 1, a server computer SV 2, and personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 31 to 34. However, the number of multifunction peripherals, server computers, and PCs included in the image forming system 10 is not limited to this.

  The multifunction machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus also has functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function. Furthermore, the multifunction device 1 includes document data of a document read by the scanner unit, an internal storage device of the multifunction device 1, a server computer SV2 connected to the multifunction device 1 via a LAN (local area network), etc., and the PCs 31 to 34. Document management function that stores data in the internal storage device of the MFP 1, the server computer SV2, and the print target data stored in the storage units of the PCs 31 to 34, and prints out the data. It has.

  Further, the multi-function device 1 is provided with a display unit 50 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Further, the server computer SV2 can generate screen data (hereinafter referred to as screen data) of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 receives the screen data from the server computer SV2 and displays the screen data on the display unit 50 in order to display the display screen on the display unit 50. The screen data generation processing by the image forming system 10 and the configuration and processing for displaying the display screen in the multifunction machine 1 will be described later.

  Next, the internal configurations of the server computer SV2, the PCs 31 to 34, and the multi-function device 1, which are necessary for screen data generation processing and display processing, will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration necessary for display screen generation processing and display processing for a server computer, a PC, and a multifunction peripheral. Note that the configuration required for the display screen generation processing in the PCs 31 to 34 is the same, and therefore the configuration of the PC 31 is shown in FIG.

  The PC 31 includes a control unit 310 and a storage unit 311.

  The storage unit 311 includes an HDD or the like, and stores a program for generating a display screen with the server computer SV2.

  The control unit 310 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the overall operation of the PC 31 and functions as the web browser 3100 by operating according to the program stored in the storage unit 311.

  The web browser 3100 transmits an activation instruction for the panel creator 25 to the server computer SV2, and activates the panel creator 25 as a web application. That is, the web browser 3100 receives the display data of the customization acceptance screen, the background image data of the display screen, and the like from the panel creator unit 25 of the server computer SV2 via the LAN or the like and displays them on the display. The web browser 3100 receives screen data as display data generated by the panel creator unit 25 and converted into HTML format data by the panel simulator unit 28 from the panel simulator unit 28 of the server computer SV2. Is displayed on the display of the personal computer 31 for confirmation.

  In addition, the server computer SV2 includes an extended application 20 and a panel creator unit 25 as a configuration necessary as an embodiment of the present invention.

  The panel creator unit 25 is a tool that generates screen data of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 using, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format data. The panel creator unit 25 performs processing for receiving a customization of each display target part such as various buttons constituting the display screen from the user and generating the display screen.

  The panel creator unit 25 functions as a parts designation receiving unit 254, a layout instruction receiving unit 255, an action setting unit 252, and a generating unit 253.

  The part designation receiving unit (part selection instruction receiving unit) 254 includes, in the server computer SV2, designation of display target parts such as operation buttons, icons, and character strings to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 50 of the multifunction machine 1. Is received from the user via an operation unit (not shown) such as a mouse or a keyboard. Image data of a plurality of display target parts that can be designated by the user is stored in the panel creator unit 25. For example, when the user sends an activation instruction for the panel creator 25 from the web browser 3100 of the PC 31 to the panel creator 25, the parts designation accepting unit 254 displays a customization accepting screen on a display such as an LCD provided in the server computer SV2. Display. On the customization reception screen, the display target part is displayed. When the user-desired display target part is specified by the operation of the operation unit from the displayed display target part, the part specification reception unit 254 The specification of the specified display target part is accepted.

  The layout instruction receiving unit 255 receives a layout instruction for instructing the arrangement of the display target parts designated by the part designation receiving unit 254 in the display screen from the user. For example, the layout instruction receiving unit 255 uses the background image data of the display screen (stored in the panel creator unit 25) to cause the background image of the display screen to be displayed on the display in a pseudo manner. When an arbitrary location in the image is designated by the user using the operation unit, the designated location is accepted as the placement location of the designated display target part.

  The action setting unit 252 sets the action corresponding to the display target part in association with the display target part specified by the part specification receiving unit 254. That is, in the part designation receiving unit 254, the type of the display target part to be arranged in the display screen is specified by the user, but the action setting unit 252 applies the display target part to the specified display target part. The operation of the corresponding multifunction device 1 is set in association with each other. For example, when the display target part “original size A3 button” is designated by the user, the action setting unit 252 sets the “original size A3 button” as an action previously associated with the “original size A3 button”. “Operation for accepting an instruction to feed recording paper from a paper feeding cassette in which recording paper is stored” is set in association with the “original size A3 button”.

  The generation unit 253 generates a display screen with the contents specified by the display target part specification in the part specification reception unit 254, the layout instruction in the layout instruction reception unit 255, and the action setting in the action setting unit 252. Process. That is, when the user designates the display target part in the part designation accepting unit 254 and performs the layout designation in the layout instruction accepting unit 255, the user performs action setting by the action setting unit 252 and display screen generation processing by the generating unit 253. The display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 can be customized and created as desired. In the present embodiment, the generation unit 253 exports screen data to a Script file in XML format. In the present embodiment, an XML format script file is used as the data file for the display screen. However, other markup languages other than the XML format may be used in terms of the system configuration.

  The panel simulator unit 28 analyzes the contents of the screen data composed of the above Script file exported by the panel creator unit 25, and converts the screen data into HTML format data to enable display on the display of the PC 31. Is a tool. The converted display data in the HTML format is sent from the communication unit 21 to the web browser 3100 of the PC 31.

  The extended application 20 mainly includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, a Script Interpreter 23, and Business Logic 24.

  The extended application 20 is an application that can be additionally installed later on the server computer SV2.

  The communication unit 21 transmits / receives each instruction, screen data, and the like to / from the PC 31 and the like via a LAN and the like, and also stores screen data and control commands stored in the storage unit 22 with the multifunction device 1. , Send and receive button designation information.

  The storage unit 22 stores screen data of the Script file generated by the panel creator unit 25. The storage unit 22 includes an HDD or the like, and further stores an overall operation control program of the server computer SV2, a program of the extended application 20 (including a panel creator program), and the like. The CPU that is the central control unit of the server computer SV2 functions as the extended application 20 or the like by operating according to each program stored in the storage unit 22.

  The Script Interpreter (data conversion unit) 23 analyzes the screen data stored in the storage unit 22 and is a data format that can be displayed on the display unit 50 by the web browser 16 of the multifunction device 1 (in this embodiment, HTML). Data conversion processing to be converted into a format) and development processing to Business Logic 24 for executing an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen. The Script Interpreter 23 passes the display data subjected to the HTML conversion process for display to the Business Logic 24 via the API.

  The Business Logic 24 transmits the display data subjected to the HTML conversion process for display to the platform 13 of the multifunction machine 1 via the communication unit 21. In addition, the Business Logic 24 uses the MFP 1 based on information obtained by analyzing the Script file by the Script Interpreter 23 (information indicating a display target part and information indicating an action set for the display target part). The action (operation of the multifunction device 1) is controlled.

  In other words, when the display target parts such as operation buttons displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by the web browser 16 of the multifunction device 1 are specified by the user, the Business Logic 24 specifies any display target part. The specified button designation information is acquired from the MFP 1 via the communication unit 21, and the action set in the display target part indicated by the button designation information is analyzed based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 23. Then, in order to execute the analyzed action, an API (control command) corresponding to the analyzed action is called. That is, the Business Logic 24 generates a control command for causing the multifunction device 1 to execute the analyzed action. For example, if the analyzed action is the scanner function, the Business Logic 24 calls the scanner transmission API as a control command for causing the multifunction device 1 to execute the scanner function.

  The API is an interface for executing the basic function of the multifunction device 1 executed by the controller 11 of the multifunction device 1 from other than the firmware. The API accesses the controller 11 in the firmware of the multifunction device 1 through the platform 13 of the multifunction device 1 to execute the basic function of the multifunction device 1.

  The display frequency calculation unit 26 calculates the display frequency of the screen data stored in the storage unit 22 (display screen made of a Script file and customized by the user) on the display unit 50 in the multifunction machine 1.

  The above-described Script Interpreter 23 further displays screen data indicating a high frequency (described later) in which the display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit 26 is predetermined among the screen data stored in the storage unit 22. Before the display control on the display unit 50 is started, the screen data is converted in advance into a predetermined data format that can be displayed on the display unit 50 (in this embodiment, HTML format). .

  Further, the display frequency calculation unit 26 may calculate the display frequency for each display target part constituting the screen data. In this case, the Script Interpreter 23, for the display target part whose display frequency is the above-mentioned high frequency, displays the display target part in a predetermined data format (this embodiment) before the display control on the display unit 50 is started. In the form, it is converted into the HTML format in advance.

  Further, the Script Interpreter 23 is determined in advance so that even if the display frequency is less than the above high frequency, the user does not change based on the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting. Screen data (for example, an initial screen (start screen) displayed on the display unit 50 when the MFP 1 starts to start, a default display screen background image, etc.) is displayed before the display control on the display unit 50 is started. Alternatively, the data may be converted in advance into a predetermined data format (in this embodiment, HTML format).

  On the other hand, the multifunction device 1 includes a controller 11, a storage unit 12, a platform 13, a mediation application 14, and a browser 16.

  The controller 11 governs overall operation control of the multifunction machine 1. The controller 11 is provided as firmware and executes basic functions such as scan data transmission, printing, data access, system setting, network communication, job control, and data registration that the multifunction device 1 has.

  The platform 13 is a base for operating an API (Application Programming Interface) or the like. The platform 13 is also responsible for relaying between the controller 11 and the API.

  Furthermore, the platform 13 acquires display data (data after HTML conversion processing by the Script Interpreter 23) and various instructions from the server computer SV2 via a LAN or the like.

  For example, when the controller 11 is displaying a display screen (for example, the first display screen 51 in FIG. 4A) or the like on the display unit 50, the “easy scan” button 511 of the user by the touch panel function or the like. Is pressed, an inquiry is made to the extended application 20 of the server computer SV2 via the platform 13. That is, the controller 11 sends button designation information (display part designation information) indicating that the “easy scan” button 511 (an example of a display target part) is designated by the user via the platform 13 to the extended application of the server computer SV2. The extended application 20 analyzes the action set for the button indicated by the button designation information (that is, the “easy scan” button 511).

  As in this example, when the button indicated by the button designation information is the “easy scan” button 511 and the action analyzed by the extended application 20 is a display screen transition of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1, For example, the Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24 of the extended application 20 are stored in the storage unit 22 in order to enable the display screen transition of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1 to the workflow selection screen 52 shown in FIG. Analysis of screen data composed of script files and conversion of data to HTML format are started. The Business Logic 24 generates a control command for causing the MFP 1 to execute a display screen transition that is the analyzed action.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD or the like, and stores an operation control program for operating as the controller 11, a program for the browser 16, and the like. The CPU, which is the central control unit of the multifunction device 1, operates according to each program stored in the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as the controller 11, the browser 16, and the like.

  The mediation application 14 performs mediation processing for enabling the browser 16 to process the display data that has been subjected to the HTML conversion processing received by the platform 13 from the server computer SV2.

  The browser 16 is a Web browser, and causes the display unit 50 to display the display data that has been subjected to the HTML conversion processing obtained from the Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24. In the present embodiment, the browser 16 displays a display screen on the display unit 50 in accordance with the screen configuration indicated by the file after the HTML conversion process converted by the extended application 20, and during the display of the display screen, This is an interface that accepts an instruction input operation from the touch panel function of the display unit 50.

  Next, display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 25 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 25. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50, and FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen created by the generation process by the panel creator unit 25. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the customization acceptance screen.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 has the application unit (for example, a hard key) not shown on the operation panel pressed by the user when the power of the multifunction device 1 is turned on. Sometimes, the first display screen 51 is displayed on the display unit 50 by the display control by the web browser 16. When the user presses, for example, the “easy scan” button 511 on the first display screen 51, the controller 11 receives this pressing operation, and the controller 11 performs this operation on the extended application 20 (Business Logic 24) of the server computer SV2. Queries the operation control to be executed. For example, when the extended application 20 analyzes that the operation control to be executed based on the pressing operation is a screen display transition to the workflow selection screen 52 illustrated in FIG. 4B, the display of the display unit 50 is changed to the workflow. Processing for transitioning to the selection screen 52 is performed.

  Further, in the workflow selection screen 52, when the “introduction letter” button 521 is selected by the user and the “details” button 522 is pressed, the Business Logic 24 executes based on the pressing operation in accordance with an inquiry from the controller 11. If it is analyzed that the operation control to be performed is a screen display transition to the detailed setting screen 53 (FIG. 4C) for performing the workflow setting corresponding to the “introduction letter” button 521, the Business Logic 24 The display on the display unit 50 is changed to the detailed setting screen 53 on the browser 16.

  For example, the extended application 20 (Script Interpreter 23, etc.) has a plurality of screen templates, button templates, and character string data of the display screen as shown in FIG. 5, and analyzes the Script file customized by the user. In accordance with the number and arrangement of keys to be displayed in the screen indicated by the Script file, data such as a screen template is used to display screens and buttons as in the detailed setting screen 53 shown in FIG. A character string is applied and displayed on the display unit 50 by the web browser 16.

  When the user performs the display screen generation process, for example, the user operates the operation unit (not shown) of the server computer SV2 to input a panel creator activation instruction to the panel creator unit 25, and the panel creator activation instruction is designated as a part designation. When accepted by the accepting unit 254 (S1), the panel creator unit 25 is activated (S2).

  Then, the panel creator unit 25 causes the communication unit 21 to display, for example, a customization acceptance screen 54 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display of the server computer SV2 (S3).

  A user operates an operation instruction input unit such as a mouse on the customization reception screen 54 to select a desired one from a plurality of operation buttons 541 to 555 and message displays 556 to 562 displayed as selectable display target parts. When a desired operation button or message display is selected and designated by pressing the operation button or message display, the parts designation receiving unit 254 displays the selected operation button or message display on the display screen (that is, the multifunction device 1). As a display target part to be displayed on a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 (S4). Further, when the user drags and drops the mouse to drag the selected operation button or message display to a desired position in the default screen 570 displayed on the customization reception screen 54, the position The layout instruction accepting unit 255 accepts a layout instruction for arranging the selected operation button or the like (S4).

  For example, when the user designates the resolution “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 by designating the display part, the action setting unit 252 sets the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 to 600 × 600 dpi in the scanner unit during the scanning operation. An action of inputting an execution instruction for an operation for reading a document at a resolution of 1 is assigned. Alternatively, when the user designates the “return” button 554 by designating the display part, the action setting unit 252 instructs to change the display of the display unit 50 to the workflow selection screen 52 in FIG. Assign and set the input. In this way, corresponding actions are stored in advance in each display target part, and corresponding individual actions are assigned by the action setting unit 252.

  In the process of S5, the user designates and arranges a display target part button to be displayed in the default screen 570, clicks the confirmation button 58 in the customization reception screen 54 with a mouse or the like, The process is executed for each display target part until an arrangement end instruction is input (S5).

  When the display part designation and the layout instruction acceptance are completed as described above (YES in S5), the action setting unit 252 of the panel creator unit 25 performs an action corresponding to each display target part indicated by the received instruction (that is, , Reception of execution instructions for each operation executed in the multifunction machine 1) is read from the built-in storage area and set in association with each selected display target part (S6).

  After the action setting, the generating unit 253 generates screen data including the contents determined by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting as a Script file (S7). The screen data expressed by the Script file is stored in the storage unit 22 by the panel creator unit 25 (S8).

  After that, the panel simulator unit 28 reads the screen data composed of the script file, analyzes the contents, converts the data into HTML format data to enable display on the display of the PC 31, and the communication unit 21. To the PC 31 via In the PC 31 that has received the display data in the HTML format, the web browser 3100 displays the display screen indicated by the display data on the display for user confirmation.

  Next, the image forming system 10 performs display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the server computer SV2, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. A first embodiment will be described. 6 and 7 show the display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the server computer SV2 by the image forming system 10, and the operation of the multifunction device 1 based on the operation execution instruction from the user. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of execution control.

  When the multifunction device 1 starts to be activated when the power is turned on (F1), the controller 11 transmits activation information indicating that the multifunction device 1 has been activated from the platform 13 to the server computer SV2 (F2).

  In the server computer SV2, when the communication unit 21 receives the activation information (SS11), the Script Interpreter 23 is stored in the storage unit 22 before the display control for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50 is started. Among the stored screen data, the screen data (which is a script file and has a display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit 26 reaches a predetermined threshold value (for example, 10 times a week)) It is searched whether there is a customized display screen (SS12). The threshold can be appropriately changed by the user. In addition, the setting of how many screen data whose display frequency reaches the threshold value is analyzed and converted in advance by the Script Interpreter 23 and Business Logic 24 can be appropriately changed by the operation of the operation unit by the user. .

  If there is screen data whose display frequency has reached the threshold value (YES in SS12), the Script Interpreter 23 reads the script file of the screen data whose display frequency has reached the threshold value from the storage unit 22. (SS13) Analyzes the Script file, performs an HTML conversion process for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50 (SS14), and associates an action button and other display target parts arranged in the display screen with each other. The process is expanded to Business Logic 24 for executing (SS15). The Script Interpreter 23 performs a data conversion process for converting the data into a data format (in this embodiment, HTML format) that can be displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 of the multifunction device 1, and the Script Interpreter 23 has a display frequency. Analyzes the script file of the screen data that has reached the above threshold, and determines the screen template, button template, and character string data that are the constituent elements of the display screen according to the number and arrangement of keys displayed in the screen indicated by the script file. To the Business Logic 24 for applying a character string to the screen or button, constructing a display screen indicated by the script file, and executing an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen. Perform the expansion process.

  In other words, at this time, the Business Logic 24 sets the data after the HTML conversion processing obtained from the Script Interpreter 23 as display data for display that can be displayed on the display unit 50. The display data may be stored in the storage unit 22 or may be stored in a memory (not shown) of the extended application 20 in order to further speed data reading. The Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24 are display screens (which are script files and are customized by the user) at a point before SS16 when display control on the display unit 50 is started. For the display screen), the data conversion processing necessary for data reading and display on the display unit 50 is completed.

  In SS12, when there is no screen data whose display frequency reaches the threshold value (NO in SS12), the processes in SS13 to SS15 are skipped.

  The interpreter 23 and the business logic 24 read display data corresponding to the screen data of the initial screen (start screen) from the storage unit 22 and transmit the display data of the initial screen to the multifunction device 1 from the communication unit 21. Transmit (SS16). In this embodiment, the script file that forms the screen data of the initial screen is a display for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50 when the communication unit 21 receives the activation information from the multifunction device 1 in SS11. At the time before the control is started, the Script Interpreter 23 reads out from the storage unit 22 and completes the above analysis and HTML conversion processing, and further development processing to the Business Logic 24, and generates display data. .

  In the MFP 1, when the platform 13 receives the display data for the initial screen (F3), the browser 16 causes the display unit 50 to display the initial screen using the display data (F4).

  Here, in the multi function device 1, when any of the buttons displayed as the initial screen is pressed by the operation of the operation unit by the user (YES in F5), the controller 11 displays the button designation information on the platform 13. Or the like to the server computer SV2 to inquire the extension application 20 about the action set for the button indicated by the button designation information (F6). The display process using the screen data in the server computer SV2 is performed, for example, when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user as described above.

  In the server computer SV2, when the communication unit 21 receives the button designation information (YES in SS17), the Business Logic 24 analyzes the action set for the button indicated by the button designation information (SS18). Assuming that the analyzed action is display screen control to a specific display screen, the Script Interpreter 23 becomes the display screen after transition to the display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 until then. Specify the display screen.

  Here, the display frequency calculation unit 26 counts up the number of display times of the screen data of the specified display screen, and calculates the display frequency within a predetermined period (for example, one week) as the display frequency (SS19). ). The display frequency calculation unit 26 stores the calculated calculation frequency.

  Then, the Script Interpreter 23 determines whether or not the Script file on the display screen after the transition has already been converted into the above-described analysis processing and HTML format by SS12 to SS15 (SS20). If the Script Interpreter 23 determines that the script file on the display screen after the transition has already been converted into the above analysis and HTML format (YES in SS20), Business Logic 24 has converted into the above analysis and HTML format. Is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the multi function device 1 (SS24).

  On the other hand, when it is determined by Script Interpreter 23 that the script file on the display screen after the transition has not been converted into an HTML format that can be displayed on display unit 50 (NO in SS20), Script Interpreter 23 The script file of the display screen is read out from the storage unit 22 (SS21), the script file is analyzed and the HTML conversion process is performed (SS22), and associated with display target parts such as operation buttons arranged in the display screen. The process is expanded to Business Logic 24 for executing the designated action (SS23). The Business Logic 24 transmits the analysis data and the display data converted into the HTML format from the communication unit 21 to the multi function device 1 (SS24).

  In the MFP 1, when the platform 13 receives the display data for display (F7), the browser 16 displays the received display data on the display unit 50 (F8). As a result, the display screen to be changed next from the previous display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 until then is displayed on the display unit 50. In this respect, the browser 16 functions as a display control unit in claims.

  When any one of the display buttons on the display screen is pressed by the user using the touch panel function while the browser 16 is displaying the display screen (YES in F9), the pressed display button is indicated. The button designation information is sent from the browser 16 to the Business Logic 24 of the server computer SV2 via the platform 13 and the communication unit 21 (F10).

  In the server computer SV2, the Business Logic 24 is associated with the display button indicated by the button designation information based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 23 (information regarding the action set for the display button indicated by the button designation information). The action is analyzed (SS25).

  For example, when the browser 16 displays the detailed setting screen 53 on the display unit 50 (see FIG. 4C), for example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 on the detailed setting screen 53 is pressed by the user, From the Script Interpreter 23, Business Logic 24 indicates that the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 is an input of an execution instruction for an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi during the scanning operation. Analyze based on the passed information.

  Subsequently, in order to execute the analyzed function, the Business Logic 24 calls an API (control command) corresponding to the function, and sends the API to the controller 11 of the multifunction device 1 via the communication unit 21 and the platform 13. (SS26). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 is pressed by the user while the detailed setting screen 53 is displayed, the Business Logic 24 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 531 to be performed during the scanning operation. Is input based on the above information passed from the Script Interpreter 23, and the “the scanner unit receives the original with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”. “Input of execution instruction for operation to be read” is accepted. Then, the Business Logic 24 calls an API corresponding to “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi” in order to execute “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document at a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”.

  The controller 11 of the multi function device 1 receives the API via the platform 13 and executes the instructed operation according to the received API (F11). For example, the controller 11 executes “an operation that causes the scanner unit to read a document with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi”. That is, the Business Logic 24 sets the controller 11 to cause the scanner unit to read a document with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi via the API.

  If the action analyzed in SS25 is a display screen transition, the same processing as SS19 to SS24 and F7 to F9 is performed.

  Next, the image forming system 10 performs display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the server computer SV2, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. A second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the server computer SV2 by the image forming system 10, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment. In the second embodiment, description of processing similar to that in the first embodiment will be omitted, and description will be made without distinguishing whether the display screen is an initial screen.

  In the second embodiment, the display frequency calculation unit 26 calculates the display frequency of each screen data stored in the storage unit 22 (may be regarded as each display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by each screen data). The screen data is calculated and stored using a time stamp stored in association with the display date and time. The Script Interpreter 23 determines the display frequency of the screen data to be displayed based on the time stamp registered in the screen data, and when the display frequency is high (for example, the display frequency once or more per day). Display data after conversion to the HTML format for the screen data with a high display frequency is stored in the storage unit 22, and the next display request for the screen data with a high display frequency is stored. If there is, the display data converted into the HTML format is read from the storage unit 22 and transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the multifunction device 1.

  That is, in the second embodiment, the script interpreter 23 of the server SV2 stores the display data for the screen data in the storage unit 22 when the display frequency for the screen data indicates the high frequency, When the display frequency for the screen data does not indicate the high frequency, the display data for the screen data is not stored in the storage unit 22, and the screen data to be executed according to whether the frequency is high The data conversion before the start of display control is performed.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the server computer SV2, the communication unit 21 receives the activation information or button designation information from the multifunction device 1, and the Business Logic 24 analyzes that the corresponding action is a request for display screen control on a specific display screen. (SS31), the Script Interpreter 23 stores the display data of the screen data corresponding to the display screen to be displayed by the request (data obtained by converting the screen data into the HTML format) in the storage unit 22. It is determined whether or not (SS32).

  Here, when the Script Interpreter 23 determines that the display data of the screen data corresponding to the display screen to be displayed is not stored in the storage unit 22 (NO in SS32), the Script Interpreter 23 HTML conversion for reading screen data (consisting of a Script file) corresponding to the display screen to be displayed from the storage unit 22 (SS33), analyzing the Script file, and displaying the display screen on the display unit 50 Processing is performed, and the display data after the HTML conversion processing is accumulated in the storage unit 22 (SS34). Furthermore, the Script Interpreter 23 performs an expansion process to the Business Logic 24 for executing an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen (SS35).

  Then, the display frequency calculation unit 26 stores the screen data in association with the date and time at the time as the display date and time (SS36). That is, the display frequency calculation unit 26 registers a time stamp indicating the display date and time for the screen data.

  Subsequently, the Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24 read the display data that has been subjected to the HTML conversion processing and the like from the storage unit 22, and transmit the data to the multifunction device 1 from the communication unit 21 (SS37).

  On the other hand, when the Script Interpreter 23 determines that the display data of the screen data corresponding to the display screen to be displayed is stored in the storage unit 22 (YES in SS32), the display data is stored in the storage unit. 22 (SS40). The Script Interpreter 23 acquires and refers to the display date and time indicated by the time stamp registered in the screen data corresponding to the display data from the display frequency calculation unit 26, and from the display date and time indicated by the time stamp to the read time point. It is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, within 24 hours) has already elapsed (SS41).

  Here, if the Script Interpreter 23 determines that the elapsed time until the reading point is within a predetermined time (NO in SS41), the display frequency calculation unit 26 sets the date and time at the reading point. As the display date and time, a new time stamp is registered and stored in the screen data corresponding to the display data (SS42). Then, the display data is transmitted from the communication unit 21 to the multifunction device 1 (SS43). The Script Interpreter 23 stores the display data to be transmitted in the storage unit 22 (SS44).

  If it is determined by the Script Interpreter 23 that the elapsed time up to the time of reading has already exceeded a predetermined time (YES in SS41), the display data is transferred from the communication unit 21 to the multifunction device 1. However, the script interpreter 23 deletes the display data to be transmitted from the storage unit 22 (SS46).

  In the above description, the display frequency calculation unit 26 stores the display date and time of the screen data. However, the display frequency calculation unit 26 stores the display date and time in the storage unit 22 and other memories, as necessary. You may make it read.

  In the above description, the Script Interpreter 23 stores the display data in the storage unit 22 and uses it for the next reading. However, the Script Interpreter 23 stores the display data in another memory for the next reading. It may be used sometimes.

  In the MFP 1, when the platform 13 receives the display data (F33), the browser 16 displays the received display data on the display unit 50 (F34). As a result, the previous display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 is switched to the new display screen for which the display request has been made. The processing after the display screen switching is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the display screen generation process is performed based on the operation of the server computer SV2 by the user has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to perform display screen generation processing based on the operation of the PC 31 by the user. The description of the same processing as the display screen generation processing shown in FIG. 3 is omitted.

  In this case, for example, the user operates the operation unit (not shown) of the PC 31 and inputs a display screen creation instruction from the web browser 3100. When the input of the display screen creation instruction by the user is received by the web browser 3100 (P1), the web browser 3100 transmits an activation instruction of the panel creator unit 25 to the server computer SV2 (P2).

  In the server computer SV2, when the panel creator activation instruction is received by the panel creator 25 via the communication unit 21 (SS1), the panel creator 25 is activated (SS2). Then, the panel creator 25 transmits display data of the customization acceptance screen 54 as shown in FIG. 5 from the communication unit 21 to the PC 31 (SS3).

  When the web browser 3100 of the PC 31 receives the display data of the customization reception screen 54 (P3), the parts designation reception unit 254 causes the display of the PC 31 to display the customization reception screen 54 using the received display data ( P4).

  When the user inputs a display target part designation instruction and layout instruction via the web browser 3100 on the PC 31 (P5), the web browser 3100 transmits the display target part designation instruction and layout instruction to the server computer SV2 (P6). ). That is, the user operates the panel creator unit 25 of the server computer SV2 as a web application via the web browser 3100 of the PC 31.

  In the server computer SV2, when the part designation receiving unit 254 and the layout instruction receiving unit 255 of the panel creator unit 25 receive the display part designation and layout instruction from the PC 31 (SS4), the action setting unit 252 receives the received instruction. Are read from the built-in storage area and set in association with each selected display target part (SS5).

  In the processing of P4 to P6, the user designates and arranges the display target part button to be displayed in the default screen 570 on the PC 31, clicks the confirmation button 58 in the customization reception screen 54 with a mouse or the like, and the user The process is executed for each display target part until the designation and the end instruction of arrangement are input from (P7).

  When the specification and arrangement of the display target parts by the user are completed (YES in P7), the web browser 3100 transmits an end instruction indicating the end of display screen generation to the server computer SV2 (P8).

  In the server computer SV2, when the panel creator unit 25 receives the termination instruction (SS6), the generation unit 253 generates screen data including contents determined by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting as a Script file. Generate (SS7). The screen data expressed by the Script file is stored in the storage unit 22 by the panel creator unit 25 (SS8).

  In the above-described embodiment, the display screen generated by the server computer SV2 is described as being displayed on the multifunction device 1, but the generated display screen is not limited to the display on the multifunction device 1. In addition, the present invention can be applied to display on a display portion of another electric device.

  The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the above embodiment, the configuration and processing of the embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, but the configuration and processing are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the server computer SV2 is provided with the panel creator unit 25 and the extended application 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the PC 31 includes the panel creator unit 25 as shown in FIG. The panel simulator unit 28 is provided, and the server computer SV2 is provided with the extended application 20. The screen data generated by the panel creator unit 25 of the PC 31 is converted by the extended application 20 of the server computer SV2 to display data for display. Generate and configure very good.

  For example, in the series of processes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the display frequency calculation unit 26 calculates the display frequency in units of screen data, and the Script Interpreter 23 has the display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit 26. For screen data that has a predetermined high frequency, the script file is analyzed and HTML conversion processing of the screen data (that is, all display target parts constituting the screen data) is performed in advance. The frequency calculation unit 26 calculates the display frequency for each display target part, and the Script Interpreter 23 performs HTML conversion processing in advance on the display target part whose display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit 26 is a predetermined high frequency. You may make it leave. In this case, (1) in SS19 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the display frequency calculation unit 26 calculates the display frequency for each display target part, and (2) in SS12, the script interpreter 23 uses the display frequency as a threshold value. (3) In SS20 to SS23, the Script Interpreter 23 uses an HTML conversion-completed display target part that has been analyzed and converted to HTML. The display target parts that have not been converted to HTML are used after being analyzed and converted to HTML at this point.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 1 Multifunction machine 11 Controller 13 Platform 16 Browser 50 Display part 51 Display screen SV2 Server computer 20 Extended application 21 Communication part 22 Storage part 23 Script Interpreter
24 Business Logic
25 Panel creator unit 252 Action setting unit 253 Generation unit 254 Parts designation receiving unit 255 Layout instruction receiving unit 26 Display frequency calculating unit 28 Panel simulator unit 31 Personal computer 310 Control unit 311 Storage unit

Claims (7)

An image forming system having at least a server and an image forming apparatus,
The server
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the image forming apparatus from a user, and an instruction to place the selected display target part on the display screen An action for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the display target part selection instruction received by the layout instruction receiving unit and the part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user A screen data generation unit having a setting unit, and a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by action setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit;
A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
A display frequency calculation unit that calculates a display frequency on the display unit for each screen data stored in the storage unit;
At the time of display on the display unit of the image forming apparatus, screen data to be displayed is read from the storage unit and converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, and stored in the storage unit Screen data indicating a high frequency with a predetermined display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit is previously converted into the data format before display control on the display unit is started. A data conversion unit to be
A screen data transmission unit that transmits screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit that acquires screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit from the server;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display display data acquired by the data acquisition unit.   When the display frequency of the screen data indicates the high frequency, the data conversion unit of the server stores display data for the screen data in the storage unit, and displays the display for the screen data. When the frequency does not indicate the high frequency, the display data for the screen data is not accumulated in the storage unit, so that the data before the display control for the screen data is performed depending on whether the frequency is high or not. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is a conversion. The display frequency calculation unit of the server calculates the display frequency for each display target part constituting the screen data,
3. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the data conversion unit performs the data conversion before display control on the display unit is started for a display target part whose display frequency is the high frequency. system.   The data conversion unit of the server is changed by the user based on the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting even if the display frequency is the screen data that is less than the high frequency. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the screen data predetermined as not present is subjected to the data conversion before display control on the display unit is started. A client computer,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the client computer includes a web browser capable of operating the screen data generation unit of the server from the client computer. A server that generates and manages screen data to be displayed as a display screen of a display unit provided in an image forming apparatus,
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on a display screen of a display unit of the image forming apparatus from a user, and an instruction to place the selected display target part on the display screen An action for associating and setting an action corresponding to a display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the display target part selection instruction received by the layout instruction receiving unit and the part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user A screen data generation unit having a setting unit, and a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with contents determined by action setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit;
A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
A display frequency calculation unit that calculates a display frequency on the display unit for each screen data stored in the storage unit;
At the time of display on the display unit of the image forming apparatus, screen data to be displayed is read from the storage unit and converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, and stored in the storage unit Screen data indicating a high frequency with a predetermined display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit is previously converted into the data format before display control on the display unit is started. A data conversion unit to be
A server comprising: a screen data transmission unit that transmits screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus. A screen data management program for causing a server to function so as to generate and manage screen data to be displayed on a display unit provided in an electrical device,
The server
A part selection instruction receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a display target part to be displayed on the display screen of the display unit of the electrical device from a user, and a layout that instructs an arrangement of the selected display target part on the display screen Action setting for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part with respect to the display target part indicated by the layout instruction receiving unit that receives the instruction from the user and the display target part selection instruction received by the part selection instruction receiving unit A screen data generation unit, and a generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen with content determined by action setting by the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the action setting unit;
A storage unit for storing screen data of the display screen generated by the generation unit;
A display frequency calculation unit that calculates a display frequency on the display unit for each screen data stored in the storage unit;
At the time of display on the display unit of the electric device, screen data to be displayed is read from the storage unit and converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, and stored in the storage unit Among the screen data, screen data indicating a high frequency with a predetermined display frequency calculated by the display frequency calculation unit is converted in advance into the data format before the display control on the display unit is started. Data converter
A screen data management program for functioning as a screen data transmission unit for transmitting screen data as display data converted by the data conversion unit to the electrical device.

Images