JP5248643B2 - MFP, MFP control system, MFP control method, program, and recording medium therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction device control system and a multifunction device control method in which a multifunction device and a server device that are communicably connected via a communication network operate in cooperation with each other.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4, an MFP (multifunction peripheral) is connected to a server device via a communication network so as to be able to communicate with each other. A technique for controlling from a server device is known. In these techniques, generally, an application (MFP Native application) that operates on the MFP and an application that operates on the server device cooperate to control the operation of the MFP.

JP 2005-080017 A (published March 24, 2005) JP 2006-277005 A (published October 12, 2006) JP 2007-174400 A (published July 5, 2007) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-130089 (released on June 5, 2008)

  However, in the configuration in which the application operating on the MFP and the application operating on the server device cooperate to control the operation of the MFP as described above, the image displayed on the information display screen of the MFP by the application operating on the MFP and the server There is a problem that the user is confused because the sense of unity of design is lost with an image displayed on the information display screen of the MFP by an application operating on the apparatus.

  For example, generally, when this image data is preview-displayed on the information display screen of the MFP before processing such as copying, transmission, filing, or image editing related to the scanned image data in the MFP, an application that operates on the MFP (of the MFP) Standard function) generates a preview image and displays it on the information display screen.

  That is, in order to generate a preview image in the server apparatus, it is necessary to transmit the image data acquired by scanning from the MFP to the server apparatus. However, performing the image data transmission process before the preview display is a process for the image data. This is contrary to the original purpose of the preview display in which the user confirms the preview image before executing and determines whether or not the process can be executed. For this reason, in general, even when the application operating on the MFP and the application operating on the server device cooperate with each other to control the operation of the MFP, the application operating on the MFP performs the preview display. .

  However, in this case, a built-in preview screen prepared in advance in the MFP application is displayed on the screen customized by the application of the server device (or between the screens customized by the application of the server device). As a result, the sense of unity of the design is lost, and the user may be confused.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to control the operation of a multifunction device in cooperation with a multifunction device and a server device that are communicably connected via a communication network. An object of the present invention is to enable a display screen generated by an application operating on a multifunction peripheral to be displayed in a display form corresponding to a display screen generated by an application operating on a server device.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the MFP of the present invention is communicably connected to a server device that executes an application program via a communication network, and executes processing according to a control command generated by the application program. A display unit that displays an information display screen, a storage unit that stores information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen, and the information display screen setting data. An information display screen generation unit that generates the information display screen based on the information display screen generation unit, the information display screen generation unit according to an instruction received from the server device, the initial setting condition included in the information display screen setting data An information display screen generated by changing at least some of the conditions is displayed on the display unit. .

  According to the above configuration, the display unit that displays the information display screen, the storage unit that stores the information display screen setting data including the initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen, and the information display screen setting data An information display screen generating unit that generates the information display screen based on the information display screen generating unit, wherein the information display screen generating unit includes the initial setting included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an instruction received from the server device. An information display screen generated by changing at least some of the conditions is displayed on the display unit. Accordingly, the information display screen generated by the information display screen generation unit operating in the multifunction device is changed according to an instruction from an application operating in the server device connected via the communication network, and the display corresponding to the application is performed. It can be displayed in the form.

  The information display screen generation unit receives, from the server device, a display form of at least a part of the component images included in the information display screen generated based on the initial setting condition. The information display screen changed according to the instruction may be displayed on the display unit. For example, the information display screen generation unit may include at least one of the color, size, shape, display position, character color, size, font, thickness, and display position of the component image. The information display screen changed according to the instruction received from the server device may be displayed on the display unit. Further, the component image may be, for example, a background image, a button image, a character image, an icon image, or an image obtained by combining these.

  According to said structure, the display form of the component image contained in an information display screen is changed according to the instruction | indication from the application which operate | moves in the server apparatus connected via a communication network, and the display according to the said application It can be displayed in the form.

  In addition, the information display screen generation unit receives an instruction received from the server device for at least a part of the plurality of component images included in the information display screen generated based on the initial setting condition. It is good also as a structure which displays the information display screen deleted according to the said display part.

  According to said structure, it can include in the information display screen which selects and displays the component image corresponding to the process in the application which operate | moves in the server apparatus connected via a communication network.

  In addition, the information display screen generation unit receives an instruction received from the server device for at least a part of the plurality of component images included in the information display screen generated based on the initial setting condition. The information display screen replaced with the component image acquired from the address designated by the above may be displayed on the display unit.

  According to said structure, the component image according to the instruction | indication from the application which operate | moves in the server apparatus connected via a communication network is acquired, and an information display screen can be changed based on the acquired component image. it can.

  In addition, an image forming unit that performs an image forming process for forming an image according to the image data on a recording material, and the information display screen displays an image according to the image data to the user before the image forming process is performed. It is a preview screen for presenting, and the information display screen generation unit changes at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an instruction received from the server device The information display screen generated by combining the image data of the information display screen generated in this way and the image data may be displayed on the display unit as the preview screen.

  According to the above configuration, the preview screen generated in the multifunction peripheral is changed in accordance with an instruction from an application that operates in a server device connected via a communication network, and is displayed in a display form corresponding to the application. be able to.

  In addition, an image data acquisition unit that performs an image data acquisition process for acquiring the image data is provided, and the information display screen generation unit includes the initial data included in the information display screen setting data according to an instruction received from the server device. A process of changing at least a part of the setting conditions and generating the image data of the information display screen may be performed in parallel with the image data acquisition process. The image data acquisition unit may acquire, for example, image data from another apparatus connected via a communication network by reading the original and acquiring image data of the original. Alternatively, the image data may be read from a storage unit provided in the multifunction peripheral or a storage medium detachably connected to the multifunction peripheral.

  According to the above configuration, the information is obtained by changing at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an image data acquisition process and an instruction received from the server device. By performing the process of generating the image data of the display screen in parallel, the time required to display the preview screen can be shortened.

  A multifunction machine control system according to the present invention includes a server device that executes an application program, and a composite device that is connected to the server device via a communication network so as to be communicable and executes processing according to a control command generated by the application program. A multifunction device control system including a display device, the multifunction device storing information display screen setting data including a display unit for displaying an information display screen and initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen. A storage unit, and an information display screen generation unit that controls the operation of each unit, wherein the server device changes at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data. When the information display screen generation unit displays the information display screen on the display unit. An information display screen generated by changing at least some of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an instruction received from the server device is displayed on the display unit. It is said.

  According to the above configuration, the MFP includes a display unit that displays an information display screen, a storage unit that stores information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen, and the information An information display screen generation unit that generates the information display screen based on the display screen setting data. The information display screen generation unit generates the information display screen setting data according to an instruction received from the server device. An information display screen generated by changing at least a part of the included initial setting conditions is displayed on the display unit. Accordingly, the information display screen generated by the information display screen generation unit operating in the multifunction device is changed according to an instruction from an application operating in the server device connected via the communication network, and the display corresponding to the application is performed. It can be displayed in the form.

  The multifunction device control method of the present invention is communicably connected to a server device that executes an application program via a communication network, and executes a process according to a control command generated by the application program. The MFP includes a display unit that displays an information display screen, and a storage unit that stores information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen. A step of generating an information display screen generated by changing at least some of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data according to an instruction received from a server device; and And a step of displaying on the display unit.

  According to the above method, the MFP includes a display unit that displays an information display screen, and a storage unit that stores information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen. An information display screen generated by changing at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an instruction received from the server device is displayed on the display unit. Accordingly, the information display screen generated by the information display screen generation unit operating in the multifunction device is changed according to an instruction from an application operating in the server device connected via the communication network, and the display corresponding to the application is performed. It can be displayed in the form.

  The multi-function device may be realized by a computer. In this case, a program that causes the multi-function device to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as each unit and a computer-readable program that records the program. Recording media are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, in the MFP, the MFP control system, and the MFP control method of the present invention, the initial setting condition included in the information display screen setting data according to the instruction received from the server device. An information display screen generated by changing at least a part of the conditions is displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, the information display screen generated by the information display screen generation unit operating in the multifunction device is changed according to an instruction from the application operating in the server device connected via the communication network, and the information display screen It can be displayed in a display form.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the multifunctional device and multifunctional device control system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in the multifunction machine control system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an information display screen displayed on a display unit of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a management table stored in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information display screen data transmitted from a server device to a multifunction peripheral in the multifunction peripheral control system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an information display screen displayed on the display unit of the multifunction peripheral based on the information display screen data illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a copy process execution start request transmitted from a server apparatus to a multifunction peripheral in the multifunction peripheral control system illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of a copy process performed in the MFP control system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen generated based on preview screen constituent elements incorporated in advance in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen in which the preview screen of FIG. 9 is customized in accordance with an instruction from a server device in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an information display screen generated based on a preview screen constituent element incorporated in advance in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an information display screen in which the information display screen in FIG. 11 is customized in accordance with an instruction from a server device in the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1-1. Overall configuration of MFP control system 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine control system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the multifunction device control system 1 includes a multifunction device (MFP) 10 and a server device (application server device) 50. These devices are communicably connected via a communication network 30. Has been. Of course, the number of multifunction devices 10 included in the multifunction device control system 1 may be plural, and the number of server devices 50 may be plural. Note that the communication network 30 may be an IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, serial cable, or the like, such as infrared rays such as IrDA or remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless. It can also be used by radio such as HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network. The MFP 10 and the server device 50 are HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), which is a protocol used for communication (for example, requesting and transmitting a web page) between the web server and the web browser. It is designed to communicate using.

(1-2. Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 receives control information in the HTML format from the server device 50 using HTTP, and based on the received control information, various functions of the MFP 10 (for example, a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a facsimile function). A digital multifunction device or an analog multifunction device that executes a transmission / reception function, a communication function, and the like.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, an image reading unit (image data acquisition unit) 13, an image forming unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a second communication unit (image data acquisition unit) 16. The control unit (information display screen generation unit) 11 includes a device control unit (information display screen generation unit) 21, a web browser unit 22, a control application unit 23, and a second web server unit 24.

  The operation unit 12 is a user interface that notifies the user of various information and receives input from the user. The operation unit 12 includes an input unit 12a including various input keys and a display unit 12b such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The operation unit 12 may be a touch panel in which the input unit 12a and the display unit 12b are integrally configured.

  The image reading unit 13 includes a scanner and a document transport unit that transports a document to the position of the scanner, and executes a scan function that reads characters and images printed on the document as image data. Note that the image reading unit 13 reads an image with a predetermined resolution.

  The image forming unit 14 is for printing an image (character / photo / graphic) corresponding to input image data on a recording sheet such as paper, and includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, A developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and a paper tray are included. Specifically, the image forming unit 14 performs a copy function for printing image data input from the image reading unit 13 and a printer function for printing image data input from an external device.

  The second communication unit 16 is a communication interface that performs communication with an external device such as the server device 50 via the communication network 30. In the present embodiment, as described above, the second communication unit 16 communicates with the server device 50 using HTTP. The second communication unit 16 can also access the second web server unit 24 inside the multifunction device 10 when the access destination indicates the IP address of the own device.

  The control unit 11 is a computer device that includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and a dedicated processor, and a storage unit (not shown) such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, and is stored in the storage unit. The functions of the device control unit 21, the web browser unit 22, the control application unit 23, and the second web server unit 24 are realized by reading and executing various information and programs for performing various controls.

  The web browser unit 22 performs an operation in accordance with commonly used web browser software. The web browser unit 22 can communicate with not only the first web server unit 53 included in the server device 50 but also the second web server unit 24 inside the multifunction machine 10 via the second communication unit 16. In the present embodiment, the web browser unit 22 is a server that requests data on the information display screen and does not execute control commands for controlling various functions (for example, copy functions) of the multifunction machine 10. It is set to communicate with the first web server unit 53 of the device 50. On the other hand, the web browser unit 22 is set to communicate with the second web server unit 24 inside the multifunction device 10 when executing control commands for controlling various functions of the multifunction device 10.

  The second web server unit 24 performs an operation in accordance with a commonly used web server software. Here, the web server is software that provides a function of a server device constituting a WWW (World Wide Web) which is an information system on the Internet. The second web server unit 24 receives a request (HTTP request) from the web browser unit 22, executes an application corresponding to the request, and sends a response (HTTP response) to the web browser unit 22. .

  The control application unit 23 executes processing according to a web application that runs on the web server. When it is necessary to control various functions (for example, copy function) of the multifunction machine 10, the control application unit 23 sends a control command for controlling the function to the device control unit 21. Alternatively, the control application unit 23 may control communication so that unique information unique to the multifunction machine 10 is transmitted to the first web server unit 53 by controlling the web browser unit 22 in accordance with the control command. Thereby, the function of the multifunction machine 10 can be controlled.

  The device control unit 21 controls various functions of the multifunction machine 10. Specifically, the device control unit 21 controls the operation of each unit such as the image reading unit 13, the image forming unit 14, the second communication unit 16, and the operation unit 12.

  For example, the device control unit 21 controls the operation of the image reading unit 13 and acquires scan image data. The device control unit 21 controls the operation of the image forming unit 14 to form (output) an image corresponding to the image data on the recording material.

  The device control unit 21 has a unique operation mode and a cooperative operation mode. The unique operation mode is a mode unique to the multifunction device 10, and an information display screen stored in advance in the multifunction device 10 is displayed on the display unit 12 b, and an instruction input to the information display screen is input to the input unit 12 a. And controls various functions of the multifunction machine 10 according to the instruction. On the other hand, in the cooperative operation mode, the device control unit 21 displays the information display screen received from the server device 50 on the display unit 12b and receives from the control application unit 23 based on an instruction input to the information display screen. The above control is performed according to the control instruction. Alternatively, at least a part of the information display screen stored in advance in the multifunction machine 10 is displayed on the display unit 12b by changing the information display screen changed according to the instruction received from the server device 50, and the information display screen is displayed. Based on the input instruction, the above control is performed according to the control instruction received from the control application unit 23.

  In the unique operation mode, the device control unit 21 appropriately combines image information of parts (component element images) held in the storage unit 15 according to the current configuration and state of the multifunction machine 10, and displays the information on the information display screen. Control such as displaying on the screen. Note that the unique operation mode is a general mode performed in a conventional multi-function peripheral, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  When the execution instruction of the cooperative operation mode is input, the device control unit 21 activates the web browser unit 22 and sets a preset URL (in the present embodiment, the first web server unit 53 of the server device 50). (The URL requesting transmission of the initial information display screen) is executed. In the cooperative operation mode, the device control unit 21 receives a control command from the control application unit 23 and performs control according to the control command.

  The device control unit 21 includes an Open I / F unit 21 a that can accept a control command that does not depend on the model of the multifunction machine 10. The Open I / F unit 21a publishes control commands for controlling various functions of the MFP 10 to the control application unit 23. The Open I / F unit 21a accepts control commands from the control application unit 23, and receives the received control commands from the device control. This is converted into a command that can be recognized by the unit 21.

  The Open I / F unit 21a includes a conversion table storage unit (not shown) that stores a conversion table in which control commands disclosed to the outside are associated with commands that can be recognized by the device control unit 21. Command conversion processing is performed according to the conversion table.

  In this way, the Open I / F unit 21a can accept a common control command that does not depend on the type of the multifunction machine 10. As a result, a common web application for operating the control application unit 23 can be used regardless of the multifunction device 10. Therefore, when the control application unit 23 is operated according to a new web application, it is only necessary to install the same web application for each multifunction device 10, and it is not necessary to change the web application for each multifunction device 10. Thereby, development of the web application for operating the control application part 23 can be performed easily.

(1-3. Configuration of Server Device 50)
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server device 50 includes a first communication unit 52 and a control unit 51. The control unit 51 includes a first web server unit 53 and an external application unit 54.

  The control unit 51 is a computer device that includes an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU and a dedicated processor, and a storage unit (not shown) such as a RAM, a ROM, and an HDD, and is stored in the storage unit. The functions of the first web server unit 53 and the external application unit 54 are realized by reading and executing various information and programs for performing various controls.

  The first communication unit 52 communicates with the multifunction machine 10 via a LAN, an Internet line, or the like. The first communication unit 52 communicates with the multifunction machine 10 using an HTTP communication protocol.

  The first web server unit 53 operates according to web server software. The first web server unit 53 receives a request (here, an HTTP request) from the multi-function peripheral 10 via the first communication unit 52, and a file, image data, print data, control information, etc. corresponding to the HTTP request. Has a function of responding to the MFP 10 via the first communication unit 52.

  The external application unit 54 performs an operation according to a predetermined web application in response to an instruction from the first web server unit 53. That is, the external application unit 54 performs operations according to various web applications that operate on the web server.

  For example, when the request (HTTP request) from the multi-function device 10 is an information display screen transmission request, the external application unit 54 performs an operation according to the information display screen transmission application. Specifically, the external application unit 54 reads out the HTML data of the information display screen indicated by the transmission request from the storage unit and sends it to the first web server unit 53.

  In addition, when the request from the multifunction device 10 is a print data transmission request, the external application unit 54 performs an operation according to the print application. Specifically, the external application unit 54 acquires print data with a specified file name from the folder with the folder name indicated in the transmission request, and sends the print data to the first web server unit 53.

(1-4. Operation in cooperative operation mode)
Next, an example of processing in the cooperative operation mode in which the multifunction device 10 and the server device 50 execute processing in cooperation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the preview image data generated by the MFP 10 and stored in the storage unit 15 is displayed (preview display) on the display unit 12b under the control of the external application unit 54. is there. Here, an example in which an external application for performing copy processing is used will be described.

  First, the device control unit 21 displays an external application start screen (information display screen) on the display unit 12b (S1). FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an external application startup screen displayed on the display unit 12b. Note that the data of the external application startup screen may be stored in the storage unit 15 in advance, or may be acquired by the device control unit 21 accessing the server device 50 via the second communication unit 16. .

  Next, upon receiving an instruction to select an external application input from the user via the input unit 12a (S2), the device control unit 21 activates the web browser unit 22 and the URL associated with the selected external application. To send an HTTP Get command for requesting transmission of the initial operation screen (information display screen) (S3). Specifically, a management table in which each external application displayed on the external application startup screen is associated with a URL for requesting an initial operation screen of each external application is stored in the storage unit 15 in advance. Then, the device control unit 21 acquires a URL for requesting transmission of the initial operation screen from this management table, notifies the web browser unit 22 of the URL, and HTTP Get for requesting transmission of the initial operation screen to the URL. Send a command. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a management table stored in the storage unit 15.

  When the first web server unit 53 of the server device 50 receives the Get command (request for transmission of the initial operation screen) (S21), HTML data (initial operation screen) of the initial operation screen (information display screen) corresponding to the Get command. Data) is returned (returned) to the multi function device 10 (S22).

  When the second communication unit 16 receives the initial operation screen data from the server device 50 (S4), the device control unit 21 of the multifunction machine 10 displays an initial operation screen (information display screen) corresponding to the received initial operation screen data. It is displayed on the part 12b (S5). FIG. 5 is an example of HTML data returned from the server device 50 to the multifunction device 10, and FIG. 6 shows an initial information display screen displayed on the display unit 12b of the multifunction device 10 based on the HTML data.

  Next, when the device control unit 21 receives a process start command (copy start command here) from the user via the input unit 12a (S6), the device control unit 21 controls the web browser unit 22 to execute the process on the server device 50. A start request transmission request (Get command) is transmitted (S7).

  When the first web server unit 53 of the server device 50 receives the transmission request (S23), it responds (replies) to the multifunction device 01 with an execution start request for processing corresponding to the transmission request (here, copy processing) (S24). ). This execution start request is a request to the control application unit 23. The multi-function device 10 receives the start request at the second communication unit 16 and transmits the start request to the control application unit 23 via the second web server unit 24. This start request can be made by a method such as HTTP GET, POST, or SOAP. This start request includes designation of whether or not to display a preview screen. In addition, when preview display is performed, at least a part of the component image information included in the initial setting conditions of the component information (preview screen (information display screen) stored in the storage unit 15 of the multifunction machine 10). Is included in the start request.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a copy process execution start request, and shows an example in which the execution start request is a SOAP command. As shown in this figure, parameters required for executing the copy process are listed in the execution request command. For example, the <Copy> element specifies the number of copies. The <Preview> element specifies whether or not to preview the image data of the image to be copied (the preview is performed when the <Preview> element is true, and is not performed when the element is false). The <PreviewBack> element (component information) designates the storage location of the image data of the background image on the preview screen. The <PrevTitle> element (component element information) specifies title text to be displayed on the preview screen. In the preview screen, display is performed according to the editing functions (page deletion, page rotation, page order change, etc.) that can be executed on the next page. Information (component element information) indicating whether the editing function is valid (true) / invalid (false) is included. For example, the <PrevPageRotate> element (one of component element information) specifies the validity / invalidity of page rotation processing, and the <PrevPageDelete> element (component element information) specifies the validity / invalidity of page deletion processing. . By specifying these elements, the preview screen can be customized according to the edit function that can be executed.

  Note that preview screen setting data (information display screen setting data) including default information (initial setting information) for generating a preview screen is stored in advance in the storage unit 15 of the multifunction device 10, and the server device 50 transmits the multifunction device 10 to the multifunction device 10. 10 may include only information (component information) related to items to be changed among the initial setting conditions. For example, among the plurality of component images included in the preview image (information display screen), a component image whose display form is to be changed and information indicating the change contents (component element information) may be included in the command. . Examples of the component image include a preview image, a background image, a button image, a character image, an icon image, or an image obtained by combining these. In addition, examples of the change contents include the color, size, shape, display position of the component image, the color, size, font, thickness, display position of the character included in the component image, or a combination thereof. Is mentioned.

  Upon receiving the execution start request from the server device 50 via the second communication unit 16 (S8), the device control unit 21 executes processing according to the received execution start request (S9), and ends the processing. Specifically, the device control unit 21 causes the control application unit 23 to analyze the execution start request received from the server device 50. The control application unit 23 generates a control command based on the analysis result, and sends the generated control command to the device control unit 21 (Open I / F unit 21a). The Open I / F unit 21 a of the device control unit 21 converts the control command received from the control application unit 23 into a command that can be recognized by the device control unit 21. Thereafter, the device control unit 21 controls various functions in the multifunction machine 10 according to the converted command.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of copy processing performed in S9 of FIG.

  When the second communication unit 16 receives a copy process execution start request from the server device 50 (S8 in FIG. 2), the device control unit 21 controls the image reading unit 13 in accordance with the received execution start request to copy the original document. The original image data of the copy original is acquired by reading the image (S10).

  Next, the device control unit 21 determines whether to display a preview screen before image formation (S11). This determination is performed according to whether the <Preview> element included in the execution start request command received from the server apparatus 50 is valid (true) or invalid (false).

  If it is determined in S11 that the preview screen is not displayed, the device control unit 21 controls the image forming unit 14 to form an image corresponding to the document image data on the recording material (image forming process) (S20). Exit.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the preview screen is displayed in S11, the device control unit 21 generates preview document image data based on the document image data acquired by the image reading unit 13 (S12) and stores it in the storage unit 15. . Note that the document image data for preview may be generated by the device control unit 21 or an image processing unit (not shown) provided in the multifunction machine 10 in accordance with an instruction from the device control unit 21.

  The device control unit 21 causes the control application unit 23 to analyze the preview screen configuration information (component element information) included in the copy execution start request in parallel with the process of creating the preview original image data, thereby configuring the preview screen. When it is necessary to acquire information (preview screen constituent elements) about the elements from the external application unit 54, the web browser unit 22 is controlled to send a transmission request for the preview screen constituent elements to the first web server unit 53 of the server device 50. (S13). The transmission request for the preview screen component can be made using a method such as HTTP GET, POST, or SOAP. In the above description, the process for creating the document image data for preview and the transmission request for the preview screen component are performed in parallel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and after performing either one of the processes, the other process is performed. You may make it perform.

  Upon receiving the preview screen component transmission request (S25), the first web server unit 53 of the server device 50 responds (replies) the preview screen component to the multifunction machine 10 (S26).

  When the second communication unit 16 receives the preview screen component, the device control unit 21 of the multifunction machine 10 receives the preview screen (the preview screen image) based on the received preview screen component and the preview original image data generated in S12. Image data) is created (S15) and displayed on the display unit 12b (S16). If the generation of the preview document image data is not completed when the preview screen component is received, the preview document image data is stored in the storage unit 15 to wait for the generation of the preview document image data. It may be. In this case, when the generation of the preview original image data is completed, the preview screen constituent elements may be read from the storage unit 15 and synthesized with the preview original image data. Further, in the preview screen constituent element, it may be specified that a part image (component element image) to be included in the preview image is acquired from a predetermined storage destination. In this case, the device control unit 21 acquires the component image from the storage destination specified by the preview screen component, and combines it with the document image data for preview and the other component images to generate a preview screen (image data of the preview screen). ).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preview screen generated based on preview screen components incorporated in advance in the multifunction machine 10, and FIG. 10 shows an execution start request acquired from the server device 50 (shown in FIG. 7). It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the preview screen produced | generated based on the execution start request) and the preview screen component.

  In the execution start request shown in FIG. 7, “Private Confirmation Document Copy Application” is set in the <PrevTitle> element indicating the title. For this reason, on the preview screen of FIG. 10, the title is changed from “Preview” in the preview image of FIG. 9 to “Identification document copy application”.

  Further, in the execution start request shown in FIG. 7, since the <PrevPageRotate> element indicating the rotation function in the preview screen is set to false (invalid), the “rotate” button is displayed in the preview image of FIG. However, the “rotate” button is not displayed on the preview screen of FIG.

  Further, in the execution start request shown in FIG. 7, the URL of the location of the background image is specified by the <PrevBack> element, so the background image (preview screen component) acquisition process is performed in S13 to S14. The background image color of the preview screen is changed from the background image color of the preview image of FIG.

  Note that the configuration of the preview image set in the execution start request is not limited to the above example. For example, a display position, a display size, a title, a preview original image, a button indicating editing processing (for example, a “delete” button, a “rotate” button, etc.), an “OK” button for inputting a copy execution instruction, and the like. The display color, shape, font, character size, pattern, etc. may be set in the execution start request. Alternatively, the image data of these components may be set to be acquired from a specified URL.

  As described above, the MFP control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes the MFP 10 and the server device 50 that are communicably connected to each other via the communication network 30, and the MFP 10 displays information. A display unit 12b for displaying a screen; a storage unit 15 for storing information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen; and a device control unit 21 for controlling the operation of each unit. The server device 50 transmits an instruction to the multi-function device 10 to change at least some of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data, and the device control unit 21, the information display screen Is displayed on the display unit 12b, in response to an instruction received from the server device 50, at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data. Change the matter to display the generated information display screen on the display unit 12b.

  Thereby, the information display screen generated by the device control unit 21 operating in the multifunction machine 10 is changed in accordance with an instruction from the application operating in the server device 50 connected via the communication network, and the information display screen is changed. Can be displayed in different display forms.

  For example, the multifunction device 10 displays a background image, a message image, and a button image included in the information display screen (part image image data included in the information display screen, message text data, or the image data and / or text data). Data indicating the storage destination) is acquired from an application (OSA application) that operates on the server device 50 when the information display screen is displayed. As a result, each item (message image, button image, etc.) included in the information display screen is displayed in accordance with an instruction from the server device 50 while functions such as the display of the information display screen and image editing are controlled by the multifunction device 10. The information display screen (for example, a preview screen) displayed under the control of the multifunction machine 10 can be displayed as if an application operating on the server device 50 is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the preview screen that displays the preview image of the document image data read during the copy process is customized according to an instruction from the server device 50 has been described. However, the display screen customized according to the instruction from the server device 50 is not limited to this. For example, the display conditions and operation conditions of information display screens of various applications (MFP Native applications) that execute functions that can be operated by the MFP 10 alone incorporated in the MFP 10 are transmitted from the server device 50 to the MFP 10. You may make it customize according to the instruction | indication contained in the execution start request | requirement of each process. Further, the image data of the constituent elements of the information display screen may be acquired from the storage location specified by the server device 50 using the URL and displayed.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an information display screen for performing image data transmission processing for transmitting image data to another apparatus, which is generated based on information display screen data incorporated in advance in the multifunction machine 10. is there. FIG. 12 shows an example of an information display screen in which the information display screen for performing the above-described image data transmission processing is customized according to an instruction included in the execution start request transmitted from the server device 50 to the multi-function device 10. It is explanatory drawing.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, the title of the information display screen is changed from “transmission” in FIG. 11 to “easy transmission application” in accordance with an instruction included in the execution start request transmitted from the server device 50 to the MFP 10. The font has also been changed. Further, the color of the background image on the information display screen is changed between FIG. 11 and FIG. In FIG. 12, among the buttons indicating items that can be set by the user displayed on the information display screen of FIG. 11, the buttons for setting the resolution and the buttons for setting the file format are deleted. Yes.

  In the present embodiment, each unit (each block) provided in the multifunction device 10 and / or the server device 50, particularly, the control unit 11 of the multifunction device 10 and / or the control unit 51 of the server device 50 is replaced with a processor such as a CPU. And may be realized by software. In this case, the multifunction machine 10 and / or the server device 50 expands a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and the program. A RAM (random access memory), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like are provided. The object of the present invention is to enable the computer to read the program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program for the multifunction machine 10 and / or the server device 50, which is software for realizing the functions described above. This is achieved by supplying the recorded recording medium to the multi-function device 10 and / or the server device 50, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code recorded on the recording medium.

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the MFP 10 and / or the server device 50 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The blocks of the multifunction machine 10 and / or the server device 50 are not limited to those realized using software, but may be constituted by hardware logic, and hardware that performs a part of the processing. And a calculation unit that executes software for controlling the hardware and performing the remaining processing may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention includes a server device that executes an application program, and a multifunction device that is communicably connected to the server device via a communication network and executes processing according to a control command generated by the application program. The present invention can be applied to a multifunction device control system and the multifunction device provided in the multifunction device control system.

1 MFP control system 10 MFP 11 control unit (information display screen generation unit)
12 Operation unit 12a Input unit 12b Display unit 13 Image reading unit (image data acquisition unit)
14 Image forming unit 15 Storage unit 16 Second communication unit (image data acquisition unit)
21 Device control unit (information display screen generation unit)
21a Open I / F unit 22 Web browser unit 23 Control application unit 24 Second web server unit 30 Communication network 50 Server device 51 Control unit 52 First communication unit 53 First web server unit 54 External application unit

Claims (10)

A multifunction device that is communicably connected to a server device that executes an application program via a communication network, and that executes processing according to a control command generated by the application program,
A display unit for displaying an information display screen;
A storage unit for storing information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen;
An information display screen generation unit for generating the information display screen based on the information display screen setting data ;
An image forming unit that performs an image forming process for forming an image according to image data on a recording material ,
The information display screen is a preview screen for presenting an image corresponding to the image data to the user before performing the image forming process.
The information display screen generation unit generates an image of the information display screen generated by changing at least some of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an instruction received from the server device A multifunction device, wherein an information display screen generated by combining data and image data of an image formed on a recording material by the image forming process is displayed on the display unit as the preview screen . The information display screen generation unit receives an instruction received from the server device for the display form of at least some of the component images included in the information display screen generated based on the initial setting condition. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein an information display screen changed according to the information is generated . The information display screen generation unit outputs at least one of the color, size, shape, display position, character color, size, font, thickness, and display position of the component image. The multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein an information display screen changed according to an instruction received from the server device is generated . The information display screen generation unit responds to an instruction received from the server device with at least a part of the plurality of component images included in the information display screen generated based on the initial setting condition. 4. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the deleted information display screen is generated . The information display screen generation unit specifies at least a part of the component images included in the information display screen generated based on the initial setting condition according to an instruction received from the server device 5. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the information display screen is generated by replacing the component image acquired from the obtained address. 6. An image data acquisition unit that performs an image data acquisition process for acquiring the image data;
The information display screen generation unit changes image data of the information display screen by changing at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with an instruction received from the server device. MFP according the process of generating, in any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that in parallel with the image data acquisition processing. A multifunction device control system comprising: a server device that executes an application program; and a multifunction device that is communicably connected to the server device via a communication network and executes processing according to a control command generated by the application program Because
The above multifunction machine
A display unit for displaying an information display screen for allowing the user to input instructions to the application program;
A storage unit for storing information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen;
And information display screen generation unit that controls the operation of the respective units,
An image forming unit that performs an image forming process for forming an image according to image data on a recording material ,
The information display screen is a preview screen for presenting an image corresponding to the image data to the user before performing the image forming process.
The server device transmits an instruction to the multifunction device to change at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data,
The information display screen generation unit, the information display screen generated by changing at least part of conditions of the initial setting condition included in the information display screen setting data in accordance with instructions received from the upper Symbol server An MFP control system, wherein an information display screen generated by combining image data and image data of an image formed on a recording material by the image forming process is displayed on the display unit as the preview screen. . A control method for a multifunction machine that is communicably connected to a server device that executes an application program via a communication network, and that executes processing according to a control command generated by the application program,
The above multifunction machine
A display unit for displaying an information display screen;
A storage unit for storing information display screen setting data including initial setting conditions for generating the information display screen ;
An image forming unit that performs an image forming process for forming an image according to image data on a recording material ,
The information display screen is a preview screen for presenting an image corresponding to the image data to the user before performing the image forming process.
The image data of the information display screen generated by changing at least a part of the initial setting conditions included in the information display screen setting data according to the instruction received from the server device, and the image forming process Generating an information display screen combining the image data of an image formed on a recording material as the preview screen ;
And a step of displaying the preview screen on the display unit. A program for operating the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the program causes a computer to function as the information display screen generation unit. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

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