JP5256098B2 - Image forming system, information processing apparatus, and screen data management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, an information processing apparatus, 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 device 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, only a display screen in which display data is stored in the image forming apparatus can be displayed on the display unit. This is because the display data of all the display screens customized by the user is stored in the display unit when the user wants to realize display control that freely displays the display screen arranged by customizing the operation buttons and the like as desired. It is inconvenient for the image forming apparatus to be held.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. The display unit of an electrical device such as an image forming apparatus can also display a display screen on which the device does not have display data. The screen data can be displayed on a plurality of different types of image forming apparatuses.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 setting unit, wherein the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, connected to the information processing apparatus having a generation unit for generating a common data format for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that And the screen data generating unit,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data generated by the generation unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the screen data from the information processing apparatus;
A model-dependent information storage unit that stores model-dependent information that is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part that constitutes the display screen;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the image forming apparatus and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
The screen data desired to be displayed acquired by the data acquisition unit is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the model dependency information stored in the model dependency information storage unit. If the display target part cannot be displayed as indicated by the model dependent information depending on the model of the image forming apparatus, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model dependent information, the design is performed. A data conversion unit that expands the content of the screen data in accordance with the content indicated by the model information and design information stored in the information storage unit ;
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data converted by the data conversion unit.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 Screen data that the user desires to display on the display screen is connected to the information processing apparatus with the content determined by the setting unit, the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the setting by the action setting unit. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that generate data in a common data format. And the screen data generating unit,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data generated by the generation unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the screen data from the information processing apparatus;
A model-dependent information storage unit that stores model-dependent information that is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part that constitutes the display screen;
Screen data desired to be displayed acquired by the data acquisition unit is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the model dependency information stored in the model dependency information storage unit. A data converter,
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data converted by the data conversion unit.

  According to the present invention, when the user wants to realize display control for freely displaying the display screen in which the operation buttons are customized and arranged as desired on the display unit of the image forming apparatus, all the display customized by the user is provided. The image forming apparatus or the like may not have the screen data of the screen.

  According to the invention, the data conversion unit of the image forming apparatus can display the screen data acquired by the data acquisition unit on the display unit according to the model-dependent information indicating the design information unique to the model of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the screen data of the display screen created by the information processing apparatus can be created in a common data format for each image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus. In the acquired image forming apparatus, the display screen can be displayed on the display unit as a design suitable for the model of the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 2 is an image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 setting unit, wherein the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, connected to the information processing apparatus having a generation unit for generating a common data format for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that And the screen data generating unit,
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A model-dependent information acquisition unit that acquires model-dependent information, which is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen, from the image forming apparatus that displays the display screen;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the image forming apparatus and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
An image forming apparatus that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit In accordance with the model-dependent information, the read screen data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit . At this time, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model-dependent information, the image forming apparatus When the part to be displayed cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information depending on the model, the contents of the screen data are expanded according to the contents indicated by the model information and design information stored in the design information storage unit. A data converter,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the display data from the information processing apparatus;
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data acquired by the data acquisition unit.
An invention according to claim 8 of the present invention is an image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 Screen data that the user desires to display on the display screen is connected to the information processing apparatus with the content determined by the setting unit, the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the setting by the action setting unit. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that generate data in a common data format. And the screen data generating unit,
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A model-dependent information acquisition unit that acquires model-dependent information, which is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen, from the image forming apparatus that displays the display screen;
An image forming apparatus that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit A data conversion unit that converts the read screen data into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, according to the model-dependent information;
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the display data from the information processing apparatus;
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data acquired by the data acquisition unit.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a first information processing apparatus including the screen data generation unit, the storage unit, and the model. A second information processing apparatus including a dependency information acquisition unit, the data conversion unit, and the screen data transmission unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus that performs processing for creating screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit of 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 setting unit, wherein the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, connected to the information processing apparatus a generation unit for generating a common data format for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that, the A screen having a model-dependent information acquisition unit that acquires model-dependent information, which is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen, from the image forming apparatus that displays the display screen A data generator;
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the image forming apparatus and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
An image forming apparatus that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit In accordance with the model-dependent information, the read screen data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit . At this time, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model-dependent information, the image forming apparatus When the part to be displayed cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information depending on the model, the contents of the screen data are expanded according to the contents indicated by the model information and design information stored in the design information storage unit. A data converter,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first information processing apparatus includes the screen data generation unit, the storage unit, the data conversion unit, and the screen. And a second information processing apparatus including a data transmission unit.

The invention according to claim 6 is a screen data management program for causing a computer to function so as to generate and manage screen data to be displayed on a display unit provided in an electric device.
The computer
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 and parts, the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, a plurality of which are connected to the computer a generation unit for generating a common data format for each electrical device, the display screen The model-dependent information which is model-specific design information of the electrical device for each display object parts constituting a screen data generating unit and a model-dependent information acquisition unit for acquiring from the electrical equipment to which the display the display screen,
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the electrical equipment and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
A model of an electric device that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the electric device from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit According to the dependency information, the read screen data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit . At this time, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model dependency information, depending on the model of the electric device A data converter that expands the contents of the screen data in accordance with the contents indicated by the model information and the design information stored in the design information storage section when the display target part cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information When,
The screen data converted by the data converter is made to function as a screen data transmitter that transmits the display data as display data to the electric device.

  According to these inventions, when the user wants to realize display control in which the display screen in which the operation buttons are customized and arranged as desired is displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus or the electrical device, the user customizes the display screen. The image forming apparatus or the like does not have to hold the screen data of all the displayed screens.

  According to these inventions, the data conversion unit of the information processing device displays the screen data stored in the storage unit according to the model-dependent information indicating the design information unique to the model of the image forming apparatus or the electrical device. Therefore, the image forming apparatus or the electrical device that has acquired the screen data can convert the display screen to the image forming apparatus or the electrical without performing the data conversion process according to the model-dependent information. It is possible to display on the display unit with a design suitable for the model of the device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a display screen in which the device does not have display data on the display unit of an electrical device such as an image forming apparatus, and further, the generated screen data is formed into a plurality of different types of images. It can be displayed on the device.

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 1st Embodiment of a structure required for the production | generation process and display process of a display screen 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. It is a flowchart which shows the display screen production | generation by a panel creator part, and the output process to a multifunction machine. (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. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a display process on a display unit of a multifunction peripheral for a display screen generated by the server computer and a process for receiving an operation execution instruction from a user by the image forming system. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment of a structure required for the production | generation process and display process of a display screen about a server computer, PC, and a multifunctional device. It is a flowchart which shows 2nd Embodiment of the display process in the display part of a multifunctional machine regarding the display screen produced | generated by the said server computer by the image forming system, and the reception process of the operation execution instruction from a user. It is a figure which shows 3rd 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, an information processing apparatus, 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 the PCs 31 to 34 in order to display the display screen on the display unit 50, and displays the screen data 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, a description will be given of a first embodiment of the internal configuration of the server computer SV2, the PCs 31 to 34, and the multifunction device 1, which is necessary for screen data generation processing and display processing. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a configuration necessary for display screen generation processing and display processing for the PC and the multifunction peripheral 1. Since the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 have the same configuration necessary for display screen generation processing, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the PC 31. In the present embodiment, it is sufficient if at least one of the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 has the following configuration. In the following description, it is assumed that the PC 31 performs display screen creation processing. However, the creation processing may be performed by either another PC or the server computer SV2.

  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 display screen generation program. The control unit 310 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the overall operation of the PC 31 and operates according to the display screen generation program stored in the storage unit 311, so that the panel creator unit 312, the panel simulator unit 313, , Functioning as the output unit 314.

  The panel creator unit 312 is a tool that generates screen data of a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 on the PC 31 using, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language) format data. The panel creator unit 312 functions as a part designation receiving unit 3121, a layout instruction receiving unit 3122, an action setting unit 3123, and a generating unit 3126.

  The part designation receiving unit 3121 designates display target parts such as operation buttons, icons, and character strings to be displayed on the display screen from the user via a not-shown operation unit (mouse or keyboard) provided in the PC 31. Accept. The parts designation receiving unit 3121 holds image data of a plurality of display target parts that can be designated by the user in advance. For example, when a display screen generation start instruction is input to the operation unit by the user, the part designation receiving unit 3121 displays the held display target part on a display such as an LCD provided in the PC 31 and displays the display. When a user-desired display target part is designated by the operation of the operation unit from among the display target parts, the designation of the designated display target part is accepted.

  The layout instruction receiving unit 3122 receives from the user a layout instruction for instructing the arrangement of the display target parts specified by the part specification receiving unit 3121 on the display screen. For example, the layout instruction accepting unit 3122 displays a background image of the display screen in a pseudo manner on a display provided in the PC 31, and an arbitrary portion in the background image is designated by the user using the operation unit. The designated location is received as the placement location of the designated display target part.

  The action setting unit 3123 sets the action corresponding to the display target part in association with the display target part specified by the part specification receiving unit 3121. That is, in the part designation receiving unit 3121, the type of the display target part to be arranged in the display screen is designated by the user, but the action setting unit 3123 applies the display target part to the designated 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 3123 sets “original size A3 button” as an action associated with the “original size A3 button” in advance. “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 3126 generates a display screen with the contents specified by the display target part specification in the part specification reception unit 3121, the layout instruction in the layout instruction reception unit 3122, and the action setting in the action setting unit 3123. Process. That is, when the user performs the display part specification in the part specification receiving unit 3121, the layout instruction in the layout instruction receiving unit 3122, and the action setting in the action setting unit 3123, the display screen generation process by the generation unit 3126 is performed. Thus, the display screen to be 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 3126 exports display screen data to a script file in XML format.

  The panel simulator unit 313 reads the display screen data composed of the above Script file exported by the panel creator unit 312 on the PC 31, analyzes the contents, and displays the HTML to enable display on the display provided in the PC 31. This is a tool for converting the data into the format data and displaying the HTML format display screen file on the browser on the PC 31.

  The output unit 314 outputs the screen data of the script file generated by the generation unit 3126 to the multifunction device 1 via the LAN or the like.

  The Script file storage unit 316 temporarily stores the screen data of the Script file generated by the panel creator unit 312.

  On the other hand, the multifunction machine 1 includes a controller 11, a storage unit 12, a platform 13, an extended application 15, 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 on which an API (Application Programming Interface) and an extended application 15 operate. The platform 13 is also responsible for relaying between the controller 11 and the API.

  The API is an interface for executing the basic function of the multi function device 1 executed by the controller 11 from other than the firmware. The API accesses the controller 11 in the firmware through the platform 13 and executes the basic function of the multifunction device 1. In order to execute, for example, the scanner function of the multifunction device 1, the extension application 15 calls the scanner function API.

  The extended application 15 is not a standard firmware installed in the multifunction machine 1 but an application that can be additionally installed later. The extended application 15 mainly includes a script interpreter 151, a business logic 152, a registration unit 153, and a model-dependent information storage unit 154.

Registration unit 153, the screen data of the Script file sent from the output unit 314 of the PC 31, and registered as display data on the display unit 50, memorize. 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. Further, the storage unit 12 may be in charge of the function as the registration unit 153.

  The model-dependent information storage unit 154 stores model-dependent information that is design information specific to the model of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen of the display unit 50. This model-dependent information is design information about each display target part constituting the display screen indicated by the screen data generated by the generation unit 3126. For example, the model-dependent information includes the color and size of the screen, the color and size of the display button, the size and color and type of the character font, etc. for each display target part constituting the display screen indicated by the generated screen data. When the screen data is analyzed by the Script Interpreter 151, the design of each display target part is specified and expanded according to the content indicated by the model-dependent information.

  The Script Interpreter (data conversion unit) 151 reads the Script file that is the display screen data registered by the registration unit 153 and analyzes the content. The Script Interpreter 151 includes an HTML conversion process for displaying the display screen on the display unit 50 for the Script file that is the display screen data, and an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen. To the Business Logic 152 for executing the process. At the time of this analysis, the Script Interpreter 151 expands the screen data generated by the PC 31 to the Business Logic 152 according to the model-dependent information set in the screen data. The Business Logic 152 passes the screen data subjected to the HTML conversion process for display to the browser 16 via the API as display data. In this embodiment, the Script Interpreter 151 displays the Script file that is the display screen data on the display unit 50 according to the model dependence information that is stored in the model dependence information storage unit 154 and conforms to the model of the MFP 1. Convert to a possible data format.

  The Business Logic (data conversion unit) 152 performs an action (multifunction device) based on information (information indicating an action associated with a display target part) that is expanded by the Script Interpreter 151 by the analysis of the Script file and passed from the Script Interpreter 151. 1 operation). That is, when a display target part such as an operation button displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 is operated by the user, the Business Logic 152 is based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 151. The action associated with the operated display target part is analyzed, and the scanner transmission API is called to execute the analyzed scanner function, for example.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD or the like, and stores an operation control program for operating as the controller 11, a display control program including a program of the extended application 15, a program of the browser 16, and the like. The CPU that is the central control unit of the multi-function device 1 functions as the controller 11, the extended application 15, the browser 16, and the like by operating according to each program stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 also stores a Script file that is the registered display screen data.

  The browser 16 is a Web browser, and causes the display unit 50 to display the Script file (display screen data transmitted from the PC 31) that has been subjected to HTML conversion processing by the Script Interpreter 151. 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 15, 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.

  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. When there is a pressing operation, an inquiry is made to the extended application 15. 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 15. The extended application 15 analyzes the action set for the button indicated by the button designation information (that is, the “easy scan” button 511).

  Note that, 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 15 is a display screen transition of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1, For example, the Script Interpreter 151 and the Business Logic 152 of the extended application 15 are stored in the registration unit 153 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 152 generates a control command for causing the MFP 1 to execute a display screen transition that is the analyzed action.

  Next, display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 312 of the PC 31 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 312. FIGS. 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 250. 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 browser 16. When the user presses, for example, the “Easy Scan” button 511 on the first display screen 51, the controller 11 receives the pressing operation and should execute the extension application 15 (Business Logic 152) based on the pressing operation. Queries the operation control. For example, when the extended application 15 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 “detail” button 522 is pressed, the Business Logic 152 is executed 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 152 displays the browser 16 Then, the display on the display unit 50 is changed to the detailed setting screen 53.

  For example, the extended application 15 (Script Interpreter 151 or the like) 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 browser 16.

  When the user performs generation processing of the display screen, for example, when an input of a display screen creation instruction is received by operating the operation unit (not shown) of the PC 31 (S1), the panel creator unit 312 is activated, The part designation receiving unit 3121 of the panel creator unit 312 displays the customization receiving screen 54 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display of the PC 31 (S2).

  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 specified by pressing the operation button or message display, the parts designation receiving unit 3121 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 the display unit 50 (S3). 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 A layout instruction for arranging the selected operation button or the like is received by the layout instruction receiving unit 3122 (S4).

  When the display instruction designation and the layout instruction are received by the layout instruction receiving unit 3122, the action setting unit 3123 performs an action corresponding to each display target part indicated by the received instruction (that is, each executed by the MFP 1). (Receiving execution instruction for operation) is read from the built-in storage area and set in association with each selected display target part (S4).

  For example, when the user designates the resolution “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 by designating the display part, the action setting unit 3123 sets the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 and the scanner unit 600 × 600 dpi 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 253 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 3123.

  In the processes from S2 to S4, 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 (S5).

  When the user finishes specifying and arranging the display target part (YES in S5), the generation unit 3126 generates screen data including the contents determined by the display target part specification, the layout instruction, and the action setting as a Script file. (S6). The screen data set with model-dependent information expressed in the Script file is transmitted to the multi function device 1 by the output unit 314 (S7).

After that, the panel simulator 313 reads the screen data composed of the script file, analyzes the contents, converts the data into HTML format so that it can be displayed on the display of the PC 31, and confirms the user's confirmation. For display on the display.

  Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. .

  When the screen data is generated by the PC 31 by the series of processes shown in FIG. 3 and the extended application 15 of the multifunction device 1 receives the generated screen data from the PC 31 via the platform 13, the screen data is registered. Registered in the unit 153 (S11).

  Here, in the multifunction device 1, when a screen transition instruction by the user is input to the browser 16 via an operation unit (not shown) (YES in S12), the controller 11 inquires the extended application 15 via the platform 13 or the like. (S13).

  Thus, the display process using the screen data in the multifunction machine 1 is performed when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user. The screen transition instruction includes an activation start instruction of the multifunction device 1 that is input to the browser 16 when the power switch of the multifunction device 1 is turned on. The screen transition control includes a non-display screen. Display control for displaying the start screen on the display unit 50 in the display state is also included.

  For example, when the controller 11 displays the workflow selection screen 52 on the display unit 50 (see FIG. 4B), for example, when the user presses the “introduction letter” button 521 by a touch panel function or the like, the controller 11 An inquiry (request for screen data to be displayed next) is made to the extended application 15 via the platform 13 or the like. That is, the controller 11 sends button designation information indicating that the “introduction letter” button 521 is designated by the user to the extended application 15 via the platform 13 or the like.

  Then, the Business Logic 152 analyzes the action set on the button indicated by the button designation information (here, “introduction letter” button 521) (S14). Assuming that the analyzed action is display screen control to a specific display screen, the Script Interpreter 151 displays a display screen that becomes a display screen after transition to the display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 until then. The screen data (Script file) is read from the registration unit 153 (S15).

  At this time, the Script Interpreter 151 reads the model-dependent information specific to the model of the MFP 1 from the model-dependent information storage unit 154, analyzes the screen data according to the model-dependent information, and displays the display screen on the display unit 50. An HTML conversion process for display and a business logic 152 expansion process for executing an action associated with a display target part such as an operation button arranged in the display screen are performed (S16).

  That is, the Script Interpreter 151 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, and the Script Interpreter 151 further includes the model-dependent information ( It is a component of the display screen according to the color and size of the screen indicated by the model-dependent information according to the model of the multifunction device 1, the color and size of the display button, the size, color, and type of the character font. Using screen templates, button templates, and character string data, character strings are applied to screens and buttons to configure the display screen indicated by the script file and associated with display target parts such as operation buttons arranged in the display screen. Expansion processing to Business Logic 152 for executing the action is performed.

  However, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model-dependent information, depending on the model of the MFP 1 that is the display destination of the screen data generated by the PC 31, the display target is displayed as the model-dependent information indicates. Display buttons that are parts may not be displayed. For this reason, the multifunction device 1 stores, for example, individual model information and design information such as the type and layout of display target parts that can be displayed by the model in the storage unit 12 or the like. Then, the Script Interpreter 151 of the multifunction device 1 refers to the individual model information and design information when analyzing the screen data according to the model-dependent information, and can display the display target part as indicated by the model-dependent information. Judge. If the Script Interpreter 151 determines that the display target part cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information, the Script Interpreter 151 expands the contents of the screen data according to the contents indicated by the individual model information and design information. For example, the Script Interpreter 151 is configured to display the display button and the display button according to the individual model information and design information of the multi-function device 1 when the character display is designated in the display button and the display button by the model-dependent information. If character display is impossible, the display button and the character display are converted to other display formats (list display, etc.) that can be displayed by the individual model information and design information, and the above The screen data generated by the PC 31 is expanded in the Business Logic 152.

  After the expansion process to the Business Logic 152, the browser 16 causes the display unit 50 to display a display screen indicated by the screen data as the display data (S17). As a result, the display screen to be transitioned from the previous display screen that has been displayed on the display unit 50 until then to the next processing screen is expanded by the Script Interpreter 151 according to the model-dependent information. The generated screen data is a display screen whose layout has been converted to the color and size of the screen, the color and size of the display button, the size, color, and type of the character font according to the model (model) of the MFP 1 Is displayed on the display unit 50. The browser 16 functions as a display control unit in claims.

  When any one of the display buttons on the detailed setting screen 53 shown in FIG. 4C is pressed by an operation using the touch panel function by the user while the display screen is displayed by the browser 16 (YES in S18). ) Based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 151 (information related to the action set for the display button indicated by the button designation information), the Business Logic 152 selects the action associated with the display button indicated by the button designation information. Analyze (S19). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 on the detailed setting screen 53 is pressed by the user, the Business Logic 152 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 to be performed by the scanner unit at 600 × 600 dpi during the scanning operation. It is analyzed based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 151 that it is an input of an execution instruction for an operation for reading a document at a resolution of.

  Subsequently, in order to execute the analyzed function, the Business Logic 152 calls an API (control command) corresponding to the function and sends the API to the controller 11 via the platform 13 or the like (S20). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 is pressed by the user while the detailed setting screen 53 is being displayed, the Business Logic 152 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 151, 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 152 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 receives the API via the platform 13, and executes the instructed operation according to the received API (S21). 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 152 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 S19 is a display screen transition, the same processing as S15 to S17 is performed.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the internal configuration of the server computer SV2, the PCs 31 to 34, and the multifunction machine 1, which is necessary for screen data generation processing and display processing. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a configuration necessary for display screen generation processing and display processing for the PC and the multifunction peripheral 1. As in the first embodiment, the configuration required for the display screen generation processing is the same in the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34, and therefore the configuration of the PC 31 is shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one of the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34 has the following configuration. Further, in the case where only the names are shown for the respective parts in the PC 31 and the multifunction peripheral 1 and the functions and operations are not particularly described, the respective parts perform the same functions or operations as in the first embodiment.

  The PC 31 includes an extended application 20, a storage unit 22, a control unit 25, and a storage unit 28.

  The storage unit 28 is composed of an HDD or the like, and includes a program for the panel creator unit 250 that performs processing for generating a display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1, an overall operation control program for the PC 31, and a program for the extended application 20. Etc. are stored.

  The control unit 25 includes a CPU and the like, and controls the overall operation of the PC 31 and functions as the panel creator unit 250 and the panel simulator unit 26 by operating according to the program stored in the storage unit 28. .

  The panel creator 250 further includes a model-dependent information acquisition unit 255 in the same configuration as the panel creator 312 in the first embodiment.

  The model-dependent information acquisition unit 255 uses design information corresponding to the model of the MFP 1 that is the display destination of each display target part constituting the display screen indicated by the screen data generated by the generation unit 254. Certain model-dependent information is acquired from the MFP 1 that is the display screen display destination. When a display screen is displayed on the display unit 50 in the MFP 1 connected to the PC 31 via the network, the MFP 1 displays the screen data of the display screen to be displayed on the display unit 50 on the PC 31. Along with the transmission request, model dependent information unique to the multifunction machine 1 is transmitted to the PC 31. When the model-dependent information acquisition unit 255 of the PC 31 acquires the transmission request for the screen data and the model-dependent information from the multi-function device 1, the model-dependent information is acquired by the Script Interpreter 23 when the Script Interpreter 23 analyzes and expands the screen data. To pass.

  The panel simulator unit 26 has the same configuration as the panel simulator unit 313 in the first embodiment.

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

  The communication unit 21 (an example of a reception unit and an output unit) transmits and receives screen data, control commands, button designation information, and the like stored in the Script file storage unit 22 to and from the multifunction device 1.

  The Script file storage unit 22 stores screen data of the Script file generated by the panel creator unit 250.

  The Script Interpreter (data conversion unit) 23 analyzes the screen data stored in the Script file storage unit 22 and is a data format (in this embodiment) that can be displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 of the multi-function device 1. Data conversion processing to be converted into (HTML format) and expansion processing to Business Logic 24 for executing actions associated with display target parts such as operation buttons arranged in the display screen. Also in this embodiment, the Script Interpreter 23 uses the model-dependent information acquired from the MFP 1 by the model-dependent information acquisition unit 255 (model-dependent information suitable for the model of the MFP 1). Thus, the data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit 50.

  The Business Logic 24 transmits the data subjected to the HTML conversion process for display to the platform 13 of the multifunction machine 1 through 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, the Business Logic 24 designates which display target part is specified when a display target part such as an operation button displayed on the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 by the browser 16 of the multifunction device 1 is specified by the user. Takano button designation information is acquired from the multifunction device 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. 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.

  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.

  Further, the platform 13 acquires display data (data after HTML conversion processing by the Script Interpreter 23) and various instructions from the PC 31 via a LAN or the like. In the present embodiment, when the display screen is displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1, the controller 11 displays the display screen to be displayed on the display unit 50 to the PC 31 via the platform 13. Along with the data transmission request, the model-dependent information unique to the MFP 1 is read from the model-dependent information storage unit 121 and transmitted to the PC 31, and the display data corresponding to the transmission request and the model-dependent information (data after HTML conversion) Is received from the PC 31.

  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, in order to enable transition of the display screen of the display unit 50 in the multifunction device 1 to the workflow selection screen 52 shown in FIG. 4B, the Script Interpreter 23 and the Business Logic 24 of the extended application 20 include the Script file storage unit 22. Analysis of screen data consisting of Script files stored in and data conversion 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 that is the central control unit of the multifunction device 1 operates as the controller 11, the browser 16, and the like by operating according to each program stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 includes a model-dependent information storage unit 121.

  The mediation application 14 performs an intermediary process for enabling the browser 16 to process the script file (display data) on which the platform 13 has received the HTML conversion process received 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 of the PC 31, and during display of the display screen. An instruction input operation from the user is accepted through the touch panel function of the display unit 50.

  The display screen generation process by the panel creator unit 250 of the PC 31 in the image forming system 10 ′ according to the second embodiment is the same as the display screen generation process by the panel creator unit 312 of the PC 31 in the image forming system 10 according to the first embodiment. It is the same.

  Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of display processing on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 for the display screen generated by the PC 31, and operation execution control of the multifunction device 1 based on an operation execution instruction from the user. .

  When the screen data is generated by the PC 31 by the series of processes shown in FIG. 3, the screen data including the script file is registered and stored in the script file storage unit 22 in the PC 31 (S110).

  Here, in the multifunction device 1, when a screen transition instruction from the user is input to the browser 16 via an operation unit (not shown) (YES in F 1), the controller 11 causes the extended application 20 of the PC 31 via the platform 13 or the like. (F2). Thus, the display process using the screen data in the PC 31 is performed when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user. The screen transition instruction includes an activation start instruction of the multifunction device 1 that is input to the browser 16 when the power switch of the multifunction device 1 is turned on. The screen transition control includes a non-display screen. Display control for displaying the start screen on the display unit 50 in the display state is also included.

  For example, when the controller 11 displays the workflow selection screen 52 on the display unit 50 (see FIG. 4B), for example, when the user presses the “details” button 522 by a touch panel function or the like, the controller 11 An inquiry (transmission request for screen data to be displayed next) is made to the extended application 20 of the PC 31 via 13 or the like. That is, the controller 11 stores the model dependence stored in the button designation information and model dependence information storage unit 121 indicating that the user has designated the “details” button 522 to the extended application 20 of the PC 31 via the platform 13 or the like. Information is transmitted (F2).

  In the PC 31, when the communication unit 21 receives the button designation information and the model-dependent information (S 120), the Business Logic 24 displays the action set in the button indicated by the button designation information (here, “Details” button 522). Analysis is performed (S130). 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. The screen data (Script file) of the display screen is read from the Script file storage unit 22 (S140), and the Script Interpreter 23 analyzes the screen data according to the received model-dependent information and displays the display screen on the display unit 50. HTML conversion processing for this purpose and development processing to Business Logic 24 for executing actions associated with display target parts such as operation buttons arranged in the display screen are performed (S150). Analysis processing and expansion processing according to the model-dependent information are the same as those in the first embodiment. Here, the button designation information functions as a display data transmission request from the multifunction device 1. In addition, the display data after HTML conversion corresponds to the model (model) of the MFP 1 that has transmitted the display data transmission request by analysis, data conversion, and expansion processing by the Script Interpreter 23 according to the model-dependent information. Layout. Similar to the first embodiment, the Script Interpreter 23 displays the individual model information and design information of the multifunction device 1 when, for example, the display button and the character display are specified in the display button by the model-dependent information. Therefore, if the display button and the character display are impossible, the display button and the character are displayed in another display format (list display etc.) that can be displayed by the individual model information and design information. The display is converted and the generated screen data is developed in Business Logic 24. In this case, the above expansion may be performed by transmitting only the model code as model-dependent information from the multi-function device 1 to the PC 31 and preliminarily having a correspondence table between the model code and the display capability in the PC 31 to be analyzed. .

  Subsequently, the Business Logic 24 transmits the Script file after the HTML conversion processing obtained from the Script Interpreter 23 as display data that can be displayed on the display unit 50 from the communication unit 21 to the platform 13 of the multifunction device 1. (S160).

  In the MFP 1, when the platform 13 receives the display data (F3), the browser 16 displays the received display data on the display unit 50 (F4). As a result, the display screen generated by the panel creator unit 250 of the PC 31 (for example, as shown in FIG. 4C) as the display screen to be changed next from the previous display screen displayed on the display unit 50 until then. A detailed setting screen 53) 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 detailed setting screen 53 shown in FIG. 4C is pressed by the user using the touch panel function while the display screen is displayed by the browser 16 (YES in F5). ), Button designation information indicating the pressed display button is sent from the browser 16 to the Business Logic 24 of the PC 31 via the platform 13 and the communication unit 21 (F6). The display process using the screen data in the PC 31 is performed, for example, when the screen transition process is performed as an action performed based on the operation by the user.

  In the PC 31, the Business Logic 24 performs an action 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). Is analyzed (S170). For example, when the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 on the detailed setting screen 53 is pressed by the user, the Business Logic 24 causes the functional operation corresponding to the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541 to be performed on the scanner unit at the time of the scanning operation. It is analyzed based on the information passed from the Script Interpreter 23 that an instruction to execute an operation for reading an original with a resolution of 1 is input.

  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. (S180). 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 (F7). 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 S170 is a display screen transition, the same processing as S130 to S160 and F3 to F5 is performed.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the PC 31 or the server computer SV2 is provided with the panel creator unit 25, the storage unit 22, and the extended application 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the PC 31 is provided with a panel creator 25, and the server computer SV2 is provided with a storage unit 22 and an extended application 20, and the screen data generated by the panel creator 25 of the PC 31 is converted by the extended application 20 of the server computer SV2. It is very good to configure to generate display data.

  In the above embodiment, the display screen generated by the PC 31 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. The present invention can also be applied to display on the display unit of other electric devices.

  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.

1 MFP 10, 10 'Image forming system 31 PC
11 Controller 12 Storage 14 Intermediary Application 16 Browser 15, 20 Extended Application 22 Script File Storage 121 Model Dependent Information Storage 151, 23 Script Interpreter
152, 24 Business Logic
312 and 250 Panel creator units 3121 and 251 Part designation receiving units 3122 and 252 Layout instruction receiving units 3123 and 253 Action setting units 3126 and 254 Generation unit 255 Model-dependent information acquisition unit SV2 Server computer

Claims (8)

An image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 setting unit, wherein the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, connected to the information processing apparatus having a generation unit for generating a common data format for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that And the screen data generating unit,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data generated by the generation unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the screen data from the information processing apparatus;
A model-dependent information storage unit that stores model-dependent information that is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part that constitutes the display screen;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the image forming apparatus and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
The screen data desired to be displayed acquired by the data acquisition unit is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the model dependency information stored in the model dependency information storage unit. If the display target part cannot be displayed as indicated by the model dependent information depending on the model of the image forming apparatus, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model dependent information, the design is performed. A data conversion unit that expands the content of the screen data in accordance with the content indicated by the model information and design information stored in the information storage unit ;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data converted by the data conversion unit. An image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 setting unit, wherein the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, connected to the information processing apparatus having a generation unit for generating a common data format for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that And the screen data generating unit,
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A model-dependent information acquisition unit that acquires model-dependent information, which is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen, from the image forming apparatus that displays the display screen;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the image forming apparatus and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
An image forming apparatus that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit In accordance with the model-dependent information, the read screen data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit . At this time, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model-dependent information, the image forming apparatus When the part to be displayed cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information depending on the model, the contents of the screen data are expanded according to the contents indicated by the model information and design information stored in the design information storage unit. A data converter,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the display data from the information processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit configured to display a display screen indicated by the display data on the display unit using the display data acquired by the data acquisition unit.   The information processing apparatus includes a first information processing apparatus including the screen data generation unit, a second information processing apparatus including the storage unit, the model-dependent information acquisition unit, the data conversion unit, and the screen data transmission unit. The image forming system according to claim 2. An information processing apparatus that performs processing for creating screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of 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 setting unit, wherein the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, connected to the information processing apparatus a generation unit for generating a common data format for each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that, the A screen having a model-dependent information acquisition unit that acquires model-dependent information, which is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen, from the image forming apparatus that displays the display screen A data generator;
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the image forming apparatus and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
An image forming apparatus that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit In accordance with the model-dependent information, the read screen data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit . At this time, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model-dependent information, the image forming apparatus When the part to be displayed cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information depending on the model, the contents of the screen data are expanded according to the contents indicated by the model information and design information stored in the design information storage unit. A data converter,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a screen data transmission unit that transmits screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, comprising: a first information processing apparatus including the screen data generation unit; and a second information processing apparatus including the storage unit, the data conversion unit, and the screen data transmission unit. A screen data management program for causing a computer to function so as to generate and manage screen data to be displayed on a display unit provided in an electrical device,
The computer
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 and parts, the display object parts selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the screen data that the user desires to display on said display screen contents are defined in the configuration by the action setting section, a plurality of which are connected to the computer a generation unit for generating a common data format for each electrical device, the display screen The model-dependent information which is model-specific design information of the electrical device for each display object parts constituting a screen data generating unit and a model-dependent information acquisition unit for acquiring from the electrical equipment to which the display the display screen,
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A design information storage unit storing design information including model information of the electrical equipment and types and layouts of display target parts that can be displayed by the model;
A model of an electric device that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the electric device from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit According to the dependency information, the read screen data is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit . At this time, even if the layout of the display target part is specified by the model dependency information, depending on the model of the electric device A data converter that expands the contents of the screen data in accordance with the contents indicated by the model information and the design information stored in the design information storage section when the display target part cannot be displayed as indicated by the model-dependent information When,
A screen data management program that functions as a screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit as display data to the electric device. An image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 Screen data that the user desires to display on the display screen is connected to the information processing apparatus with the content determined by the setting unit, the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the setting by the action setting unit. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that generate data in a common data format. And the screen data generating unit,
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data generated by the generation unit to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the screen data from the information processing apparatus;
A model-dependent information storage unit that stores model-dependent information that is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part that constitutes the display screen;
Screen data desired to be displayed acquired by the data acquisition unit is converted into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the model dependency information stored in the model dependency information storage unit. A data converter,
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data converted by the data conversion unit. An image forming system having an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
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 Screen data that the user desires to display on the display screen is connected to the information processing apparatus with the content determined by the setting unit, the display target part selection instruction, the layout instruction, and the setting by the action setting unit. A plurality of image forming apparatuses that generate data in a common data format. And the screen data generating unit,
A storage unit for storing the screen data generated by the generation unit;
A model-dependent information acquisition unit that acquires model-dependent information, which is model-specific design information of the image forming apparatus for each display target part constituting the display screen, from the image forming apparatus that displays the display screen;
An image forming apparatus that reads and analyzes screen data desired to be displayed on a display screen to be displayed on the image forming apparatus from the storage unit and displays the display screen acquired by the model-dependent information acquisition unit A data conversion unit that converts the read screen data into a data format that can be displayed on the display unit, according to the model-dependent information;
A screen data transmission unit that transmits the screen data converted by the data conversion unit to the image forming apparatus as display data;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A display unit for displaying the display screen;
A data acquisition unit for acquiring the display data from the information processing apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a display screen indicated by the display data using the display data acquired by the data acquisition unit.

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