JP5387221B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program, and more particularly, to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program having a program execution environment.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, application platforms (application execution environments) equipped with public APIs are mounted on image forming apparatuses called mainly multifunction peripherals or multifunction peripherals. Therefore, an application developed by a third vendor other than the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus can also be used on the image forming apparatus.

  It is desirable that the API provided by such an application platform is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus. That is, it is desirable that the application platform A on the model A and the application platform B on the model B have the same API. This is because, by sharing the API, applications that operate using the API can ensure compatibility with different models.

  However, it may be unavoidable that a difference in hardware configuration between models appears as a difference in API (incompatible part of API). In particular, the difference in the configuration of the operation panel has a great influence on the API. This is because the display elements that can be displayed may differ depending on the difference in display capability of the liquid crystal panel included in the operation panel.

  Therefore, when an application platform is mounted (ported) on an image forming apparatus whose operation panel configuration (mainly the display capability of the liquid crystal panel) is significantly different from that of the conventional one, the application running on the conventional application platform is also non-existent. Porting work for compatible parts or work for recreating a new application is required.

  With regard to such application and application platform development work, depending on the relationship between the release time and the development period, application development and testing may be performed prior to or in parallel with the development of the application platform.

  In such a case, conventionally, an application has been developed using a program called a stub that imitates the behavior of the application platform.

  However, the stub is a superficial imitation of the actual application platform behavior for all APIs. Therefore, the processing executed by the stub is different from the actual application platform even for the compatible part between the conventional application platform and the new application platform. When an application is developed using such a stub, unexpected problems often occur at the evaluation (testing) stage of the application on the actual application platform, resulting in a problem that the development efficiency is lowered. there were.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of improving the efficiency of program development when the program execution environment is not prepared The purpose is to provide.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, the present invention is an information processing apparatus corresponding to a second image forming apparatus having a second operation panel of a type different from the first operation panel included in the information processing apparatus. The program provides the same interface as the control interface of the second operation panel provided to the program by the second image forming apparatus, and the first operation panel is provided in response to the call of the interface. Wrapper means for executing control on the configuration information, and the wrapper means stores configuration information for each type of the operation panel, and the first type information of the first operation panel as the information processing Device information acquisition means for acquiring from the device, and application information acquisition means for acquiring second type information of the second operation panel corresponding to the program A difference determination unit that acquires the configuration information related to the first type information and the configuration information related to the second type information from the configuration information storage unit, and determines a difference between the acquired configuration information; And difference display control means for displaying the constituent elements included in the difference in the display area of the first operation panel.

  In such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to improve the efficiency of program development work when the program execution environment is not prepared.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of program development work when the program execution environment is not prepared.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the operation panel in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the SDK platform after transplanting to a different model. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the display control by the application C on the SDK platform after a transplant. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the input control by the application C on the SDK platform after a transplant. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the application C and the SDK platform before a transplant. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the wrapper module in this Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of display control processing using a wrapper module by application C. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the display request process of a window by a wrapper module. It is a figure which shows the example of panel structure information. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation panel by which the difference with the operation panel of a different model was displayed in the liquid crystal panel. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the input control by the application C via a wrapper module. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a dynamic determination by a wrapper module of a difference between an operation panel supported by an SDK application and an operation panel included in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example when an application C is operated on a PC having an emulator of the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and an SD card slot 17.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 records programs and various data used by the programs.

  The scanner 12 is hardware for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from a user, and display means (display area) such as a liquid crystal panel. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 17 is used for reading a program recorded on the SD card 80. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the program recorded in the ROM 113 but also the program recorded in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a standard application 121, an SDK application 122, an SDK platform 123, a control service 124, an OS 125, and the like.

  The standard application 121 is a set of applications that are mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 in a standard manner (in advance at the time of shipment). In the figure, a scan application 1211, a print application 1212, a copy application 1213, and a FAX application 1214 are illustrated. The scan application 1211 executes a scan job. The print application 1212 executes a print job. The copy application 1213 executes a copy job. The FAX application 1214 executes a FAX transmission job or reception job.

  The control service 124 is a software module group that provides a function for controlling various hardware resources and the like to a higher-level application. For example, a function related to network communication, a scanner control function, a printer control function, a memory Management function.

  The SDK application 122 is an application that is additionally installed as a plug-in for expanding the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 after the image forming apparatus 10 is shipped. In the figure, as the SDK application 122, an application A1221, an application B1222, an application C1223, and a wrapper module 1224 are illustrated. The positioning of each SDK application 122 in the present embodiment will be described later.

  The SDK platform 123 is an application platform (program execution means) for the SDK application 122 that provides an execution environment for the SDK application 122. Each SDK application 122 is developed using an API (Application Program Interface) provided by the SDK platform 123. The API of the SDK platform 123 is open to the public, and the SDK application 122 can be developed by a third vendor or the like. Specifically, the API is a set of functions or methods. In a broad sense, the API includes a mechanism for notifying the SDK application 122 of events that occur asynchronously in the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the figure, the SDK platform 123 includes a scan service unit 1231, a print service unit 1232, a panel service unit 1233, and the like. The scan service unit 1231 provides the SDK application 122 with an interface (API) for performing control related to the scan function of the image forming apparatus 10. The print service unit 1232 provides the SDK application 122 with an interface for performing control related to the print function of the image forming apparatus 10. The panel service unit 1233 provides the SDK application 122 with an interface for performing control related to the operation panel 15. Actually, various other interfaces are also provided by the SDK platform 123, but the description thereof is omitted in this embodiment for convenience.

  The OS 125 is a so-called OS (Operating System). Each software on the image forming apparatus 10 operates as a process or thread on the OS 125.

  The positioning of each SDK application 122 illustrated in FIG. 2 will be described. As a premise, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 in the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus belonging to a specific model. The application A 1221 and the application B 1222 are examples of the SDK application 122 developed corresponding to the model to which the image forming apparatus 10 belongs (the SDK platform 123 for the model to which the image forming apparatus 10 belongs). On the other hand, the application C 1223 is an example of the SDK application 122 under development corresponding to the SDK platform of the image forming apparatus 20 (illustrated later) of a model different from that of the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the application C 1223 does not indicate one specific SDK application 122 but indicates the entire SDK application 122 under development.

  In the present embodiment, an incompatible portion exists between the SDK platform APIs of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20. The wrapper module 1224 is a program module for absorbing the incompatible part. In other words, the wrapper module 1224 provides the application C 1223 with the same API as the API provided by the SDK platform of the image forming apparatus 20 for the incompatible part.

  In the present embodiment, the incompatible part is a part related to control of the operation panel. That is, the operation panel 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 and the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20 have different configurations (types).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the operation panel in the present embodiment. In the drawing, the upper side shows the operation panel 15 of the image forming apparatus 10, and the lower side shows the operation panel 25 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The operation panel 15 includes a liquid crystal panel 151, a numeric keypad 152, a start key 153, a clear key 154, and the like. The liquid crystal panel 151 is a display area on the operation panel 15. The resolution of the liquid crystal panel 151 is, for example, about WVGA, and has a capability of displaying various GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces). The liquid crystal panel 151 includes a touch panel. Therefore, various operation screens including display elements that can be operated via the touch panel can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 151. The numeric keypad 152 is a so-called numeric keypad. The start key 153 is a button for receiving a job execution start instruction. The clear key 154 is a button for accepting a job interruption instruction or the like.

  On the other hand, the operation panel 25 includes various components (buttons and the like) indicated by e1 to e14 in addition to the liquid crystal panel 251, the numeric keypad 252, the start key 253, and the clear key 254. The operation panel 25 has more hardware components than the operation panel 15 due to the performance of the liquid crystal panel 251. That is, the liquid crystal panel 251 does not include a touch panel. Further, the liquid crystal panel 251 has a display capability capable of displaying character strings and the like for four lines, and the display elements that can be displayed are limited to predetermined buttons and character strings. Therefore, the operation panel 25 has components indicated by e1 to e14 as a user interface for setting various operation modes and the like. The uses and functions of the numeric keypad 252, the start key 253, and the clear key 254 are the same as those of the numeric keypad 152, the start key 153, and the clear key 154 of the operation panel 151. Further, the performance (display capability, presence / absence of touch panel, etc.) of the liquid crystal panel 151 and the liquid crystal panel 251 in this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the application range of the present invention. The liquid crystal panel 151 only needs to have a display capability that allows the entire operation panel 25 or a portion of the operation panel 25 other than the common portion with the operation panel 15 to be reproduced in a software (virtual) manner.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the SDK platform 123 is transplanted to the image forming apparatus 20. The SDK platform 123 after transplantation has a configuration as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the SDK platform after porting to a different model. As shown in the figure, the SDK platform 223 in the image forming apparatus 20 is scheduled to include a scan service unit 2231, a print service unit 2232, a 4-line panel service unit 2233, and the like. The scan service unit 2231 provides the application C 1223 with an interface (API) for performing control related to the scan function of the image forming apparatus 20. The print service unit 2232 provides the application C 1223 with an interface for performing control related to the print function of the image forming apparatus 20. The 4-line panel service unit 2233 provides the application C1223 with an interface for performing control related to the operation panel 25.

  The image forming apparatus 20 does not necessarily have to be a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions. For example, a device that realizes a single function such as a printer or a scanner may be used. In this case, the SDK platform 223 only needs to include either the scan service unit 2231 or the print service unit 2232. The same applies to the image forming apparatus 10 that does not have to be a multifunction peripheral.

  A description will be given of how the application C 1223 executes the display control process and the input control process on the SDK platform 223 when the porting of the SDK platform 223 is completed.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining a display control processing procedure by the application C on the post-transplant SDK platform. The steps in the sequence of the figure are simplified for convenience.

  In step S 101, the application C 1223 requests the 4-line panel service unit 2233 to create a window. In the window creation request, attribute information (size, etc.) of the window is also specified. The 4-line panel service unit 2233 creates a window in response to the request (S102). Strictly speaking, window management data is created in the memory. Therefore, no display is performed at this stage. The 4-line panel service unit 2233 returns the created window identifier (window ID) to the application C1223 (S103).

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 requests the 4-line panel service unit 2233 to create a display element (display component such as a button) (S104). In the display element creation request, attribute information (size, etc.) of the display element is also specified. The 4-line panel service unit 2233 creates a display element in response to the request (S105). Strictly speaking, the management data of the display element is created in the memory. The 4-line panel service unit 2233 returns the created display element identifier (element ID) to the application C1223 (S106). In addition, when displaying a display element, the process similar to step S104-S106 is repeated (S107-S109).

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 specifies the window ID and the element ID, and requests the 4-line panel service unit 2233 to register the display element for the window (S110). The 4-line panel service unit 2233 registers (associates) the display element corresponding to the specified element ID with respect to the window corresponding to the specified window ID (S111). The 4-line panel service unit 2233 returns the execution result of the display element registration processing to the application C 1223 (S112).

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 designates the window ID and requests the 4-line panel service unit 2233 to display the window (S113). The 4-line panel service unit 2233 displays the window on the liquid crystal panel 251 based on the management data of the window corresponding to the designated window ID and the management data of the display element registered in the window (S114). As a result, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 251. Subsequently, the 4-row panel service unit 2233 returns the processing result of the window display process to the application C1223 (S115).

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the input control by the application C on the post-transplant SDK platform.

  When any hard key on the operation panel 25 is pressed by the user, a hard key pressing event (hard key pressing notification information) is notified to the 4-line panel service unit 2233 of the SDK platform 223 (S201). ). The event includes the identifier of the pressed hard key. Note that the hard key is an operable component among the hardware components. The 4-row panel service unit 2233 notifies the event to the application C1223 that currently occupies the liquid crystal panel 251 (S202). Subsequently, the application C 1223 executes processing corresponding to the pressed hard key (S202), and calls the SDK platform 223 as necessary (S203). For example, when changing the display content of the liquid crystal panel 25, the 4-line panel service unit 2233 is called. In this case, the process of FIG. 5 is executed. Alternatively, when setting scan conditions, the scan service unit 2231 is called.

  5 and 6, an arrow between the application C 1223 and the 4-row panel service unit 2233 or the SDK platform 223 indicates an interface provided by the SDK platform 223.

  In the SDK platform 223, the scan service unit 2231 and the print service unit 2232 have a common interface with the scan service unit 1231 or the print service unit 1232 in the SDK platform 123 of the image forming apparatus 10. On the other hand, the interface of the 4-line panel service unit 2233 is different from the interface of the panel service unit 1233 due to the influence of the difference in configuration between the operation panel 15 and the operation panel 25. That is, in the SDK platform 223, the interface of the 4-line panel service unit 2233 corresponds to an incompatible part with the SDK platform 123. Therefore, the wrapper module 1224 absorbs the incompatible part. That is, the wrapper module 1224 provides the interface of the 4-line panel service unit 2233 to the application C 1223 on the image forming apparatus 10 (on the SDK platform 123) on which the panel service unit 1233 is mounted. Therefore, the application C 1223 developed in correspondence with the SDK platform 223 uses the SDK platform 123 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the application C and the SDK platform before porting. As shown in the figure, the application C 1223 can directly call the scan service unit 1231 and the print service unit 1232. This is because the interface of the scan service unit 1231 and the print service unit 1232 is shared with the interface of the scan service unit 2231 or the print service unit 2232. On the other hand, the application C 1223 cannot be called directly by the panel service unit 1233. This is because the application C 1223 is mounted so as to call the four-row panel service unit 2233. Therefore, the application C 1223 calls the wrapper module 1224 that provides the same interface as the 4-row panel service unit 2233. The wrapper module 1224 converts the request from the application C 1223 into a request for the panel service unit 1233 and calls the panel service unit 1233. The panel service unit 1233 executes display control for the liquid crystal panel 151 in response to a request from the wrapper module 1224. Thereby, the display content requested by the application C 1223 is realized on the liquid crystal panel 151.

  Note that the dotted line attached to the 4-row panel service unit 2233 in FIG. 4 and the dotted line attached to the wrapper module 1224 in FIG.

  Next, the wrapper module 1224 will be described in detail. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wrapper module in the present embodiment.

  In the figure, a wrapper module 1224 includes an operation screen display unit 1224a, an event processing unit 1224b, a difference display unit 1224c, a difference determination unit 1224d, a device information acquisition unit 1224e, an application information acquisition unit 1224f, a panel configuration information storage unit 1224g, and the like. Have

  The operation screen display unit 1224a and the event processing unit 1224b are portions that provide an interface of the four-row panel service unit 2233 to the application C1223. The operation screen display unit 1224a provides an interface related to display control. The event processing unit 1224b provides an interface related to notification of an event corresponding to an input.

  The difference display unit 1224c performs display control of a difference (difference portion) between the operation panel 15 and the operation panel 25. Specifically, hard keys that the operation panel 25 has and the operation panel 15 does not have are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 151 in software. Therefore, some of the hard keys of the operation panel 25 are displayed on the operation panel 15 by the difference display unit 1224c. The difference determination unit 1224d operates the wrapper module 1224 based on information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 1224e, information acquired by the application information acquisition unit 1224f, and information recorded in the panel configuration information storage unit 1224g. The difference between the operation panel (operation panel 15) of the device (image forming apparatus 10) that is being operated and the operation panel (operation panel 25) supported by the application C1223 is determined. The panel configuration information storage unit 1224g is a storage area (for example, a file) that stores operation panel configuration information for each type of operation panel in the HDD 114. The apparatus information acquisition unit 1224e dynamically acquires information (type information) indicating the type of the operation panel 15 from the image forming apparatus 10 on which the wrapper module 1224 operates. The application information acquisition unit 1224f acquires the type information of the operation panel corresponding to the application C1223 that is to display the operation screen using the wrapper module 1224.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure when the application C1223 is operated on the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the display control process using the wrapper module by the application C. In the figure, the exchange between the application C 1223 and the wrapper module 1224 is the same as the exchange between the application C 1223 and the 4-line panel service unit 2233 in FIG.

  In step S301, the application C 1223 requests the operation screen display unit 1224a of the wrapper module 1224 to create a window. The operation screen display unit 1224a inputs a window creation request to the panel service unit 1233 according to the interface of the panel service unit 1233 (S302). The panel service unit 1233 creates a window in response to the request (S303). Strictly speaking, window management data is created in the memory. Therefore, no display is performed at this stage. The panel service unit 1233 returns the created window identifier (window ID) to the operation screen display unit 1224a (S304). Subsequently, the operation screen display unit 1224a returns the window ID to the application C1223 (S305). However, when the data format of the window ID related to the interface of the 4-line panel service unit 2233 and the window ID related to the interface of the panel service unit 1233 are different or the ID system is different, the operation screen display unit 1224a Conversion for absorbing such differences is executed, and the window ID after conversion is returned to the application C1223. Such conversion can also be executed for an element ID described later.

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 requests the operation screen display unit 1224a to create a display element (S306). When the display element corresponds to the display element provided by the panel service unit 1233 on a one-to-one basis, the operation screen display unit 1224a inputs a display element creation request to the panel service unit 1233 according to the interface of the panel service unit 1233. (S307). The panel service unit 1233 creates a display element in response to the request (S308). Strictly speaking, the management data of the display element is created in the memory. The panel service unit 1233 returns the created display element identifier (display element ID) to the operation screen display unit 1224a (S309). Subsequently, the operation screen display unit 1224a returns the display element ID to the application C1223 (S310).

  Further, when it is necessary to display a display element, the application C 1223 requests the operation screen display unit 1224a to create the display element (S311). When the display element does not correspond to the display element provided by the panel service unit 1233 on a one-to-one basis, the operation screen display unit 1224a displays the display element or a display element that represents the display element in a pseudo manner. Calls a plurality of interfaces of the panel service unit 1233. In FIG. 9, the operation screen display unit 1224a requests the panel service unit 1233 to create a display element in steps S312 and S315. The panel service unit 1233 creates display elements (display element management data) in response to each request (S313, S316), and returns the element ID of each display element to the operation screen display unit 1224a (S314, S317). That is, in this example, the case where one display element requested from the application C 1223 can be configured with two display elements in the panel service unit 1233 is shown.

  Subsequently, the operation screen display unit 1224a generates one element ID for the two element IDs returned from the panel service unit 1233, and returns the generated element ID to the application C1223 (S318). Note that the wrapper module 1224 records the two element IDs returned from the panel service unit 1233 and the one element ID generated for the two element IDs in the RAM 112 in association with each other.

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 specifies the window ID and element ID returned from the operation screen display unit 1224a, and requests the operation screen display unit 1224a to register the display element for the window (S110). The operation screen display unit 1224a converts the window ID and element ID as necessary, specifies the converted window ID and element ID, and requests the panel service unit 1233 to register the display element for the window (S320). ). In the present embodiment, at least the element ID returned to the application C1223 in step S318 is converted into two element IDs associated with the element ID and recorded in the RAM 112.

  Subsequently, the panel service unit 1233 registers (associates) the display element corresponding to the specified element ID with respect to the window corresponding to the specified window ID (S321). The panel service unit 1233 returns the execution result of the display element registration process to the operation screen display unit 1224a (S322). The operation screen display unit 1224a returns the execution result to the application C1223 (S323). If the data type or the like of the data indicating the execution result is different between the interface of the panel service unit 1233 and the interface of the 4-line panel service unit 2233, the operation screen display unit 1224a converts the difference to absorb such a difference. I do. This also applies to step S328 described later.

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 specifies the window ID and requests the operation screen display unit 1224a to display the window (S324). The operation screen display unit 1224a converts the window ID as necessary, specifies the converted window ID, and requests the panel service unit 1233 to display the window (S324). Subsequently, the application C 1223 designates the window ID and requests the 4-line panel service unit 2233 to display the window (S325). The panel service unit 1233 displays the window on the liquid crystal panel 151 based on the window management data corresponding to the specified window ID and the display element management data registered in the window (S326). Subsequently, the panel service unit 1233 returns the processing result of the window display process to the operation screen display unit 1224a (S327). The operation screen display unit 1224a returns the processing result of the window display process to the application C1223 (S328).

  Next, details of step S325 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the window display request processing by the wrapper module.

  In response to the window display request from the application C1223, the operation screen display unit 1224a determines whether the difference between the operation panel 15 and the operation panel (operation panel 25) supported by the application C1223 is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 151. Is determined (S401). The determination may be performed by confirming the display state of the liquid crystal panel 151, or may be performed with reference to a flag variable for managing whether or not the difference is being displayed.

  When the difference is not being displayed (No in S401), the apparatus information acquisition unit 1224e displays the type information (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus side type information”) of the operation panel 15 provided in the image forming apparatus 10 via the SDK platform 123. .) Is acquired (S402). For example, an identifier such as “WVGA” is acquired as the device-side type information. The device type information is recorded in the ROM 113 or HDD 114 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Subsequently, the application information acquisition unit 1224f acquires type information (hereinafter, referred to as “application-side type information”) of the operation panel 25 supported by the window display request source application C1223 (S403). For example, an identifier such as “4LINES” is acquired as the application-side type information. Note that the application-side type information is acquired from the attribute information file of the application C 1223 that is associated with the application C 1223 and recorded in the SD card 80 or the HDD 114. Alternatively, it may be acquired by dynamically inquiring to the application C1223.

  Subsequently, the difference determination unit 1224d determines the difference between the operation panel 15 and the operation panel 25 based on the device side type information, the application side type information, and the panel configuration information recorded in the panel configuration information storage unit 1224g. (S404).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of panel configuration information. As shown in the figure, in the panel configuration information, configuration information is recorded for each type of operation panel (panel type). As the configuration information, an identifier is recorded for each component. For example, an operation panel having a panel type “WVGA” has hard keys such as WVGA, START, CLEAR, 1, 2, 3, and the like. WVGA is a liquid crystal panel, START is a start key, CLEAR is a clear key, 1, 2, 3, etc. are buttons on a numeric keypad.

  In addition, although the example in which only the identifier of each component is recorded is shown in the figure, attributes such as position information (coordinate information), color, shape, and size on the operation panel are shown for each component. Information is also recorded, for example, following the identifier of each component.

  In this embodiment, the type of the liquid crystal panel is used as an identifier of the panel type, but this is for convenience. If the type of the liquid crystal panel and the configuration of the operation panel do not correspond one-to-one, a panel type identifier that does not depend on the liquid crystal panel may be separately provided. For example, the model name of the image forming apparatus may be used as the panel type identifier. This is because there is basically a correspondence between the model and the configuration of the operation panel.

  The difference determination unit 1224d obtains configuration information corresponding to each of the device type information by applying “WVGA” of the device side type information and “4LINES” of the application side type information to the panel type of the panel configuration information. The difference determination unit 1224d compares the two pieces of configuration information, and extracts, as a difference, a configuration element that is included in the configuration information related to the application-side type information and is not included in the configuration information related to the device-side type information. A match or mismatch of the components is determined based on the identifier of the component. Therefore, the attribute information of the constituent elements is not considered. However, the attribute information of the constituent elements may also be used as a material for determining the coincidence or mismatch.

  In the present embodiment, a portion surrounded by a broken line is extracted as a difference in the configuration information related to “4LiNES” in FIG. The difference is the components indicated by e1 to e14 and the liquid crystal panel 251 in FIG. However, in FIG. 11, for the sake of convenience, identifiers of all the constituent elements corresponding to e1 to e14 are not described.

  Subsequently, the difference display unit 1224c requests the panel service unit 1233 to display a component included in the difference (S405). In step S405, a plurality of display requests can be input to the panel service unit 1233 according to the number of components included in the difference. Also, a plurality of types of display requests (function or method call) can be made to the panel service unit 1233 according to the type of component. When the panel service unit 1233 does not have an interface for displaying a component that completely matches the component included in the difference, the difference display unit 1224c calls an interface that can display a component similar to the component.

  Subsequently, the operation screen display unit 1224a requests the panel service unit 1233 to display a window requested by the application C1223 (S406). The window is displayed in the liquid crystal panel 251 reproduced in a software (virtual) manner as a difference.

  On the other hand, when the difference is already displayed (Yes in S401), step S406 is executed without executing steps S402 to S405.

  As a result of the processing in FIG. 10, the operation panel 15 is in a state as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel in which a difference from an operation panel of a different model is displayed in the liquid crystal panel.

  In FIG. 12, the same parts as those of FIG. As shown in the figure, in the liquid crystal panel 151 of the operation panel 15, hardware (liquid crystal panel 251, hard keys, etc.) that is a difference from the operation panel 25 is reproduced in software. Display elements requested by the application C1223 are displayed in the liquid crystal panel 251 reproduced in software.

  By displaying only the difference in the liquid crystal panel 151, it is possible to provide the user with an operation feeling close to the actual operation panel 25 on the operation panel 15. Moreover, each component can be displayed larger. That is, if the entire operation panel 25 is to be displayed in the liquid crystal panel 15, the size of each component must be reduced.

  Since the difference is determined based on the panel configuration information, when the numeric keypad 252 and the start key 253 are to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 151, the difference corresponds to the numeric keypad 152 and the start key 153 from the configuration information related to WVGA. What is necessary is just to delete an identifier etc.

  Next, a processing procedure when an operation instruction is input on the operation panel 15 in the state shown in FIG. 12 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of input control by the application C via the wrapper module.

  When one of the hard keys on the operation panel 15 is pressed by the user, a hard key press event (hard key press notification information) is notified to the panel service unit 1233 of the SDK platform 123 (S501). The panel service unit 1233 notifies the event to the event processing unit 1224b of the wrapper module 1224 that currently occupies the liquid crystal panel 151 (S502). The event processing unit 1224b notifies the event to the application C 1223 that is the display request source of the last window (S503). That is, the operation screen display unit 1224a of the wrapper module 1224 records the identifier of the display request source in the RAM 112 when receiving a window display request. Even if the operation panel 15 and the operation panel 25 have the same hard key, the event data format and the assigned identifier may differ between the panel service unit 1233 and the 4-line panel service unit 2233. In such a case, the wrapper module 1224 performs conversion to absorb the difference, and notifies the converted event to the application C1223.

  Subsequently, the application C 1223 executes processing corresponding to the pressed hard key (S504), and calls the operation screen display unit 1224a of the wrapper module 1224 or the SDK platform 123 as necessary. For example, when changing the display content of the liquid crystal panel 251 reproduced in software, the operation screen display unit 1224a of the wrapper module 1224 is called (S505). In response to the call, the processing described in FIG. 9 is executed. In addition, when there is a need to call a part having a common interface with the SDK platform 223 (part having compatibility), such as the scan service part 1231 or the print service part 1232, the application C 1223 directly calls the SDK platform 123.

  Further, when one of the hard keys (hereinafter referred to as “virtual hard key”) of the operation panel 251 reproduced softly (virtually) on the liquid crystal panel 151 is pressed by the user, the virtual hard key is displayed. The press event is notified to the panel service unit 1233 of the SDK platform 123 (S201). The panel service unit 1233 notifies the event processing unit 1224b currently occupying the liquid crystal panel 151 of the event (S512). Here, the event processing unit 1224b is notified of the event as a press event for the display element. This is because the virtual hard key is a display element on the liquid crystal panel 151 for the panel service unit 1233. Therefore, the event processing unit 1224b converts the contents of the event from those related to the display elements to those related to the hard keys on the operation panel 251. Corresponding information for the conversion (corresponding information between display elements and hard keys) is recorded in the RAM 112 when the difference display unit 1224c makes a difference display request to the panel service unit 1233. That is, the difference display unit 1224c associates the element ID returned from the panel service unit 1233 with respect to the display request of the component for the hard key and the hard key identifier (identifier recorded in the panel configuration information). Is stored in the RAM 112. The event processing unit 1224b converts the content of the event based on the correspondence information.

  Subsequently, the event processing unit 1224b notifies the converted event to the application C1223 which is the display request source of the last window (S513). Subsequently, the application C 1223 executes processing corresponding to the pressed virtual hard key (S514), and calls the operation screen display unit 1224a of the wrapper module 1224 or the SDK platform 123 as necessary (S515).

  Note that the contents of this embodiment can also be applied between the application C1223 and an image forming apparatus having an operation panel different from the operation panel described in this embodiment. This is because the device-side type information and the application-side type information are dynamically acquired by the wrapper module 1224 and are dynamically determined based on the panel configuration information included in the wrapper module 1224. This point will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a dynamic determination by a wrapper module of a difference between an operation panel supported by the SDK application and an operation panel included in the image forming apparatus.

  In the drawing, an example in which the application C1223 is mounted on the model A image forming apparatus 40a, the model B image forming apparatus 40b, and the model C image forming apparatus 40c is illustrated. The configuration of the operation panel differs for each model. Note that the SDK platform 123 and the like are omitted for convenience.

  When the application C1223 operates in the image forming apparatus 40a, the difference determination unit 1224d of the wrapper module 1224 includes the application side type information 1223f acquired from the application C1223, the apparatus side type information 41a acquired from the image forming apparatus 40a, and the wrapper. Based on the panel configuration information recorded in the panel configuration information storage unit 1224g of the module 1224, the difference between the operation panel 25 corresponding to the application C1223 and the operation panel included in the image forming apparatus 40a is determined.

  When the application C1223 operates in the image forming apparatus 40b, the difference determination unit 1224d of the wrapper module 1224 includes the application side type information 1223f acquired from the application C1223, the apparatus side type information 41b acquired from the image forming apparatus 40b, Based on the panel configuration information recorded in the panel configuration information storage unit 1224g of the wrapper module 1224, the difference between the operation panel 25 corresponding to the application C 1223 and the operation panel included in the image forming apparatus 40b is determined.

  Further, when the application C1223 operates in the image forming apparatus 40c, the difference determination unit 1224d of the wrapper module 1224 includes the application side type information 1223f acquired from the application C1223, and the apparatus side type information 41c acquired from the image forming apparatus 40c. Based on the panel configuration information recorded in the panel configuration information storage unit 1224g of the wrapper module 1224, the difference between the operation panel 25 corresponding to the application C1223 and the operation panel included in the image forming apparatus 40c is determined.

  Therefore, no matter what type of image forming apparatus the application C1223 operates on, the operation feeling close to the operation panel 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 is reproduced on each image forming apparatus.

  Further, an apparatus capable of reproducing the operation panel 25 of the image forming apparatus 20 is not limited to the image forming apparatus provided with the operation panel. For example, the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20 can be reproduced even in a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) having a software configuration as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example when the application C is operated on a PC having an emulator of the image forming apparatus.

  In FIG. 15, the same parts as those of FIG. In the figure, the PC 50 includes an emulator 126 of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the PC 50 can execute software installed in the image forming apparatus 10 on the emulator 126.

  The PC 50 having such a software configuration can execute the same processing procedure as that of the image forming apparatus 10 described above. Therefore, when the application C1223 is executed, the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 20 can be reproduced on the display device connected to the PC 50. Note that the display function of the operation panel 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 may be mounted in the emulator 126 in advance. In this case, the virtual operation panel displayed by the emulator 126 corresponds to the operation panel provided in the PC 50. The configuration information of the virtual operation panel displayed by the emulator 126 may be recorded (registered) in the panel configuration information storage unit 1224g. The difference determination unit 1224d of the wrapper module 1224 may determine the configuration of the operation panel that can be displayed by the emulator 126 by applying the device-side type information acquired from the emulator 126 to the panel configuration information. By doing so, the difference determination unit 1224d can dynamically determine the difference between the operation panel that can be displayed by the emulator 126 and the operation panel 25 to which the application C1223 corresponds.

  That is, an apparatus for realizing the present embodiment may be an information processing apparatus including an image forming apparatus and a computer.

  In addition, as a mounting form of the wrapper module 1224, it may be independently mounted as one software component, may be mounted as a part of the SDK platform 123, or the application C1223 to which the wrapper module 1224 is applied. It may be implemented as part. When implemented independently as a single software component or as part of the SDK platform 123, there is an advantage that a single wrapper module 1224 can be shared by a plurality of applications C1223. When implemented as a part of the application C 1223, there is an advantage that the user does not need to be particularly aware of the presence of the wrapper module 1224. For example, if the application C1223 is installed, the wrapper module 1224 can be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operation check and evaluation of the application C1223 can be performed on the actual SDK platform 123. The SDK platform 123 is not completely the same as the SDK platform 223 after transplantation, but its similarity is significantly higher than that of the stub. Therefore, when the application C1223 is operated on the SDK platform 223, it is possible to remarkably reduce the possibility that an unexpected malfunction occurs. Therefore, development efficiency can be improved.

  Further, the incompatible part is appropriately absorbed by the wrapper module 1224. The wrapper module 1224 does not simply display the image of the operation panel 25 on the liquid crystal panel 151 of the operation panel 15 but displays the difference image between the operation panel 25 and the operation panel 15 on the liquid crystal panel 151. Therefore, an operation feeling close to that of the operation panel 25 can be given to the user. Also in this respect, it is possible to expect an unexpected reduction in malfunction when the application C1223 is operated on the image forming apparatus 20.

  As shown in FIG. 15, even when the emulator 126 is used, the existing emulator 126 (that is, the emulator of the image forming apparatus 10) can be used as it is because of the presence of the wrapper module 1224. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the need to newly develop an emulator of the image forming apparatus 20.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

10, 20 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 and 25 Operation panel 16 Network interface 17 SD card slot 80 SD card 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
121 Standard application 122 SDK application 123 SDK platform 124 Control service 125 OS
126 Emulators 151 and 251 LCD panels 152 and 252 Ten keys 153 and 253 Start key 154 and 254 Clear key 1211 Scan application 1212 Print application 1213 Copy application 1214 FAX application 1221 Application A
1222 App B
1223 Application C
1224 Wrapper module 1224a Operation screen display unit 1224b Event processing unit 1224c Difference display unit 1224d Difference determination unit 1224e Device information acquisition unit 1224f Application information acquisition unit 1224g Panel configuration information storage unit 1231 Scan service unit 1232 Print service unit 1233 Panel service unit 2231 Scan Service unit 2232 Print service unit 2233 4-line panel service unit

JP-A-2005-321554

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus,
For control of the second operation panel provided by the image forming apparatus, for a program corresponding to an image forming apparatus having a second operation panel of a type different from the first operation panel provided in the information processing apparatus. has a wrapper means that Kyosu Hisage the same interfaces,
The wrapper means is
Configuration information storage means for storing configuration information for each type of the operation panel;
Device information acquisition means for acquiring the first type information of the first operation panel from the information processing device;
Application information acquisition means for acquiring second type information of the second operation panel corresponding to the program that causes the information processing apparatus to call the interface of the wrapper means ;
Difference determining means for acquiring the configuration information relating to the first type information and the configuration information relating to the second type information from the configuration information storage means, and determining a difference between the acquired configuration information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a difference display control unit configured to display a component included in the difference in a display area of the first operation panel.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display capability of the display area of the first operation panel is higher than a display capability of the display area of the second operation panel. The wrapper means is
Notification information notified from the information processing apparatus in response to an input to the component displayed by the difference display control means or to the component of the first operation panel not included in the difference is notified to the program The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an event processing unit. The wrapper means is
An operation screen display means for displaying an operation screen requested to be displayed by the program in the display area of the second operation panel displayed as the component in the display area of the first operation panel;
It said event processing means, the notification information notified from the information processing apparatus in response to an input to the operation screen, before the information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein notifying the Kipu program. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus,
For control of the second operation panel provided by the image forming apparatus, for a program corresponding to an image forming apparatus having a second operation panel of a type different from the first operation panel provided in the information processing apparatus. wrapper means that Kyosu Hisage the same interface as the interface is,
An apparatus information acquisition procedure for acquiring the first type information of the first operation panel from the information processing apparatus;
An application information acquisition procedure for acquiring second type information of the second operation panel corresponding to the program that causes the information processing apparatus to call the interface of the wrapper means ;
From the configuration information storage means for storing configuration information for each type of the operation panel, the configuration information related to the first type information and the configuration information related to the second type information are acquired, and the acquired A difference determination procedure for determining a difference in configuration information;
An information processing method for executing a difference display control procedure for displaying a component included in the difference in a display area of the first operation panel.   The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein a display capability of the display area of the first operation panel is higher than a display capability of the display area of the second operation panel. The wrapper means is
Notification information notified from the information processing apparatus in response to an input to the component displayed by the difference display control procedure or to the component of the first operation panel not included in the difference is notified to the program. The information processing method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an event processing procedure is executed. The wrapper means is
An operation screen display procedure for displaying an operation screen requested to be displayed by the program in the display area of the second operation panel displayed as the component in the display area of the first operation panel;
The event processing procedures, the information processing method according to claim 7, wherein notifying the notification information notified from the information processing apparatus, before Kipu program in response to an input to the operation screen. Information processing device
For control of the second operation panel provided by the image forming apparatus, for a program corresponding to an image forming apparatus having a second operation panel of a type different from the first operation panel provided in the information processing apparatus. the same interface as the interface to function as Hisage Kyosu that wrapper means,
The wrapper means is
Configuration information storage means for storing configuration information for each type of the operation panel;
Device information acquisition means for acquiring the first type information of the first operation panel from the information processing device;
Application information acquisition means for acquiring second type information of the second operation panel corresponding to the program that causes the information processing apparatus to call the interface of the wrapper means ;
Difference determining means for acquiring the configuration information relating to the first type information and the configuration information relating to the second type information from the configuration information storage means, and determining a difference between the acquired configuration information;
An information processing program comprising: difference display control means for displaying a component included in the difference in a display area of the first operation panel.   The information processing program according to claim 9, wherein the display capability of the display area of the first operation panel is higher than the display capability of the display area of the second operation panel. The wrapper means is
Notification information notified from the information processing apparatus in response to an input to the component displayed by the difference display control means or to the component of the first operation panel not included in the difference is notified to the program 11. The information processing program according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising event processing means for performing. The wrapper means is
An operation screen display means for displaying an operation screen requested to be displayed by the program in the display area of the second operation panel displayed as the component in the display area of the first operation panel;
It said event processing means, according to claim 11, wherein the information processing program for notifying the notification information notified from the information processing apparatus in response to an input to the operation screen, before Kipu program.

Images