JP5564323B2 - Display screen generation program, display screen generation device, and display screen generation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display screen generation program, a display screen generation device, and a display screen generation method, and more particularly to a technique for generating a display screen to be displayed on a display unit with contents in accordance with an instruction from a user.

  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 the display screen displayed on the display unit is received from the user by a touch panel function provided on the display unit. Further, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, for a display screen generated by a user, it is determined whether or not the configuration of display target parts displayed in the display screen is compatible with the function of the image forming apparatus. Technology has also been proposed.

JP 2009-301337 A

  Since different types of image forming apparatuses have various performances, the display screen customized by the user as described above is generally generated for each model of the image forming apparatus. Here, depending on the function of each image forming apparatus, the same operation may be performed even if the model of the apparatus is different. Therefore, a display screen similar to that of other models can be used for the function. For example, for the copy operation, each image forming apparatus having a different model has a setting item and a prohibition process for each model in order to have the respective performance, and it is necessary to prepare a display screen for each model. If there is a data transmission function (for example, sending image data read by scanning to a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus via a network), there is often no difference in setting items and prohibition processing depending on the model. For the data transmission function, it is possible to use a common display screen for different models. For this reason, when a function-specific display screen is created for each model of the image forming apparatus, a plurality of screen data of the same display screen are stored redundantly for each model of the image forming apparatus. However, the above prior art does not solve this problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, the object of the present invention is to prevent the screen data of the same display screen from being overlapped and stored when the user customizes and generates the display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the electrical apparatus such as the image forming apparatus. This is to enable different types of image forming apparatuses to use the same display screen data for the same function.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a display screen generation program for causing a computer to function so as to generate screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electric device with contents in accordance with an instruction from a user. And
A parts designation receiving unit that accepts designation of display target parts to be displayed in the display screen from a user;
A layout instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user for instructing the placement of the designated display target part in the display screen;
An action setting unit for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part for the specified display target part;
A generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen for each function of an electrical device with the contents specified by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting;
An information adding unit that adds model information for specifying an electrical device as a display destination of the screen data to the generated screen data, and function information indicating a function in which a display screen indicated by the screen data is used; ,
A template registration unit for registering the screen data to which the model information and the function information are added as a template used for display on an electrical device;
Based on the model information and function information added to the screen data, the function indicated by the function information has different setting items and prohibition processing for each model of electrical equipment, or settings that do not differ for each model of electrical equipment A computer as a model-dependent determining unit that determines whether the function is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information or a function that can be executed by another model depending on whether the item has a prohibited process Function, and
The template registration unit uses the screen data determined by the model-dependent determination unit to determine that the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed by other models than the model indicated by the model information. The computer is made to function so as to be registered as a template after adding common model information indicating that it can be commonly applied to the display unit of
The screen data transmission request transmitted together with the function information indicating the function of using the model information and screen data of the electric device as a display screen transmitted by the electric device is received and registered as the template. Among the screen data, it is screen data to which the same function information as the received function information is added, and the same model information as the received model information is added, or the model common information is added. It is a display screen generation program that causes a computer to function as a control unit that specifies screen data as screen data to be transmitted to an electrical device that has transmitted the transmission request.

The invention according to claim 3 is a display screen generating device that generates screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electric device with contents according to an instruction from a user,
A parts designation receiving unit that accepts designation of display target parts to be displayed in the display screen from a user;
A layout instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user for instructing the placement of the designated display target part in the display screen;
An action setting unit for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part for the specified display target part;
A generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen for each function of an electrical device with the contents specified by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting;
An information adding unit that adds model information for specifying an electrical device as a display destination of the screen data to the generated screen data, and function information indicating a function in which a display screen indicated by the screen data is used; ,
A template registration unit for registering the screen data to which the model information and the function information are added as a template used for display on an electrical device;
Based on the model information and function information added to the screen data, the function indicated by the function information has different setting items and prohibition processing for each model of electrical equipment, or settings that do not differ for each model of electrical equipment A model-dependent determination unit that determines whether the function is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information or a function that can be executed by another model depending on whether the item has a prohibited process Prepared,
The template registration unit uses the screen data determined by the model-dependent determination unit to determine that the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed by another model other than the model indicated by the model information. Register as a template after adding common model information indicating that it can be applied in common to the display section of
The screen data transmission request transmitted together with the function information indicating the function of using the model information and screen data of the electric device as a display screen transmitted by the electric device is received and registered as the template. Among the screen data, it is screen data to which the same function information as the received function information is added, and the same model information as the received model information is added, or the model common information is added. The display screen generation device further includes a control unit that specifies screen data as screen data to be transmitted to the electrical device that has transmitted the transmission request.

The invention according to claim 4 is a display screen generation method for generating screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electric device with contents according to an instruction from a user,
A part designation receiving step for accepting designation of a display target part to be displayed in the display screen from a user;
A layout instruction receiving step for receiving from the user a layout instruction for instructing the placement of the specified display target part within the display screen;
An action setting step for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part for the specified display target part;
A generation step of generating screen data of the display screen for each function of an electric device with the contents specified by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting;
An information addition step of adding model information for specifying an electrical device as a display destination of the screen data to the generated screen data and function information indicating a function using a display screen indicated by the screen data; ,
A template registration step of registering the screen data added with the model information and the function information as a template used for display on an electrical device;
Based on the model information and function information added to the screen data, the function indicated by the function information has different setting items and prohibition processing for each model of electrical equipment, or settings that do not differ for each model of electrical equipment A model-dependent determination step for determining whether the function is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information or a function that can be executed by another model, depending on whether the item has a prohibition process , In addition,
In the template registration step, the screen data determined in the model-dependent determination step that the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed by another model other than the model indicated by the model information. Register as a template after adding common model information indicating that it can be applied to all devices.
The screen data transmission request transmitted together with the function information indicating the function of using the model information and screen data of the electric device as a display screen transmitted by the electric device is received and registered as the template. Among the screen data, it is screen data to which the same function information as the received function information is added, and the same model information as the received model information is added, or the model common information is added. It is a display screen generation method which further has a control step which specifies screen data as screen data transmitted to the electric equipment which transmitted the transmission request concerned.

  In short, when the user generates screen data of a display screen to be displayed on the display unit of the electrical device, the model information and function information are added to the screen data, and based on the model information and function information, For screen data for which it is determined that the function indicated by the function information does not depend on the model indicated by the model information, after adding model common information indicating that it can be commonly applied to display on different types of electrical equipment. And registered as a template used for display on an electric device. Therefore, according to the present invention, when a user customizes and generates a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, the screen data of the same display screen is not stored redundantly. Thus, different types of image forming apparatuses can use the same display screen data for the same function.

The invention according to claim 2 is the display screen generation program according to claim 1, wherein the template registration unit is a function that can be executed by another model other than the model indicated by the model information. Applicable model information indicating a model to which the screen data can be applied in common is added to the determined screen data, and the computer functions so as to be registered as a template after being added as the model common information. is there.

  According to the present invention, for screen data independent of the model, applicable model information indicating a model to which the screen data can be commonly applied is added as model common information and registered as a template. Even if there is a model that can use the generated screen data in common and a model that cannot use the generated screen data in common, the screen data is included in the screen data. The screen data can be used accurately only for models that can be used for the function indicated by the added function information.

  According to the present invention, when a user customizes and generates a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electrical apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, different models are used so that screen data of similar display screens are not stored overlappingly. The same image forming apparatus can use the same display screen data for the same function.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and is a diagram illustrating a network configuration including an image forming apparatus and a server computer and a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure required for the production | generation process of a display screen, and a display process about a personal computer and a multifunctional device. It is a flowchart which shows 1st Embodiment of the production | generation process of the display screen by a panel creator part and a panel simulator part. (A) (b) is a figure which shows an example of the display screen displayed on a display part, (c) is a figure which shows the example of the display screen produced by the production | generation process by a panel creator part. It is a figure which shows an example of a customization reception screen. It is a flowchart which shows the template registration process by a panel simulator part. It is a flowchart which shows the output process of the display screen data by PC. It is a figure which shows the network structure to which other embodiment of this invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, a display screen generation program, a display screen generation apparatus, and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration including an image forming apparatus, a server computer and a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus.

  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. Further, 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 each personal computer ( Hereinafter, the data to be printed is stored in the storage unit or the like in the PC (31) to 34, and the print target data stored in the internal storage device of the multifunction machine 1, the server computer SV2, and the storage unit in each of the PCs 31 to 34 is printed out. It has a document management function that performs such operations. Note that a case where a plurality of MFPs 1 having different performances are connected to the network of this embodiment will be described as an example.

  Further, the multi-function device 1 is provided with a display unit 50 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Further, at least one of the server computer SV2 or the PCs 31 to 34 can generate display screen data (hereinafter, display screen data) displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 receives the screen data from the server computer SV2 or the PCs 31 to 34 that can generate the display screen data and displays the screen data on the display unit 50 in order to display the display screen on the display unit 50. The generation process of the display screen data by the server computer SV2 or the PCs 31 to 34, and the configuration for displaying the display screen in the multifunction machine 1 will be described later.

  Next, the internal configurations of the server computer SV2, the PCs 31 to 34, and the multi-function device 1, which are necessary for the display screen data generation processing and display processing, will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration necessary for display screen generation processing and display processing for the personal computer and the multifunction peripheral 1. Since the configuration and processing necessary for generating the display screen are the same in the server computer SV2 and the PCs 31 to 34, the PC 31 will be described below as an example.

  The PC (an example of a display screen generation device) 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 personal computer 31 and operates according to the display screen generation program stored in the storage unit 311, so that the panel creator unit 312 and the panel simulator unit 313 are operated. And function as the communication unit 314.

  The panel creator unit 312 is a tool for generating a script file from the screen data of the display screen displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1 on the personal computer 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, a generating unit 3124, and an information adding unit 3125.

  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 parts designation receiving unit 3121 causes the display unit 312 such as an LCD provided in the PC 31 to display the held display target parts, When a user-desired display target part is designated by the operation of the operation unit from the display target part being displayed, 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 receiving unit 3122 displays a background image of the display screen in a pseudo manner on the display unit 312 provided in the personal computer 31, and an arbitrary portion in the background image is designated by the user using the operation unit. Then, the designated location is accepted 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 3124 generates a display screen with the content determined 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 target part designation in the part designation receiving unit 3121, the layout instruction in the layout instruction receiving unit 3122, and the action setting in the action setting unit 3123, a display screen generation process by the generation unit 3124 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 3124 exports display screen data to a Script file.

  The information adding unit 3125 is a function that uses, for the display screen data generated by the generating unit 3124, model information that identifies the multifunction peripheral 1 that is the display destination of the display screen data, and the display screen indicated by the screen data. Is added to the function information indicating. The generated display screen is generated for each function of the multifunction device 1.

  For example, this function includes a copy operation, data transmission (for example, transmission of image data read by scanning to a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus via a network), facsimile operation, scanner operation, and the like. The display screen indicated by the generated display screen data includes a copy operation guide screen for accepting operations for copy operations, a data transmission guide screen for accepting operations for data transmission, a facsimile operation guide screen for accepting operations for facsimile operations, and a scanner operation. It is used as a scanner operation guide screen for accepting an operation on.

  As described above, the information adding unit 3125 adds function information indicating which function the generated display screen data is used as a display screen to the display screen data. This function information is either (1) input to the generated display screen data by the operation of the operation unit of the PC 31 by the user, or (2) the panel creator unit 312 selects any of the display target parts. Information on whether or not it is a display target part to be used for the function is stored, and the information adding unit 3125 determines the function information to be added to the generated display screen data based on the information, etc. The unit 3125 acquires the function information and adds the acquired function information to the generated display screen data.

  Further, the model information added by the information adding unit 3125 is input to the generated display screen data by the operation of the operation unit of the PC 31 by the user.

  As described above, the display screen data generated by the generation unit 3124 and added with the model information and the function information is stored in the Script file storage unit 315 in the control unit 310.

  The panel simulator unit 313 reads the display screen data including the script file exported by the panel creator unit 312 on the personal computer 31 from the script file storage unit 315, analyzes the contents, and the display unit 312 provided in the PC 31 performs analysis. Is a tool that converts the data into HTML format data and displays the HTML display screen file on the browser on the PC 31. The panel simulator unit 313 functions as a model dependence determination unit 3131 and a template registration unit 3132.

  Based on the model information and function information added to the display screen data stored in the Script file storage unit 315, the model dependence determination unit 3131 depends on the model indicated by the model information. Determine whether it is a function. The model dependence determination unit 3131 includes model information about different types of image forming apparatuses (including not only the multifunction machine 1 but also image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile apparatuses, and printers), It holds model-dependent information consisting of information about functions that can be executed only on the model indicated by the model information. When the display screen data is read from the Script file storage unit 315, the model dependence determination unit 3131 decodes the model information and function information added to the display screen data, and adds the addition based on the model dependence information. It is determined whether the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the added model information. As described above, the function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information means that the function is dependent on the model because the model that can execute the function is limited. On the other hand, a function that is not executable only on the model indicated by the model information, that is, a function that can be executed on another model means that the function is not model-dependent because the models that can execute this function are not limited. To do.

  For example, with respect to the copy operation, each image forming apparatus having a different model has a setting item and a prohibition process for each model in order to have each performance, and a display screen needs to be prepared for each model ( In other words, the copy function is a function that depends on the model), and in the case of the data transmission function, there is often no difference in the setting items and prohibition processing depending on the model. A screen can be used (that is, the data transmission function is a function independent of the model). The model dependency information held by the model dependency determination unit 3131 indicates the relationship between such models and functions.

  The template registration unit 3132 registers the display screen data to which the model information and function information stored in the Script file storage unit 315 are added as a template used for display on the image forming apparatus such as the multifunction device 1. That is, the template registration unit 3132 uses the display screen data stored in the Script file storage unit 315 as a template used for display on the image forming apparatus such as the multifunction device 1. By adding the template information shown, it is registered as a template. Further, the template registration unit 3132 displays a different model for the display screen data determined by the model dependency determination unit 3131 that the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data does not depend on the model indicated by the model information. It is registered as a template after adding model common information indicating that it can be commonly applied to the display unit of the image forming apparatus.

  The communication unit 314 transmits the display screen data of the Script file registered in the Script file storage unit 315 as the template to the MFP 1 connected to the network via the LAN.

  The transmission of the display screen data of the script file to the multi function device 1 by the communication unit 314 is preferably performed via a LAN, for example. Alternatively, the interface of the PC 31 stores the display screen data in an external memory such as a USB memory, and the operator inputs the display screen data to the multifunction device 1 using the external memory such as the USB memory. It may be. In the multifunction device 1, display screen data of the Script file from the PC 31 is stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the XML format 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.

  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 Program Interface) and the 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 and a business logic 152.

  The Script Interpreter 151 reads the Script file which is the display screen data registered in the multifunction machine 1 and analyzes the contents. Script Interpreter 151 is expanded into Business Logic 152 for executing HTML conversion processing for displaying a display screen on display unit 50 and actions associated with display target parts such as operation buttons arranged in the display screen. Process. The Script Interpreter 151 passes the data subjected to the HTML conversion processing for display to the browser 16 via the API.

  The Business Logic 152 controls the action (the operation of the multifunction device 1) based on the information (information indicating the action associated with the 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. To do. 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 performs an action associated with the operated display target part. For example, to execute the scanner function, the scanner transmission API is called.

  The storage unit 12 includes an HDD or the like, and stores a program for operating as the controller 11, a program for the extended application 15, a program for 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 browser 16 is, for example, a web browser or the like, and causes the display unit 50 to display the Script file (display screen data sent 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.

  Next, a first embodiment of display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 312 and the panel simulator unit 313 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of display screen generation processing by the panel creator unit 312 and the panel simulator unit 313. 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 312. 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 under the control of the controller 11. For example, when the user presses a “simple scan” button 511 for executing a scan function on the first display screen 51, the controller 11 activates the extended application 15. For example, the Business Logic 152 of the extended application 15 shifts the display of the display unit 50 to the workflow selection screen 52 for receiving an operation regarding the scan function illustrated in FIG. In the workflow selection screen 52, when the user selects the “introduction letter” button 521 and presses the “details” button 522, the Business Logic 152 sets the workflow corresponding to the “introduction letter” button 521. The display of the display unit 50 is shifted to the detail setting screen 53. For example, the extended application 15 (Script Interpreter 151 or the like) acquires the display screen screen template, button template, and character string data as shown in FIG. 4C by reading the display screen data from the storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 4C, according to the number information of keys displayed in the screen indicated by the Script file, the display screen data of the Script file is analyzed. Using the data such as the screen template that you have, apply a character string to the screen or button and display it.

  In the panel creator unit 312, for example, customization of each display target part such as a device button constituting the detailed setting screen 53 is received from the user, and processing for generating display screen data of the display screen is performed.

  When performing the display screen generation process, for example, the user operates the operation unit (not shown) of the PC 31 to activate the panel creator unit 312. When the panel creator unit 312 is activated, the control unit 310 of the PC 31 causes the display unit 312 to display the customization acceptance screen 54 as shown in FIG. 5 (S1).

  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 screen). Further, when the user drags and drops the mouse to drag the selected operation button or message display to a desired position in the default screen 570 displayed on the customization reception screen 54, the position The layout instruction accepting unit 3122 receives a layout instruction for arranging the selected operation button or the like (S2).

  Subsequently, the action setting unit 3123 performs an action corresponding to each display target part instructed to be specified and arranged by the user as described above (that is, reception of an execution instruction for each operation executed in the multifunction machine 1). Are set in association with each selected display target part (S3). For example, when the user designates a resolution “600 × 600 dpi” button 541, the action setting unit 3123 scans an original with a resolution of 600 × 600 dpi in the scanner unit during the scanning operation using the “600 × 600 dpi” button 541. Assign an action of inputting an execution instruction for the operation to be performed. Alternatively, when the “return” button 554 is designated, an instruction to change the display on the display unit 50 is assigned to the workflow selection screen 52 in FIG. 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 of S2 and S3, the user designates and arranges the display target part buttons to be displayed in the default screen 570, clicks the confirmation button 58 in the customization reception screen 54 with a mouse or the like, The process is executed for each display target part until a designation and arrangement end instruction is input (S4).

  When the specification and arrangement of the display target part by the user is completed (YES in S4), the generation unit 3124 displays the display screen data with the contents determined by the display target part specification, the layout instruction, and the action setting. The script file is generated (S5).

  Subsequently, for the display screen data generated by the generation unit 3124, the information addition unit 3125 includes model information for identifying the multifunction device 1 that is the display destination of the display screen data, and the display screen indicated by the screen data. Is added to the function information indicating the function to be used (S6).

  The display screen data to which the model information and function information are added after the generation is completed is stored in the Script file storage unit 315 (S7).

  Next, template registration processing by the panel simulator unit 313 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing template registration processing by the panel simulator unit 313.

  When the user operates the operation unit (not shown) of the PC 31, one of the display screen data stored in the Script file storage unit 315 is specified, and a template registration instruction for registering the specified display screen data as a template is input. When the designation and instruction are received by the template registration unit 3132 of the panel simulator unit 313 (YES in S11), the model dependence determination unit 3131 adds the designated display screen data to the display screen data. Along with the model information and function information, it is read from the Script file storage unit 315 (S12).

  The model-dependent determination unit 3131 decodes the model information and function information added to the display screen data, and the function indicated by the added function information is based on the model-dependent information held. It is determined whether or not the function can be executed only by the model indicated by the added model information, that is, whether or not the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data is a function dependent on the model. (S13).

  When the model dependence determination unit 3131 determines that the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data is a function that does not depend on the model (NO in S13), the template registration unit 3132 determines that the electrical device of a different model is used. Common model information indicating that the information can be commonly applied to the display unit is added (S14), and further registered as a template (S15). That is, the model dependence determination unit 3131 adds the model common information and the template information to the display screen data stored in the Script file storage unit 315 and used for functions that do not depend on the model.

  On the other hand, when the model dependence determining unit 3131 determines that the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data is a model dependent function (YES in S13), the template registration unit 3132 is common to the above models. The display screen data is registered as a template without adding information (S15). The display screen data does not include model common information indicating that it can be applied in common to display units of different types of electrical equipment. Therefore, the display screen data includes the model indicated by the added model information. Since it can be used only in the multifunction machine 1 etc., it is handled between the PC 31 and the multifunction machine 1 etc.

  The addition of the model common information by the template registration unit 3132 may be performed as follows. The template registration unit 3132 includes model information about different types of image forming apparatuses (including not only the multifunction machine 1 but also image forming apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, etc.) Regarding information, applicable model information including information on functions executable by the model indicated by each model information is held.

  When the model dependence determination unit 3131 determines that the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data is a function that does not depend on the model (NO in S13), the template registration unit 3132 displays the applicable model. Based on the information, another model capable of executing the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data is detected, and information indicating all the detected other models is given as the model common information. You may make it (S14). According to this, even if there is a model that can be used for the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data and a model that cannot be used for the display screen data, Only models that can use screen data for the function indicated by the function information added to the display screen data can use the display screen data accurately.

  Next, display screen data output processing by the PC 31 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing display screen data output processing by the PC 31.

  A request for the display screen data registered in the Script file storage unit 315 as a template together with the model information of the multifunction device 1 connected to the network and the function information indicating the function of using the display screen data as the display screen. When the command is transmitted to the PC 31 and the communication unit 314 of the PC 31 receives this transmission request (YES in S21), the control unit 310 adds the same function information as the function information, and adds the same model information. Or display screen data to which common model information is added is specified (S22). However, the user may input an instruction to request the display screen data by operating the operation unit of the PC 31, or an instruction to output display screen data based on the request to an external memory such as a USB memory. You may enter.

  The control unit 310 reads the specified display screen data from the Script file storage unit 315 (S23). At this time, the control unit 310 adds the same function information to the display screen data registered in the script file storage unit 315 as the template and the same model information, or The display screen data to which the model common information is added is specified. That is, since the display screen data in which the model common information is added and registered as a template in the Script file storage unit 315 is extracted as applicable to all model information, the Script file storage unit 315 includes Although it is used for the same function, a situation where a plurality of display screen data is stored as well as different models is eliminated.

  The communication unit 314 transmits the read display screen data as a template to the MFP 1 that has transmitted the transmission request (S24). However, when the user instructs the operation unit of the PC 31 to output display screen data based on the above request to an external memory such as a USB memory, the USB memory or the like is displayed from an unillustrated interface provided in the PC 31. The display screen data is output to the external memory.

  Thereafter, the display screen data transmitted by the communication unit 314 is stored in the storage unit 12 of the multifunction machine 1. Alternatively, when the display screen data based on the request is output to an external memory such as a USB memory, the user operates the multifunction device 1 using the external memory such as the USB memory, Input display screen data.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the display screen generated by the panel creator unit 312 and the panel simulator unit 313 of the PC 31 is described as being displayed on the multifunction device 1. However, the generated display screen is displayed on the multifunction device 1. The display is not limited to the above display, and can be applied to display on other electric devices.

  As another configuration according to another embodiment, the extended application 15 is included in the PC 31 instead of the multifunction device 1, and the display screen data converted by the extended application 15 is transmitted to the multifunction device 1. In the machine 1, the browser 16 may display the display data after the conversion on the display unit 50.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the network configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that the server computer SV2 has the configuration of the PC 31 described above, and the personal computer 31 connected to the server computer SV2 and the multifunction device 1 via the network. 'May be further provided. In this case, the panel creator 25 of the server computer SV2 is operated by the operator at the PC 31 via the web browser 3100 of the PC 31 ', thereby generating the display screen.

  The PC 31 'includes a control unit 310', a storage unit 311 ', a communication unit 314', and a display unit 312 '.

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

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

  The web browser 3100 transmits an activation instruction for the panel creator unit 312 to the server computer SV2, and activates the panel creator unit 312 as a web application. That is, the web browser 3100 receives the display data of the customization acceptance screen from the panel creator unit 312 of the server computer SV2 via the LAN and causes the display unit 312 to display the received data. The web browser 3100 receives display screen data generated by the panel creator unit 25 and converted into HTML format data by the panel simulator 27 from the panel simulator unit 313 of the server computer SV2 as display data. It is displayed on the display unit 312 ′ of the PC 31 ′ for confirmation.

  The communication unit 314 'is an interface that performs data input / output with the multifunction machine 1 and the like via a network such as a LAN.

  Note that the PC 31 ′ stores the error control information received by the communication unit 314 ′ from the server computer SV 2 in an external memory such as a USB memory under the control of the control unit 310 ′ based on the operation of the operation unit (not shown) by the operator. It is preferable to provide an unillustrated interface for saving.

  In the above embodiment, the PC 31, the server computer SV2, etc. have the display screen generation function shown in FIG. 2 or 8, and the display screen data generated by the PC 31, the server computer SV2, etc. is transmitted to the multifunction device 1. The display screen data is displayed on the display unit 50 of the multifunction device 1, but the multifunction device 1 incorporates the display screen generating device having the display screen function shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. The display screen data generated by the screen generation device may be displayed on the display unit 50 by the extended application 15 and the browser 16 of the multifunction machine 1.

  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 FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, but the configuration and processing are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention.

1 MFP 11 Controller 12 Storage Unit 13 Platform 15 Extended Application 16 Browser 25 Panel Creator Unit 50 Display Units 31 to 34 Personal Computer 310 Control Unit 3100 Web Browser 311 Storage Unit 312 Panel Creator Unit 3121 Parts Designation Reception Unit 3122 Layout Instruction Reception Unit 3123 Action setting unit 3124 Generation unit 3125 Information addition unit 313 Panel simulator unit 3131 Model-dependent determination unit 3132 Template registration unit 314 Communication unit 315 Script file storage unit SV2 Server computer

Claims (4)

A display screen generation program for causing a computer to function so as to generate screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electric device according to instructions from a user,
A parts designation receiving unit that accepts designation of display target parts to be displayed in the display screen from a user;
A layout instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user for instructing the placement of the designated display target part in the display screen;
An action setting unit for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part for the specified display target part;
A generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen for each function of an electrical device with the contents specified by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting;
An information adding unit that adds model information for specifying an electrical device as a display destination of the screen data to the generated screen data, and function information indicating a function in which a display screen indicated by the screen data is used; ,
A template registration unit for registering the screen data to which the model information and the function information are added as a template used for display on an electrical device;
Based on the model information and function information added to the screen data, the function indicated by the function information has different setting items and prohibition processing for each model of electrical equipment, or settings that do not differ for each model of electrical equipment A computer as a model-dependent determining unit that determines whether the function is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information or a function that can be executed by another model depending on whether the item has a prohibited process Function, and
The template registration unit uses the screen data determined by the model-dependent determination unit to determine that the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed by other models than the model indicated by the model information. The computer is made to function so as to be registered as a template after adding common model information indicating that it can be commonly applied to the display unit of
The screen data transmission request transmitted together with the function information indicating the function of using the model information and screen data of the electric device as a display screen transmitted by the electric device is received and registered as the template. Among the screen data, it is screen data to which the same function information as the received function information is added, and the same model information as the received model information is added, or the model common information is added. A display screen generation program that causes a computer to function as a control unit that identifies screen data as screen data to be transmitted to an electrical device that has transmitted the transmission request.   Applicable model indicating a model to which the template registration unit can apply the screen data in common to the screen data determined to be a function that can be executed by another model from the model indicated by the model information. The display screen generation program according to claim 1, which causes a computer to function such that information is added as the model common information and registered as a template. A display screen generation device that generates screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electric device with contents according to an instruction from a user,
A parts designation receiving unit that accepts designation of display target parts to be displayed in the display screen from a user;
A layout instruction receiving unit that receives a layout instruction from the user for instructing the placement of the designated display target part in the display screen;
An action setting unit for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part for the specified display target part;
A generation unit that generates screen data of the display screen for each function of an electrical device with the contents specified by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting;
An information adding unit that adds model information for specifying an electrical device as a display destination of the screen data to the generated screen data, and function information indicating a function in which a display screen indicated by the screen data is used; ,
A template registration unit for registering the screen data to which the model information and the function information are added as a template used for display on an electrical device;
Based on the model information and function information added to the screen data, the function indicated by the function information has different setting items and prohibition processing for each model of electrical equipment, or settings that do not differ for each model of electrical equipment A model-dependent determination unit that determines whether the function is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information or a function that can be executed by another model depending on whether the item has a prohibited process Prepared,
The template registration unit uses the screen data determined by the model-dependent determination unit to determine that the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed by another model other than the model indicated by the model information. Register as a template after adding common model information indicating that it can be applied in common to the display section of
The screen data transmission request transmitted together with the function information indicating the function of using the model information and screen data of the electric device as a display screen transmitted by the electric device is received and registered as the template. Among the screen data, it is screen data to which the same function information as the received function information is added, and the same model information as the received model information is added, or the model common information is added. A display screen generation device further comprising a control unit that specifies screen data as screen data to be transmitted to an electrical device that has transmitted the transmission request. A display screen generation method for generating screen data of a display screen to be displayed on a display unit of an electric device with contents according to an instruction from a user,
A part designation receiving step for accepting designation of a display target part to be displayed in the display screen from a user;
A layout instruction receiving step for receiving from the user a layout instruction for instructing the placement of the specified display target part within the display screen;
An action setting step for associating and setting an action corresponding to the display target part for the specified display target part;
A generation step of generating screen data of the display screen for each function of an electric device with the contents specified by the display target part designation, the layout instruction, and the action setting;
An information addition step of adding model information for specifying an electrical device as a display destination of the screen data to the generated screen data and function information indicating a function using a display screen indicated by the screen data; ,
A template registration step of registering the screen data added with the model information and the function information as a template used for display on an electrical device;
Based on the model information and function information added to the screen data, the function indicated by the function information has different setting items and prohibition processing for each model of electrical equipment, or settings that do not differ for each model of electrical equipment A model-dependent determination step for determining whether the function is a function that can be executed only by the model indicated by the model information or a function that can be executed by another model, depending on whether the item has a prohibition process , In addition,
In the template registration step, the screen data determined in the model-dependent determination step that the function indicated by the function information is a function that can be executed by another model other than the model indicated by the model information. Register as a template after adding common model information indicating that it can be applied to all devices.
The screen data transmission request transmitted together with the function information indicating the function of using the model information and screen data of the electric device as a display screen transmitted by the electric device is received and registered as the template. Among the screen data, it is screen data to which the same function information as the received function information is added, and the same model information as the received model information is added, or the model common information is added. A display screen generation method further comprising a control step of specifying screen data as screen data to be transmitted to an electrical device that has transmitted the transmission request.

Images