JP5672838B2 - Image forming apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system.

  Conventionally, some computers such as a PC (Personal Computer) have a function of searching for network devices connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and displaying the search results. In the list of search results, each network device is displayed with an icon corresponding to the device. For example, in the case of a printer, it is displayed with an icon representing the printer.

  However, the content of the icon displayed in the prior art is insufficient to determine the function of the device related to the icon. For example, in the case of a multifunction peripheral, some of the functions such as printing, copying, scanning, and FAX have all functions, and some do not have some functions. With the conventional icons, it is difficult for the user to determine the functions of each multifunction device.

  In addition, optional functions (additional functions) may be added to the device. New functions may be implemented in new models. Conventionally, it has been difficult to reflect an additional function or a new function in the content of an icon.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing system capable of improving the power of expressing an icon of the image forming apparatus.

Thus, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, for each type of status regarding the image forming apparatus, the images storage means for storing the first image data representing the state, the the first image data state of one or more compatible with the image forming apparatus acquires from the image storage unit, image data representing the image forming apparatus which acquired one or more of the first image data And image processing means for generating one second image data and communication processing means for transmitting the second image data to a computer via a network.

  In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to improve the power of expressing the icon of the image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the power of expressing an icon of an image forming apparatus.

It is a figure which shows the information processing system structural example of 1st embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the user terminal in embodiment of this 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 function structural example of the image forming apparatus and user terminal regarding the production | generation and display function of the icon of an image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of icon generation processing at the time of activation of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the function icon parts table which comprises an icon parts memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the event icon parts table which comprises an icon parts storage part. It is a figure which shows the example of the initial stage icon of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a synthesis | combination of icon parts. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure executed in accordance with a change in the state of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence which a state detection part performs. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the information processing system in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of each apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of transmission of the widget information of an apparatus monitoring widget. It is a figure which shows the example of the widget information of an apparatus monitoring widget. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a user management table. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the display process of the list | wrist of an executable widget. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a user selection screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the widget information of the equipment monitoring widget transmitted to an image forming apparatus from a widget management server. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a widget selection screen. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of execution of an apparatus monitoring widget. It is a figure which shows the example of a change of the display mode of the icon of an apparatus monitoring widget. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an apparatus state display screen.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, one or more image forming apparatuses 10 and one or more user terminals 20 communicate via a network 40 (whether wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). It is possible.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine that implements functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and FAX transmission / reception with a single casing. However, a device having any one function alone may be used as the image forming apparatus 10.

  The user terminal 20 is a computer such as a PC (Personal Computer) operated by a user who uses the image forming apparatus 10. A portable device having a communication function and a display function such as a mobile phone or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) may be used as the user terminal 20.

  Next, the hardware configuration of each device will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2, 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, an NVRAM 115, 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. In the NVRAM 115, various setting information and the like are recorded.

  The scanner 12 is hardware (image reading means) for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware (printing means) 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 the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. 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. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the user terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 20 shown in FIG. 3 includes a drive device 200, an auxiliary storage device 202, a memory device 203, a CPU 204, an interface device 205, a display device 206, and an input device 207 that are connected to each other via a bus B. And have.

  A program that realizes processing in the user terminal 20 is provided by a recording medium 201 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 201 on which the program is recorded is set in the drive device 200, the program is installed from the recording medium 201 to the auxiliary storage device 202 via the drive device 200. However, it is not always necessary to install the program from the recording medium 201, and the program may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 202 stores the installed program and stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 203 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 202 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 204 realizes functions related to the user terminal 20 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 203. The interface device 205 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 206 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like by a program. The input device 207 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for inputting various operation instructions.

  FIG. 4 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 151, an SDK application 152, an SDK platform 153, a control service 154, an OS 155, and the like.

  The standard application 151 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 1511, a print application 1512, a copy application 1513, and a FAX application 1514 are illustrated. The scan application 1511 executes a scan job. The print application 1512 executes a print job. The copy application 1513 executes a copy job. The FAX application 1514 executes a FAX transmission job or reception job.

  The control service 154 is a software module group that provides functions for controlling various hardware resources and the like to higher-level applications and the like, and executes basic functions and the like of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The SDK application 152 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. Therefore, the function of the SDK application 152 is not limited to a predetermined one.

  The SDK platform 153 provides an execution environment for the SDK application 152. Each SDK application 152 is developed using an API (Application Program Interface) provided by the SDK platform 153. For example, the SDK platform 153 provides the SDK application 152 with an interface for using a scan function, an interface for using a print function, an interface for using a copy function, and the like. The API of the SDK platform 153 is open to the public, and the SDK application 152 can be developed by a third vendor or the like.

  The OS 155 is a so-called OS (Operating System). Each software on the image forming apparatus 10 operates as a process or thread on the OS 155.

  Next, functional configuration examples of the image forming apparatus 10 and the user terminal 20 will be described regarding functions for generating and displaying icons of the image forming apparatus 10.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an image forming apparatus and a user terminal related to icon generation and display functions of the image forming apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the icon of the image forming apparatus 10 is generated by the control service 154 of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, in the figure, the control service 154 is extracted and displayed for the image forming apparatus 10.

  The control service 154 has a state detection unit 161, an icon generation unit 162, a notification information setting unit 163, a communication processing unit 164, a device information management unit 165, an icon parts storage unit 166, and a notification information storage unit 167 regarding the icon generation function. Etc.

  The state detection unit 161 detects a change in the state of the image forming apparatus 10. In this embodiment, the “state” detected by the state detection unit 161 includes a state relating to the presence / absence of a function (capability) of the image forming apparatus 10 or a presence / absence of a component, and a state relating to an event that may occur in the image forming apparatus 10 It is roughly divided into The presence / absence of a function refers to whether or not the image forming apparatus 10 has a function such as the presence / absence of a scanner function and the presence / absence of a FAX function. The presence / absence of a component refers to the presence / absence of a part or the like constituting the image forming apparatus 10 such as the presence / absence of an ADF or the addition / absence of a paper feed table (paper feed tray). The component may not be limited to hardware. That is, software may also be included in the component.

  Functions and components are closely related. That is, the difference in the components of the image forming apparatus 10 may appear as a difference in function. Therefore, it is possible to grasp a certain state as the presence / absence of a function or as the presence / absence of a component. For example, a state where there is a component called the scanner 12 can be recognized as “there is a component called the scanner 12”, or can be understood as “having a scanner function”. Therefore, hereinafter, the function or component will be described as “function”.

  On the other hand, the state related to an event refers to a state related to the occurrence of various events (events) that may occur according to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10, such as the presence or absence of a jam or the occurrence of out of paper.

In the present embodiment, the state detection unit 161 detects a change in the state of the image forming apparatus 10 by periodically monitoring (polling) the device information management unit 165. The device information management unit 165 manages (stores) various types of information (device information) regarding the image forming apparatus 10 using the HDD 114. The device information managed by the device information management unit 165 includes state information indicating the state. That is, when the state of the image forming apparatus 10 changes such as a change in function or occurrence of some event, the change is reflected in the device information management unit 165. Note that the device information management unit 165 may be realized using an MIB (Management Information Base).

The icon generation unit 162 dynamically generates an icon of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to activation of the image forming apparatus 10 or detection of a change in state by the state detection unit 161. The icon of the image forming apparatus 10, refers to image data representing the individual images forming device 10. The icon generation unit 162 generates an icon by combining (combining) the icon parts stored in the icon parts storage unit 166. The icon part is image data representing one or a part of the various states of the image forming apparatus 10. The icon parts storage unit 166 stores, for example, a set of icon parts using the HDD 114.

  The notification information setting unit 163 causes a user (for example, an administrator) to input a character string as notification information. Specifically, the notification information setting unit 163 displays a screen for inputting notification information on the operation panel 15 in response to an input by the user. The notification information setting unit 163 records the character string input via the screen in the notification information storage unit 167. The notification information storage unit 167 stores notification information using the NVRAM 115, for example. The notification information refers to information that should be notified to the user of the image forming apparatus 10 such as a maintenance time of the image forming apparatus 10, for example. The character string recorded as the notification information is combined with an icon by the icon generation unit 162.

  The communication processing unit 164 transmits the icon or the like generated by the icon generation unit 162 to the user terminal 20.

The user terminal 20 includes a device list display control unit 27. The device list display control unit 27 causes the display device 206 to display a list of icons of the image forming apparatus 10 on the network 40. The icon is an icon received from the image forming apparatus 10 . Therefore, a list of icons generated in each image forming apparatus 10 is displayed on the user terminal 20.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 10 and the like will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of icon generation processing when the image forming apparatus is activated. The processing in FIG. 5 is performed when the icon generation unit 162 is activated in the activation process of the image forming apparatus 10 and the state after activation of the image forming apparatus 10 can be acquired.

  In step S <b> 11, the icon generation unit 162 acquires the status information of the image forming apparatus 10 immediately after startup from the device information management unit 165. The status information includes an identification name (function name) of the function that the image forming apparatus 10 has. Further, when a predetermined event occurs, an identifier (event ID) of the event is also included.

  Subsequently, the icon generation unit 162 acquires basic icon parts from the function icon parts table 166a of the icon parts storage unit 166 (S12).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a function icon parts table constituting the icon parts storage unit. As shown in the figure, the function icon parts table 166a stores icon parts representing the function and position information for each function name. The position information is coordinate information indicating a combined position of each icon part when combining (combining) a plurality of icon parts. The position information is determined based on, for example, a relative positional relationship with the basic icon part. Specifically, the origin is predetermined for each icon part. For example, the upper left vertex of each icon part is the origin of each icon. Subsequently, offset values (number of pixels) in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the origin of each icon with respect to the origin of the basic icon parts are used as position information.

  Among Ein parts, an icon part whose identification name is “basic” is a basic icon part. The basic icon parts are basic icon parts that are always used to generate icons regardless of the state of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Subsequently, the icon generation unit 162 determines whether or not the function information is included in the state information (S13). The function information is, for example, a set of function names of functions that the image forming apparatus 10 has. When the function information is included (Yes in S13), the icon generation unit 162 acquires the icon part related to the function name included in the function information from the function icon parts table 166a (S14). As is clear from FIG. 7, the functions are not necessarily exclusive. Therefore, a plurality of icon parts can be acquired in step S14.

  Note that the icon generation unit 162 may confirm whether or not the function related to the function information can be used (that is, whether or not the function is in a normal state) before executing step S14. As a result of the confirmation, icon parts relating to available functions may be acquired. In this case, of the functions provided in the image forming apparatus 10, an icon that can identify a function that can be used at the present time is generated.

  As confirmation of whether or not the function can be used, for example, an application corresponding to each function may be inquired. An inquiry may be made to the scan application 1511 if it is a scanner, a print application 1512 if it is a print, a copy application 1513 if it is a copy, and a FAX application 1514 if it is a FAX. This is because each application knows whether or not it can operate normally. Alternatively, the status information may include information indicating a function abnormality.

  Subsequently, the icon generation unit 162 determines whether or not event information is included in the state information (S15). The event information is, for example, a set of event IDs of events occurring in the image forming apparatus 10. If the event information is included (Yes in S15), the icon generation unit 162 acquires the icon parts related to the event ID included in the event information from the event icon parts table 166b (S16).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an event icon parts table constituting the icon parts storage unit. As shown in the figure, the event icon parts table 166b stores icon parts representing the event and position information for each event ID. The meaning of the position information is the same as the meaning of the position information in the function icon parts table 166a. Also in step S16, a plurality of icon parts can be acquired. In the figure, the event ID is shown as a character string indicating the event for convenience, but may be a bit value or a numerical value.

  Subsequently, the icon generation unit 162 refers to the notification information storage unit 167 and confirms the presence or absence of the notification information (S18). If there is notification information, the icon generation unit 162 acquires a character string as notification information (S19).

  Subsequently, the icon generation unit 162 generates one icon by combining the acquired icon part with the basic icon part (S20). At this time, the icon generation unit 162 performs synthesis so that the origin of each icon part matches the coordinates (relative coordinates with respect to the basic icon parts) indicated by the position information of the icon parts. However, adjustments may be made to avoid duplication between icon parts. When there is notification information, the icon generation unit 162 converts a character string serving as notification information into image data, and combines the image data with the basic icon. The combination position of the notification information may be determined in advance. The icon generated first when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated is hereinafter referred to as “initial icon”.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the initial icon according to the present embodiment. In the figure, the initial icon i1 shows an example in which icon parts relating to a scanner function, a copy function, a printer function, and a FAX function are combined with a basic icon part.

  Depending on the state of the image forming apparatus 10, the icon parts can be combined as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of combining icon parts.

  (1) is an example in which an icon part related to “paper feed table” and an icon part related to “copy” in the function icon parts table 166a are combined into basic icon parts. The icon part of “paper feed table” indicates that a paper feed table (paper feed tray) is added.

  (2) is an example in which icon parts related to “ADF”, “scanner”, and “copy” in the function icon parts table 166a are combined into basic icon parts.

  (3) is an example in which icon parts related to “ADF”, “FAX”, and “copy” in the function icon parts table 166a are combined with basic icon parts.

  (4) is an example in which icon parts related to “ADF”, “printer”, and “copy” in the function icon parts table 166a are combined into basic icon parts.

  (5) is an example in which notification information is combined with basic icon parts. That is, the character string added below the basic icon parts is the notification information. An icon in which the notification information is combined is generated and displayed on the user terminal 20, whereby the notification information regarding the image forming apparatus 10 can be transmitted to the user. In the example shown in the figure, the user can be informed of the unavailable time zone.

  (6) is an example in which icon parts related to “cover open” in the event icon parts table 166b are combined with basic icon parts.

  (7) is an example in which the icon parts related to “paper near end” in the event icon parts table 166b are combined with the basic icon parts.

  (8) is an example in which icon parts related to “out of paper” in the event icon parts table 166b are combined with basic icon parts.

  (9) is an example in which icon parts related to “jam” in the event icon parts table 166b are combined with basic icon parts.

  Subsequently, the icon generation unit 162 records (saves) the generated icon in the RAM 112 (S21).

Thereafter, for example, when the user instructs the user terminal 20 to display a list of devices, the device list display control unit 27 searches the image forming apparatus 10 on the network 40. The device list display control unit 27 transmits a device information acquisition request to the searched image forming apparatus 10. Receiving the acquisition request, the communication processing unit 164 of the image forming apparatus 10 returns the device information including the icon generated in step S16 and recorded in the RAM 112. The device list display control unit 27 causes the display device 206 to display the received icon. As a result, icons indicating the state of each image forming apparatus 10 in detail are displayed on the user terminal 20.

  Next, a processing procedure when the state of the image forming apparatus 10 changes will be described. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure executed in accordance with a change in the state of the image forming apparatus.

The state detection unit 161 periodically acquires state information from the device information management unit 165, and checks whether there is a difference from the previous content. When differences regarding Included feature information or event information to the status information is detected (i.e., when a change in state is detected) (S31), the state detection unit 161, that change in state is detected The icon generation unit 162 is notified (S32).

  In response to the notification from the state detection unit 161, the icon generation unit 162 executes an icon generation process (S33). The contents of the generation process are as described in FIG. The icon generated in step S33 is overwritten with the previously generated icon and recorded in the RAM 112.

  Thereafter, the communication processing unit 164 acquires a newly generated icon from the RAM 112 (S34), and transmits the icon, device information of the image forming apparatus 10, and the like to the device list display control unit 27 of the user terminal 20 ( S35). The device list display control unit 27 replaces the icon displayed so far with respect to the identification information of the image forming apparatus 10 included in the received device information, with the newly received icon (S36). Thereby, the latest display state of the image forming apparatus 10 is reflected in the display content of the icon on the user terminal 20.

  Note that the transmission of icons and the like in step S35 may be performed in response to a request from the device list display control unit 27 (so-called PULL type), or may be actively performed by the communication processing unit 164 (so-called PUSH). Type). In the case of the PUSH type, the transmission destination may be unspecified or limited. “Unspecified destination” means that, for example, an icon or the like is transmitted by broadcasting. On the other hand, when the transmission destination is limited, for example, the communication processing unit 164 identifies the identification information (IP address or the like) of the user terminal 20 that has requested the acquisition of the device information from the start of the image forming apparatus 10 to the present time. Should be remembered. The communication processing unit 164 may limit a transmission destination such as an icon to the user terminal 20 related to the stored identification information. Alternatively, the communication processing unit 164 may receive from the device list display control unit 27 notification of start or end of browsing the device information list. In this case, it is only necessary that the transmission destination such as the icon is limited to the user terminal 20 in which the browsing notification is received and the end notification is not received.

  Next, details of steps S31 and S32 in FIG. 11 (that is, processing of the state detection unit 161) will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure executed by the state detection unit.

  In step S <b> 41, the state detection unit 161 acquires state information from the device information management unit 165. Subsequently, the state detection unit 161 acquires notification information from the notification information storage unit 167 (S42). Subsequently, the state detection unit 161 determines whether or not there is a difference from the previous acquisition regarding the state information and the notification information (S43). That is, the state detection unit 161 stores the previous acquisition result using the RAM 112.

  When a difference from the previous time is detected in the state information or the notification information (Yes in S43), the state detection unit 161 notifies the icon generation unit 162 of a change in state (S44). Therefore, even when the notification information changes, it is notified as a state change. The case where the notification information changes is a case where the notification information is set by an administrator or the like while the image forming apparatus 10 is operating.

  Note that the process of FIG. 12 is periodically executed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, an icon part (icon part) that matches the state indicated by the state information of the image forming apparatus 10 is selected, and the icon is formed by combining the selected icon parts. Generated. Therefore, theoretically, icons corresponding to combinations of icon parts can be generated for one image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the ability to express icons can be improved. As a result, an icon that makes it easy to grasp the state of the image forming apparatus 10 can be presented to the user.

  In addition, the icon is regenerated according to the change in state. Therefore, an icon representing the current state of the image forming apparatus 10 can be generated and presented to the user.

  By presenting such an icon, the user confirms the icon of the image forming apparatus 10 having the function used by the user or the currently available image forming apparatus 10 (that is, the property screen or the like). It is possible to judge (without displaying it).

  In the present embodiment, icon parts are managed in the image forming apparatus 10, and icons are generated in the image forming apparatus 10. Such a form can improve the expression power of an icon compared with the case where icon parts are managed in the user terminal 20. For example, it is easy to make various icon parts different depending on the model of the image forming apparatus 10. This is because each image forming apparatus 10 only needs to manage icon parts related to the model to which the image forming apparatus 10 belongs. On the other hand, when managing icon parts in the user terminal 20, each user terminal 20 must manage icon parts for a plurality of models. In a general office, the image forming apparatus 10 is shared by a plurality of user terminals 20. Then, when the icon parts are managed in each image forming apparatus 10, the icon parts are managed in the entire information processing system 1 as compared with the case where the icon parts are managed in each user terminal 20. The storage area can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 13, the same or corresponding parts as in FIG. In addition to the image forming apparatus 10 and the user terminal 20, a widget management server 30 is connected to a network 40 in the information processing system 2 in FIG.

  The widget management server 30 mediates between each user terminal 20 and each image forming apparatus 10 regarding execution of a program called “widget”. Details of the widget will be described later.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of each device according to the second embodiment. In the figure, a user terminal 20 includes a device monitoring widget 21, a print widget 22, a scan widget 23, a device information acquisition library 25, and the like.

  The device monitoring widget 21, the print widget 22, and the scan widget 23 are application programs that are collectively referred to as “widgets” in the present embodiment. The implementation of each widget can vary from widget to widget. The common point of the widget is that a predetermined service is provided in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 10.

  The device monitoring widget 21 is a widget that acquires information indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 10, statistical information regarding use of the image forming apparatus 10, and the like from the image forming apparatus 10 that is the monitoring target.

  In the figure, the device monitoring widget 21 includes a UI control unit 211, a widget information transmission unit 212, a cooperation unit 213, a monitoring unit 214, a detailed information output unit 215, an attribute information management file 216, and the like.

  The UI control unit 211 displays various display screens related to the device monitoring widget 21 on the display device of the user terminal 20. The widget information transmission unit 212 transmits a widget information registration request for the device monitoring widget 21 to the widget management server 30 in response to the activation of the device monitoring widget 21. The widget information includes identification information of the device monitoring widget 21 and the like. It can be said that the widget identification information is identification information regarding the user terminal 20. This is because identifying the widget as viewed from the image forming apparatus 10 or the widget management server 30 also identifies the user terminal 20.

  The cooperation unit 213 controls communication (information exchange and the like) for cooperation with the image forming apparatus 10. The monitoring unit 214 periodically acquires status information from the image forming apparatus 10 that is the monitoring target. The detailed information output unit 215 receives status information of the image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored, statistical information about usage (various counter values, number of job occurrences, information in the ROM 113, image control voltage information, in response to an instruction input by the user. And the like, and detailed information including various log information and the like are acquired from the image forming apparatus 10, and the acquired detailed information is printed on the image forming apparatus 10.

  The attribute information management file 216 is a file that stores attribute information of the device monitoring widget 21. The attribute information includes, for example, an identifier (widget ID) of the device monitoring widget 21, a user ID of a user who is the owner of the device monitoring widget 21, a list of image forming apparatuses 10 to be monitored, and for communication of the device monitoring widget 21 Among the identification information and the detailed information, information indicating items to be included in the print target is set or registered in advance.

  The print widget 22 is a widget that causes the image forming apparatus 10 that can communicate via the network 40 to execute a print job.

  The scan widget 23 is a widget that executes predetermined processing (for example, distribution or storage) on image data (scanned image) scanned by the image forming apparatus 10.

  The device information acquisition library 25 is a library (for example, DLL (Dynamic Link Library)) having an API (Application Program Interface) for acquiring state information and detailed information from the image forming apparatus 10. The monitoring unit 214 and the detailed information output unit 215 use the device information acquisition library 25 to acquire state information or detailed information from the image forming apparatus 10. The device information acquisition library 25 is created for general use and can be shared by other device management applications (not shown).

  As can be understood from the fact that the user ID of the owner of the widget is recorded in the attribute information management file 216 of the device monitoring widget 21, each widget belongs to the user. Therefore, even if the widgets are the same, if the users to which the widgets belong are different, the widgets are distinguished as different ones. For example, a widget belonging to user A is basically permitted to be used only by user A. The use of widgets belonging to user B is basically permitted only to user B. However, for example, the use of a widget owned by another person may be enabled by giving a use authority to another user by an access control function.

  Note that the user terminal 20 in the second embodiment may not include the device list display control unit 27.

  The widget management server 30 is a computer having a widget information registration unit 31, an advertisement unit 32, a widget information providing unit 33, a mediation unit 34, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that a program installed in the widget management server 30 causes the CPU of the widget management server 30 to execute.

  The widget information registration unit 31 receives a widget information registration request transmitted from the user terminal 20 and stores the widget information in the widget information management table 35. The widget information management table 35 is generated in the storage device of the widget management server 30 for each user. That is, each widget information management table 35 manages a list of widget information of widgets belonging to the corresponding user. The advertisement unit 32 advertises (broadcasts or multicasts) the user ID and the like included in the widget information received by the widget information registration unit 31 on the network 40. Advertising is performed in units of users (units of user IDs). Specifically, even if new widget information belonging to the user A is received after being advertised with respect to the user A, the advertisement according to the widget information is not performed. That is, the advertisement by the advertising unit 32 is information for notifying the image forming apparatus 10 that a user who has become able to use some widget has newly occurred. However, the advertisement may be performed in units of widget information. In this case, duplicate advertisements are issued for the same user, but the elimination of duplication may be performed on the image forming apparatus 10 side. The widget information providing unit 33 provides (transmits) the widget information registered in the widget information management table 35 to the image forming apparatus 10 in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 10. The mediating unit 34 mediates communication between the widget and the image forming apparatus 10.

  Note that the user terminal 20 may also serve as the widget management server 30. That is, a program that realizes the widget information registration unit 31, the advertisement unit 32, the widget information provision unit 33, the mediation unit 34, and the like may be installed in the user terminal 20.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a user detection unit 121, a UI control unit 122, a widget information acquisition unit 123, a widget cooperation unit 124, a job execution control unit 125, a user management table 126, a state information provision unit 127, and a detailed information provision unit 128. Etc. Each of these units is realized by a process that the program installed in the image forming apparatus 10 causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute. Note that these units are mounted, for example, in one SDK application 152 shown in FIG. In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment includes all software included in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the icon generated by the icon generation unit 162 is always recorded in the RAM 112.

The user detection unit 121 detects the presence of a user who can use the widget based on the advertisement issued from the widget management server 30 and registers the user ID and the like included in the advertisement in the user management table 126. The user management table 126 is a table for managing a list of users who activate the widget on the network 40. The UI control unit 122 receives an input of a widget operation instruction or the like from the user. That is, the widget is arranged on the user terminal 20 but can also be operated from the operation panel 15 of the image forming apparatus 10. The widget information acquisition unit 123 acquires, from the widget management server 30, widget information related to a user who operates the image forming apparatus 10 (that is, widget information of a widget activated by a user having the same user ID as the operator). The widget cooperation unit 124 controls communication with the widget. The job execution control unit 125 controls execution of a job related to the function requested from the widget. For example, a print job or a scan job is executed under the control of the job execution control unit 125. Status information providing unit 12 7 及 beauty detailed information providing unit 128 is a server function for the device information acquisition library 25. Specifically, the status information providing unit 127 returns status information of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to a status information acquisition request from the device information acquisition library 25. Further, the detailed information providing unit 128 returns detailed information of the image forming apparatus 10 in response to a detailed information acquisition request from the device information acquisition library 25.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the information processing system 2 will be described. First, a processing procedure when the widget information of the device monitoring widget 21 is registered in the widget management server 30 will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure when transmitting the widget information of the device monitoring widget.

  In response to the activation instruction of the device monitoring widget 21 input by the user at the user terminal 20, the widget information transmission unit 212 refers to the attribute information management file 216, generates widget information, and manages the registration request for the widget information. It transmits to the server 30 (S111). Information (for example, an IP address or a host name) for communicating with the widget management server 30 is registered in advance in each user terminal 20.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the widget information of the device monitoring widget. In the figure, the widget information of the device monitoring widget 21 includes a widget ID, a user ID, a linkage function identifier, a widget address, a display name, and the like.

  The widget ID is identification information that uniquely identifies each widget. The user ID is identification information of a user who is the owner of the device monitoring widget 21. The cooperation function identifier is information for identifying a function (in other words, a function used by the widget) that the image forming apparatus 10 that cooperates with the widget needs to have. Examples of the linkage function identifier include “print” and “scan”. “Print” indicates a print function. “Scan” indicates a scan function. As will be described later, the device monitoring widget 21 uses the printing function of the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 16, “print” is set as the cooperation function identifier. The widget address is identification information (for example, URL) for uniquely identifying each widget in network communication. The display name is a character string for displaying the name of the widget. The widget ID, user ID, linkage function identifier, widget address, and display name are acquired from the attribute information management file 216, for example.

  The widget information transmitted from the widget information transmission unit 212 in step S111 is received by the widget information registration unit 31 of the widget management server 30. The widget information registration unit 31 registers the widget information in the widget information management table 35 corresponding to the user ID included in the received widget information. If there is no widget information management table 35 corresponding to the user ID, the widget information registration unit 31 generates a widget information management table 35 corresponding to the user ID, and stores the widget information in the generated widget information management table 35. Register (S112).

  When the widget information management table 35 is newly generated (that is, when the widget information is registered for the first time for the user associated with the user ID included in the received widget information), the advertising unit 32 receives An advertisement including a user ID included in the widget information and a widget information acquisition URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is issued on the network 40 (S113). The widget information acquisition URL is a unique URL for each widget information management table 35. For example, when the widget information registration unit 31 generates the widget information management table 35, the widget information registration unit 31 generates a widget information acquisition URL for the widget information management table 35. Here, the widget information management table 35 is generated for each user. Therefore, the URL for acquiring widget information is unique for each user.

  Subsequently, when receiving the advertisement, the user detection unit 121 of the image forming apparatus 10 registers the user ID and the widget information acquisition URL included in the advertisement in the user management table 126 (S114).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a user management table. As shown in the figure, the user management table 126 manages a pair of a user ID and a widget information acquisition URL. In the figure, an example in which records are registered for user A and user B is shown. The user management table 126 is stored in the HDD 114, for example.

  After executing the processing of FIG. 15, the user moves to the installation location of the image forming apparatus 10 in order to execute the device monitoring widget 21. When a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 are connected to the network 40, the same advertisement is received by the user detection unit 121 of each image forming apparatus 10, and a user ID and a widget are stored in the user management table 126 of each image forming apparatus 10. An information acquisition URL is registered. Therefore, the user can execute a job related to each widget regardless of which of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 is an operation target. Even when the print widget 22 or the scan widget 23 is activated, the same processing procedure as in FIG. 15 is executed. As a result, the widget information of the print widget 22 or the scan widget 23 is registered in the widget information management table 35 of the widget management server 30.

  Next, processing executed in response to a user operation in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure of display processing of a list of executable widgets.

  When the user inputs a widget usage instruction via the operation panel 15 (S201), the UI control unit 122 of the image forming apparatus 10 operates the user selection screen based on information registered in the user management table 126. It is displayed on the panel 15 (S202).

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the user selection screen. In the user selection screen 610 shown in the figure, a button is displayed for each user ID. In the figure, a button 611 corresponding to the user A and a button 612 corresponding to the user B are displayed.

  Subsequently, the user presses a button corresponding to his / her user ID on the user selection screen 610 (S203). In response to pressing of the button, the widget information acquisition unit 123 acquires the URL for acquiring widget information associated with the user ID corresponding to the selected button from the user management table 126. Note that the user may be authenticated in response to pressing of the button corresponding to the user ID, and the subsequent processing may be executed only when the user is authenticated.

  Subsequently, the widget information acquisition unit 123 transmits a widget information acquisition request to the widget information acquisition URL (S204). The widget information acquisition request is received by the widget information providing unit 33 of the widget management server 30. The widget information providing unit 33 includes all widget information registered in the widget information management table 35 corresponding to the widget information acquisition URL (that is, the widget information management table 35 corresponding to the user who is operating the image forming apparatus 10). And a list of the acquired widget information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (S205). When transmitting a list of widget information, the widget information providing unit 33 sets a URL (hereinafter referred to as “widget relay URL”) for relaying communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and each widget for each widget (for each widget information). ) Uniquely generated. The widget information providing unit 33 adds the widget relay URL generated for each widget to each widget information, and transmits a list of widget information to which the widget relay URL is added to the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, the widget information transmitted in step S205 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 20, for example.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the widget information of the device monitoring widget transmitted from the widget management server to the image forming apparatus.

  The widget information shown in FIG. 20 is obtained by adding a widget relay URL to the widget information of FIG. In step S205, a list of widget information as shown in the figure is transmitted. Here, items that contain only one piece of widget information are also referred to as a list of widget information.

  Subsequently, the UI control unit 122 of the image forming apparatus 10 records a list of received widget information in the RAM 112, and based on the list of widget information, a screen including a list of executable widgets (widget selection Screen) is displayed (S206).

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the widget selection screen. In the figure, the widget selection screen 620 displays a button (display component) for each widget. In the figure, a button 621 corresponding to the device monitoring widget 21, a button 622 corresponding to the print widget 22, and a button 623 corresponding to the scan widget 23 are displayed.

  The processing procedure after display of the widget selection screen 620 differs depending on the type of widget selected as the execution target. In the present embodiment, a processing procedure when the device monitoring widget 21 is an execution target will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when the device monitoring widget is executed.

  When the button 621 corresponding to the device monitoring widget 21 is displayed on the widget selection screen 620, if the image forming apparatus 10 is to be monitored, the user presses (selects) the button 621 and starts the key. Is pressed (S301). In response to the pressing of the button 621 and the pressing of the start key, the widget cooperation unit 124 includes a cooperation function identifier (“print”) included in the widget information corresponding to the pressed button 621 (hereinafter referred to as “current widget information”). )) To recognize that printing should be executed. In order to execute printing, it is necessary to obtain print data. Therefore, the widget cooperation unit 124 transmits a print data transmission request to the widget relay URL included in the current widget information (S302). The transmission request includes identification information (for example, IP address) for communication of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The transmission request for the print data addressed to the widget relay URL is received by the mediation unit 34 of the widget management server 30. The mediation unit 34 acquires the widget information corresponding to the widget relay URL from the widget information management table 35, and transfers a print data transmission request to the widget address included in the widget information (S303).

  The transmission request for the print data addressed to the widget address is received by the cooperation unit 213 of the device monitoring widget 21 in the user terminal 20. The cooperation unit 213 determines whether or not the IP address included in the transmission request is included in the “monitoring target list”. The monitoring target list is a list (storage means for storing the IP address of the image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored (status information acquisition target) by the monitoring unit 214 using the auxiliary storage device 202. The monitoring request list is included in the transmission request. If the IP address being recorded is recorded in the monitoring target list, step S328 and later are executed, whereas if the IP address included in the transmission request is not recorded in the monitoring target list, The cooperation unit 213 registers the IP address in the monitoring target list (S304).

That is, the cooperation unit 213 of the device monitoring widget 21 interprets the print data transmission request received in S303 as a registration request for the image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored. Therefore, the cooperation unit 213 returns a dummy response instead of the requested print data to the mediation unit 34 of the widget management server 30 (S305). The mediation unit 34 transfers the dummy response to the widget cooperation unit 124 of the image forming apparatus 10 (S306). The dummy response is, for example, a response message in which a portion where print data is stored is empty. When the widget cooperation unit 124 receives the dummy response, the widget cooperation unit 124 ends the process in response to the pressing of the button 621 without executing the print job.

  As is clear from the processing procedure described above, the device monitoring widget 21 does not automatically search for the image forming apparatus 10 connected to the network 40 and automatically register the monitoring target, but instead uses the device monitoring widget 21. The image forming apparatus 10 for which the button 621 (see FIG. 21) corresponding to is selected is registered as a monitoring target. In other words, the user needs to select the button 621 corresponding to the device monitoring widget 21 by operating the image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored.

  Since the selection of the button 621 corresponding to the device monitoring widget 21 is required, the user can determine whether or not the image forming apparatus 10 is to be monitored while confirming the actual image forming apparatus 10. As a result, compared with the case where the monitoring target is automatically registered, the intention of the user can be more respected as to which image forming apparatus 10 is set as the monitoring target. In addition, since the user himself performs the operation of selecting the image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored via the operation panel 15, identification information such as the name of which image forming apparatus 10 is the monitoring target. It is possible to clearly recognize not only the position but also the arrangement position.

  The monitoring unit 214 of the device monitoring widget 21 starts monitoring the monitoring target from the time when the monitoring target is registered (that is, from the time when the first IP address is registered in the monitoring target list). Specifically, the monitoring unit 214 specifies an IP address registered in the monitoring target list as an argument, and calls the status information acquisition function of the device information acquisition library 25 (S311). The status information acquisition function transmits a status information acquisition request to the status information providing unit 127 of the image forming apparatus 10 corresponding to the specified IP address (for example, to the port number corresponding to the status information providing unit 127) ( S312).

  The status information providing unit 127 that has received the acquisition request acquires status information from the image forming apparatus 10 and returns the acquired status information (S313). The status information according to the second embodiment includes, for example, the name (device name) of the image forming apparatus 10, the remaining amount of toner, and the remaining amount of paper. Further, the icon generated by the icon generating unit 162 and recorded in the RAM 112 is also included in the state information. The status information acquisition function of the device information acquisition library 25 outputs the returned status information to the monitoring unit 214 of the device monitoring widget 21 (S314). The monitoring unit 214 records (saves) the output state information in the auxiliary storage device 202 in association with the IP address (S315).

  The acquisition of the status information by the monitoring unit 214 is repeatedly performed, for example, periodically. When a plurality of IP addresses are registered in the monitoring target list, status information is acquired from each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 in series or in parallel, and associated with each IP address (that is, image formation). It is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 202 (differentiated for each device 10).

  Note that the UI control unit 211 of the device monitoring widget 21 causes the display device 206 to display an image (icon) indicating that the widget has been started since the device monitoring widget 21 is started. The UI control unit 211 depends on the state of the device monitoring widget 21 or the state of the image forming apparatus 10 that is the monitoring target (according to the state information acquired from the image forming apparatus 10 that is the monitoring target). For example, the display mode (display state) of the icon is changed as shown in FIG. The icon is different from the icon representing the image forming apparatus 10 generated by the icon generation unit 162.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the display mode of the icon of the device monitoring widget. In the figure, an icon i1 indicates that there is no monitoring target. That is, when no IP address is registered in the monitoring target list, the UI control unit 211 displays the icon i1. The icon i2 indicates that the state of the image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored is good (normal or normal). That is, when the "normal state" is indicated in the state information acquired, UI control unit 21 1 displays the icon i2. The icon i3 indicates a warning state (attention) such as the state of the image forming apparatus 10 being a warm-up state, a power saving state, printing execution, a warning occurrence, a toner remaining amount below a predetermined amount, or a paper remaining amount below a predetermined amount. Required state). That is, if indicated these states in the state information acquired, UI control unit 21 1 displays the icon i3. The icon i4 indicates that the state of the image forming apparatus 10 is a warning state such as out of paper, paper jam, out of toner, cover open, or no response (in response to a status information acquisition request). That is, when the status information of these conditions is shown, or if the status information is not returned, UI control unit 21 1 displays the icon i4.

  A waveform is drawn on each icon. The degree of change from the normal state of the image forming apparatus 10 is expressed by the period of this waveform. That is, the waveform cycle is gradually shortened in the order of icon i2 → icon i3 → icon i4. Therefore, the user can roughly grasp the state of the image forming apparatus 10 by confirming the shape of the waveform drawn on the icon. The color of the waveform may be changed along with the waveform period. For example, the waveform color of the icons i1 and i2 may be “blue” or “green”, the waveform color of the icon i3 may be “yellow”, and the waveform color of the icon i4 may be “red”. By doing so, it is possible to more intuitively grasp the change in the state of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Note that an icon may be displayed for each image forming apparatus 10 to be monitored, or one icon may be displayed for a plurality of monitoring targets. In the latter case, when the state of any one of the image forming apparatuses 10 corresponds to the state corresponding to the icon i3 or the icon i4, the icon may be displayed.

User by an icon operation (e.g., double-click, etc.) Once, UI control unit 21 1 displays the monitored and has been that state machine status display screen for displaying the image forming apparatus 10 to the display device 206.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the device status display screen. In the drawing, a device status display screen 630 includes a list box 631, a status display region 632, a remaining toner display region 633, a remaining paper display region 634, a device icon 635, and the like.

The list box 631 is a display component for selecting an image forming apparatus 10 that is a display target of status information, and displays a list of device names of the image forming apparatuses 10 that are monitored. UI control unit 21 1 on the basis of the state information associated with the image forming apparatus 10 selected in the list box 631 is recorded in the auxiliary storage device 202, status display area 632, the toner remaining amount display area 633 and, The display content of the remaining sheet display area 634 and the like is changed. Note that only the image forming apparatus 10 selected in the list box 631 may be the monitoring target (status information acquisition target).

In the status display area 632, a symbol or the like corresponding to any status when the status of the image forming apparatus 10 is classified into a good status, a caution status, and a warning status is displayed. The remaining toner amount display area 633 displays the remaining amount for each toner color (black, cyan, magenta, yellow). In the figure, it is shown that the toner of any color has a sufficient remaining amount. In the remaining paper display area 634, the remaining amount of paper is displayed for each paper feed table (paper feed tray). In the figure, it is shown that the remaining sheets on both the tray 1 (Tray1) and Tray 2 (Tray2) is.

  The device icon 635 is an icon generated by the icon generation unit 162 and received by being included in the state information. The user can enjoy the same effect as the first embodiment by referring to the device icon 635.

As described above, the user can by an icon or device status display screen 630, etc. of the equipment monitoring widget 21 to be displayed on the display device 206 of the user terminal 20 to confirm the change of state of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, when the icon i4 (warning state) is displayed, the user goes to the image forming apparatus 10 related to the warning state and performs the operation described in FIG. Therefore, the widget selection screen 620 is displayed on the image forming apparatus 10.

  When the user desires to output detailed information regarding the image forming apparatus 10, the user presses (selects) the button 621 corresponding to the device monitoring widget 21 on the widget selection screen 620 and presses the start key of the operation panel 15 ( S321). That is, the selection of the button 621 relating to the image forming apparatus 10 that is not a monitoring target corresponds to an intention display by the user that the image forming apparatus 10 is a monitoring target, whereas an image that is already a monitoring target. The selection of the button 621 relating to the forming apparatus 10 corresponds to an intention display by the user that the user desires to output detailed information relating to the image forming apparatus 10.

  The subsequent processing contents of steps S322 and S323 are the same as the processing contents of steps S302 and S303 described above. Therefore, the print data transmission request is received by the cooperation unit 213 of the device monitoring widget 21 in the user terminal 20. The cooperation unit 213 determines whether or not the IP address included in the transmission request is included in the “monitoring target list”. Here, since the IP address is that of the image forming apparatus 10 that has already been monitored, it is included in the monitoring target list. Therefore, the cooperation unit 213 specifies the IP address and requests the detailed information output unit 215 to output detailed information.

  Subsequently, the detailed information output unit 215 calls a detailed information acquisition function of the device information acquisition library 25 (S324). The detailed information acquisition function transmits a detailed information acquisition request to the detailed information providing unit 128 of the image forming apparatus 10 corresponding to the designated IP address (for example, to the port number corresponding to the detailed information providing unit 128) ( S325).

  The detailed information providing unit 128 that has received the acquisition request acquires detailed information from the image forming apparatus 10 and returns the acquired detailed information (S326). The detailed information acquisition function of the device information acquisition library 25 outputs the returned detailed information to the monitoring unit 214 of the device monitoring widget 21 (S327).

  Subsequently, the detailed information output unit 215 generates print data (PDL (Page Description Language) data) for printing the detailed information using, for example, a printer driver installed in the user terminal 20 (S328). ). However, when the image forming apparatus 10 can accept data in a general data format such as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) data or PDF (Portable Document Format) data as print data, the detailed information is converted to data in the data format. The data may be converted into print data after conversion.

Subsequently, the cooperation unit 213 returns the generated print data to the mediation unit 34 of the widget management server 30 as a response to the print data transmission request received in step S323 (S329). The print data corresponds to a print request for detailed information. The mediation unit 34 transfers the print data to the widget cooperation unit 124 of the image forming apparatus 10 (S330).

The widget cooperation unit 124 of the image forming apparatus 10 inputs the received print data to the job execution control unit 125. Subsequently, the job execution control unit 125 executes a print job related to the received print data (S331) . As a result, the paper on which the detailed information is printed is output from the printer 13. When the user selects the button 621 on the widget selection screen 620 and presses the start key, it appears as if a sheet on which detailed information is printed is output on the spot.

  When the print job is completed, the widget cooperation unit 124 transmits the result information (success / failure information) of the print job to the widget relay URL included in the widget information of the device monitoring widget 21 to be executed. (S332). The result information addressed to the widget relay URL is received by the mediation unit 34 of the widget management server 30. The mediation unit 34 acquires the widget information corresponding to the widget relay URL from the widget information management table 35, and transfers the result information to the widget address included in the widget information (S333).

  Result information addressed to the widget address is received by the cooperation unit 213 of the device monitoring widget 21 in the user terminal 20.

  In the form as described above, an icon generated by the icon generation unit 162 may be used.

  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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Information processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Network interface 17 SD card slot 20 User terminal 21 Device monitoring widget 22 Print widget 23 Scan widget 25 Device information acquisition library 27 Device list display Control unit 30 Widget management server 31 Widget information registration unit 32 Advertising unit 33 Widget information providing unit 34 Mediation unit 40 Network 80 SD card 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
115 NVRAM
121 User detection unit 122 UI control unit 123 Widget information acquisition unit 124 Widget cooperation unit 125 Job execution control unit 126 User management table 127 Status information provision unit 128 Detailed information provision unit 151 Standard application 152 SDK application 153 SDK platform 154 Control service 155 OS
161 State detection unit 162 Icon generation unit 163 Notification information setting unit 164 Communication processing unit 165 Device information management unit 166 Icon parts storage unit 167 Notification information storage unit 200 Drive device 201 Recording medium 202 Auxiliary storage device 203 Memory device 204 CPU
205 Interface Device 206 Display Device 207 Input Device 211 UI Control Unit 212 Widget Information Transmission Unit 213 Cooperation Unit 214 Monitoring Unit 215 Detailed Information Output Unit 216 Attribute Information Management File 1511 Scan Application 1512 Print Application 1513 Copy Application 1514 FAX Application B Bus

JP 2004-110127 A

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus,
For each type of status regarding the image forming apparatus, the images storage means for storing the first image data representing the state,
Get one or a plurality of the first image data conforming to the state from the image storage means of the image forming apparatus, to represent the image forming apparatus acquired one or more of the first image data image Image generation means for generating one second image data by combining the data ;
An image forming apparatus having communication processing means for transmitting the second image data to a computer via a network. Having a state detecting means for detecting a change in the state of the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates the second image data in response to detection of the change by the state detection unit. Having setting means for recording the inputted character string in the character string storage means;
3. The image according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates the second image data by synthesizing the character string stored in the character string storage unit with image data representing the image forming apparatus. Forming equipment. The state is a state relating to the presence or absence of a function or a component of the image forming apparatus,
The image storage unit stores the first image data representing the function or the component for each function or component related to the image forming apparatus,
The image generation unit confirms whether or not the function or component of the image forming apparatus can be used, acquires the first image data relating to the usable function or component from the image storage unit, and is acquired. the image forming apparatus of the first synthesized image data by one second to generate image data according to claim 1 to 3 any one claim that the image data representing the image forming apparatus. An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus,
For each type of status regarding the image forming apparatus, than images storage means for storing the first image data representing the state, the first image data state 1 or more conform to the the image forming apparatus said image storage means obtained from an image generating step of generating a one second image data acquired by one or more of the first image data by combining the image data representing the image forming apparatus,
An information processing method comprising: a communication processing procedure for transmitting the second image data to a computer via a network. An information processing system having an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus,
For each type of status regarding the image forming apparatus, the images storage means for storing the first image data representing the state,
Get one or a plurality of the first image data conforming to the state from the image storage means of the image forming apparatus, to represent the image forming apparatus acquired one or more of the first image data image Image generation means for generating one second image data by combining the data ;
An information processing system comprising: communication processing means for transmitting the second image data to the information processing apparatus via a network.

Images