JP6787153B2 - Programs and information processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program and an information processing device.

On the operation screens of devices such as multifunction devices (devices that also have functions such as printers, scanners, and copiers), in addition to display elements for input reception that accept input related to operations such as menu screens and various setting screens, toner , Warnings such as low paper level, and other display elements for providing information are displayed. In some such devices, a display element for providing information is superimposed on a display element for receiving input in the form of a pop-up or a sliding banner or the like. In the case of such a superposed display type device, the user operates an input unit such as an icon in a portion covered with a superposed information providing display element among the lower display elements for receiving input. Can't. Therefore, the covered portion is deleted by erasing the display element for providing information when a predetermined (predetermined) time has passed from the start of display or when the erase button in the display element is pressed. It is possible to operate the input section in.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that displays a screen with a display element such as a warning or a related advertisement corresponding to the display condition when the display condition such that the remaining amount of toner becomes equal to or less than the threshold value is satisfied (Fig.). 4). Further, this device can set an erasure condition in association with a display element, and when this erasure condition is satisfied, the display element being displayed is erased (that is, hidden) from the screen. The erasure conditions include, for example, that a predetermined time has passed from the start of display, that the execution of the job has been completed for the display element displayed on the condition that the execution of the job (for example, copy) has started, and that the warning for the display element of the warning display. It is illustrated that the target state of is resolved.

Patent Document 2 discloses a display control device that controls an OSD (On Screen Display) display of a tablet terminal or a display device. When a trigger event such as mail reception or low battery level occurs, this device will display a warning, etc. corresponding to the event on the first display item (menu screen, web page, etc.) currently displayed on the screen. The display element (second display item) indicating is displayed in an overlapping manner (pop-up display). The second display item includes an "OK" button indicating that the user has confirmed the item, and when the user presses the button, the second display item is deleted from the screen (see FIG. 8). .. Further, the second display item is deleted from the screen even when a predetermined time has elapsed after the display (see paragraph 0058).

In Patent Document 3, when displaying a banner such as an advertisement on a web page, the number of displayed messages within a certain period of time, whether or not to display a message for each web page, the display location, etc. can be set as preferences for each user. The device is disclosed.

Patent Document 4 discloses a banner system that automatically switches the setting of the banner to be displayed according to the content of the linked web page and the web page displaying the banner and the number of impressions.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-159427 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-132888 Special Table 2005-527054 JP-A-2002-157498

Even after the second display element displayed superimposed on the first display element is erased according to the user's instruction, the condition for displaying the second display element is often satisfied. For example, when the second display element indicating that the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the threshold value is superimposed and displayed on the menu screen (an example of the first display element), the second display element is erased by the user's instruction. However, if the toner cartridge is not replaced, the state where the remaining amount of toner is below the threshold value is not resolved and continues. If the trigger state continues even after the displayed second display element is erased by the user's instruction, if the second display element is left erased, the user means that the state continues. There is a possibility that the chances of being transmitted to the situation will decrease and the necessary measures will not be taken for the situation. On the other hand, if the second display element once instructed to be erased is repeatedly displayed while the user is operating on the operation screen, for example, at a periodic timing or a timing such as switching of the screen display, the user It can be annoying.

The present invention increases the chances that the information of the second display element is transmitted to the user as compared with the method of leaving the second display element erased in response to the user's operation, while the user is operating on the screen. The purpose is to make it less troublesome to the user than the method of displaying the second display element.

The invention according to claim 1 is a display control means for controlling a computer to display a second display element for information notification by superimposing the computer on the first display element, and the first display element according to a non-display instruction from the user. 2 It is a means for hiding the display element, and keeps the second display element hidden until the end of the user session, and makes it possible to display the second display element when the user session ends. As a non-display control means for controlling, a means for hiding the second display element when the non-display instruction is not given by the user and a non-display condition different from the non-display instruction is satisfied. A program for making the function function , the display control means superimposes the second display element on the first display element when the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, and displays the display. The control means is provided as long as the second display element can be displayed by the non-display control means at a predetermined display timing and the display conditions corresponding to the second display element are satisfied. , The second display element is redisplayed, and the display control means is hidden before the end of the user session when the second display element is hidden because the other non-display condition is satisfied. Even if there is, the program is characterized in that the second display element is redisplayed if the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied at the display timing .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the display control means superimposes the second display element on the first display element when the display conditions corresponding to the second display element are satisfied, and controls the display. When the second display element is kept hidden by the non-display control means at a predetermined display timing, the means may satisfy the display conditions corresponding to the second display element. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second display element is not redisplayed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the display condition corresponding to the second display element is that an abnormality corresponding to the second display element has occurred in the device on which the computer is mounted. 2. The program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the display element is a display element for notifying that the abnormality has occurred.

The invention according to claim 4, either the computer, according to claim 1-3, wherein the is intended for means to redisplay said second display element at the end of the user session, as to further features The program described in item 1.

The invention according to claim 5 is the program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the non-display control means determines that the user session is terminated when the user performs a logout operation. is there.

The invention according to claim 6, wherein the non-display control means, the user, when performing an operation for initializing all the user-configurable parameters, determines and end of the user session, claim 1-5 The program according to any one of the above.

The invention according to claim 7, wherein the non-display control means, when the unoperated state of the user has passed a predetermined time, judges and end of the user session, any one of the claims 1-6 The program described in the section.

The invention according to claim 8 is a display control means for controlling the display of a second display element for information notification superimposed on the first display element, and the second display in response to a non-display instruction from the user. It is a means for hiding an element, and controls to maintain the hidden state of the second display element until the end of the user session and to release the hidden state when the user session ends. and a non-display control means, said non-display instruction is not made from the user, and unrealized hidden to unit, the second display element when another non-display condition is satisfied and the non-display instruction When the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, the display control means superimposes the second display element on the first display element, and the display control means is predetermined. At the display timing, if the second display element can be displayed by the non-display control means and the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, the second display element is re-displayed. When the second display element is hidden due to the satisfaction of the other non-display condition, the display control means displays the information, and the display control means is displayed at the display timing even before the end of the user session. The information processing apparatus is characterized in that if the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, the second display element is redisplayed .

According to the inventions of claims 1 to 3 or 8 , the opportunity for the information of the second display element to be transmitted to the user is increased as compared with the method of leaving the second display element erased according to the operation of the user. It is possible to make it less troublesome to the user than the method of displaying the second display element while the user is operating on the screen.

According to the invention of claim 4 , there is an opportunity to notify the user again of the information content of the second display element deleted by the user during the user session when the user session ends.

According to the inventions of claims 5 to 7 , it becomes possible to determine the end of the user session.

It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the device of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display of a device. It is a figure which shows the example of the banner display. It is a figure which shows the example of the management information of a banner display control part. It is a figure which shows the example of the process of the start determination of a user session. It is a figure which shows the example of the banner display processing when an abnormality occurs. It is a figure which shows the example of the processing procedure at the time of abnormality resolution. It is a figure which shows the example of the process of the banner redisplay control. It is a figure which shows the example of the process of the end determination of a user session. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen transition from the main menu screen to the copy screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display at the time of pressing a login button. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display at the time of pressing the reset button of all initialization. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen display during job execution. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen transition when a banner is pressed. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen transition at the time of a logout operation.

An example of the functional configuration of the device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This device is a device that provides a user with a process executed by the processing mechanism 16. The types of equipment are not particularly limited, and are printers, scanners, copiers, facsimile machines, multifunction devices (devices that also have the functions of printers, scanners, and copiers), kiosk terminals, photographing devices, video equipment, personal computers, etc. It can be anything of. For example, when the device is a multifunction device, the device includes a printing mechanism, a scanning mechanism, an information processing mechanism for job management, and the like as the processing mechanism 16. The device may have a plurality of processing mechanisms 16 such as a printing mechanism and a scanning mechanism.

The display device 10 is a device that displays display information for the user interface of the device. In this example, the screen of the display device 10 is a touch panel that detects the position on the screen that the user's finger or the like touches. Although an example in which the display device 10 is a touch panel will be described below, the control of the embodiment described below can be applied even when the display device 10 does not have the touch panel function.

The screen display control unit 12 generates display information of a GUI (graphical user interface) type user interface screen that receives instructions for operating the device, and supplies the display information to the display device 10 for display. This user interface screen is called an operation screen. The operation screen is composed of display elements such as a background, a window, an icon, a menu, a button, and a banner. Further, the screen display control unit 12 detects the user's operation on the display element in the operation screen based on the signal indicating the touch position from the display device 10 (touch panel), and transmits the instruction indicated by the operation to the main control unit 14. Or, the display contents of the operation screen are updated according to the operation.

The screen display control unit 12 has a banner display control unit 20. The banner display control unit 20 controls the display of the banner, which is an element constituting the user interface screen. In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the banner 120 is displayed in a band-shaped area near the lower side of the operation screen, but this is just an example. Further, in this example, the banner is used to notify the user of information from the device side. The information to be notified includes, for example, information indicating the occurrence of various errors in the device, information indicating the current state of the device (for example, job execution), and the like.

The banner display control unit 20 includes a non-display control unit 22. The non-display control unit 22 receives a non-display instruction from the user for the displayed banner, and hides the banner (that is, deletes it from the operation screen) in response to the instruction. Further, the non-display control unit 22 performs a process for controlling the redisplay of the hidden banner according to the instruction of the user (details will be described later).

The main control unit 14 controls the overall operation of the device. For example, the main control unit 14 controls each processing mechanism 16 in the device so that the processing corresponding to the operation input of the user is executed. The main control unit 14 receives notifications of operating states such as feedback and error occurrence from each processing mechanism 16, and constantly grasps the state of each processing mechanism 16 based on these notifications.

A sensor 18 for detecting the state of each part of the device is provided in the device. The individual sensors 18 are a type of sensor suitable for detecting the state of each monitored portion. For example, when the device is a multifunction device, the example of the sensor 18 provided in the printing mechanism, which is one of the processing mechanisms 16, includes the paper detection sensors in each part of the paper transport path and the remaining amount of the paper feed tray. There are sensors, sensors that detect the remaining amount of toner of each color, and so on. The main control unit 14 detects the state of the portion corresponding to each sensor 18 from the signals notified from these sensors 18.

When the device is a multifunction device or a printer, the main control unit 14 of the device manages a job that manages the execution of a process (job) instructed by the user.

Further, the main control unit 14 is responsible for the user management function. In this user management, for example, login authentication is performed for a user who intends to use the device, and if this authentication is successful, the authority assigned to that user (information on this authority is possessed by the main control unit 14 or from another server. Allow the use of the device within the range of (available). Another example of user management is to record the amount of equipment used (for example, the number of prints) by the logged-in user. Depending on the usage policy of the device, a certain usage authority may be granted to a user who does not log in (so-called guest user).

The operation screen generated by the screen display control unit 12 includes, for example, a main menu screen showing a list of functions (processes) provided by the device, a function screen for setting parameters for individual functions, and the like. The screen displayed on the display device 10 transitions according to an event that becomes a trigger. The screen transition trigger event includes an operation from the user and a state of the device detected by the main control unit 14 from the signals from each processing mechanism 16 and each sensor 18. For example, when the user presses (touches) a button indicating the copy function on the main menu screen displayed on the display device 10 of the multifunction device, the screen display control unit 12 mainly displays the operation screen to be displayed on the display device 10. Transition from the menu screen to the function screen for the copy function. Further, for example, when the main control unit 14 detects a state (a kind of mild abnormal state) in which the remaining amount of the toner is equal to or less than the warning threshold value based on the signal from the remaining amount sensor of the toner of a certain color. The banner display control unit 20 displays a banner on which a warning message indicating that the remaining amount of the toner is low is displayed in the operation screen displayed by the display device 10.

In the "transition" of the operation screen displayed on the display device 10, when the entire operation screen is switched to another operation screen (that is, when the entire display area of the display device 10 is switched from one screen to another). When switching from a display with the rest of the operation screen excluding the part that displays a specific display element fixedly to another display, one or more new display elements are additionally displayed on the displayed operation screen. In this case, various aspects such as when the display element in the displayed operation screen changes (for example, the display element disappears or the message displayed in the display element changes to another one) are included. Is displayed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an operation screen displayed by the screen display control unit 12. This example is an example of an operation screen displayed on the display device 10 when the device is a multifunction device. In (a), the main menu of the multifunction device in which GUI buttons for calling function screens for instructing execution of each function such as copy, e-mail transmission (Email), and fax transmission (Fax) are arranged. The screen 100 is schematically shown. When the user presses (touches) the copy button 102 in the main menu screen 100 with a finger, the copy screen 110 for making various settings for the copy function is displayed on the display device 10 as shown in (b). Will be done. On the copy screen 110, a start button 112 for instructing the start of copying, a number of copies column 114 indicating the number of copies, a numeric keypad 116 for inputting the number of copies to be displayed in the number of copies column 114, and values of individual setting items related to copying are displayed. A group of 118 setting items that call a dialog for changing the value is displayed. In the illustrated display state, only one setting item 118 is displayed, but by scrolling the copy screen 110, other setting items 118 arranged below it are also displayed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of displaying the banner 120 for information notification. In this example, (a) shows the display state of the main menu screen 100 displayed by the display device 10 when the state to be the target of the information notification by the banner 120 has not occurred. In this state, if the main control unit 14 detects a minor abnormal state that "the remaining amount of cyan-colored toner is below the warning threshold", the banner 120 indicating that fact is displayed on the main menu screen 100. Will be displayed at the bottom of. As shown in (b), the screen transition in this case is expressed as an animation showing that the banner 120 gradually slides out from the lower end of the main menu screen 100. (C) shows a state in which the screen transition is completed and the banner 120 is completely displayed. After that, another trigger event that further transitions the display of the banner 120 (for example, an event that a predetermined time has elapsed after the banner 120 is completely displayed, or a button 122 that instructs to delete the banner 120). The display state of the banner 120 does not change until

In the display of FIG. 3C, when the user presses the button 122, the non-display control unit 22 performs a process for hiding the banner 120 (that is, erasing it from the screen).
The condition for hiding the banner 120 is not limited to the user pressing the button 122 of the banner 120. As another example, for example, it may be a condition that a button for transitioning from the currently displayed screen to a different screen is pressed, or it may be a condition that an application is started.

On the operation screen of the conventional multifunction device, the banner notifying the abnormality of the device is automatically redisplayed at a predetermined timing even if it is deleted once according to the instruction of the user, if the abnormality continues. ..

However, when the banner is redisplayed, it causes annoyance to the user, for example, it is necessary to delete the banner when trying to operate other GUI parts hidden by the banner.
That is, conventionally, in such a device, a display element such as a banner for providing information such as a warning is displayed when the device is in a state where the information needs to be provided. Even if the display element for providing information displayed according to the state of the device is once deleted according to the user's operation, if the state continues, for example, periodically or when the display screen is switched, etc. The display element is redisplayed at a predetermined timing. To operate the input part hidden by the redisplayed display element, the user either deletes the display element or the display element is automatically set after a predetermined display period. You have to wait until it disappears.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the banner 120 is erased according to the instruction of the user, the banner display control unit 20 triggers an event (for example, toner) of the banner 120 while the user session of the user continues. Even if (abnormality such as reduction) continues, the banner 120 is not redisplayed. That is, in the present embodiment, the non-display state (that is, the state in which the banner 120 is not displayed on the operation screen) that the user has instructed to delete is maintained until the end of the user session of the user.

However, if the banner 120 remains erased even though the triggering event continues, the event is not transmitted to the user or the user who uses the device after the user, and the banner 120 is displayed. It is more likely that the necessary action will not be taken for the event than when it is redisplayed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the user session of the user who has instructed to delete the banner 120 ends, the hidden state of the banner 120 is canceled and the banner 120 can be displayed. Therefore, if the trigger event of the banner 120 continues after the user session of the user who has instructed to delete the banner 120 ends, for example, when another user uses the device, the banner 120 is redisplayed. Will be done. If the same user uses the device again after the end of the user session, it may be treated as "another user". That is, even if the same user uses the device again after the device has been used (for example, after a while), if the trigger event of the banner 120 continues, the banner 120 will be displayed. It will be redisplayed.

Here, the user session is a period during which the user is operating the device. The end of the user session is performed on the condition that (a) the instruction indicating the end is received from the user (for example, the initialization instruction) and (b) the instruction indicating the end is not accepted from the user. There are cases where it ends on the condition that (for example, time-out). In this embodiment, the device monitors whether the condition for ending such a user session is satisfied.
For example, when a user logs in to a device and uses the device, the timing at which the user logs out may be the timing at which the user session ends.

On the other hand, when the user is using the device without logging in, the end of the user session must be determined from an event other than logout. The event that is the basis for this determination is that the user has instructed the initialization (reset or clear) of all the parameters of the device. The "initialization of all parameters" referred to here is a process of changing all the parameters whose settings can be changed for the device to the initial values (default values) of those parameters registered in the device. Hereinafter, such initialization is referred to as "all initialization" (so to speak, "all clear"). If the device has many functions (applications) such as printing, scanning, faxing, etc., full initialization initializes user-configurable parameters for all those functions.

When using the device, the user sets the necessary parameters such as paper size and double-sided / single-sided printing, and then instructs the device to execute the process, but when the use is finished, the next person In many cases, a full initialization (all clear) operation is performed to erase the parameters set by the user. Also, when a user (called the first user) uses the device, then leaves the device without logging out or fully initializing, and then another user (called the second user) tries to use the device. There is. In such a case, the user session of the first user may continue and the parameters set by the first user may remain. Therefore, the second user performs a full initialization operation when starting to use the device. Often. The full initialization operation performed by the second user in this way can be determined to be the end of the user session of the first user. When all the device setting initialization operations are performed in this way, it can be considered that the user who has used the device before the operation has completed the use of the device.

If the logged-in user performs the full initialization operation, one way of thinking is that the user may continue to use the device even after the user has not logged out. If this idea is followed, the device does not determine that the user session has ended, but determines that the user session continues, even if all initialization operations are performed during login. On the other hand, another way of thinking is that the user has no intention of continuing to use the device as long as he has instructed all initialization. In this way of thinking, if a full initialization operation is performed during login, the device determines that the user session has ended. When all initialization operations are performed during login, it may be possible to set for the device whether or not it is determined that the user session has ended.

It is also possible to initialize the parameters of the device for each individual function. When the user instructs to initialize the parameters for a certain function, the device initializes the parameters set from the setting screen for that function, but the parameters set on the setting screen for another function or the function Parameters etc. set from the common setting screen that does not depend on are not initialized. Even if the parameters are initialized for each function in this way, the user may use other functions by using the parameters and common parameter settings for other functions that remain uninitialized. .. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is not determined that the user session is terminated when the user instructs the initialization in the functional unit.

In addition, as another criterion for the end of the user session, a state in which no local operation is performed on the device (called a non-operation state) continues for a preset time or longer (so-called timeout in the non-operation state). .. Local operation is an operation on the device from a user near the device, and is the device's local UI (user interface) (for example, GUI on the touch panel, mechanical buttons, ID card reader, etc.) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). ) And Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark), which is an operation from the user on the operation screen provided to the user's terminal via proximity wireless communication (a screen that accepts operations equivalent to those displayed on the touch panel of the device). .. Note that instructions from a remote client via the network (for example, print instructions) are not local operations. If a user who has been performing local operations on the device leaves the device without logging out or fully initializing after using the device, the device will continue to be inactive for a specified period of time, and then a user session will occur. It is judged that the end of is automatically logged out and all initialization is performed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the management information managed by the banner display control unit 20 for banner display control.

This management information includes a display condition, a display condition flag, and a non-display flag of the banner in association with the identification information (banner ID) of each banner. The display condition is a condition that the device should satisfy when displaying the banner. That is, when the state of the device detected by the sensor 18 or the like satisfies the display condition, the banner display control unit 20 displays the banner 120 of the banner ID corresponding to the display condition on the operation screen.

The display condition flag is a flag indicating whether or not the display condition corresponding to the banner ID is satisfied. In the illustrated example, the value 1 indicates that the display condition is satisfied, and the value 0 indicates that the display condition is not satisfied. The display condition flag is set to a value 1 when the main control unit 14 or the screen display control unit 12 that satisfies the display condition determines from the signal of the sensor 18 or the like. When the main control unit 14 or the like determines from the signal of the sensor 18 or the like that the display condition is not satisfied, the display flag is reset to a value of 0. If no signal has yet arrived from the sensor 18 or the like, that is, if such an abnormality has not yet occurred, the value of the display flag is set to 0 (condition dissatisfaction), and the value of the non-display flag is set to "-" (undecided). Shown.

The non-display flag indicates whether or not the user has input an instruction to delete (hide) the banner 120 when the banner 120 corresponding to the banner ID is displayed. A value of 1 indicates that the deletion instruction has been given, and a value of 0 indicates that the deletion instruction has been canceled. When the user presses the button 122 for the deletion instruction in the banner 120, the non-display flag corresponding to the banner ID of the banner 120 is set to the value 1. Also, when the user session ends, the value of the hide flag is reset to 0.

In the illustrated example, for example, the banner having the banner ID of 001 is a banner for notifying that the remaining amount of the cyan-colored toner is equal to or less than the threshold value indicating the caution zone. The display condition of this banner is that the remaining amount of cyan toner is below the threshold value. In the illustrated example, the display condition related to this banner is currently satisfied (display condition flag is 1), the user gives an instruction to hide the displayed banner, and then the user session of the user continues (the user session continues). The hidden flag is 1).

Although not shown, the management information may include information that defines the display content of the banner corresponding to the banner ID (for example, information indicating a message, an icon, or the like to be displayed on the banner).

An example of the user session start determination process performed by the main control unit 14 or the screen display control unit 12 (referred to as the main control unit 14 or the like) will be described with reference to FIG.

The main control unit 14 and the like manage the flag of whether or not the user session is currently in progress. In the process of FIG. 5, the main control unit 14 and the like determine whether or not a local operation has been performed (S10). The local operation includes, for example, a touch on the display device 10 (touch panel), an operation of having the ID card reading unit (for example, a wireless tag reader) of the device read the ID card for login, and the like. If the local operation is not performed, the process after S12 is not performed and the process returns to S10. When it is determined in S10 that there is a local operation, the main control unit 14 or the like determines whether or not the user session is currently in progress (S12), and if it is in the user session, skips S14 and returns to S10. When it is determined in S12 that the current user session is not in progress, the main control unit 14 or the like starts the user session and sets the flag to "in user session" (S14).

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an example of display control of the banner 120 notifying the device abnormality by the screen display control unit 12 is shown.

FIG. 6 shows a process when an abnormality occurs in the device. The screen display control unit 12 monitors whether or not the notification of the occurrence of a device abnormality corresponding to any of the display conditions of each banner included in the management information (see FIG. 4) has arrived from the main control unit 14. (S20). Then, when the corresponding notification is received, the screen display control unit 12 (banner display control unit 20) displays the banner 120 corresponding to the display condition corresponding to the type of abnormality indicated by the notification on the operation screen, and manages the information. The value of the display condition flag corresponding to the banner in is set to 1 (S22). After that, the banner display control unit 20 determines whether or not the button 122 for the deletion instruction in the displayed banner 120 has been pressed (S24), and if the result of this determination is Yes, the banner 120 is deleted. The non-display control unit 22 sets the non-display flag corresponding to the banner in the management information (see FIG. 4) to 1 (S26). If the determination result in S24 is No, the banner display control unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of displaying the banner 120 (S28), and if it has not yet elapsed (determination result is No), Return to S24. If the determination result in S28 is Yes, the banner display control unit 20 deletes the banner 120 from the screen, but leaves the non-display flag of the banner 120 in the management information at 0 (S29). That is, in this example, even if the user does not explicitly instruct the displayed banner 120 to be deleted, the banner 120 is once deleted from the operation screen after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of display. However, since the user has not explicitly instructed to delete the banner 120, the non-display flag is left as 0. When the user explicitly instructs the banner 120 to be deleted, the banner display control unit 20 does not redisplay the banner 120 until the user session ends, but after a lapse of a predetermined time without the deletion instruction. If the banner 120 is deleted, the banner 120 may be redisplayed by the end of the user session.

FIG. 7 shows a process when the abnormality occurring in the device is resolved. The screen display control unit 12 monitors whether or not a notification indicating that the device abnormality has been resolved has arrived from the main control unit 14 (S30). When receiving the notification of abnormality resolution, the screen display control unit 12 searches the management information for the display condition corresponding to the type of the resolved abnormality indicated by the notification, and the value of the display condition flag in the management information is 1. Whether or not it is determined (S32). If the value of the display condition flag is 0, the process returns to S30. When the value of the display condition flag is 1, the screen display control unit 12 (banner display control unit 20) deletes the banner corresponding to the display condition if it is being displayed, and displays the banner display condition. The flag is reset to 0 (S34). At this time, the non-display flag of the banner is also reset to 0.

Next, an example of banner redisplay control will be described with reference to FIG.

The banner display control unit 20 waits for the redisplay determination timing to arrive (S40), and when the redisplay determination timing arrives, executes the processes after S42. Here, the redisplay determination timing is a timing for determining whether or not to redisplay the banner once deleted. The redisplay judgment timing is, for example, the timing of screen switching (for example, switching between the main menu screen and the operation screen for each function), the timing when the user logs in, and the timing when the process (job) instructed by the user is started. , The timing when the job is finished, etc. Which of these several timings is used as the redisplay determination timing is programmed in the banner display control unit 20.

When the redisplay determination timing arrives, the banner display control unit 20 refers to the management information (FIG. 4), and there is a banner in which the value of the display condition flag is 1 and the value of the non-display flag is 0. It is determined whether or not to do so (S42). If the result of this determination is No, there are no banners that satisfy the display conditions, or even if there are banners that satisfy the display conditions, all of them have been instructed to be deleted by the user (non-display flag =). Either 1) or. This means that there are no banners to redisplay. In this case, the banner display control unit 20 skips the processing after S44, returns to S40, and waits for the arrival of the next redisplay timing.

If the determination result of S42 is Yes, it means that there is a banner to be redisplayed. Therefore, the banner display control unit 20 displays the corresponding banner (that is, the banner with the display condition flag = 1 and the non-display flag = 0) on the operation screen. Is displayed in (S44). After that, the banner display control unit 20 determines whether or not the button 122 for the deletion instruction in the displayed banner 120 has been pressed (S46), and if the result of this determination is Yes, the banner 120 is deleted. The non-display control unit 22 sets the non-display flag corresponding to the banner in the management information (see FIG. 4) to 1 (S48). If the determination result in S46 is No, the banner display control unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of displaying the banner 120 (S50), and if it has not yet elapsed (determination result is No), Return to S46. If the determination result in S50 is Yes, the banner display control unit 20 deletes the banner 120 from the screen, but leaves the non-display flag of the banner 120 in the management information at 0 (S52).

In the present embodiment, the banner 120 in which the user presses the erase button 122 once has the non-display flag set to 1 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, in the procedure of FIG. 8, when the timing of the redisplay determination arrives. Even if the display condition of the banner 120 is still satisfied, the banner 120 is not redisplayed. On the other hand, since the non-display flag remains 0 for the banner 120 that was erased due to the timeout without pressing the erase button 122, it is redisplayed at the timing of the redisplay determination if the display conditions are still satisfied.

Although not shown in FIG. 8 to avoid complication, a plurality of banners having a display condition flag of 1 and a non-display flag of 0 may be found in the determination of S42. In that case, the banner display control unit 20 displays the plurality of banners in descending order of priority. Although not shown, the priority of each banner is registered in advance in the banner management information (see FIG. 4) in association with the banner ID. In the display in the order of priority, the banner display control unit 20 first displays the banner having the highest priority among the plurality of banners on the operation screen. If there are multiple items with the highest priority, the ones selected according to different criteria are displayed. Then, when the user presses the delete button for the displayed banner or a predetermined display time elapses from the start of display, the banner is deleted from the screen, and the priority and priority among the plurality of banners are set. The banner to be displayed next is determined based on the above other criteria, and this is displayed. Hereinafter, this process is repeated until all the banners satisfying the determination in S42 are displayed. In addition, even when a plurality of abnormalities occur at the same time, the banner display control unit 20 displays banners corresponding to the abnormalities occurring at the same time in order of priority, as in this example.

Next, an example of the determination process of the end of the user session will be described with reference to FIG.

In the procedure of FIG. 9, the main control unit 14 and the like (main control unit 14 or screen display control unit 12) first determine whether or not the current user session is in progress (S60). If the user session is not in progress, the processing after S62 is skipped, a certain time is waited, and S60 is repeated again.

When the user session is currently in progress (S60 is Yes), the main control unit 14 and the like are determined by whether the user has performed a logout operation (S62) or a full initialization operation (S64) without any operation by the user. (S66), it is determined whether or not the time (a predetermined time for determining the end of the user session) has elapsed. If all the results of these three determinations are No, the determinations of S62 to S66 are repeated again after waiting for a certain period of time. When at least one of the three determination results is Yes, the main control unit 14 and the like terminate the user session (reset the user session flag to 0) (S68). At this time, the screen display control unit 12 resets the non-display flag of each banner whose display condition flag value in the management information (FIG. 4) is 1 to 0 (S70), and the value of the display condition flag. A banner in which is 1 is displayed on the operation screen (S72).

As described above, in the process of FIG. 9, the non-display flag of the banner 120 set to 1 by the user's deletion instruction is reset to 0 at the end of the user session (S70), so that the redisplay determination timing has come after that. If the display condition is satisfied at that time, the banner will be redisplayed. Further, in the process of FIG. 9, if there is a banner 120 that satisfies the display condition at the end of the user session, it is displayed (S72). Therefore, the display content of the banner 120 is displayed to the user who has instructed to delete the banner 120. You will have the opportunity to tell again.

In S72, when a plurality of banners having a display condition flag of 1 exist in the banner display control unit 20, the banner display control unit 20 gives priority to the plurality of banners as in the case of redisplaying in FIG. Display on the operation screen in order of degree. Further, when a new abnormality having a higher priority than the banner occurs while displaying a certain banner, the banner display control unit 20 displays a banner on the currently displayed banner to notify the newly generated abnormality. Is displayed. In addition, when a new abnormality with a lower priority than that banner occurs while displaying a certain banner, the banner display control unit 20 determines the newly generated abnormality after the banner currently being displayed is deleted. Display a banner.

Hereinafter, specific examples of banner display control after the user presses the erase button 122 for the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning on the main menu screen 100 of the screen display example of FIG. 3 are shown in FIGS. 10 to 14. Will be described with reference to.

For example, when the user presses the copy button (Copy) in the main menu screen 100 after pressing the button 122, the screen display control unit 12 displays the copy screen 140 shown in FIG. 10 on the screen of the display device 10. The timing for displaying the copy screen is an example of the timing for determining the redisplay of the banner, but the banner 120 for the cyan toner remaining amount low warning is not redisplayed at that timing because the user has explicitly instructed to delete it. Further, when the user subsequently presses a button (not shown) for calling the main menu screen 100, the screen display control unit 12 displays the main menu screen 100, but even at the timing of this screen switching, the user explicitly deletes it. The banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning instructed is not redisplayed.

Further, when the user presses the login button 142 on the copy screen 140 illustrated in FIG. 10, the account list screen 150 illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed. The user presses the button 152 of his / her account in the account list screen 150. Then, the screen display control unit 12 opens a login authentication screen (not shown) as necessary, and asks the user to perform an authentication information input operation (presentation of an ID card, input of a user ID and password, etc.). If the user inputs the authentication information accordingly and the authentication information is correct, the authentication is successful and the login is permitted. In this case, the screen display control unit 12 displays the copy screen 140a in which the user's account is displayed on the button 142a. The timing of the screen display after the login is successful is also an example of the banner redisplay determination timing, but even at this timing, the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning received from the user is not redisplayed.

When the user presses the reset button 146 (not shown in FIG. 11) in the copy screen 140a after the copy screen 140a is displayed, the main control unit 14 initializes the user-settable parameter group related to the copy. After this initialization, the banner display control unit 20 displays a banner 144 notifying that the copy parameters have been initialized on the copy screen 140a. This initialization timing is an example of the banner redisplay determination timing, but even at this timing, the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning that the user has instructed to erase is not redisplayed.

Further, after the copy screen 140a is displayed, when the user sets the document on the platen, confirms the parameters such as the number of copies, and then presses the start button 145, the main control unit 14 starts the copy job. At this time, the banner display control unit 20 displays the banner 148 for notifying that copying is in progress on the copy screen 140a. The timing of starting this copy operation is an example of the banner redisplay determination timing, but even at this timing, the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning received from the user is not redisplayed. Further, although not shown, when the copy job is completed, the banner display control unit 20 displays a banner notifying that the copy is completed on the copy screen 140a. This job completion timing is an example of the banner redisplay determination timing, but the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning is not redisplayed even at this timing.

It should be noted that the banner redisplay determination timing illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13 is merely an example. It is not always necessary to use all of these timings as the banner redisplay determination timing, and other timings other than these may be used as the redisplay determination timing.

By the way, after erasing the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning according to the user's instruction, it is assumed that a new abnormality of yellow toner running out occurs while the copy screen 140 is displayed according to the user's instruction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the banner display control unit 20 superimposes and displays the banner 149 notifying the newly generated yellow toner out on the copy screen 110. At this point, the device has two abnormalities, that is, the yellow toner is exhausted and the cyan toner remaining amount is low. Of these, the banner 120 that notifies the cyan toner remaining amount is low is explicitly erased by the user. So it will not be redisplayed at this point. When the user presses the banner 149 (the part other than the erase button), the notification screen 160 is displayed. The notification screen 160 includes both a notification of running out of yellow toner 162 and a notification of low cyan toner remaining amount 164.

Further, after erasing the displayed cyan toner remaining amount low warning banner 120 according to the user's instruction, if the cyan toner remaining amount low abnormality is canceled for some reason, the cyan toner in the management information (see FIG. 4) Both the display condition flag and the non-display flag of the low remaining amount warning banner are reset. After that, if an abnormality of low cyan toner remaining amount is detected during the same user session for some reason, the banner display control unit 20 displays a banner of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning on the screen.

Further, when the user presses the button 142a displaying the account name of the user on the copy screen 140a illustrated in FIG. 13, the screen display control unit 12 displays the logout confirmation screen 170 illustrated in FIG. On this screen, a logout confirmation button (Log Out) and a logout cancel button (Cancel) are displayed. When the user presses the button for canceling the logout, the screen display control unit 12 returns to the display of the copy screen 140a. When the user presses the logout confirmation button, the user's logout process is performed. In this case, the screen display control unit 12 displays the main menu screen 100 (see FIG. 3) in the unlogged-in state. Further, if the state of low cyan toner remaining amount continues at this time, the banner display control unit 20 superimposes and displays the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning on the main menu screen 100.

In addition to the log-out operation illustrated in FIG. 14, the screen display control unit 12 also performs a time-out when the reset button is pressed (all initialization) while the main menu screen 100 is displayed, or when the operation times out without any operation. The main menu screen 100 in the unlogged state is displayed. Then, if the state of low cyan toner remaining amount continues at the time of this display, the banner display control unit 20 superimposes and displays the banner 120 of the cyan toner remaining amount low warning on the main menu screen 100.

The examples described above are merely exemplary, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, three events of a logout operation, a full initialization operation, and a timeout due to no operation are exemplified as events for determining the end of the user session, but the events for determining the end of the user session are not limited to these. For example, the end of the user session may be determined on condition that the started application is terminated. Further, in the above embodiment, the control of redisplaying the banner for notifying the abnormality has been described as an example, but the same control may be applied to the banner for notifying the notification content other than the abnormality. Further, the control of the embodiment can be applied to display components in a form other than the banner (for example, a dialog displayed in a pop-up).

Information processing in the UI mechanism of the device exemplified above is realized, for example, by causing a computer to execute a program representing the above-mentioned function. Here, as hardware, for example, the computer includes a microprocessor such as a CPU, a memory (primary storage) such as a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory, an SSD (solid state drive), and an HDD. A controller that controls a secondary storage device such as (hardware drive), various I / O (input / output) interfaces, a network interface that controls connection to a network such as a local area network, etc., for example, a bus or the like. It has a circuit configuration connected via. A program in which the processing contents of each of these functions are described is saved in a secondary storage device such as a flash memory via a network or the like, and is installed in a computer. By reading the program stored in the secondary storage device into RAM and executing it by a microprocessor such as a CPU, the functional module group illustrated above is realized.

10 Display device, 12 Screen display control unit, 14 Main control unit, 16 Processing mechanism, 18 Sensor, 20 Banner display control unit, 22 Non-display control unit.

Claims (8)

Computer,
A display control means that controls the display of the second display element for information notification superimposed on the first display element.
When the second display element is hidden in response to a non-display instruction from the user, the second display element is kept hidden until the user session ends, and the user session ends. A non-display control means that controls the display of the second display element.
A means for hiding the second display element when the non-display instruction is not given by the user and a non-display condition different from the non-display instruction is satisfied.
A program for functioning as,
When the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, the display control means superimposes the second display element on the first display element and displays the second display element.
In the display control means, the second display element can be displayed by the non-display control means at a predetermined display timing, and the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied. If so, the second display element is redisplayed,
When the display control means is hidden because the other non-display condition is satisfied, the second display element is hidden at the display timing even before the end of the user session. If the display condition corresponding to the display element is satisfied, the second display element is redisplayed.
A program characterized by that . When the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, the display control means superimposes the second display element on the first display element and displays the second display element.
When the second display element is kept hidden by the non-display control means at a predetermined display timing, the display control means satisfies the display condition corresponding to the second display element. Even if it does, the second display element is not redisplayed.
The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is characterized by the above. The display condition corresponding to the second display element is that an abnormality corresponding to the second display element has occurred in the device on which the computer is mounted, and the abnormality has occurred in the second display element. The program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the display element is for notifying that the computer is being used. The computer
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the program is intended to further function as a means for redisplaying the second display element at the end of the user session. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the non-display control means determines that the user session has ended when the user performs a logout operation. The non-display control means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , which determines that the end of the user session is determined when the user performs an operation of initializing all user-configurable parameters. program. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the non-display control means determines that the user session is terminated when the user's non-operation state elapses for a predetermined time. A display control means that controls the display of the second display element for information notification on top of the first display element, and
It is a means for hiding the second display element in response to a non-display instruction from the user, maintains the non-display state of the second display element until the end of the user session, and ends the user session. A non-display control means that controls to release the non-display state when the session is performed,
A means for hiding the second display element when the non-display instruction is not given by the user and a non-display condition different from the non-display instruction is satisfied.
Only including,
When the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied, the display control means superimposes the second display element on the first display element and displays the second display element.
In the display control means, the second display element can be displayed by the non-display control means at a predetermined display timing, and the display condition corresponding to the second display element is satisfied. If so, the second display element is redisplayed,
When the display control means is hidden because the other non-display condition is satisfied, the second display element is hidden at the display timing even before the end of the user session. If the display condition corresponding to the display element is satisfied, the second display element is redisplayed.
An information processing device characterized by this .