JP7163428B2 - IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, its control method, and a program.

In recent years, digital signage, which transmits information using displays connected to a network, is widely used in stores, offices, and other places. For example, when an MFP as an image forming apparatus receives print data from a client terminal, while the MFP is printing the print data, content such as an advertisement is displayed on the monitor of the client terminal that sent the print data ( For example, see Patent Document 1). As a result, the user can effectively spend the waiting time without getting bored until the printing is completed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-157101

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the content is displayed on the monitor of the client terminal, the content is not displayed on the operation unit of the MFP. Can not.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program capable of effectively utilizing the free time of a user who directly operates an MFP.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus comprising a display means, a registration means for registering information of content to be displayed, and a content display device based on the information registered by the registration means. display control means for controlling display of content on the display means; setting means for setting conditions for displaying content by the display control means ; and providing means for providing a setting screen for accepting from, when the display control means is set to display the content under the first condition for starting the print process by the setting means, the print process is started. The display control means displays the content on the display means on condition that the content is started, and the setting means sets the display control means to display the content under a second condition different from the first condition. If so, the display control means displays the content on the display means under the second condition.

According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively utilize the idle time of the user who directly operates the MFP.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a communication system including an MFP as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the MFP of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the software configuration of the MFP of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the client PC in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a signage setting screen displayed on the client PC in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a content setting management table in FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the operation unit in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the first display setting; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the second display setting; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the third display setting; 3 is a diagram showing an example of web content displayed on the operation unit in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the fourth display setting; FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the fifth display setting; FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the sixth display setting; FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the seventh display setting; FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining screen transition of the operation unit in the eighth display setting; 2 is a flow chart showing the procedure of content display processing executed by the MFP of FIG. 1; 2 is a diagram showing an example of a signage setting screen displayed on the client PC in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a modification of the content display process of FIG. 17; FIG. FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a print prediction time calculation process in step S1901 of FIG. 19; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to an MFP as an image processing apparatus will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the MFP. For example, the present invention may be applied to information processing apparatuses having image viewers such as personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, facsimiles, cameras, and video cameras.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of communication system 100 including MFP 101 as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, communication system 100 includes MFP 101 , client PC 104 and content server 105 . MFP 101 is connected to Internet 103 via LAN 102 . A client PC 104 is connected to the MFP 101 via the LAN 102 . Content server 105 is connected to Internet 103 via LAN 106 .

The MFP 101 has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a print function, a scan-and-send function, a scan-and-save function, a saved file utilization function, and a browser function. The copy function is a function in which the MFP 101 reads a document placed on a document platen (not shown) of the MFP 101, generates image data, and prints the image data. The print function is a function of printing based on print data received by the MFP 101 from the client PC 104 or the like. The scan and send function is a function of sending image data generated by the MFP 101 by reading the document to an external device. The scan and save function is a function of saving image data generated by reading the document by the MFP 101 in the HDD 204 shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later. The saved file utilization function is a function for the MFP 101 to print image data saved in the HDD 204 described later, or for the MFP 101 to transmit the image data to an external device. The browser function is a function of browsing, printing, and saving data on a web server (not shown) via a web browser (not shown).

The client PC 104 generates print data according to instructions from the user. The print data includes paper size, number of prints, print start time, and the like. The client PC 104 transmits the generated print data to the MFP 101 . Content server 105 stores various contents and transmits the contents to MFP 101 in response to a request from MFP 101 . The content is data that can be viewed with a web browser, such as image files such as HTML, JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP, text data, and moving image files. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, a configuration in which communication system 100 is provided with one MFP 101, one client PC 104, and one content server 105 will be described. A table may be provided. Further, in the present embodiment, the content may be stored not in the content server 105 but in the later-described HDD 204 of the MFP 101 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 101 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 101 includes a control unit 200, an operation unit 206, a printer 208, and a scanner 210. FIG. The control unit 200 is connected to an operation unit 206 , a printer 208 and a scanner 210 . The control unit 200 also includes a CPU 201 , a ROM 202 , a RAM 203 , an HDD 204 , an operation unit I/F 205 , a printer I/F 207 , a scanner I/F 209 and a network I/F 211 . The CPU 201 , ROM 202 , RAM 203 , HDD 204 , operation unit I/F 205 , printer I/F 207 , scanner I/F 209 and network I/F 211 are connected to each other via a system bus 212 .

A control unit 200 controls the operation of the entire MFP 101 . The CPU 201 reads a control program stored in the ROM 202 and performs read control, transmission control, and the like. A ROM 202 is a boot ROM and stores a system boot program. A RAM 203 is used as a main memory of the CPU 201 and as a temporary storage area for each data. The HDD 204 stores image data, programs, and information tables. The HDD 204 also stores content displayed on the operation unit 206 . An operation unit I/F 205 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 206 and the control unit 200 . An operation unit 206 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function and a keyboard.

A printer I/F 207 is an interface for connecting the printer 208 and the control unit 200 . The printer 208 acquires the image data transferred from the control unit 200 via the printer I/F 206 and prints the acquired image data on paper. A scanner I/F 209 is an interface for connecting the scanner 210 and the control unit 200 . Scanner 210 reads an image on a document to generate image data, and transfers the image data to control unit 200 via scanner I/F 207 . A network I/F 211 is an interface for connecting the control unit 200 to the LAN 102 . A network I/F 211 performs data communication with external devices such as the client PC 104 and the content server 105 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the software configuration of MFP 101 in FIG. 3, the MFP 101 includes an application 301, a screen control unit 312, an authentication processing unit 313, an auto clear processing unit 314, and a print management unit 315 as software modules. The MFP 101 also has an OS environment (first operating environment) and a VM (virtual machine) environment (second operating environment) as operating environments for software modules. The OS environment is an operating environment for operating software modules preinstalled in the MFP 101 . In this embodiment, a screen control unit 312, an authentication processing unit 313, an auto-clear processing unit 314, and a print management unit 315 operate in the OS environment. The VM environment is an operating environment for operating software modules preinstalled in the MFP 101 and extended application modules installed in the MFP 101 . In this embodiment, an application 301 operates in the VM environment. The processing of each software module described above is performed by the CPU 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204 .

The application 301 includes at least a copy application 302, a fax application 303, a print application 304, and a signage application 305 as modules. Note that the application 301 may include modules other than the modules described above.

The copy application 302 uses the scanner 210 and printer 208 to perform document copy processing. The copy application 302 also uses the HDD 204 to copy a large number of originals by continuous reading. Further, the copy application 302 transmits the scanned image data to another MFP (not shown) connected to the LAN 102 to perform tandem copying. A fax application 303 controls a fax I/F (not shown) and uses a telephone line (not shown) to transmit and receive G3 faxes and G4 faxes. Also, the fax application 303 uses a transfer function to transfer data received by fax by e-mail or the like. Further, the facsimile application 303 uses the Internet 103 to perform Internet facsimile transmission and reception.

The print application 304 makes a print request to the print management unit 315 when receiving a print instruction using the operation unit 206 . When the print application 304 receives print data described in PDL such as PostScript or LIPS from the client PC 104, the print application 304 issues a print request to the print management unit 315 based on the print data. Note that LIPS is an abbreviation for LBP Image Processing. PDL is an abbreviation for Page Description Language. The print application 304 directly receives application data such as PDF (Portable Document Format) data from an external device without going through the printer driver, and prints the application data.

The signage application 305 performs content display control. The signage application 305 includes an external communication unit 306, a content display unit 307, a content setting unit 308, a content management unit 309, a content setting management table 310, and an event reception unit 311 as modules.

The external communication unit 306 communicates with the content server 105 and acquires content from the content server 105 . The external communication unit 306 communicates with the content server 105 using communication protocols such as SMB (Server Message Block), WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning), and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). It should be noted that the external communication unit 306 can use other communication protocols such as e-mail and file transfer protocol (FTP) in addition to the communication protocols described above.

A content display unit 307 reads content stored in the content server 105 or the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and outputs the content to the operation unit 206 . A content setting unit 308 sets content to be displayed on the operation unit 206 . In this embodiment, the client PC 104 can specify the content to be displayed on the operation unit 206 . When the client PC 104 accesses the Web server (not shown) of the MFP 101 using the Web browser of the client PC 104, the login screen 400 of FIG. 4A is displayed on the client PC 104. FIG. When authentication information such as a user name and password is entered on the login screen 400 and the login button 401 is selected, the authentication processing unit 313 performs user authentication based on the authentication information. In the above user authentication, it is determined whether or not the authentication information input on the login screen 400 matches the pre-registered signage setting administrator authentication information. If the user authentication succeeds, the setting registration screen 402 of FIG. 4B is displayed on the client PC 104 . In the present embodiment, the case where the display of the client PC 104 switches from the login screen 400 to the setting registration screen 402 when user authentication is successful will be described. The screen may switch to the registration screen 402 . When the setting item 403 is selected by the user on the setting registration screen 402, the client PC 104 displays the signage setting screen 500 of FIG.

A signage setting screen 500 is a screen for setting content to be displayed on the operation unit 206 . That is, in the present embodiment, only a specific user whose user authentication has succeeded, specifically, a signage setting administrator, can make settings related to content to be displayed on operation unit 206 . The signage setting screen 500 includes a screen display check box 501, content setting buttons 502 and 503, and text boxes 504-509. The signage setting screen 500 also includes encryption check boxes 510 and 511 , display timing setting buttons 512 and 513 , a check box 514 , an OK button 515 and a cancel button 516 .

A screen display check box 501 is a setting item for switching whether to display content on the operation unit 206 . If the screen display check box 501 is not selected, other setting items on the signage setting screen 500 cannot be entered. On the other hand, when the screen display check box 501 is selected, other setting items on the signage setting screen 500 can be input.

Content setting buttons 502 and 503 are radio buttons for setting the communication protocol between the external communication unit 306 and the content server 105 . A user can select either one of the content setting buttons 502 and 503 . When the content setting button 502 is selected, SMB is set as the communication protocol, and setting items related to SMB, specifically, text boxes 504 to 506 can be entered. When the content setting button 503 is selected, HTTP/WebDAV is set as the communication protocol, and setting items related to HTTP/WebDAV, specifically, text boxes 507 to 509 and encryption check boxes 510 and 511 can be entered.

A text box 504 is used to set a content path indicating the name and storage location of content to be displayed when SMB is set as the communication protocol. In the text box 504, a character string separated by \ (yen symbol) or \ (backslash) between the computer name, folder name, and file name is set as the content path. In a text box 504, files stored in the HDD 204 and files stored in the content server 105 are set as content. A text box 505 is set with a user name used when accessing the content set in the text box 504 . A text box 506 is used to set a password used when accessing the content set in the text box 504 .

A text box 507 is used to set a content path indicating the name and storage location of content to be displayed when HTTP/WebDAV is set as the communication protocol. In the text box 507, a character string separated by a slash (/) is set as the content path between the computer name, the folder name, and the file name. A file stored in the HDD 204 or a file stored in the content server 105 is also set in the text box 507 as content. A text box 508 is set with a user name used when accessing the content set in the text box 507 . A text box 509 is used to set a password used when accessing the content set in the text box 507 . Encryption check boxes 510 and 511 are setting items related to encrypted communication, and can be entered only when the content setting button 503 is selected.

Display timing setting buttons 512 and 513 are radio buttons for setting the timing of displaying content on the operation unit 206 . The user can select either one of display timing setting buttons 512 and 513 . When the display timing setting button 512 is set, the contents set in the text boxes 504 and 507 are displayed on the operation unit 206 at the timing when the user logs into the MFP 101 . When the display timing setting button 513 is set, the contents set in the text boxes 504 and 507 are displayed on the operation unit 206 when the MFP 101 auto-clears (described later) or when the user logs out of the MFP 101 .

A check box 514 is a setting item for switching whether to display content on the operation unit 206 during execution of printing. When the check box 514 is selected, the content is displayed on the operation unit 206 when printing is executed. If the check box 514 is not selected, the content is not displayed on the operation unit 206 when printing is executed. An OK button 515 is a button for storing the setting values of each setting item on the signage setting screen 500 in the content setting management table 310 . When the user presses OK button 515 , the setting values of the setting items in signage setting screen 500 are stored in content setting management table 310 . Also, the display of the client PC 104 switches from the signage setting screen 500 to the setting registration screen 402 . Cancel button 516 is a button for switching the display of client PC 104 from signage setting screen 500 to setting registration screen 402 without storing the setting values of each setting item in signage setting screen 500 in content setting management table 310 . Note that in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which settings related to content to be displayed on the operation unit 206 are performed from the client PC 104 , but the above settings may be performed from the operation unit 206 of the MFP 101 .

Returning to the description of FIG. 3 , content management unit 309 stores the setting values set on signage setting screen 500 in content setting management table 310 . The content management unit 309 also acquires the setting values stored in the content setting management table 310 and notifies the content display unit 307 of the acquired setting values. The content setting management table 310 is a management table for managing each setting value set on the signage setting screen 500, as shown in FIG. A content setting management table 310 is stored in the HDD 204 or content server 105 . The event reception unit 311 receives a notification indicating the occurrence of an event (hereinafter referred to as “event notification”) from the authentication processing unit 313 , the auto-clear processing unit 314 and the print management unit 315 . The event receiver 311 can also receive event notifications from other modules (not shown).

A screen control unit 312 performs display control in the operation unit 206 . An authentication processing unit 313 performs user authentication based on authentication information input through the operation unit 206 . When user authentication succeeds, the authentication processing unit 313 performs login processing. As a result, the user who has entered the authentication information can use each function of the MFP 101 . After that, when the operation unit 206 receives a logout instruction, the authentication processing unit 313 performs logout processing. The authentication processing unit 313 notifies the event receiving unit 311 of occurrence of a login event for executing login processing, and also notifies the event receiving unit 311 of occurrence of a logout event for executing logout processing.

The auto-clear processing unit 314 executes auto-clear processing when the operation unit 206 is not operated by the user for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "auto-clear transition time"). The auto-clear process is a process of resetting the setting values and setting states of the screen displayed on the operation unit 206, more specifically, clearing the above setting values and setting states and returning them to their initial values. For example, if the user leaves the MFP 101 during the setting of a copy screen (not shown) for making settings related to copying, and the auto-clear transition time elapses, the setting values that have been set halfway are cleared, and the default setting is performed. Return to value. The auto-clear function can prevent the settings of the user who used the device immediately before from being unintentionally inherited, and prevent the user who uses the device next from viewing settings that should not be disclosed.

The auto-clear processing unit 314 notifies the event receiving unit 311 of the occurrence of an auto-clear event in response to the execution of the auto-clear processing. In addition, the auto-clear processing unit 314 performs log-out processing of the logged-in user according to the execution of the auto-clear processing. Note that, in the present embodiment, the user can set the auto-clear transition time. Also, the user can set the screen to transition to during the auto-clear process. If the initial screen is set as the screen to transition to during auto-clear, the display of the operation unit 206 switches to the initial screen according to the execution of the auto-clear process. The initial screen is a screen preset by the user as a screen to be displayed at startup. As the initial screen, for example, a main menu screen for selecting a function to be used from a plurality of functions (applications, functions) of the MFP 101 and an application screen corresponding to each function are set. In the following, it is assumed that the main menu screen is set as the initial screen. The print management unit 315 performs a print job start operation and notifies the event reception unit 311 of the start of the print job.

For example, when the print application 304 (instruction reception application) operating in the VM environment receives a print start instruction, the print application 304 issues a print request to the print management unit 315 (print management module) operating in the OS environment. . Upon receiving the print request from the print application 304, the print management unit 315 starts printing and notifies the event reception unit 311 of the signage application 305 (content display control application) operating in the VM environment of the content display request. The signage application 305 that has received the display request controls the content display unit 307 to display the Web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 . As described above, in the present embodiment, the signage application 305, not the print application 304 that has received the print start instruction, performs content display control. That is, content display control is centralized in the signage application 305 . This eliminates the need to create a control program for content display in each application such as the copy application 302 and the print application 304 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the operation unit 206 in FIG. Each setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when an administrator of the MFP 101 logs in to the MFP 101 .

FIG. 7A shows an authentication setting screen 700 for setting whether to use user authentication. The authentication setting screen 700 has buttons 701 and 702 . A button 701 is a button for validating user authentication. When the button 701 is selected, user authentication is required to use each function of the MFP 101 . In this case, the operation unit 206 displays an authentication screen 801 shown in FIG. 8 for inputting authentication information at a display timing set in a display setting screen 703 shown in FIG. 7B. A button 702 is a button for invalidating user authentication. When the button 702 is selected, user authentication is not required to use each function of the MFP 101 , and an authentication screen 801 described later is not displayed on the operation unit 206 .

FIG. 7B shows a display setting screen 703 for setting display timing of the authentication screen 801 . The display setting screen 703 has buttons 704 and 705 . A button 704 is a button for setting to display the authentication screen 801 when the operation of the MFP 101 is started. When the button 704 is set, an authentication screen 801 to be described later is displayed on the operation unit 206 when the user inputs authentication information for logging into the MFP 101 . A button 705 is a button for setting to display an authentication screen 801 to be described later when each function is selected. When the button 705 is pressed by the user, as shown in FIG. 7C, a function selection menu 706 for selecting functions requiring user authentication is displayed. When a button 707 is selected in the function selection menu 706, the display of the operation unit 206 is switched from the display setting screen 703 to the detail setting screen 708 shown in FIG. 7D.

A detailed setting screen 708 is a screen for selecting a function that requires user authentication from among a plurality of functions of the MFP 101 . The MFP 101 requires user authentication when using the function selected on the detailed setting screen 708 . For example, as shown in FIG. 7D, user authentication is required when using each of the functions "copy", "use saved file", and "print" selected on the detailed setting screen 708. FIG. On the other hand, the MFP 101 does not require user authentication when using functions not selected on the detailed setting screen 708 . For example, as shown in FIG. 7D, user authentication is not required when using the functions of "scan and save", "scan and send", and "browser" that are not selected on the detailed setting screen 708. Become. In the MFP 101, the signage setting screen 500, the authentication setting screen 700, and the display setting screen 703 are set in advance by the administrator of the MFP 101, and screen switching control in the operation unit 206 is performed based on the above-described settings. Screen transition of the operation unit 206 corresponding to each setting of the signage setting screen 500, the authentication setting screen 700, and the display setting screen 703 will be described below. First, the screen transition when the screen display check box 501 of the signage setting screen 500 is not selected, that is, it is set not to display the content on the operation unit 206 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the first display setting. A first display setting is a setting in which no content is displayed on the operation unit 206 and user authentication is required at the start of operation of the MFP 101 . Specifically, in the first display setting, the screen display check box 501 on the signage setting screen 500 is not selected, and the button 701 on the authentication setting screen 700 and the button 704 on the display setting screen 703 are on.

In the first display setting, when the user turns on the power of the MFP 101 and the MFP 101 starts up, an authentication screen 801 is displayed on the operation unit 206 as shown in FIG. The MFP 101 performs user authentication based on the authentication information input to the authentication screen 801 , and displays a main menu screen 802 as an initial screen on the operation unit 206 when the login process is completed. When the user presses any function button on the main menu screen 802 , the MFP 101 displays a screen corresponding to the selected function button on the operation unit 206 . For example, when the user selects the function button 803 corresponding to the copy function on the main menu screen 802 , the MFP 101 displays the application screen 804 on the operation unit 206 . An application screen 804 is a screen for making settings related to copying. When the user selects a function button 805 corresponding to the scan and save function on the main menu screen 802 , the MFP 101 displays an application screen 806 on the operation unit 206 . An application screen 806 is a screen for selecting a storage destination of scanned image data. On the other hand, if the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 206, the MFP 101 executes auto-clear processing. Next, the MFP 101 executes logout processing, and switches the display of the operation unit 206 to the authentication screen 801 instead of the main menu screen 802 which is the initial screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the second display setting. A second display setting is a setting in which no content is displayed on the operation unit 206 and user authentication is required when selecting a specific function. Specifically, in the second display setting, the screen display check box 501 on the signage setting screen 500 is not selected, and the button 701 on the authentication setting screen 700 and the button 705 on the display setting screen 703 are on. In the second display setting, "copy", "use saved file", and "print" are selected on the detailed setting screen 708. FIG.

In the second display setting, when the user turns on the power of the MFP 101 and the MFP 101 starts up, a main menu screen 802 as an initial screen is displayed on the operation unit 206 . When a function button corresponding to a function requiring user authentication is selected on main menu screen 802 , MFP 101 displays authentication screen 801 on operation unit 206 . For example, when the function button 803 corresponding to “copy” selected on the detailed setting screen 708 is selected, the MFP 101 displays the authentication screen 801 on the operation unit 206 . When the user inputs the authentication information and the user authentication is successful, the MFP 101 displays the application screen 804 on the operation unit 206 . On the other hand, when a function button corresponding to a function that does not require user authentication is selected on main menu screen 802 , MFP 101 displays an application screen corresponding to the selected function button on operation unit 206 instead of authentication screen 801 . indicate. For example, when the function button 805 corresponding to “scan and save” not selected on the detailed setting screen 708 is selected, the MFP 101 displays the application screen 806 on the operation unit 206 . When the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 206, the MFP 101 executes auto-clear processing, further executes logout processing, and changes the display of the operation unit 206 to the main menu screen, which is the initial screen. Switch to 802.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the third display setting. A third display setting is a setting in which no content is displayed on the operation unit 206 and no user authentication is required. Specifically, in the third display setting, the screen display check box 501 of the signage setting screen 500 is unselected, and the button 702 of the authentication setting screen 700 is ON.

In the third display setting, when the user turns on the power of the MFP 101 and the MFP 101 starts up, a main menu screen 802 as an initial screen is displayed on the operation unit 206 . When a function button is selected on main menu screen 802 , MFP 101 displays an application screen corresponding to the selected function button on operation unit 206 . When the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 206, the MFP 101 executes auto-clear processing, further executes logout processing, and changes the display of the operation unit 206 to the main menu screen, which is the initial screen. Switch to 802.

Next, screen transition when the screen display check box 501 of the signage setting screen 500 is selected, that is, when content is set to be displayed will be described. In this case, MFP 101 acquires the content set in either of text boxes 504 and 507 on signage setting screen 500 from content server 105 or HDD 204 . The MFP 101 displays the acquired content, for example the web content 1100 in FIG. When the user presses the close button 1101, the web content 1100 is hidden. The Web content 1100 displays information to be notified to the user using the MFP 101, for example, notification of disaster drills. In this manner, in the present embodiment, notice items and the like for employees are registered as content and displayed on the operation unit 206 using the signage application 305 to support information sharing for employees and information control of companies. etc. can be easily realized.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the fourth display setting. A fourth display setting is a setting for displaying content on the operation unit 206 after login. Specifically, in the fourth display setting, the screen display check box 501 and the display timing setting button 512 are selected on the signage setting screen 500 . Further, in the fourth display setting, the authentication setting screen 700 and the display setting screen 703 are the same as the first display setting.

In the fourth display setting, when the user turns on the power of the MFP 101 and the MFP 101 is activated, an authentication screen 801 is displayed on the operation unit 206 as in FIG. The MFP 101 performs user authentication based on the authentication information input on the authentication screen 801 . When the login process is completed, the MFP 101 displays the content set in either of the text boxes 504 and 507 of the signage setting screen 500, such as Web content 1100, on the operation unit 206. FIG. In this way, in this embodiment, various information such as disaster prevention drills are notified to the user who has successfully authenticated the user. When the user presses the close button 1101 , the MFP 101 displays a main menu screen 802 as an initial screen on the operation unit 206 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the fifth display setting. A fifth display setting is a setting for displaying content on the operation unit 206 after auto-clear. Specifically, in the fifth display setting, the screen display check box 501 and the display timing setting button 513 are selected on the signage setting screen 500 . Further, in the fourth display setting, the authentication setting screen 700 and the display setting screen 703 are the same as the first display setting.

In the fifth display setting, when the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user who has logged in to the MFP 101 operating the operation unit 206, the MFP 101 executes auto-clear processing and further executes log-out processing. Next, the MFP 101 displays the web content 1100 on the operation unit 206. FIG. In the fifth display setting, even if any of the authentication screen 801, the main menu screen 802, and the application screens 804 and 806 are displayed on the operation unit 206, when the auto clear process is executed, the operation unit 206 Web content 1100 is displayed. That is, in the present embodiment, in a situation where the user using the MFP 101 is highly likely to leave the MFP 101, such as when the operation unit 206 is not operated and the auto-clear transition time elapses, the user passing near the MFP 101 or Then, another user using the MFP 101 is notified of various types of information such as a notification of disaster drills. When a close button 1101 is pressed on the web content 1100 , the MFP 101 displays an authentication screen 801 on the operation unit 206 .

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the sixth display setting. A sixth display setting is a setting that displays content on the operation unit 206 after auto-clear and requires user authentication when selecting a specific function. Specifically, in the sixth display setting, the screen display check box 501 is selected on the signage setting screen 500 . Also, in the sixth display setting, the authentication setting screen 700 and the display setting screen 703 are the same as the second display setting.

In the sixth display setting, the MFP 101 performs the same screen transition as in the second display setting when not executing the auto-clear process. On the other hand, the MFP 101 displays the Web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 after executing the auto clear process. When a close button 1101 is pressed on the Web content 1100 , the MFP 101 displays a main menu screen 802 as an initial screen on the operation unit 206 .

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the seventh display setting. A seventh display setting is a setting in which content is displayed on the operation unit 206 after auto-clear and user authentication is not required. Specifically, in the seventh display setting, the screen display check box 501 is selected on the signage setting screen 500 . The seventh display setting is the same as the third display setting on the authentication setting screen 700 .

In the seventh display setting, the MFP 101 performs the same screen transition as in the third display setting when not executing the auto-clear process. On the other hand, the MFP 101 displays the Web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 after executing the auto clear process. When a close button 1101 is pressed on the Web content 1100 , the MFP 101 displays a main menu screen 802 as an initial screen on the operation unit 206 .

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining screen transitions of the operation unit 206 in the eighth display setting. An eighth display setting is a setting for displaying content on the operation unit 206 when printing is executed. Specifically, in the eighth display setting, the screen display check boxes 501 and 514 are selected on the signage setting screen 500 .

In the eighth display setting, when the user selects the function button 1601 in FIG. 16 corresponding to the print function on the main menu screen 802, the MFP 101 displays the application screen 1602 in FIG. An application screen 1602 is a screen for making settings related to the print function. When the user selects a print start button 1603 on the application screen 1602 , the MFP 101 starts printing, and the MFP 101 switches the display of the operation unit 206 from the application screen 1602 to the web content 1100 . After that, when the printing is completed or the user presses the close button 1101 , the MFP 101 switches the display of the operation unit 206 from the Web content 1100 to the application screen 1602 . Note that in the present embodiment, the MFP 101 does not display the Web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 when a print job start instruction is received from a method other than the operation unit 206 , for example, from an external device such as the client PC 104 .

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the procedure of content display processing executed by the MFP 101 in FIG. The processing in FIG. 17 is performed by the CPU 201 executing programs stored in the ROM 202 and the HDD 204 .

In FIG. 17, first, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the event reception unit 311 has received an event notification indicating the occurrence of a specific event related to the operation of the operation unit 206 by the user (step S1701). When the event reception unit 311 receives an event notification from any one of the authentication processing unit 313, the auto-clear processing unit 314, and the print management unit 315, the CPU 201 receives the event notification indicating the occurrence of the specific event. discriminate. Authentication processing unit 313 transmits an event notification indicating the occurrence of a login event for the user to log in to MFP 101 using operation unit 206 . The authentication processing unit 313 also transmits an event notification indicating the occurrence of a logout event for the user to logout from the MFP 101 using the operation unit 206 . The auto-clear processing unit 314 transmits an event notification indicating the occurrence of an auto-clear event for executing auto-clear processing when the auto-clear time elapses without the user who has logged in to the MFP 101 operating the operation unit 206. . In addition, the auto-clear processing unit 314 transmits an event notification indicating the occurrence of a logout event for executing logout processing in accordance with the execution of the auto-clear processing. The print management unit 315 transmits an event notification indicating occurrence of a print job start event for starting execution of the print job in accordance with the instruction accepted by the operation unit 206 .

Next, the CPU 201 acquires the content display necessity setting from the content setting management table 310 by the content management unit 309 . CPU 201 specifically acquires a setting value indicating whether or not screen display check box 501 of signage setting screen 500 is selected as content display necessity setting. Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the screen display check box 501 is selected, that is, whether content display necessity setting is ON (step S1702).

As a result of the determination in step S1702, if the screen display check box 501 is not selected, that is, if the content display necessity setting is off, the CPU 201 ends this process. As a result of the determination in step S1702, when the content display necessity setting is ON, the CPU 201 determines whether the received event notification indicates a print job start event (step S1703).

As a result of the determination in step S1703, when the received event notification indicates a print job start event, the CPU 201 causes the content management unit 309 to acquire the content display necessity setting at the start of printing from the content setting management table 310. FIG. CPU 201 specifically acquires a setting value indicating whether check box 514 of signage setting screen 500 is selected as content display necessity setting at the start of printing. Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the check box 514 is selected, that is, whether or not the content display necessity setting at the start of printing is ON (step S1704).

As a result of the determination in step S1704, if the check box 514 is not selected and the content display necessity setting at the start of printing is off, the CPU 201 ends this process. As a result of the determination in step S1704, when the content display necessity setting at the start of printing is ON, the CPU 201 determines whether the application screen 1602 is displayed on the operation unit 206 (step S1705).

If the result of determination in step S1705 is that the application screen 1602 is not displayed on the operation unit 206, the CPU 201 terminates this process. As a result of the determination in step S1705, when the application screen 1602 is displayed on the operation unit 206, the CPU 201 refers to the content setting management table 310 (step S1706). Next, the CPU 201 acquires the content path from the content setting management table 310 and notifies the content display unit 307 of the acquired content path. Next, the CPU 201 acquires the content indicated by the content path from the content server 105 using the content display unit 307 (step S1707), and writes the acquired content to the RAM 203. FIG. Next, the CPU 201 causes the content display unit 307 of the signage application 305 to display the acquired content, eg, the Web content 1100, on the operation unit 206 (step S1708) (see FIG. 16, for example).

Next, when the user presses the close button 1101 of the web content 1100 (YES in step S1709), the CPU 201 closes the web content 1100 (step S1710). After that, the CPU 201 terminates this process.

As a result of the determination in step S1703, when the received event notification does not indicate a print job start event, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the received event notification indicates a login event (step S1711).

As a result of the determination in step S1711, when the received event notification indicates a login event, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the display setting screen 703 is set to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation (step S1712). .

As a result of the determination in step S1712, if the display setting screen 703 does not set to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, the CPU 201 ends this process. As a result of the determination in step S<b>1712 , when the display setting screen 703 is set to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, the CPU 201 acquires a setting value related to content display timing from the content setting management table 310 . CPU 201 specifically acquires a setting value indicating which of display timing setting buttons 512 and 513 of signage setting screen 500 is selected as a setting value relating to display timing of content. Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the content display timing is after login (step S1713). In step S1713, when the display timing setting button 512 of the signage setting screen 500 is selected, the CPU 201 determines that the content display timing is after login. On the other hand, when the display timing setting button 513 of the signage setting screen 500 is selected, the CPU 201 determines that the content display timing is not after login.

As a result of the determination in step S1713, when the content display timing is not after login, the CPU 201 terminates this process. As a result of the determination in step S1713, when the display timing of the content is after login, the CPU 201 performs the processing after step S1706 (see FIG. 12, for example).

As a result of the determination in step S1711, when the received event notification does not indicate a login event, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the received event notification indicates an auto clear event (step S1714).

As a result of the determination in step S1714, when the received event notification indicates an auto clear event, the CPU 201 determines whether or not display of the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation is set in the display setting screen 703 (step S1715). ).

As a result of the determination in step S<b>1715 , when the display setting screen 703 is set to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, the CPU 201 acquires the setting value regarding the content display timing from the content setting management table 310 . Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the content display timing is after auto clear/after logout (step S1716).

As a result of the determination in step S1716, if the content display timing is not after auto clear/after logout, the CPU 201 ends this process. As a result of the determination in step S1716, when the display timing of the content is after auto clear/after logout, the CPU 201 performs the processing after step S1706 (see FIG. 13, for example).

As a result of the determination in step S1715, when it is not set in the display setting screen 703 to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, the CPU 201 performs the processing from step S1706 onward (see FIGS. 14 and 15, for example). . If the display setting screen 703 is not set to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, for example, if the display setting screen 703 is set to display the authentication screen 801 when a specific function is selected, Alternatively, this corresponds to the case where the button 702 is selected on the authentication setting screen 700 .

When the received event notification does not indicate an auto-clear event as a result of the determination in step S1714, the CPU 201 determines that the received event notification is a logout event. The CPU 201 determines whether or not display of the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation is set in the display setting screen 703 (step S1717).

As a result of the determination in step S1717, if the display setting screen 703 does not set to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, the CPU 201 terminates this process. As a result of the determination in step S1717, when it is set in the display setting screen 703 to display the authentication screen 801 at the start of operation, the CPU 201 determines whether the content display timing is after auto clear/after logout. (step S1718).

As a result of the determination in step S1718, if the content display timing is not after auto clear/after logout, the CPU 201 terminates this process. As a result of the determination in step S1718, when the display timing of the content is after auto clear/after logout, the CPU 201 performs the processing after step S1706.

According to the embodiment described above, the Web content 1100 is displayed on the operation unit 206 of the MFP 101 when a specific event related to the operation of the operation unit 206 by the user occurs. As a result, the Web content 1100 can be provided to the user who directly operates the MFP 101, so that the free time of the user who directly operates the MFP 101 can be effectively utilized.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the specific event includes a print job start event for starting execution of a print job in accordance with an instruction accepted by operation unit 206 . As a result, the idle time of the user who instructed execution of the print job via the operation unit 206 can be effectively utilized.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the specific event includes a login event for the user to log into MFP 101 using operation unit 206 . As a result, it is possible to reliably transmit various information such as notification of disaster drills to the user who has logged into the MFP 101 using the operation unit 206 .

In the embodiments described above, specific events include logout events and autoclear events. As a result, it is possible to provide various types of information, such as notification of disaster drills, to users who pass by the MFP 101 and users who will use the MFP 101 next time.

Although the present invention has been described using the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the content displayed on the operation unit 206 may be switched according to the type of specific event that has occurred. For example, when there is a high possibility that the logged-in user will leave the MFP 101 and the content displayed on the operation unit 206 will not be viewed, as in a logout event or an auto-clear event, the MFP 101 sets the urgency of the notification to relatively Low content is displayed on the operation unit 206 . On the other hand, when it is extremely likely that the user operating the operation unit 206 will view the content displayed on the operation unit 206, such as in a login event or a print start event, the user operates content with a relatively high notification urgency. displayed in section 206 . By doing so, appropriate content can be displayed on the operation unit 206 according to the expected value of viewing the content displayed on the operation unit 206 .

In the above-described embodiment, when a print job is accepted, the estimated print time required to execute the print job is calculated, and whether or not to display the Web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 is determined based on the calculated estimated print time. You can decide.

For example, in the process of FIG. 17 described above, the Web content 1100 is displayed on the operation unit 206 even when a print job with a short print time is executed. In this case, the web content 1100 is displayed on the operation unit 206 only for a short period of time while the print job is being executed, and the web content 1100 is hidden even though the user has not confirmed all of the web content 1100 . For this reason, the problem arises that the user is confused rather than making effective use of the user's free time.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, Web content 1100 is displayed on operation unit 206 when the predicted print time is longer than or equal to a later-described reference time set on signage setting screen 1800 in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a signage setting screen 1800 displayed on the client PC 104 in FIG. A signage setting screen 1800 includes a setting time 1801 in addition to the setting items in FIG. In the set time 1801, a reference time for determining whether or not to display the Web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 based on the calculated estimated print time is set. If the calculated predicted print time is longer than or equal to the reference time, the MFP 101 displays the web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 . On the other hand, if the calculated predicted print time is less than the reference time, the MFP 101 does not display the web content 1100 on the operation unit 206 . Note that in this embodiment, all users using the MFP 101 may share the reference time set in the set time 1801 . Also, in the present embodiment, a different reference time may be set for each user.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a modification of the content display process of FIG. The processing in FIG. 19 is also performed by the CPU 201 executing programs stored in the ROM 202 and the HDD 204 . In the processing of FIG. 19, it is assumed that the reference time has already been set in the set time 1801 of the signage setting screen 1800 .

In FIG. 19, the CPU 201 performs steps S1701 to S1703. As a result of the determination in step S1703, when the received event notification indicates a print job start event, the CPU 201 performs processing in steps S1704 and S1705.

If the result of determination in step S1705 is that the application screen 1602 is not displayed on the operation unit 206, the CPU 201 terminates this process. As a result of the determination in step S1705, when the application screen 1602 is displayed on the operation unit 206, the CPU 201 performs the predicted printing time calculation process in FIG. 20 (step S1901). In step S1901, the CPU 201 calculates the estimated print time required to execute the print job indicated by the received event notification. Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the predicted print time is equal to or longer than the reference time (step S1902).

As a result of the determination in step S1902, when the predicted printing time is equal to or longer than the reference time, the CPU 201 performs the processing from step S1706. If the result of determination in step S1902 is that the predicted printing time is less than the reference time, the CPU 201 terminates this process.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the predicted printing time calculation process in step S1901 of FIG.

In FIG. 20, the CPU 201 determines the predicted number of sheets to be ejected based on the set values related to the number of copies, the number of originals, cover insert sheet setting, bookbinding, etc., set in the print job (step S2001). Next, the CPU 201 determines the engine paper discharge time based on the set values regarding the size, double-sided, paper type, and paper feed stage (manual feed) set on the application screen 1602 (step S2002). The engine paper ejection time is a value indicating the number of sheets that the MFP 101 can print in one minute, and is expressed in units of PPM (pages per minute). For example, if the PPM of the MFP 101 is 60 PPM, the MFP 101 can print 60 sheets per minute. Next, the CPU 201 calculates the predicted print time based on the predicted number of discharged sheets and the engine discharge time (step S2003). In step S2003, the predicted printing time is calculated by the formula: predicted number of discharged sheets/engine discharging time. After that, the CPU 201 terminates this process and performs the process from step S1902.

In the embodiment described above, the Web content 1100 is displayed on the operation unit 206 when the predicted print time is equal to or longer than the reference time. Accordingly, the Web content 1100 can be displayed on the operation unit 206 when a certain amount of time can be secured for allowing the user to check the Web content 1100 . As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused due to the display period of the Web content 1100 being too short.

In the embodiments described above, the estimated print time may include the estimated time required to perform finishing operations such as stapling, punching, and folding on prints produced by printer 208 .

In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 101 has multiple functions such as a copy function and a scanner function.

The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads the program. It can also be realized by executing processing. The invention can also be implemented by a circuit (eg, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

101 MFPs
201 CPUs
206 operation unit 304 print application 305 signage application 306 external communication unit 315 print management unit 1100 Web content

Claims (16)

An image forming apparatus comprising display means,
a registration means for registering information of content to be displayed;
display control means for controlling display of content on the display means based on the information registered by the registration means;
setting means for setting conditions for displaying content by the display control means;
providing means for receiving registration of information by said registration means and for providing a setting screen for receiving settings by said setting means from a user ;
When the display control means is set to display the content under the first condition for starting the print processing by the setting means, the display control means displays the content under the condition that the print processing is started. means, and when the setting means sets the display control means to display the content under a second condition different from the first condition, the display control means displays the content under the second condition. An image forming apparatus characterized by displaying on the display means. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second condition is that a user logs into said image forming apparatus. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second condition is that the user logs out of the image forming apparatus. 4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second condition is to clear the contents set on the setting screen and automatically return to the initial screen in response to no user operation being accepted for a predetermined period of time. 1. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 1. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said registration means registers a path for displaying Web contents. When the display control means is set to display the content under the first condition, the display control means displays the content on the display means under the first condition when the print screen is displayed. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content is not displayed on the display means under the first condition when the print screen is not displayed. printing means;
further comprising a predicted time calculation means for calculating a predicted time required for execution of printing by the printing means,
7. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the display control means displays the content on the display means when the predicted time is equal to or longer than a preset predetermined time. forming device. 2. The setting screen includes a first display object for registering information by said registration means and a second display object for setting by said setting means. The image forming apparatus according to . 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein a display object for setting by said setting unit is displayed as an option on said setting screen. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein registration of information by said registration unit and setting by said setting unit are independently received. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the content is web content for advertisement. the display control means, when the display control means is set to display the content under the first condition, displays the first content on the display means on the condition that print processing is started; 12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein when said display control means is set to display content under said second condition, said first content is displayed on said display means under said second condition. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3. the display control means, when the display control means is set to display the content under the first condition, displays the first content on the display means on the condition that print processing is started; When the display control means is set to display content under the second condition, second content different from the first content is displayed on the display means under the second condition. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 . 14. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 13 , wherein the setting means associates content with conditions for displaying the content, and associates different content with each condition. forming device. A control method for an image forming apparatus having display means,
a registration step of registering information of content to be displayed;
a display control step of controlling display of content on the display means based on the information registered in the registration step;
a setting step of setting conditions for displaying content in the display control step;
a providing step of receiving registration of information in the registration step and providing a setting screen for receiving settings from the user in the setting step ;
In the setting step, if the display control step sets the content to be displayed under the first condition for starting the print processing, the display control step displays the content on the condition that the print processing is started. When setting is made in the display control step to display the content on the display means and to display the content under a second condition different from the first condition in the setting step, the display control step under the second condition is A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by displaying content on said display means. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 .

Images