JP7322373B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus (communication target, external device) such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) is operated by a user from a fixed operation unit of an information processing apparatus or image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus. Techniques for executing processing using device functions are known.

For example, a user selects and executes desired application software from a plurality of application software displayed on a screen of a fixed operation unit of an information processing device or an image forming device, thereby executing processing using functions of the image forming device. There are known techniques for

However, in the prior art, when a user operates an information processing apparatus, it is difficult to determine which application software can be used in an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus. It was difficult at times.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides application software that can be used for an image forming apparatus or the like connected to an information processing apparatus when a user operates the information processing apparatus. , is intended to be easily comprehensible by the user.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus in which application software can be installed, wherein an operation unit installed in the information processing apparatus and different from the information processing apparatus is provided. a storage unit that stores a plurality of different application software including first application software that uses the function of the device having the device, and second application software that can be used by the information processing device that does not use the function of the device; A connection control unit that communicates with a communication target device via a wireless network and collects effective function information indicating one or more functions of the communication target device; and user identification information that identifies a user. an authentication control unit that transmits to a communication target device and requests a user authentication request for the user identification information from the communication target device; and if the authentication result for the authentication request is successful, the communication target device. a list of the first application software included in the plurality of different application software stored in the storage unit ; Acquiring tag information in which an application name specifying first application software and authority required to execute the first application software are associated, and acquiring the authority information of the user, the tag information, and the valid a determination unit that determines, from the list of the first application software, the first application software that is executable for the device that is the communication target, based on the function information; and a display control unit that displays the application software on the display unit and does not display the first application software determined to be unexecutable on the display unit.

According to the present invention, when a user operates an information processing device, the user can easily grasp application software that can be used for an external device connected to the information processing device. Effective.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment; 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of the connection application according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of list screen display processing according to the first embodiment. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection screen according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen according to the first embodiment; 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the UI screen according to the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the UI screen according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of list screen display processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of tag information according to the second embodiment; FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of list screen display processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a connection application according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of list screen display processing according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of tag information according to the fourth embodiment; FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of list screen display processing according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a list of UI screens according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an information processing system according to a sixth embodiment;

Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and an image forming system will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 100a according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 100a includes an information processing device 20a and an image forming device 30. As shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 30 is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and has functions such as copying, scanning, facsimile, and printing. Software and hardware such as a plotter and a scanner are collectively referred to as an execution unit as means for executing each process such as copying, scanning, facsimile, and printing. The image forming apparatus 30 acquires an execution instruction regarding the process to be executed via the information processing apparatus 20a and the wireless network 300, and the execution unit executes the process based on the acquired execution instruction. Also, the image forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment has a fixed operation section. Details of the image forming apparatus 30 and the fixed operation unit will be described with reference to FIG.

The information processing apparatus 20a is, for example, an information processing terminal (smart terminal, smart device) such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 20a includes an OS 25a, a first connection application 23a, a function providing application 22, a general-purpose application 121, and a home application 21a.

The OS 25a is an operating system, such as Android (registered trademark), which provides an interface of hardware functions to various types of software. The OS 25a also has a WebAPI connection class 251 as one function. The WebAPI connection class 251 may be realized by software different from the OS 25a. Note that the OS 25a may include various applications required for the operation of the system of the information processing device 20a.

The general-purpose application 121 is a general-purpose application that can be used by the information processing device 20a. Examples of the general-purpose application 121 include an image processing application, an email application, and the like. It should be noted that the information processing apparatus 20a is capable of installing a plurality of general-purpose applications 121. FIG. Multiple general-purpose applications 121 may have different functions.

Also, the home application 21 a may be one of the general-purpose applications 121 . The home application 21a displays a main screen on the display device of the information processing device 20a. When the user presses an icon on the main screen to select one of the function-providing applications 22 or the general-purpose application 121, the home application 21a selects the function-providing application 22 or the general-purpose application 121 corresponding to the pressed icon. 121 is activated. For example, home application 21a activates function-providing application 22 or general-purpose application 121 by transmitting an instruction signal instructing activation to function-providing application 22 or general-purpose application 121 .

Note that the user may directly activate the desired function providing application 22 or the general purpose application 121 without going through the home application 21a, or may activate the desired function providing application 22 from another function providing application 22 or the general purpose application 121. can be Also, the home application 21a may display only the function providing application 22 on the main screen. Alternatively, the functions of the home application 21a may be provided by the first connection application 23a, the function providing application 22, or the like, without providing the home application 21a.

The function providing application 22 is an application created to operate on both the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit (shown in FIG. 2) of the image forming device 30. FIG. A plurality of function providing applications 22 can be installed in the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit. The number of function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit is not limited. For example, only one function providing application 22 is installed in the information processing device 20a or the fixed operation unit. It's good to be

The function providing applications 22 may have different functions. For example, when the communication target to which the information processing apparatus 20a is connected is the image forming apparatus (MPF) 30, the setting and execution instruction for various functions such as copying, scanning, printing, and facsimile performed by the MFP. Examples include applications that provide user interface screens.

In FIG. 1, a print application 1221 and a fax application 1222 are given as examples of the function providing application 22 . For example, the print application 1221 and the fax application 1222 provide user interface screens for setting and instructing execution of the print function of the image forming apparatus 30 and the fax function of the image forming apparatus 30, respectively. Note that in the present embodiment, the function providing application 22 may be application software that does not use the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 . Among the function providing applications 22, application software that does not use the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 includes, for example, a browser application and a camera application.

Each function providing application 22 also has a WebAPIWrapper 123 (123a, 123b). The WebAPIWrapper 123 is a library that provides a class that wraps the WebAPI connection class 251 so that the function providing application 22 can communicate and connect with the image forming apparatus 30 without being aware of the operating environment. As a result, the function providing application 22 generates an instance of the WebAPIWrapper 123, so that the function providing application 22 provides communication connection information (for example, the host name of the connection destination, connection destination port number, etc.), and can transmit a function execution request to the image forming apparatus 30 using the communication connection information.

In addition, the function providing application 22 responds to the function execution request to the image forming apparatus 30 according to the terminal device (the information processing apparatus 20a or the fixed operation unit of the image forming apparatus 30) in which the function providing application 22 is installed. Authentication information (eg, user ID and password) for user authentication can be included. Further, the function providing application 22 selectively switches the protocol used when requesting the image forming apparatus 30 to execute a function between HTTP and HTTPS according to the terminal device in which the function providing application 22 is installed. can be used Note that the WebAPI connection class 251 may be owned by the function providing application 22 . Also, the WebAPI connection class 251 may use a function installed in Android (registered trademark) or the like.

The first connection application 23 a establishes communication connection with the image forming apparatus 30 . The first connection application 23 a also provides the WebAPIWrapper 123 with communication connection information regarding communication connection with the image forming apparatus 30 . Further, the first connection application has a function of generating a home screen displaying a list of icons of function providing applications installed in the information processing apparatus, a screen for selecting an image forming apparatus to be connected to the information processing apparatus, and a screen for selecting an image forming apparatus. It may have a function of displaying a screen for accepting authentication information necessary for logging in to the device. The first connection application 23a is an application created to be installed and operated in at least the information processing device 20a among the information processing device 20a and a fixed operation unit described later. For example, the first connection application 23a includes processing unique to the information processing device 20a.

In FIG. 1, the information processing device 20a and the image forming device 30 are connected one-to-one, but the information processing device 20a can be connected to a plurality of image forming devices 30. FIG. It is also assumed that the image forming apparatus 30 can be connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses 20a.

Also, the operation on the image forming apparatus 30 may be performed by a fixed operation unit of the image forming apparatus 30 instead of the information processing apparatus 20a. Details of the fixed operation unit of the image forming apparatus 30 will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming system S according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming system S has a fixed operation section 20b and an image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

The fixed operation portion 20b may be provided detachably with respect to the main body (image forming apparatus 30). Also, the fixed operation unit 20b may be capable of communicating with not only the image forming apparatus 30 but also a plurality of image forming apparatuses. For example, in addition to being communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 30 via a signal line, the fixed operation unit 20b may be able to communicate with another image forming apparatus through wireless communication. The fixed operation unit 20b includes an OS 25b, a second connection application 23b, a function providing application 22, a fixed operation unit application 124, and a home application 21b.

The function providing application 22 included in the fixed operation unit 20b and the WebAPIWrapper 123 included in each function providing application 22 have the same functions as the function providing application 22 and the WebAPIWrapper 123 included in each function providing application 22 included in the information processing apparatus 20a. It is assumed that the same function providing application 22 can be installed in the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit 20b.

The second connection application 23b included in the fixed operation unit 20b provides the same function as the first connection application 23a included in the information processing device 20a. However, the second connection application 23b includes processing specific to the fixed operation unit 20b. The second connection application 23b is an application created to be installed and operated in at least the fixed operation unit 20b of the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit 20b. In the following description, the first connection application 23a and the second connection application 23b are referred to as the connection application 23 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

The OS 25b is an operating system, such as Android (registered trademark), which provides an interface of hardware functions to various types of software. The OS 25b also has a WebAPI connection class 252 as one function.

The WebAPI connection class 252 provides the same function as the WebAPI connection class 251 provided in the information processing apparatus 20a. However, the WebAPI connection class 252 includes processing unique to the fixed operation unit 20b. Also, the WebAPI connection class 252 may be realized by software different from the OS 25b. Note that the OS 25b may be an OS customized to operate on the fixed operation unit 20b, and may include various applications required for system operations of the fixed operation unit 20b.

The fixed operation unit application 124 is a dedicated application that can be used only on the fixed operation unit 20b. For example, when the communication target to which the fixed operation unit 20b is connected is the image forming apparatus (MFP) 30, the fixed operation unit application 124 sets various functions such as copy, scan, print, and FAX executed by the MFP. and an application that provides a user interface screen for instructing execution. Note that the fixed controller 20 b may include a fixed controller platform for executing the fixed controller app 124 . In this case, the fixed operation unit platform may include some or all of the functions of the second connection application 23b, or may be provided separately from the second connection application 23b.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 30 includes an OS 305, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 301, an NCS (Network Control Service) 302, an SCS (System Control Service) 303, and a CCS (Certification Control Service). ) 304 .

The OS 305 is an independent OS different from the information processing apparatus 20a and the fixed operation unit 20b, and provides an interface of hardware functions to various software.

The ECS 301 manages and arbitrates image engine hardware including plotters and scanners.

The NCS 302 manages or mediates the hardware of the network I/F of the image forming apparatus 30, and receives WebAPI requests (for example, HTTP requests, HTTPS requests, etc.) from the WebAPI connection classes 251 and 252. FIG.

The SCS 303 manages operations related to the entire system, such as management of returning from the energy saving mode of the main body (image forming apparatus 30) and fixed operation unit 20b, management of jobs, and control of counters, screens, settings, and the like.

The CCS 304 manages user authentication/authentication status/use restrictions of the main body (image forming apparatus 30) and fixed operation unit 20b.

The ECS 301, NCS 302, SCS 303, CCS 304, and image engine are examples of functional units that perform predetermined functions. In addition to the above, the functional unit may also include software and hardware for providing various functions such as copying, scanning, printing, and facsimile.

Further, in the present embodiment, application software that is executed to provide functions such as copying, scanning, faxing, or printing in the image forming apparatus 30 is referred to as an "application of the image forming apparatus 30".

Note that the image forming device 30 is an example of a communication target, and the communication target communicates with the information processing device 20a or the fixed operation unit 20b. Note that the communication target is not limited to the image forming apparatus 30, and may be various types of electronic equipment such as office equipment including an electronic blackboard and a projector.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the function providing application 22 and the connection application 23 are separately provided in the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit 20b. The function providing application 22 is often created by a third party that is different from the manufacturer that manufactures devices such as the image forming apparatus 30 . Therefore, as in the present embodiment, connection with the image forming apparatus 30 is realized by the connection application 23 provided separately from the function providing application 22, so that the function providing application 22 can connect to the image forming apparatus 30. A function can be provided without including the function. Therefore, it becomes easy for the creator of the function-providing application 22 who is a third party to create the function-providing application 22 .

In connection with the connection with the image forming apparatus 30, the processing specific to each device (the fixed operation unit 20b and the information processing device 20a) is provided in the connection application 23. Therefore, the function providing application 22 includes processing specific to each device. does not have to be included. In other words, the function providing application 22 can be common to each device. Since it is not necessary to create the function providing application 22 for each device, the creator of the function providing application 22 can easily create the function providing application 22 .

Each function of the information processing device 20a and the fixed operation unit 20b described above is realized, for example, by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or HDD in the information processing device 20a or the fixed operation unit 20b. . The program executed by the CPU may be provided in a state in which it has been installed in the information processing device 20a or the fixed operation unit 20b in advance, or may be provided from the outside and installed in the information processing device 20a or the fixed operation unit 20b. good too. In the latter case, the program may be provided by an external storage medium (eg, USB memory, memory card, CD-ROM, etc.) or provided by downloading from a server or the like on a network (eg, Internet, etc.). You may do so.

The present embodiment will be described in further detail below. In the following description, the information processing device 20a is taken as an example, but the fixed operation unit 20b can also perform the same processing as the information processing device 20a.

Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 105, and an operation display. It has a section 106 , an engine section 107 and a communication I/F (interface) 108 . The above units are interconnected via a system bus 101 .

The operation display unit 106 receives user operations and various inputs corresponding to the operations, and displays various information. For example, the operation display unit 106 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) equipped with a touch panel function.

The engine unit 107 is hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication in order to realize the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 . For example, the engine unit 107 includes a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that prints on sheet materials such as paper, a facsimile unit that performs facsimile communication, and the like.

Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20a will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20a according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 20a includes a CPU 701, a ROM 702, a RAM 703, a flash memory 704, an operation panel 705, a communication I/F 706, and a short-range wireless communication section 707. The ROM 702, RAM 703, and flash memory 704 are examples of storage units in this embodiment.

The operation panel 705 is, for example, a touch panel display in which a touch panel and a display are integrated. include. The information processing device 20a may have an input unit and a display unit provided separately.

Next, the details of the functions of the connection application 23 installed in the information processing device 20a or the fixed operation unit 20b will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the connection application 23 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5 , the connection application 23 of this embodiment includes a display control section 201 , a determination section 202 and a connection control section 203 .

The connection control unit 203 communicates with the image forming apparatus 30 and collects effective function information of the image forming apparatus 30 . The effective function information is information indicating one or more functions that the image forming apparatus 30 has. More specifically, when the communication connection with the image forming apparatus 30 is established, the connection control unit 203 acquires from the image forming apparatus 30 the information of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 running on the image forming apparatus 30 . For example, the connection control unit 203 is activated in the image forming apparatus 30 from an SDK (Software Development Kit) service program of the image forming apparatus 30, application software that collects device status information of the image forming apparatus 30, or the like. Information of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 may be acquired. In addition, the method and timing of acquiring the information of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 are not limited to this. For example, the effective function information may be notified from the image forming apparatus 30 to the connection control unit 203 . In addition, the effective function information acquired by the connection control unit 203 includes information related to functions that can be provided by the image forming apparatus 30, such as the power state of the image forming apparatus 30 and optional functions connected to the image forming apparatus 30. , information about the performance of the image forming apparatus 30, and the like.

Based on the effective function information acquired by the connection control unit 203, the determination unit 202 selects the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the information processing apparatus 20a among the plurality of function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing apparatus 20a. to determine the executable function providing application 22.

The display control unit 201 displays the function providing application 22 determined to be executable by the determination unit 202 on the operation panel 705 .

Next, software configurations of the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration according to the first embodiment; As shown in FIG. 6 , the image forming apparatus 30 has an application layer 111 , a service layer 112 and an OS layer 113 . The substance of the application layer 111, the service layer 112, and the OS layer 113 is various software stored in the ROM 103, the HDD 105, and the like. Various functions are provided by the CPU 102 executing these software.

Further, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a of this embodiment can communicate with each other via the wireless network 300. FIG. The means for connecting the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a is not limited to wireless communication, and may be connected by wired communication such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

The software of the application layer 111 is application software for operating hardware resources to provide predetermined functions, and is an application of the image forming apparatus 30 described above. For example, the types of applications of the image forming apparatus 30 include a copy application for providing a copy function, a scanner application for providing a scanner function, a fax application for providing a fax function, and a printer for providing a printer function. applications, etc.

The software of the service layer 112 is interposed between the application layer 111 and the OS layer 113 and provides an interface for using hardware resources of the image forming apparatus 30 to the application of the image forming apparatus 30 . Software. More specifically, the software of the service layer 112 is software for providing a function of accepting operation requests for hardware resources and arbitrating operation requests. The operation request received by the service layer 112 may be a request for reading by a scanner, printing by a plotter, or the like.

The interface function of the service layer 112 is provided not only to the application layer 111 of the image forming apparatus 30 but also to the application layer 211 of the information processing apparatus 20a. That is, the application layer 211 (the connection application 23 and the function providing application 22) of the information processing apparatus 20a also has functions using the hardware resources (for example, the engine unit 107) of the image forming apparatus 30 via the interface function of the service layer 112. can be realized.

Software of the OS layer 113 is basic software (OS 305 ) for providing basic functions for controlling hardware provided in the image forming apparatus 30 . The software of the service layer 112 converts requests for use of hardware resources from various applications into commands that can be interpreted by the OS layer 113 and passes the commands to the OS layer 113 . Then, the command is executed by the software of the OS layer 113, so that the hardware resource operates according to the request of the application.

Similarly, the information processing device 20 a has an application layer 211 , a service layer 212 and an OS layer 213 . An application layer 211, a service layer 212, and an OS layer 213 included in the information processing apparatus 20a also have the same hierarchical structure as that of the image forming apparatus 30. FIG. The function providing application 22 and the connection application 23 described above with reference to FIG.

Next, processing in the information processing device 20a and the image forming device 30 configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing for displaying a list screen according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 7, the information processing device 20a is connected for communication with the image forming device 30 (MFP), which is an example of a communication target.

As a premise of the processing of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the connection application 23 of the information processing device 20a has been activated by a user's operation or the like. When the connection application 23 is activated, the display control unit 201 displays on the operation panel 705 a connection screen that can accept a connection operation with the image forming apparatus 30 . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a connection screen 900 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection screen 900 includes an entry field 71 into which a host name or IP address specifying the image forming apparatus 30 to be connected can be entered, and an execution button 72 . Further, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, the connection screen 900 may further include a menu button 73, a search button 75 that enables searching for a connection destination device (image forming apparatus 30), and the like.

When the connection application 23 receives that the execution button 72 of the connection screen 900 has been pressed by the user, the connection control unit 203 establishes communication connection with the image forming apparatus 30 . Further, the connection control unit 203 acquires the running state of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 from the image forming apparatus 30 connected for communication (S1). The connection control unit 203 collects applications of the image forming apparatus 30 that are running as effective function information.

Next, the display control unit 201 requests the determination unit 202 to acquire a list of available function providing applications 22 (S2). Upon receiving the request from the display control unit 201, the determination unit 202 requests the OS 25a for a list of the function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing device 20a (S3). The OS 25a transmits to the determination unit 202 a list of the function providing applications 22 that are installed in the information processing device 20a and available. Here, the determination unit 202 may request a list of only application software (external device function providing applications) for performing processing using the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 among the function providing applications 22 .

After obtaining the list of the function providing applications 22 from the OS 25a, the determination unit 202 inquires of the connection control unit 203 about the running state of the application of the image forming apparatus 30, and the valid function information obtained by the connection control unit 203 in the process of S1. (S4).

Next, the determination unit 202 confirms (determines) whether or not the function providing application 22 acquired from the OS 25a can be used (S5). More specifically, the determination unit 202 compares the list of function-providing applications 22 acquired from the OS 25a with the effective function information acquired from the determination unit 202, and determines which function-providing applications 22 are included in the list of function-providing applications 22. Determine whether each is available (executable). For example, when the function of the image forming apparatus 30 used by the function providing application 22 is included in the effective function information, the determination unit 202 determines that the function providing application 22 is executable. Further, when the function of the image forming apparatus 30 used by the function providing application 22 is not included in the effective function information, the determination unit 202 determines that the function providing application 22 cannot be executed. For example, when the function providing application 22 is a scanner application that uses the scanner function of the image forming apparatus 30, and if the valid function information of the image forming apparatus 30 does not include the scanner function, the determination unit 202 determines whether the function providing application 22 It is determined that the application 22 cannot be executed.

Next, the display control unit 201 acquires a list of the function providing applications 22 determined to be usable (executable) from the determination unit 202, and draws (displays) the list on the operation panel 705 (S6). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a UI (user interface) screen 902a according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the UI screen 902a is a screen displayed on the operation panel 705, and has an application list display area 86. FIG. The display control unit 201 displays a list of function providing applications 22 determined to be available (executable) in the display area 86 of the UI screen 902a. In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the display control unit 201 displays a scanner application icon 87a and a copy application icon 87b in the display area 86 as available function providing applications 22 . When the user presses the icon 87a or icon 87b displayed in the display area 86, the scanner application or the copy application is activated.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the UI screen 902b according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing still another example of the UI screen 902c according to this embodiment. Hereinafter, the UI screens 902a to 902c will simply be referred to as the UI screen 902 unless otherwise distinguished. The display control unit 201 may hide the icon 87 of the function providing application 22 that has been determined to be unusable (unexecutable) by the determination unit 202 as shown in FIG. The icon 87 of the function providing application 22 determined to be usable (executable) by the unit 202 may be displayed in a different display mode. For example, the display control unit 201 distinguishes between the function providing application 22 determined to be unusable (unexecutable) and the function providing application 22 determined to be usable (executable). may be displayed by changing the color or brightness of the Further, the display control unit 201 may display the icon 87 of the function providing application 22 that has been determined to be unusable (unexecutable) or the application name characters together with a predetermined mark to call attention to the user. In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the display control unit 201 displays the icon 87a of the scanner application as the usable function providing application 22 in the display area 86, and the icon 87b of the copy application is unavailable (unexecutable). function-providing application 22, or displayed in a form different from the icon 87a of the scanner application. When the copy application icon 87b is displayed as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the copy application icon 87b cannot be pressed, or if it is pressed, an error screen is displayed.

9, the UI screen 902 includes a menu button 73, a disconnect button 81 for disconnecting the image forming apparatus 30, a logout button 82 for logging out from the image forming apparatus 30, An image forming apparatus name display area 84 that displays the name of the image forming apparatus 30, a user display area 85 that displays the user name or user ID identifying the logged-in user, and a status display that displays a message when an error occurs. area 83. The display mode of the UI screen 902 is an example, and is not limited to this.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, based on the effective function information of the image forming apparatus 30, among the function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing apparatus 20a, the function providing application 22 determined to be executable. is displayed on the operation panel 705 . Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, when the user operates the information processing apparatus 20a, the image forming apparatus 30 connected to the information processing apparatus 20a has functions that can be used. The provided application 22 can be easily grasped.

More specifically, for example, when the UI screen 902 on the operation panel 705 displays the function providing application 22 that uses a function that the image forming apparatus 30 to which the information processing apparatus 20a is connected does not have, the user It may be difficult to determine which function providing application 22 is available. For this reason, there is a possibility that the user will need to check the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 separately. On the other hand, in the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, only the function providing application 22 determined to be executable is displayed on the operation panel 705, so that it is possible to suppress occurrence of confirmation work by the user.

Further, as described above, in the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, the function providing application 22 determined to be unexecutable is displayed on the operation panel 705 in a display mode different from that of the function providing application 22 determined to be executable. may be displayed. When this configuration is adopted, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, after the user confirms the list of the function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing apparatus 20a, any function providing application 22 is executed. It is possible to grasp whether it is possible or not possible.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the information processing apparatus 20a displays only the function providing applications 22 that can be used by the information processing apparatus 20a on the operation panel 705 according to the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 being connected. rice field. Further, in the second embodiment, the function providing applications 22 displayed on the operation panel 705 are limited to function providing applications 22 that use the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 .

The overall configuration of the information processing system 100a according to the present embodiment, and the configurations of the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a are the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing for displaying a list screen according to the present embodiment. The processing from the acquisition of the running state of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 in S101 to the acquisition request for the list of available function providing applications 22 in S102 is the same as the processing in S1 and S2 described with reference to FIG.

Upon receiving a request from the display control unit 201, the determination unit 202 of the present embodiment sends a list of the function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing device 20a and tag information of each function providing application 22 to the OS 25a. request (S103). The tag information is information indicating the function of the image forming apparatus 30 used by each function providing application 22 . Also, the tag information is included in a program describing each function providing application 22, as an example. The OS 25 a acquires tag information from the program describing each function providing application 22 and transmits it to the determination unit 202 .

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of tag information 500a according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the tag information 500a is information in which an application name specifying the function providing application 22 is associated with a function of the image forming apparatus 30 used by the function providing application 22 (use function). The tag information 500a of this embodiment is an example of used function information. Note that since the function providing application 22 has a plurality of pieces of tag information, the tag information (used function information) in this embodiment is also called first tag information.

The processing of S104 in which the determination unit 202 acquires the effective function information acquired by the connection control unit 203 is the same as the processing of S4 described with reference to FIG. Next, the determination unit 202 confirms (determines) whether or not the function providing application 22 acquired from the OS 25a can be used (S105). More specifically, the determination unit 202 of the present embodiment compares the tag information 500a with the valid function information of the image forming apparatus 30, and each of the plurality of function providing applications 22 determines whether each of the function providing applications 22 has a function included in the valid function information. determines (confirms) whether or not to use Then, determination unit 202 determines whether the function of image forming apparatus 30 used by function providing application 22 (the function described in tag information 500a) is included in the effective function information and function providing application 22 is included in the effective function information. When using any of the included functions, the function providing application 22 is included in the list to be notified to the display control unit 201 . For example, when the effective function information of the image forming apparatus 30 includes the "copy" function, the determination unit 202 determines that the function providing application 22 associated with the "copy" function in the tag information 500a is executable. to decide. Further, when the valid function information of the image forming apparatus 30 does not include the "scanner" function, the determination unit 202 determines that the function providing application 22 associated with the "scanner" function in the tag information 500a cannot be executed. I judge. Further, the determining unit 202 determines that the function providing application 22 that is not associated with any function of the image forming apparatus 30 in the tag information 500a is the function providing application 22 that does not use the function included in the effective function information.

Next, the display control unit 201 acquires a list of the function providing applications 22 determined to be available (executable) from the determination unit 202, and draws (displays) the list on the UI screen 902 on the operation panel 705. (S106). In the present embodiment, the display control unit 201 displays, on the operation panel 705, the function-providing applications 22 determined to use the function included in the effective function information among the function-providing applications 22 determined to be executable. A function providing application 22 determined not to use the function included in the valid function information is not displayed on the operation panel 705 . For example, among the function providing applications 22, the browser application, the camera application, and the like can be used regardless of the functions of the image forming apparatus 30, but do not use the functions included in the effective function information. Therefore, the display control unit 201 does not display the browser application, the camera application, and the like on the operation panel 705 .

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, only the function providing applications 22 determined to use the function included in the effective function information among the function providing applications 22 determined to be executable are displayed on the operation panel. 705, the user can easily find the desired function.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments described above, the information processing apparatus 20a determines that the function-providing application 22 that uses a function not included in the acquired effective function information is not executable and does not display it. In the third embodiment, when the function used by the function providing application 22 is not included in the effective function information, the information processing device 20a inquires again about the effective function information and determines again whether the function is executable.

The overall configuration of the information processing system 100a according to the present embodiment, and the configurations of the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a are the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing for displaying a list screen according to the present embodiment. The process from acquisition of the running state of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 in S301 to the process in S304 is the same as the process in S101 to S104 of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.

The determination unit 202 of the present embodiment compares the list of function-providing applications 22 and the tag information 500a acquired from the OS 25a in the process of S303 with the valid function information acquired in the process of S304, and determines whether the tag information 500a includes the tag information 500a. Determine whether there are any functions that are not included in the effective function information. Then, if there is a used function included in the tag information 500a that is not included in the effective function information, the determination unit 202 notifies the connection control unit 203 of the running state of the application on the MFP main body side (effective function information). ) is requested again (S305). The re-request to acquire effective function information is also referred to as an instruction to re-collect effective function information.

When the connection control unit 203 receives an instruction to re-collect valid function information from the determination unit 202, the connection control unit 203 inquires of the image forming apparatus 30 again about the activation state (valid function information) of the application on the MFP main body side. Function information is acquired (S306).

Next, the determination unit 202 confirms (determines) whether or not the function providing application 22 acquired from the OS 25a can be used (S307). More specifically, the determination unit 202 of the present embodiment compares the tag information 500a with the effective function information of the image forming apparatus 30 acquired in the processes of S304 and S305, and determines whether each of the plurality of function providing applications 22 , determines whether to use the function included in the effective function information. The process of drawing (displaying) the list of function providing applications 22 in S308 is the same as the process of S106 in the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment inquires of the image forming apparatus 30 about effective function information when there is a usable function included in the tag information 500a that is not included in the effective function information. Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, it is possible to more accurately determine whether each function providing application 22 is available. For example, if there is an application of the image forming apparatus 30 that was not activated or was being restarted when the effective function information was obtained last time, the effective function information may be missing. According to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, in such a case, by re-acquiring the effective function information, it is possible to suppress the omission of obtaining the effective function information and more accurately determine whether or not each function providing application 22 can be used. can judge.

In this embodiment, the information processing device 20a inquires the image forming device 30 about the effective function information twice, but the number of inquiries and the timing are not limited to this.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the information processing apparatus 20a determines the function-providing applications 22 to be displayed on the operation panel 705 based on not only whether or not each function-providing application 22 can be used, but also on the authority of the user.

The overall configuration of the information processing system 100a according to the present embodiment, and the configurations of the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a are the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the connection application 23 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15 , the connection application 23 of this embodiment includes a display control section 201 , a determination section 202 , a connection control section 203 and an authentication control section 204 .

The display control unit 201, the determination unit 202, and the connection control unit 203 have functions similar to those of the first embodiment. The authentication control unit 204 requests the image forming apparatus 30 to authenticate the user of the information processing apparatus 20 a and acquires authority information indicating the authority of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 30 .

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of display processing of the list screen according to the present embodiment. Acquisition of the activation state of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 in S401 is the same as the processing in S1 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the authentication control unit 204 requests user authentication to the image forming apparatus 30 and acquires user authority information from the image forming apparatus 30 (S402). FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen 901 according to this embodiment. The login screen 901 is also called an authentication screen, and includes, for example, a user ID entry field 77, a password entry field 78, and an execution button 79 for executing login, as shown in FIG. The login screen 901 is displayed by the display control unit 201 after the connection screen 900 is displayed, for example, before the process shown in FIG. 16 is started.

17, the login screen 901 includes a menu button 73, a disconnect button 81 for disconnecting the image forming apparatus 30, and a display area 76 for the name of the connected image forming apparatus 30. , a "use without logging in" button 80 may be included.

The authentication control unit 204 transmits the user ID and password input to the login screen 901 to the image forming apparatus 30 and requests authentication of the user with the user ID. As a response to the authentication request, the authentication control unit 204 acquires the user authentication result (login permission/prohibition) of the user ID. Also, when the authentication is successful (login is permitted), the authentication control unit 204 acquires the authority information of the user with the user ID from the image forming apparatus 30 . The authority information is information indicating the authority of the user with respect to the image forming apparatus 30, and includes, for example, functions permitted to be used by each user and the type of authority (general user, administrator, etc.).

Returning to the process of FIG. 16, the acquisition request for the list of available function providing applications 22 in S403 is the same as the process in S2 of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

Next, upon receiving a request from the display control unit 201, the determination unit 202 requests the OS 25a to provide a list of the function providing applications 22 installed in the information processing device 20a and tag information of each function providing application 22. (S404). The tag information of the present embodiment is information indicating user authority requested by each function providing application 22 . The tag information of this embodiment is also referred to as second tag information. At this time, the determination unit 202 may also acquire the first tag information (tag information 500a) from the OS 25a.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of tag information 500b according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the tag information 500b is information in which an application name specifying the function-providing application 22 and the authority required to execute the function-providing application 22 are associated with each other. The authority required to execute the function providing application 22 is the authority required by the functions of the image forming apparatus 30 used by the function providing application 22 . For example, a certain function providing application 22 requires administrator authority of the image forming apparatus 30 . In this case, when the user whose user ID is input to the login screen 901 of the information processing apparatus 20a has administrator authority over the image forming apparatus 30, the function providing application 22 can be used.

Returning to the process of FIG. 16, the acquisition of the running state (effective function information) of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 (app on the MFP main body side) in S405 is the same as the process of S4 in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. is.

Next, the determination unit 202 acquires user authority information from the authentication control unit 204 (S406). Then, the determination unit 202 confirms (determines) whether or not the function providing application 22 acquired from the OS 25a can be used (S407). More specifically, the determination unit 202 of the present embodiment confirms (determines) whether or not the function providing application 22 can be used in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and furthermore, determines whether the user's authority information acquired in the process of S406. and the tag information 500b acquired in the process of S404, the function providing application 22 that can be executed with the authority of the user is determined. The determining unit 202 determines that the function-providing application 22 is permitted to use when the authority required for executing the function-providing application 22 is included in the authority information of the currently logged-in user. The determination unit 202 transmits to the display control unit 201 whether or not the function-providing application 22 can be used (executed) and whether or not execution of each function-providing application 22 is permitted based on the authority of the user. Note that the display control unit 201 may determine whether or not execution of each function providing application 22 is permitted. Note that the determination unit 202 may determine the function providing application 22 that can be executed with the authority of the user based on the tag information 500a together with the tag information 500b or instead of the tag information 500b. In other words, the determining unit 202 determines that the function-providing application 22 is usable (executable) if all of the functions used by the function-providing application 22 indicated by the tag information 500a can be executed with the authority of the user. Also good.

Next, the display control unit 201 acquires a list of the function providing applications 22 determined to be available (executable) from the determination unit 202, and draws (displays) the list on the operation panel 705 (S408). In addition, the display control unit, among the function-providing applications 22 determined to be executable based on the authority information, uses a function that is not permitted to be used by the authority of the currently logged-in user. Do not display on the operation panel 705 . For example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the function providing application 22 with the application name "B" includes both the scanner function usage authority and the printer usage authority in the currently logged-in user's authority information. is displayed on the UI screen 902 on the operation panel 705 only when the

As described above, the information processing apparatus 20a according to the present embodiment acquires the user's authority information from the image forming apparatus 30, and executes, with the user's authority, the function providing applications 22 determined to be executable based on the authority information. A function providing application 22 that uses a function whose use is not permitted is not displayed on the operation panel 705 . Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, only the function-providing applications 22 that are permitted to be used by the user are displayed. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of confirmation work. Further, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve security by not displaying the function providing application 22 for which the user does not have authority.

Note that when the "use without logging in" button 80 is pressed on the login screen 901 shown in FIG. 15, the authentication control unit 204 does not execute the authentication request in S502. In this case, the display control unit 201 displays, on the UI screen 902 on the operation panel 705 , only function-providing applications 22 that do not require authentication processing among the function-providing applications 22 determined to be executable.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment, the information processing apparatus 20a displays on the operation panel 705 the function providing application 22 determined to be executable for each of the image forming apparatuses 30 being connected.

The overall configuration of the information processing system 100a according to the present embodiment, and the configurations of the image forming apparatus 30 and the information processing apparatus 20a are the same as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. Also, the connection application 23 of this embodiment includes a display control unit 201, a determination unit 202, a connection control unit 203, and an authentication control unit 204, as in the fourth embodiment described with reference to FIG.

Also, the display control unit 201 , the determination unit 202 , the connection control unit 203 , and the authentication control unit 204 of the connection application 23 of the present embodiment repeat their processes for each image forming apparatus 30 .

More specifically, the connection control unit 203 of the present embodiment is assumed to communicate with a plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 and collect effective function information of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 30 .

Further, the determining unit 202 of the present embodiment compares the tag information 500a (used function information) with the effective function information of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 30, and determines the effective function information included in the effective function information for each image forming apparatus 30. A function-providing application 22 having used function information is determined.

Further, the display control unit 201 of the present embodiment displays on the operation panel 705 a list of the function providing applications 22 having the used function information included in the effective function information of the image forming apparatus 30 for each image forming apparatus 30 .

Further, the authentication control unit 204 of the present embodiment transmits the user ID and password input to the login screen 901 to the image forming apparatus 30 for each image forming apparatus 30, and requests authentication of the user with the user ID. In addition, the authentication control unit 204 acquires the authentication result of the user of the user ID (whether or not login is possible) and the user's authority information from the image forming apparatus 30 as a response to the authentication request for each image forming apparatus 30 . .

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of display processing of the list screen according to the present embodiment. The process from acquisition of the activation state of the application of the image forming apparatus 30 in S501 to drawing (displaying) of the list of available function providing applications 22 in S508 is the same as the processing in S401 to S408 of the fourth embodiment described with reference to FIG. It is the same.

As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, the display control unit 201, the determination unit 202, the connection control unit 203, and the authentication control unit 204 repeat the processing of S501 to S508 for each image forming apparatus 30 (S509). By repeating the processing in this manner, the display control unit 201 displays a list of the function providing applications 22 that can be used for each image forming apparatus 30 on the operation panel 705 .

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a list of UI screens 903 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20 , the UI screen 903 is a screen displayed on the operation panel 705 and has application list display areas 86 a and 86 b for each image forming apparatus 30 . For example, the display control unit 201 provides, on the UI screen 903, image forming apparatus name display areas 84a and 84b for displaying the names of the image forming apparatuses 30 currently connected or logged in for each image forming apparatus 30. FIG. Further, the display control unit 201 provides application list display areas 86a and 86b that can be used in each image forming apparatus 30 under the image forming apparatus name display areas 84a and 84b, respectively. Further, the display control unit 201 displays the names of the function providing applications 22 that can be used for the respective image forming apparatuses 30 and icons indicating the usable function providing applications 22 in the display areas 86a and 86b of each application list. 87c to 87e are displayed.

17, the UI screen 903 has a user display area 85 for displaying a user name or a user ID identifying the logged-in user, and a logout button 82 for logging out of the image forming apparatus 30. Also good. Also, the logout button 82 may be provided for each image forming apparatus 30 . The display mode of the UI screen 903 is an example, and is not limited to this.

Note that the display control unit 201 may display the usable function providing applications 22 for all communicable image forming apparatuses 30 on one UI screen 903, or divide the UI screen 903 into a plurality of pages. Then, one image forming apparatus 30 and the function providing application 22 that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 30 may be displayed on each page.

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus 20a of the present embodiment, the list of the function providing applications 22 having the used function information included in the effective function information of the image forming apparatus 30 is displayed on the operation panel 705 for each image forming apparatus 30. , the user can easily understand which image forming apparatus 30 the desired function providing application 22 is available for.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 100b according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the information processing system 100b includes one or more external devices 10 and a smart device 20c.

As shown in FIG. 21, the external device 10 is, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral), an electronic whiteboard (IWB, Interactive Whiteboard), a projector, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Each external device 10 has functions such as copying, scanning, facsimile, or printing. The functions of each external device 10 are not limited to this, and each external device 10 may have different functions. The external device 10 is an example of a communication target in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the external device 10 has the same functions as the image forming device 30 of the first embodiment.

The external device 10 also includes application software for executing functions such as copying, scanning, facsimile, or printing. Hereinafter, the application software executed by the external device 10 will be referred to as an external device side application. The external device side application corresponds to the application of the image forming apparatus 30 in the first embodiment.

The smart device 20c is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. The smart device 20c is an example of an information processing device in this embodiment. However, the information processing device is not limited to the smart device 20c as long as it can communicate with the external device 10. For example, it may be a personal computer or an operation terminal connected by wire to a device such as an image forming device. .

The smart device 20c includes platform application software (platform application) 23c, an OS platform 25, and various application software (applications) 22c.

The OS platform 25 is a platform provided by the OS (operating system) of the smart device 20c. It is assumed that the platform application 23c and the application 22c of this embodiment are executed on the OS platform 25. FIG. The OS platform 25 is, for example, a platform provided by Android (registered trademark). The OS platform 25 is assumed to have the same functions as the OS 25a of the first embodiment.

The platform application 23 c is application software that serves as a platform for performing processing using the functions of the external device 10 . The platform application 23 c includes a display control section 201 , a determination section 202 , a connection control section 203 and an authentication control section 204 . The platform application 23c is also called external device connection application software (external device connection application) because it includes the function of connecting the smart device 20c and the external device 10 . The platform application 23c is assumed to have the same functions as the connection application 23 of the first embodiment.

The application 22c is application software that is installed in the smart device 20c and performs processing for realizing various functions. The application 22 c of this embodiment includes application software for performing processing using the functions of the external device 10 . More specifically, for example, the application 22c includes a copy application that uses the copy function of the external device 10, a scanner application that uses the scanner function, a fax application that uses the fax function, and a printer application that uses the printer function. etc. Application software for performing processing using the functions of the external device 10 is called an external device function providing application. Also, the application 22c is not limited to these, and may be a browser application or a camera application. The application 22c is stored in a ROM or the like, which will be described later. The application 22c is assumed to have the same functions as the function providing application 22 of the first embodiment.

According to the smart device 20c of this embodiment, the application 22c and the platform application 23c are provided as separate application software. It is possible to manage the connection with the external device 10 and efficiently execute the processing. Also, the process of connecting to the external device 10 may differ depending on the information processing device. By using separate application software for the application 22c and the platform application 23c as in the present embodiment, the common application 22c can be applied to information processing apparatuses having different connection specifications. With such a configuration, for example, the common application 22c can be applied whether the information processing apparatus is the smart device 20c or an image forming apparatus or an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the creator of the application 22c can create the application 22c more easily.

The list screen display program executed by the information processing apparatus 20a, the fixed operation unit 20b, or the smart device 20c of the first to sixth embodiments is an installable or executable file on a CD-ROM, a flexible It is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and provided.

Further, the list screen display program executed by the information processing apparatus 20a, the fixed operation unit 20b, or the smart device 20c of the first to sixth embodiments is stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and the network It may be configured to be provided by being downloaded via. The list screen display program executed by the information processing apparatus 20a, the fixed operation unit 20b, or the smart device 20c of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the list screen display program executed by the information processing apparatus 20a, the fixed operation unit 20b, or the smart device 20c of the first to sixth embodiments may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. .

In addition, the list screen display program executed by the information processing apparatus 20a, the fixed operation unit 20b, or the smart device 20c of the first to sixth embodiments includes the above-described units (display control unit, determination unit, connection control unit, As actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads out and executes the program for displaying the list screen from the storage medium, and the above units are loaded onto the main storage device. , a display control unit, a judgment unit, a connection control unit, and an authentication control unit are generated on the main storage device.

10 external device 20a information processing device 20b fixed operation unit 20c smart device 22 function providing application 22c application 23 connection application 23c platform application 25 OS platform 25a OS
30 image forming apparatus 100a, 100b information processing system 201 display control unit 202 determination unit 203 connection control unit 204 authentication control unit 500a, 500b tag information 704 flash memory 705 operation panel 900 connection screen 901 login screen 902, 902a, 902b, 902c, 903 UI screen S Image forming system

JP 2017-191355 A

Claims (9)

An information processing device capable of installing application software,
A first application software installed in the information processing device that uses functions of a device having an operation unit different from that of the information processing device, and a second application software that can be used in the information processing device that does not use the functions of the device. a storage unit for storing a plurality of different application software including
a connection control unit that communicates with a communication target device via a wireless network and collects effective function information indicating one or more functions of the communication target device;
an authentication control unit that transmits user identification information for identifying a user to the communication target device, and requests authentication of the user with respect to the user identification information to the communication target device;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the communication target device, user authority information indicating user authority to the communication target device when the authentication result for the authentication request is successful;
A list of the first application software included in the plurality of different application software stored in the storage unit, an application name specifying the first application software, and a list necessary for executing the first application software. acquires tag information associated with such authority , and based on the user's authority information, the tag information, and the effective function information, the device that is the communication target from the list of the first application software a determination unit that determines first application software executable for
a display control unit that displays the first application software determined to be executable on the display unit and does not display the first application software determined to be unexecutable on the display unit;
Information processing device. The determination unit further compares used function information indicating the function of the communication target used by the first application software with the effective function information to determine whether each of the first application software determining whether or not to use the function included in the effective function information;
The display control unit displays, on the display unit, the first application software determined to use the function included in the effective function information, among the first application software determined to be executable, and not displaying the first application software determined not to use the function included in the effective function information on the display unit;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The determination unit further instructs the connection control unit to recollect the effective function information when there is a function not included in the effective function information among the functions included in the used function information. death,
The connection control unit inquires the communication target about the effective function information when receiving an instruction to recollect the effective function information from the determination unit.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The display control unit does not display on the display unit, among the first application software determined to be executable, the first application software that uses the function that is not permitted to be used by the user's authority.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. the connection control unit communicates with the plurality of communication targets and collects the effective function information of each of the plurality of communication targets;
The determination unit compares the used function information with the effective function information of each of the plurality of communication targets, and determines the first determination unit having the used function information included in the effective function information for each of the communication targets. determine the application software,
The display control unit displays, on the display unit, for each communication target, a list of the first application software having the used function information included in the effective function information of the communication target.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A first application software installed in an information processing device in which application software can be installed, which uses functions of a device having an operation unit different from that of the information processing device, and the information processing device which does not use the functions of the device. a storing step of storing a plurality of different application software comprising: a second available application software;
a connection step of communicating and connecting the device to be communicated with via a wireless network;
a collecting step of collecting effective function information indicating one or more functions possessed by the communication target device;
an authentication control step of transmitting user identification information that identifies a user to the communication target device, and requesting the communication target device to request authentication of the user with respect to the user identification information;
an obtaining step of obtaining, from the communication target device, user authority information indicating a user authority to the communication target device when the authentication result for the authentication request is successful;
A list of the first application software included in the plurality of different application software stored in the storing step , an application name specifying the first application software, and a list necessary for executing the first application software. and tag information associated with the authority, and based on the user's authority information, the tag information, and the effective function information, the first application software list stored in the storage unit, the a determination step of determining the first application software executable for the device to be communicated;
a display control step of displaying the first application software determined to be executable on the display unit and not displaying the first application software determined to be unexecutable on the display unit;
Information processing method including. A first application software installed in an information processing device in which application software can be installed, which uses functions of a device having an operation unit different from that of the information processing device, and the information processing device which does not use the functions of the device. a storing step of storing a plurality of different application software comprising: a second available application software;
a connection step of communicating and connecting the device to be communicated with via a wireless network;
a collecting step of collecting effective function information indicating one or more functions possessed by the communication target device;
an authentication control step of transmitting user identification information that identifies a user to the communication target device, and requesting the communication target device to request authentication of the user with respect to the user identification information;
an obtaining step of obtaining, from the communication target device, user authority information indicating a user authority to the communication target device when the authentication result for the authentication request is successful;
a list of the first application software included in the plurality of different application software stored in the storage step , an application name specifying the first application software, and a method for executing the first application software; Acquiring tag information associated with necessary authority, and based on the user's authority information, the tag information, and the effective function information, among the first application software list stored in the storage unit, a determination step of determining first application software executable for the communication target device;
a display control step of displaying the first application software determined to be executable on the display unit and not displaying the first application software determined to be unexecutable on the display unit;
An information processing program for executing a computer. An information processing device capable of installing application software,
A first application software installed in the information processing device that uses functions of a device having an operation unit different from that of the information processing device, and a second application software that can be used in the information processing device that does not use the functions of the device. a storage unit for storing a plurality of different application software including
a connection control unit that communicates with a communication target device via a wireless network and collects effective function information indicating one or more functions of the communication target device;
an authentication control unit that transmits user identification information for identifying a user to the communication target device, and requests authentication of the user with respect to the user identification information to the communication target device;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the communication target device, user authority information indicating user authority to the communication target device when the authentication result for the authentication request is successful;
A list of the first application software included in the plurality of different application software stored in the storage unit, an application name specifying the first application software, and a list necessary for executing the first application software. acquires tag information associated with such authority , and based on the user's authority information, the tag information, and the effective function information, the device that is the communication target from the list of the first application software a determination unit that determines first application software executable for
displaying the first application software determined to be executable on a display unit, and displaying the first application software determined to be unexecutable in a display mode different from the application software determined to be executable a display control unit for displaying on the display unit;
Information processing device. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus having an operation unit and an information processing apparatus in which application software can be installed,
The image forming apparatus is
An execution unit that executes processing according to instructions obtained from the information processing device,
The information processing device is
A first application software installed in the information processing device that uses the functions of the image forming device, and a second application software that can be used in the information processing device that does not use the functions of the image forming device. a storage unit that stores a plurality of different application software including;
a connection control unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus via a wireless network and collects effective function information indicating one or more functions of the image forming apparatus;
an authentication control unit that transmits user identification information for identifying a user to the communication target device, and requests authentication of the user with respect to the user identification information to the communication target device;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the communication target device, user authority information indicating user authority to the communication target device when the authentication result for the authentication request is successful;
A list of the first application software included in the plurality of different application software stored in the storage unit, an application name specifying the first application software, and a list necessary for executing the first application software. acquires tag information associated with such authority , and based on the user's authority information, the tag information, and the effective function information, the device that is the communication target from the list of the first application software a determination unit that determines first application software executable for
a display control unit that displays the first application software determined to be executable on the display unit and does not display the first application software determined to be unexecutable on the display unit;
An image forming system comprising:

Images