Information processing device, and control method and program of the same

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, in an information processing device provided with both functions for displaying barcodes and displaying color inversions of a screen, when a barcode is also displayed with the color inversions, a barcode reader is unable to properly recognize the barcode.SOLUTION: Either a first mode for outputting an image in regular color information or a second mode for outputting the image by inverting the color information is set, and the image is determined whether or not to include a code image indicating a code. If the second mode is set and further the image is determined to include the code image, an image in which the image thereof other than the code image is inverted is outputted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, many devices equipped with a camera such as a mobile terminal are equipped with a barcode reader function and can acquire information from barcodes such as QR (Quick Response) codes (registered trademarks). Also, in information processing apparatuses such as printing apparatuses, those that can provide information using barcode data are increasing. For example, Patent Document 1 describes displaying wireless authentication information as a QR code.

[0003] In addition, some information processing apparatuses have a function of displaying a screen such as an operation unit with color inversion as a function for realizing universal design.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In an information processing apparatus having both the above-described barcode display and the function of inverting the color of the screen, consider displaying the barcode with color inversion. Even if a mobile terminal tries to read the barcode displayed by the information processing apparatus, since the barcode is color-inverted, there is a problem that the mobile terminal cannot correctly recognize the barcode.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-described conventional techniques.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables an external device such as a mobile terminal to correctly recognize a code image even when an information processing apparatus operates in a color inversion mode. **Means for Solving the Problems**

[0008] To achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, An information processing apparatus, setting means for setting either a first mode for outputting an image with standard color information or a second mode for outputting an image with inverted color information; determination means for determining whether an image includes a code image indicating a code; control means for controlling to output an image obtained by inverting an image other than the code image when the second mode is set by the setting means and the determination means determines that the code image is included. **Advantages of the Invention**

[0009] According to the present invention, even when the information processing apparatus operates in the color inversion mode, the information processing apparatus outputs the code image without inverting it, so that an external device such as a mobile terminal can correctly recognize the code image.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals. **Brief Description of the Drawings**

[0011] The accompanying drawings are included in the specification, form a part thereof, show embodiments of the present invention, and are used to explain the principles of the present invention together with the description.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] A printing apparatus 101, which is an information processing apparatus, has a wireless communication function and can perform network communication with a mobile terminal 102, an access point 103, and a PC 104. Note that this network communication is not limited to wireless communication and may be wired communication.

[0015] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the printing apparatus 101 provides information for establishing network communication between the two devices to the mobile terminal 102 using a QR code. Note that the information provided by the printing apparatus 101 using the QR code is not limited to information related to the network.

[0016] In addition, the printing apparatus 101 has two display modes in the operation unit 205 (FIG. 2): a normal display mode in which the screen is displayed without inverting the standard color information, and a color inversion display mode in which a screen with inverted color information is displayed. The color inversion display mode is a mode in which the display color of the screen is inverted and provided to users with color vision specificity, and is intended to improve the visibility of such users.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment.

[0018] The CPU 201 controls the operations of the entire printing apparatus 101. The CPU 201 executes the boot program stored in the ROM 202, expands the programs and the OS stored in the HDD 204 into the RAM 203, and controls the operations of the printing apparatus 101 by executing the expanded programs. The RAM 203 is a volatile memory used by the CPU 201 as a work area for executing various programs. The HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 stores various control programs, various setting information such as the SSID and wireless authentication key of the printing apparatus 101, and data corresponding to components (screen components) for configuring a screen including QR codes and the like. The operation unit 205 has a display unit with a touch panel function operable by the user, and displays an operation screen in either a normal display mode or a color inversion display mode. The printer unit 206 prints an image on a sheet (paper) according to the image data transferred via the internal bus. The network I / F (Interface) 207 has a NIC (Network Interface Card) for connecting to a network and is equipped with a wireless communication function. Thereby, the printing apparatus 101 can communicate with an external device such as the mobile terminal 102 via the network I / F 207. The NFC I / F 208 is a chip equipped with an NFC (Near Field Communication) communication function. The Bluetooth (registered trademark) I / F 209 is a chip equipped with a Bluetooth communication function.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the printing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment. The functions of each part shown in FIG. 3 are realized by the CPU 201 executing the program expanded in the RAM 203.

[0020] These functions include an operation control unit 310, a setting control unit 320, an application unit 330, and a communication control unit 340. The operation control unit 310 has a display control unit 311 and an operation notification unit 312. The display control unit 311 performs display output processing of the screen for the operation unit 205. The display control unit 311 also executes processing for displaying the screen using screen components and color inversion processing of screen components. The operation notification unit 312 performs input processing for information input via the operation unit 205.

[0021] The setting control unit 320 has a setting storage unit 321 and a setting acquisition unit 322. The setting storage unit 321 performs processing for writing setting data to the HDD 204. The setting acquisition unit 322 performs processing for reading setting data stored in the ROM 202 or HDD 204.

[0022] The application unit 330 is an application for generating, for example, a QR code. The barcode generation unit 331 generates barcode data based on an instruction from the operation control unit 310. The generation of this barcode data is processed based on the setting data acquired from the setting control unit 320, and the created barcode data is stored in the HDD 204 via the setting control unit 320.

[0023] The communication control unit 340 controls the network I / F 207. The connection control unit 341 performs connection processing with the mobile terminal 102 or the access point 103 according to an instruction from the operation control unit 310.

[0024] [Embodiment 1] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the operation unit 205 of the printing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4(A) shows an example of a setting screen for setting the color inversion display mode of the screen. Through this screen, the operator can set either the normal display mode or the color inversion display mode. On this screen, when the operator selects the ON button 401, the color inversion display mode is set, and the printing apparatus 101 operates in the color inversion display mode. When the OFF button 402 is selected, the normal display mode is set and the printing apparatus 101 operates in the normal display mode. In FIG. 4(A), when the OK button 403 is pressed, the settings on this screen are stored as setting information in the HDD 204. When the cancel button 404 is pressed, the settings on this screen are canceled.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the printing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 1 provides authentication information for wireless communication using a QR code. All of these screens are displayed on the operation unit 205.

[0027] FIG. 5(A) shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 205 when the printing apparatus 101 is in the normal display mode. FIG. 5(B) shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 205 when the printing apparatus 101 is in the color inversion display mode. Here, in any display mode, the QR code 501 is displayed without being color-inverted. In addition, in this Embodiment 1, a QR code is exemplified as the code, but the code handled by the printing apparatus 101 is not limited to the QR code. This Embodiment 1 can be applied, for example, when displaying or printing an image showing a code such as a barcode or a QR code.

[0028] In addition, this screen is composed of a combination of a plurality of screen components. For example, the screens shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) include five screen components: a QR code 501, a background 502, a title 503, network information 504, and a message 505.

[0029] Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 1, the CPU 201 functions as the display control unit 311, and an example of displaying a screen in the color inversion display mode by performing color inversion processing for each screen component will be described.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the printing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 1 displays a screen on the operation unit 205. This process is realized by the CPU 201 expanding the program stored in the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the expanded program.

[0031] First, in S601, the CPU 201 functions as the operation notification unit 312. When it detects that the operator has operated the operation unit 205, it determines whether an event has occurred to transition the screen displayed on the operation unit 205 to another screen. When it detects the occurrence of this event, the process proceeds to S602, and the CPU 201 functions as the setting acquisition unit 322 to acquire the screen components to be displayed on the destination screen.

[0032] Next, the process proceeds to S603, and the CPU 201 determines whether the normal display mode or the color inversion display mode is set. Here, the setting information set on the setting screen of FIG. 4(A) and stored in the HDD 204 is acquired, and the determination is made based on the setting information. If the CPU 201 determines in S603 that the color inversion display mode is set, the process proceeds to S604. Otherwise, that is, if it determines that the normal display mode is set, the process proceeds to S607.

[0033] In S604, the CPU 201 determines whether the destination screen includes a code image such as a QR code. If it is determined that a code image such as QR data is included, the process proceeds to S605; otherwise, it proceeds to S606. In S605, the CPU 201 functions as the display control unit 311 and performs color inversion on the screen components other than the code image. This color inversion method is realized by converting each value representing the RGB of each pixel of the screen component into a value obtained by bit inversion. For example, if the value represents 256 gradations in 8 bits, the value obtained by subtracting "256" from the original data is the value after bit inversion. On the other hand, if it is determined that the destination screen does not include a code image such as a QR code, the process proceeds to S606, and color inversion of all screen components is executed. Note that the color inversion process of the screen components is executed by the CPU 201 for each screen component. Thus, when the process for the screen components is completed in S605 or S606, the process proceeds to S607, and the CPU 201 functions as the display control unit 311 to create a screen using each processed screen component. Then, the process proceeds to S608, and the CPU 201 functions as the display control unit 311 to display the screen created in S607 on the operation unit 205, and this process ends.

[0034] Note that when the CPU 201 determines in S603 that it is the normal display mode, the process proceeds to S607, and a screen is created using the screen components without performing the color inversion process. Then, in S608, the CPU 201 displays on the operation unit 205 a screen in which the screen components are not inversely displayed, and this process ends.

[0035] Note that in the first embodiment, an example in which the pixel data represents 256 gradations in 8 bits has been described, but as another embodiment, color inversion may be executed using another algorithm. Also, the color space is not limited to RGB, and other color spaces such as CMYK and HSV may be used.

[0036] As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when the color inversion display mode is set, a code image such as a QR code can be displayed without inversion.

[0037] [Embodiment 2] Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 2, as shown in FIG. 4(B), when the color inversion display mode is set, it is possible to select whether to display a code image such as a QR code without inverting it or to determine and display it. Note that the configuration of the printing apparatus 101 and the system configuration according to Embodiment 2 are the same as those in the aforementioned Embodiment 1, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] FIG. 4(B) shows an example of a setting screen for individually setting whether to perform color inversion on a code image according to Embodiment 2. When the color inversion display mode is set on the screen of FIG. 4(A), a screen for setting whether to perform color inversion on the code image is displayed on the operation unit 205. Here, when the "Do" button 405 is selected, it is set to perform color inversion on the code image, and when the "Don't" button 406 is selected, it is set to display the code image without color inversion. Similar to FIG. 4(A) in FIG. 4(B), when the OK button 403 is pressed, the settings on this screen are stored in the HDD 204 as setting information, and when the cancel button 404 is pressed, the settings on this screen are canceled.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the printing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 2 displays a screen on the operation unit 205. Note that this process is realized by the CPU 201 expanding the program stored in the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the expanded program. In FIG. 7, parts common to the flowchart of FIG. 6 described above are denoted by the same symbols, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] Here, when the color inversion display mode is set and the destination screen includes a code image such as a QR code, the process proceeds to S701. In S701, the CPU 201 determines, based on the setting information stored in the HDD 204, whether the code image is set to be inverted on the screen of FIG. 4(B). When the code image is set to be color-inverted, the process proceeds to S606 to perform color inversion on all screen components. On the other hand, when the code image is not set to be color-inverted, the process proceeds to S605 to perform color inversion on the screen components other than the code image.

[0041] According to Embodiment 2, similar to Embodiment 1, even when the color inversion display mode is set, a code image such as a QR code can be displayed without being inverted.

[0042] [Embodiment 3] Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. In this Embodiment 3, the display control unit 311 performs color inversion processing on the screen composed of each screen component in a batch, and the case where the screen in the color inversion display mode is configured will be described. Note that the configuration and system configuration of the printing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 3 are the same as those of Embodiment 1 described above, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the printing apparatus 101 according to Embodiment 3 composes a screen from screen components and then performs color inversion processing on the entire screen for display. Note that this process is realized by the CPU 201 expanding the program stored in the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and executing the expanded program.

[0044] Note that in FIG. 8, the processes of S801 to S804 are the same as those of S601 to S604 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 described above, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0045] When the CPU 201 determines in S804 that it is in the color inversion display mode and the destination screen includes a code image such as a QR code, it proceeds to S805. In S805, the CPU 201 replaces the screen component that is the code image with the screen component of the color-inverted code image. Then it proceeds to S806 and creates a screen including the screen component that includes the color-inverted code image.

[0046] FIG. 9(A) is a diagram showing an example of an image of the screen created in S806 at this time. Here, only the screen component that is the QR code 901 is displayed in color inversion, and the other screen components are displayed without color inversion. Incidentally, the screen component of the color-inverted QR code may be created in advance at an arbitrary timing such as when the printing device 101 is started.

[0047] In this way, in S806, the CPU 201 functions as the display control unit 311, configures a screen using each screen component, and proceeds to S807 for processing. In S807, the CPU 201 determines whether the color inversion display mode is set in the same manner as in S803. If so, it proceeds to S808 and executes a batch color inversion process on the screen configured in S806. As a result, the configuration of the screen in the color inversion display mode is completed, and a screen including a QR code 902 that is not color inverted can be configured as shown in FIG. 9(B), for example. Then it proceeds to S809, and the CPU 201 functions as the display control unit 311 and displays the screen configured for the normal display mode or the color inversion display mode on the display unit of the operation unit 205 to end this process.

[0048] According to Embodiment 3, by configuring a screen in advance with an image component in which a code image is color inverted, such as the QR code 901, even when the entire screen is color inverted in a batch, the code image can be displayed without color inversion.

[0049] Also, in Embodiment 3, similar to Embodiment 2, when the color inversion display mode is set, a configuration may be provided that allows selection of whether to display a code image such as a QR code without inversion or with inversion. In that case, the determination process of S701 in FIG. 7 is included between S804 and S805 in the flowchart of FIG. 8. And on the screen of FIG. 4(B), when it is set not to invert the code image, it may proceed to S805.

[0050] In addition, in the above-described Embodiments 1 to 3, the description has been given for the case of displaying a screen, but it goes without saying that it is also applicable to the case of printing an image including a code image with color inversion.

[0051] (Other Embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. Further, it can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to publicize the scope of the present invention, the following claims are attached.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 101... printing device, 205... operation unit, 201... CPU, 401... ON button, 402... OFF button, 405... "do" button, 406... "do not" button, 501, 901... QR code

Claims

1. An information processing device having a display unit, a setting means for setting the information processing device to either a first display mode for displaying a predetermined component displayed on the display unit in a first color or a second display mode for displaying the predetermined component displayed on the display unit in a second color different from the first color; A receiving means for receiving a predetermined operation; a first display control means for displaying, on the display unit, a predetermined screen including a predetermined code image, which is a code image to be read by an external device and which is a code image for providing information for network communication between the external device and the information processing device, and first text indicating that the information processing device is in a connection waiting state, based on acceptance of the predetermined operation; the first display control means displays, in the same color, the predetermined code image included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device and the predetermined code image included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the second display mode is set, and displays, in different colors, the first text included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device and the first text included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the second display mode is set.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device described in Claim 1, characterized in that the specified screen further includes second text indicating that connection can be initiated by photographing the specified code image with the external device.

3. The information processing device described in Claim 2, characterized in that the first display control means displays the second text included in the specified screen, which is displayed based on the specified operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device, and the second text included in the specified screen, which is displayed based on the specified operation being accepted when the second display mode is set, in different colors.

4. An information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the information provided by the code image includes an SSID.

5. The device further comprises a display means for displaying on the display unit a screen including a first button for setting the first display mode and a second button for setting the second display mode; 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first display mode is set based on the first button being selected, and the second display mode is set based on the second button being selected.

6. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first color corresponds to the inverse color of the second color.

7. An information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that a third text corresponding to the information provided by the specified code image is controlled to be displayed on the display unit.

8. An information processing device as described in Claim 7, characterized in that the third text displayed when the second display mode is set on the information processing device and the third text displayed when the first display mode is set are controlled to be displayed in different colors.

9. Further comprising a second display control means for displaying another screen on the display unit that does not include the predetermined code image, The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second display control means displays all components included in the other screen that is displayed based on the first display mode being set on the information processing device and all components included in the other screen that is displayed based on the second display mode being set on the information processing device in different colors.

10. An information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the information processing device is a printing device.

11. An information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the specified code image is a QR code (registered trademark).

12. An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it further has a communication means capable of performing Bluetooth communication.

13. An information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a connection means for connecting to an external access point different from the external device.

14. A control method for an information processing device having a display unit, comprising: a setting step of setting the information processing device to either a first display mode for displaying a predetermined component displayed on the display unit in a first color or a second display mode for displaying the predetermined component displayed on the display unit in a second color different from the first color; a receiving step of receiving a predetermined operation; a first display control step of displaying, on the display unit based on acceptance of the predetermined operation, a predetermined screen including a predetermined code image, which is a code image to be read by an external device and is a code image for providing information for network communication between the external device and the information processing device, and first text indicating that the information processing device is in a connection waiting state; A control method characterized in that, in the first display control step, the predetermined code image included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device and the predetermined code image included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the second display mode is set are displayed in the same color, and the first text included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device and the first text included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the second display mode is set are displayed in different colors.

15. A computer of an information processing device having a display unit, a setting step of setting the information processing device to either a first display mode for displaying a predetermined component displayed on the display unit in a first color or a second display mode for displaying the predetermined component displayed on the display unit in a second color different from the first color; a receiving step of receiving a predetermined operation; a first display control step of displaying, on the display unit based on acceptance of the predetermined operation, a predetermined screen including a predetermined code image, which is a code image to be read by an external device and which is a code image for providing information for network communication between the external device and the information processing device, and first text indicating that the information processing device is in a connection waiting state; In the first display control step, the predetermined code image included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device and the predetermined code image included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the second display mode is set are displayed in the same color, and the first text included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the first display mode is set in the information processing device and the first text included in the predetermined screen displayed based on the predetermined operation being accepted when the second display mode is set are displayed in different colors.

Images