Information processing apparatus, recording medium, and information processing method

Abstract

Provided is an information processing device, a recording medium, and an information processing method that can reduce the number of steps of operations by a user. An information processing device includes a processor that performs processing to acquire first information about a device with which a corresponding association is established with one selection element that can be selected by a user and second information about the device with which a corresponding association is established with another selection element that can be selected by the user, and in a display section that displays the one selection element and the another selection element, if the one selection element is selected, the first information is displayed, and if the another selection element is selected, the second information is displayed instead of the first information. If the first information is displayed in the display section, the second information associated with the first information can be displayed without performing an operation to select the another selection element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a recording medium, and an information processing method. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a process in which the printer driver UI control module detects a situation where a control displayed on the user interface screen in a state that cannot be set is indicated by a cursor, and inputs the current setting information set in the UI screen into a conflict engine. If the conflict engine changes the priority of the control indicated by the cursor, the printer driver UI control module obtains updated setting information for transitioning to a settable control, and displays an operation instruction message for transitioning the control in a state that cannot be set to a settable control based on the updated setting information.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-059484 Summary of the Invention

[0004] Here, we consider a scenario where the display unit of an information processing device that performs remote operation displays a plurality of selection elements. Each of these selection elements is associated with information about the device, and the display unit switches between display elements based on the user's selection of those elements. In this case, if information about another selection element is to be referenced while information about one selection element is being displayed, the user must select that other selection element to switch between them.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to reduce the number of steps required for the user compared to the situation where information other than the selected selection element is displayed when another selection element is not selected.

[0006] The invention described in Scheme 1 is an information processing device comprising a processor that performs the following processing: acquiring information, namely first information, of a device corresponding to a selection element available for selection by a user, and information, namely second information, of a device corresponding to another selection element available for selection by a user; in a display unit displaying the one selection element and the other selection element, if the one selection element is selected, the first information is displayed; if the other selection element is selected, the second information is displayed instead of the first information; when the first information is displayed in the display unit, the second information associated with the first information can be displayed without the need to select the other selection element.

[0007] The invention described in Scheme 2, in the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 1, is characterized in that the second information is displayed in accordance with the user's operation in the display unit that selects the one selection element to display the first information.

[0008] The invention described in Scheme 3, in the information processing device described in Scheme 2, is characterized in that the user's operation is to perform an operation that instructs the device to perform an action, and the second information is information related to the action of the device corresponding to the action instruction.

[0009] The invention described in Scheme 4, in the information processing device described in Scheme 3, is characterized in that the second information is information indicating the status of the consumables of the device.

[0010] The invention described in Scheme 5, in the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 3, is characterized in that the second information is information indicating the remaining capacity of the recording medium contained in the apparatus.

[0011] The invention described in Scheme 6, in the information processing device described in Scheme 3, is characterized in that the second information is information indicating the operating state of the device.

[0012] The invention described in Scheme 7, in the information processing device described in Scheme 2, is characterized in that the user's operation is for setting the device, and the second information is information related to the device settings before the settings were changed.

[0013] The invention described in Scheme 8, in the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 1, is characterized in that, in the event that a user operates on the display unit that selects the first information and an error occurs in the operation of the apparatus performed by the user's operation, the second information is displayed in addition to the first information.

[0014] The invention described in Scheme 9, in the information processing apparatus described in Scheme 1, is characterized in that the second information displayed is different before and after the user's operation in the display unit to select the selection element to display the first information.

[0015] The invention described in Scheme 10 is a recording medium that records a program that enables an information processing device to perform the following functions: acquiring information about a device associated with a selection element that can be selected by a user, namely first information, and information about the device associated with another selection element that can be selected by a user, namely second information; and displaying the first information in a display unit that displays the one selection element and the other selection element, and displaying the second information instead of the first information if the one selection element is selected, wherein the program can display the second information associated with the first information without performing the operation of selecting the other selection element when the first information is displayed in the display unit.

[0016] The invention described in Scheme 11 is an information processing method, which includes the following steps: acquiring information about a device that is associated with a selection element that can be selected by a user, namely first information, and information about the device that is associated with another selection element that can be selected by a user, namely second information; and in a display unit that displays the one selection element and the other selection element, if the one selection element is selected, the first information is displayed, and if the other selection element is selected, the second information is displayed instead of the first information. When the first information is displayed in the display unit, the second information associated with the first information can be displayed without the need to select the other selection element.

[0017] Invention Effects

[0018] According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where information other than the information displayed when selecting a selection element is not displayed when another selection element is not selected, the number of operation steps for the user can be reduced.

[0019] According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the second information corresponding to the user's operation is not displayed, the number of operation steps for the user can be reduced.

[0020] According to the third aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the second information is information other than information related to the action of the device corresponding to the action instruction, it can assist the user's operation.

[0021] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, errors can be prevented compared to the case where information indicating the status of consumables corresponding to user operations is not displayed.

[0022] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, errors can be prevented compared to the case where information indicating the remaining amount of the recording medium corresponding to the user's operation is not displayed.

[0023] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where information indicating the operating status of the device corresponding to the user's operation is not displayed, it is possible to predict the time to complete an action for an action instruction that is directed to the device.

[0024] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where information related to the device settings before the change is not displayed in accordance with the user's operation, the user can easily grasp the settings before the change.

[0025] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where only the first information is displayed when an error occurs, the number of user operation steps can be reduced.

[0026] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the second information is the same before and after the user's operation, it can assist the user's operation.

[0027] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where information other than the information displayed when selecting a selection element is not displayed when another selection element is not selected, the number of operation steps for the user can be reduced.

[0028] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where information other than the information displayed when selecting a selection element is not shown when another selection element is not selected, the number of operation steps for the user can be reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a diagram that roughly illustrates an example of the overall structure of the document management system used in this embodiment;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a block diagram illustrating the functions of the user terminal;

[0032] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing a web application screen displayed on the user's terminal display. Figure 3 (a) indicates the image structure. Figure 3 (b) indicates the case where the homepage tab is selected. Figure 3 (c) indicates that my page tag has been selected;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a table displaying the relevant information stored in the storage department;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in this embodiment;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit. Figure 6 (a) indicates the state of selecting the file to be uploaded for printing. Figure 6 (b) indicates that in Figure 6 The state after (a) where a printing operation is to be performed;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the second embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit. Figure 7 (a) indicates the state of selecting the file to be uploaded for printing. Figure 7 (b) indicates that in Figure 7 The state after (a) where a printing operation is to be performed;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the third embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit. Figure 8 (a) indicates the state after selecting a file in the secure folder. Figure 8 (b) indicates that in Figure 8 The state after (a) where a printing operation is to be performed;

[0038] Figure 9 This figure illustrates the fourth embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit. Figure 9 (a) indicates the state of selecting a file in the secure box. Figure 9 (b) indicates that in Figure 9 The state after (a) is where the printing operation will take place. Figure 9 (c) indicates the state after the printing operation is performed;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the fifth embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit. Figure 10 (a) indicates the state of setting the sound in the system settings. Figure 10 (b) indicates that in Figure 10 The state after changing the sound settings following (a), Figure 10 (c) indicates that the changes to the sound settings should be saved.

[0040] Symbol Explanation

[0041] 10-Image forming apparatus, 20-User terminal, 23-Display, 24-Display unit, 25-Operation detection unit, 26-Control unit, 27-Related information display control unit, 29-Storage unit, 31-35-Labels, 42a, 42b, 42e, 42h, 42i, 42j-Areas, 42c, 42d-Consumable information, 42f, 42g-Operation information, 42k-Current sound setting information. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a diagram that roughly illustrates an example of the overall structure of the document management system 1 used in this embodiment.

[0044] Figure 1 The document management system 1 shown consists of a network NW, an image forming apparatus 10 for forming images, and a user terminal 20 operated by a user using the system. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an apparatus, and the user terminal 20 is an example of an information processing apparatus.

[0045] Documents in this embodiment include, for example, office documents created by office software or other applications, emails, image data optically read from originals, fax documents, and other documents.

[0046] A network (NW) can use, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. However, a network (NW) can also be a hybrid structure of LAN and the Internet.

[0047] User terminal 20, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, or image forming device, is used to upload documents to or download documents from a shared server.

[0048] User terminal 20 has a network application that enables remote operation of image forming apparatus 10, allowing the image forming apparatus 10 to be used for various purposes even when not in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0049] User terminal 20 has a motherboard with integrated circuitry for processing data, a memory for storing data, a display for displaying information, a touch panel or keyboard for input operations, and a communication module for communicating with network NW.

[0050] The motherboard contains, for example, a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory) used as the execution area for programs, and ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System).

[0051] Furthermore, the memory uses a hard disk drive or a rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory.

[0052] exist Figure 1 The text depicts one user terminal 20, but there can be multiple user terminals 20.

[0053] In addition to printing images on paper, the image forming apparatus 10 also has the function of optically reading original documents and other graphic images, or performing fax communication. The image forming apparatus 10 is also called a multifunction printer. Furthermore, the functions listed for the image forming apparatus 10 are only examples and do not preclude it from having other functions.

[0054] Additionally, the document management system 1 can also have a shared server that provides cloud services supporting document sharing. This shared server can be a single unit or a combination of multiple physical servers. For example, the shared server can be configured as a cloud server. However, the shared server can also be a local server.

[0055] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the functions of user terminal 20.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, the user terminal 20 includes a receiving unit 21, a transmitting unit 22, a display 23, a control unit 26, and a storage unit 29.

[0057] The receiving unit 21 receives information from external sources such as the image forming apparatus 10, and the transmitting unit 22 transmits information to external sources such as the image forming apparatus 10.

[0058] The display 23 includes a display unit 24 and an operation detection unit 25. The display unit 24 displays an image displayed by a network application that remotely operates the image forming apparatus 10. The operation detection unit 25 detects coordinates operated by the user in the display unit 24.

[0059] The control unit 26 includes an information information display control unit 27 and an information information display correspondence table determination unit 28. The information information display control unit 27 displays relevant information corresponding to the operation on the display unit. The information information display correspondence table determination unit 28 determines whether the detected user operation is an operation in the information information display correspondence table.

[0060] The storage unit 29 stores relevant information and displays a corresponding table. The storage unit 29 is composed of the aforementioned memory.

[0061] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a screen displaying a web application on the display unit 24 of the user terminal 20. Figure 3 (a) indicates the image structure. Figure 3 (b) indicates the case where the homepage tab is selected. Figure 3 (c) indicates that my page tag was selected. Additionally, Figure 3 (b) Figure 3 The slanted arrow shown in (c) is the mouse cursor. Figure 6 The following attached diagrams are the same.

[0062] like Figure 3 As shown in (a), the screen of the display unit 24 is configured to include a label area 30 for displaying a plurality of labels 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 for the user to make selections, and a display area 40 for displaying information corresponding to each label 31 to 35. It is a UI (User Interface) that is divided into a plurality of screens according to categories.

[0063] Label 31 is labeled "Homepage", label 32 is labeled "My Page", label 33 is labeled "Homework", label 34 is labeled "Contacts", and label 35 is labeled "System Settings". Furthermore, after selecting any of the labels 31-35, the target content can be displayed by scrolling through the screen.

[0064] like Figure 3As shown in (b), if the user selects the "Homepage" tab 31, the display area 40 switches to a screen containing information associated with the "Homepage". If the user selects the "My Page" tab 32, then... Figure 3 As shown in (c), the screen switches to a view that includes information associated with "My Page".

[0065] More specifically, the "homepage" label 31 is associated with consumable information such as tray information indicating the status of the tray installed in the paper supply section of the image forming apparatus 10 or box information indicating the status of the toner used for development.

[0066] exist Figure 3 In the consumables screen (b), information related to the toner, which is part of the cartridge information of the image forming apparatus 10, is displayed in the display area 40. Tray information may also be displayed along with or instead of the cartridge information in the consumables screen. Thus, the consumables screen displays information indicating the status of the consumables of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0067] Information related to the toner includes information on whether each color of the toner needs to be replaced and information indicating the remaining amount. Therefore, information related to the toner of the image forming apparatus 10 can be displayed on the display unit via the "Home" tab 31 of the user terminal 20.

[0068] The tray information mentioned above includes information indicating the remaining amount of recording media or paper contained in the image forming apparatus 10.

[0069] Furthermore, the "My Page" tab 32 is not only associated with the personal assignment information that is frequently used by an individual and is displayed through the assignment information displayed by selecting the "Assignment" tab 33, but also with information related to the safe or upload / print.

[0070] exist Figure 3 In the upload print screen shown in (c), display area 40 shows area 42a for selecting the document to be uploaded and area 42b for indicating to perform print.

[0071] Here, the receiving unit 21 of the user terminal 20 (reference) Figure 2 Image receiving apparatus 10 (reference) Figure 1 Various information is displayed on display unit 24. Then, it is displayed on... Figure 3 The labels 31 to 35 of the label area 30 of the display section 24 (a) are selectable elements that can be selected by the user.

[0072] In this embodiment, label 32 and displayed on Figure 3The information in display area 40 of (c) is associated with the label 31, and the label is associated with the information displayed in the area. Figure 3 The information in display area 40 of (b) is associated with each other. In an example where label 32 is a selectable element for the user, selecting label 32 results in the display... Figure 3 At least a portion of the information in display area 40 of (c) is an example of the first information. In an example where label 31 is another selectable element for the user, selecting label 31 results in the display... Figure 3 At least a portion of the information in display area 40 of (b) is an example of the second information.

[0073] The first information referred to here is the information of the image forming apparatus 10 that is associated with a selection element available for selection by the user, and specifically the information displayed on the display unit 24 when a selection element is selected in the user terminal 20. The second information referred to here is the information of the image forming apparatus 10 that is associated with another selection element available for selection by the user, and specifically the information displayed on the display unit 24 when another selection element is selected in the user terminal 20.

[0074] Figure 4 This is a table displaying the relevant information stored in storage unit 29.

[0075] exist Figure 4 The relevant information shown in the example is displayed in the corresponding table. In the detection object screen column, "Upload Print," "Secure Box," and "System Settings" are shown. "Upload Print" and "Secure Box" are located on tab 32 of "My Page" (see reference). Figure 3 When a selection operation is performed on (a), "System Settings" is displayed on tab 35 of "System Settings" (see reference). Figure 3 It is displayed when (a) is selected.

[0076] The related information display table includes, in addition to the detection object screen bar, an object user operation bar, displayed related information bars, and a display position bar. The object user operation bar is an example of user operation, specifically an operation performed in response to an action instruction for the image forming apparatus 10. The displayed related information bars are examples of information related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 corresponding to the action instruction.

[0077] When the target screen is set to "Upload Print", the user operation bar shows "File Selected" or "File Discarded", the displayed information bars are "Consumables Information" and "Tray Information", and the display location bar is "below the print button".

[0078] In the case of "Secure Box", the user's action bar is "Selected file and pressed the print button", the displayed information bar is "Job Information", and the display location bar is "below the print button".

[0079] In the "System Settings" setting, the user operation bar is set to "Change settings and hover over the save button," the displayed information bar is "Machine status," and the display location bar is "above the save button."

[0080] Additionally, "hovering" here refers to the operation of pointing the mouse cursor at the save button. If the user terminal 20 is not suitable for the operation method of pointing the mouse cursor, the operation method can be changed, and "hovering" is determined when the save button is pressed once. When this operation method is set, the save execution instruction is executed by pressing the save button a second time.

[0081] Furthermore, the "machine status" mentioned here refers to the status of the image forming apparatus 10, displaying information such as whether the image forming apparatus 10 is in the process of printing or whether other users have changed the settings by directly operating the panel of the image forming apparatus 10 without using the user terminal 20. Setting change operations performed through the user terminal 20 have lower priority than direct operations on the image forming apparatus 10. If the direct operation is not completed, setting changes performed through the user terminal 20 cannot be performed, hence this display.

[0082] Additionally, as a setting for the image forming apparatus 10, examples include settings for whether to emit sound or adjust the volume when completing a task (see below for details). Figure 10 ).

[0083] More specifically, the information displayed in the information bar is not the information displayed on the display unit 24 by the label when switching to the detection object screen during the selection operation, but rather the information displayed by selecting other labels.

[0084] Specifically, when the "Upload Print" option is displayed when the "My Page" tab 32 is selected, the displayed information bar shows the consumables or tray information as displayed when the "Home" tab 31 is selected. Similarly, when the "Secure Box" option is displayed when the "My Page" tab 32 is selected, the displayed information bar shows the job information as displayed when the "Job" tab 33 is selected. Furthermore, when the "System Settings" tab 35 is selected, the displayed information bar shows the machine information as displayed when the "Job" tab 33 is selected.

[0085] Among the displayed information columns, consumable information is one example indicating the status of the consumables in the image forming apparatus 10, tray information is one example indicating the remaining amount of recording media contained in the image forming apparatus 10, and operation information is one example indicating the operating status of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0086] Furthermore, the system can be configured so that users can change all or part of the information display table. For example, allowing the display location bar to be changed according to the user's preferences improves operability. Also, while the information display table has three modes, it can be configured to allow users to increase or decrease the number of modes. In this case, user-selectable checkboxes can be added, and the selection / deselection of checkboxes can further enhance the user experience.

[0087] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing sequence in this embodiment.

[0088] Figure 5 In the processing example shown, if the screen of the display unit 24 is determined in the user terminal 20 (step S101), and the operation detection unit 25 detects a user operation (step S102), then it determines whether the user operation is for an object in the target screen (step S103). Specifically, the relevant information display correspondence table determination unit 28 refers to the relevant information display correspondence table (reference... Figure 4 The system determines whether the relevant information displayed in the corresponding table contains a combination of the detected target screen and the detected user operation.

[0089] If it is determined that the user operation is an object in the detection object screen ("Yes" in step S103), the relevant information display control unit 27 displays the relevant information at the display position according to the displayed relevant information bar and display position bar in response to the operation (step S104).

[0090] Additionally, if the user operation is determined not to be an object in the detection screen (No in step S103), return to step S102.

[0091] Thus, if the display unit 24 detects a combination of a predetermined screen for labels 31-35 and a user operation, information related to the other label will be displayed even if the current label is not selected. In other words, without switching to the screen for another label, a state can be achieved where information related to that displayed information and displayed by another label is appended to the information displayed on the current label.

[0092] The following is a specific example.

[0093] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the first embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit 24. Figure 6 (a) indicates the state of selecting the file to be uploaded for printing. Figure 6 (b) indicates that in Figure 6 The state after (a) is where the printing operation will take place.

[0094] like Figure 6 As shown in (a), if the "My Page" tab 32 in the tab area 30 of the display unit 24 is selected and the screen for uploading and printing is navigated to, then the previously described areas 42a and 42b are displayed in the display area 40 (see reference). Figure 3 (c)). The user selects the file to upload in area 42a.

[0095] If you select the file to upload in the screen where you made a selection operation on tab 32 of "My Page" (see reference) Figure 4 The relevant information is displayed in the corresponding table "Object User Operations". For example... Figure 6 As shown in (b), consumable information 42c is displayed in area 40. The content of consumable information 42c is displayed by selecting the "Home" tab 31 (see reference). Figure 3 (b)), but it is related to the information established in connection with the uploaded print (see reference). Figure 4 The relevant information is displayed in the corresponding table ("Relevant Information Displayed"), so that the selection operation of the "Homepage" tab 31 can be performed.

[0096] Figure 6 The consumable information 42c illustrated in (b) displays information related to the colorant as cartridge information. Specifically, it displays information including the remaining quantity of each color, namely black, cyan, magenta, and yellow.

[0097] More specifically, in consumables information 42c, the remaining black toner level is as low as 5%, so a "Need Replacement" display is included to draw attention to the need for a black toner cartridge replacement. Users can choose to indicate the need for a print instruction after the cartridge replacement job is completed during high-volume printing, or to indicate the need for a print instruction without performing a cartridge replacement job during low-volume printing.

[0098] Here, the consumables information 42c displayed as information related to uploading for printing includes, but is not limited to, information that draws the user's attention during the uploading process. For example, consumables information 42c may be displayed even without information that draws the user's attention, such as when all colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) are in stock (see, for example, reference...). Figure 3 (Information displayed in area 40 of (b)).

[0099] Furthermore, an example could be considered where the display is based on the following conditions: Consumables Information 42c must be displayed if the uploaded print-related information includes information that draws the user's attention, but not if it does not include such information. This display condition can be found in the "System Settings" tab 35 (see reference). Figure 3 Set in (a)).

[0100] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the second embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit 24. Figure 7 (a) indicates the state of selecting the file to be uploaded for printing. Figure 7 (b) indicates that in Figure 7 The state after (a) is where a printing operation will take place. Additionally, Figure 7 (a) and Figure 6 Since (a) is the same, its description is omitted.

[0101] If you select a file in the upload / print screen, then as follows Figure 7 As shown in (b), corresponding to the user's operation, area 40 displays the consumable information 42d, "Black toner is out," as relevant information for uploading the print job. This consumable information 42d is obtained by selecting the "Home" tab 31, but it can also be displayed in the "My Page" tab 32 according to the relevant information display table. Therefore, error notifications can be received before printing, thus preventing errors from occurring and their corresponding causes during direct printing.

[0102] in addition, Figure 7 (b) Consumables information 42d and Figure 6 The consumable information 42c in (b) is different. Since it is an error message, it is displayed when an error occurs, but not when no error occurs.

[0103] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the third embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit 24. Figure 8 (a) indicates the state after selecting a file in the secure folder. Figure 8 (b) indicates that in Figure 8 The state after (a) is where the printing operation will take place.

[0104] like Figure 8 As shown in (a), if the user selects the "My Page" tab 32 in the tab area 30 of the display unit 24 and is redirected to the safe box screen, the display area 40 displays the area 42e representing the safe box and the area 42b indicating the execution of printing. The user selects the file to be printed from the safe box in area 42e.

[0105] Then, if area 42b, which is used to indicate that printing should be performed, is pressed, then corresponding to the user's operation, such as... Figure 8 As shown in (b), job information 42f is displayed in area 40. The content of job information 42f is obtained by referring to the label 33 of "Job" (see reference). Figure 3 The content displayed by selecting (a) is related to the establishment of the safe box, so it can be displayed without selecting the "job" label 33.

[0106] The displayed information includes not only information about jobs already instructed by the user, such as "014 Print file4, file5 pending execution," but also information about jobs instructed by other users, such as "013 Copy **** in progress." This allows the user to monitor the status of jobs they have instructed.

[0107] In addition, information about jobs instructed by other users is omitted from the display and replaced with "****".

[0108] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the fourth embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit 24. Figure 9 (a) indicates the state of selecting a file in the secure box. Figure 9 (b) indicates that in Figure 9 The state after (a) is where the printing operation will take place. Figure 9 (c) indicates the state after the printing operation. Additionally, Figure 9 (a) and Figure 9 (c) and the above Figure 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b) corresponds to.

[0109] like Figure 9 As shown in (a), if the user selects the file to print from the secure box in area 42e, as... Figure 9 As shown in (b), hovering over the area 42b used to indicate printing will display job information 42g indicating the stage before printing the security box. Thus, even when printing is indicated, it is possible to confirm whether printing is proceeding smoothly.

[0110] Then, if you press area 42b, then as follows Figure 9 As shown in (c), job information 42f, which includes information about printing the secure box, is displayed. Thus, it can be confirmed that job information 42f indicates that printing is to be performed.

[0111] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the fifth embodiment of displaying relevant information on the display unit 24. Figure 10 (a) indicates the state of setting the sound in the system settings. Figure 10 (b) indicates that in Figure 10 The state after changing the sound settings following (a), Figure 10 (c) indicates that the changes to the sound settings should be saved.

[0112] The system settings are displayed in the display area 40 of the display unit 24 by the user selecting label 35. Figure 10 In the example shown in (a), the sound settings screen is displayed. The display area 40 shows the area 42h for setting whether there is sound output, the area 42i for setting the volume, and the area 42j for indicating how to save the sound settings.

[0113] Zone 42h contains a checkbox for setting whether sound output is enabled or disabled. Selecting / deselecting this checkbox allows you to control sound output. Zone 42i is a volume control; adjusting this volume allows you to adjust the volume. Figure 10 In the example shown in (a), the sound output is turned on and the volume is 50%.

[0114] To increase the volume, users can adjust settings such as... Figure 10 As shown in (b), the adjustment bar setting for region 42i is changed to 75%. Then, if... Figure 10 As shown in (c), hovering the save button over area 42j to save the setting changes displays the current sound setting information 42k before the change was made by pressing the save button. The current sound setting information 42k is machine information, an example of information related to the device settings before the settings were changed.

[0115] Therefore, users can press the save button while visually recognizing the settings, thus improving operability.

[0116] Here, the receiving unit 21, transmitting unit 22, operation detection unit 25, and control unit 26 in the user terminal 20 can be composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor. The CPU reads the program stored in ROM (Read Only Memory) and executes the program using RAM (Random Access Memory) as the operating area. The program executed by the CPU can be provided to the shared server (not shown) in a computer-readable recording medium such as magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), optical recording medium (optical disk, etc.), magneto-optical recording medium, semiconductor memory, etc. Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU can also be downloaded to the shared server (not shown) using communication methods such as the Internet.

[0117] In the above embodiments, processor refers to processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and special-purpose processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0118] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments can be performed not only by a single processor, but also by a plurality of processors physically located at adjacent positions. Moreover, the order of the processor's operations is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments and can be varied.

[0119] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not encompass the entirety of the invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can understand the invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for specific uses of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a processor, The processor performs the following processing: Acquire information about the device associated with one selectable element (i.e., first information) and information about the device associated with another selectable element (i.e., second information). In the display unit that shows the one selection element and the other selection element, if the one selection element is selected, the first information is displayed; if the other selection element is selected, the second information is displayed instead of the first information. When the first information is displayed on the display unit, the second information associated with the first information can be displayed without selecting the other selection element. If a user operates the device by selecting one of the selection elements to display the first information and an error occurs, the second information is displayed in addition to the first information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information is displayed in the display unit corresponding to the user's operation of selecting one of the selection elements to display the first information.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The user's operation is to give an action instruction to the device. The second information is information related to the action of the device corresponding to the action instruction.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second piece of information is information indicating the status of the consumables of the device.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second piece of information is information indicating the remaining capacity of the recording medium contained in the device.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second piece of information is information indicating the operating status of the device.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The user's operation is used to perform settings for the device. The second piece of information is information related to the settings of the device prior to the change in the settings.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information displayed differs before and after the user operates in the display unit that selects the selection element to display the first information.

9. A recording medium having a program that enables an information processing device to perform the following functions: The function of acquiring information about a device associated with one selectable element (i.e., first information) and information about that device associated with another selectable element (i.e., second information); and In the display unit that shows the one selection element and the other selection element, if the one selection element is selected, the first information is displayed; if the other selection element is selected, the second information is displayed to replace the function of the first information. When the program displays the first information on the display unit, it can display the second information associated with the first information without requiring the selection of the other selection element. If a user operates the device by selecting one of the selection elements to display the first information and an error occurs, the second information is displayed in addition to the first information.

10. An information processing method, comprising the following steps: Acquire information about the device associated with one selectable element (i.e., first information) and information about the device associated with another selectable element (i.e., second information); and In the display unit that shows the one selection element and the other selection element, if the one selection element is selected, the first information is displayed; if the other selection element is selected, the second information is displayed instead of the first information. When the first information is displayed on the display unit, the second information associated with the first information can be displayed without selecting the other selection element. If a user operates the device by selecting one of the selection elements to display the first information and an error occurs, the second information is displayed in addition to the first information.

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