Information generation system for display, information generation program for display and image formation system

Abstract

To provide an information generation system for display capable of improving operability in an image formation device, an information generation program for display and an image formation system.SOLUTION: An information generation system for display acquires, from a cloud storage service including a shortcut function for accessing at least one of a file and a folder more easily than a normal access method, shortcut information for accessing a target of the shortcut function between the file and the folder via the shortcut function for each target of the shortcut function and generates (S233) information for action button display for displaying an action button for causing an image formation device to execute an action using at least one of the file and the folder for each combination of the target of the shortcut function and the kind of the action on the basis of the shortcut information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display information generating system, a display information generating program, and an image forming system that generate display information for displaying an operated portion on an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known file management servers that manage files and folders and provide places as a function for making files that they manage easier to access than with normal access methods, and image forming devices that display places notified from the file management server on an LCD touch panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-295149 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in a conventional image forming device, when uploading a file generated by scanning to a place on a file management server, the user must select a place displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel and then input a scan instruction, which results in a problem of a large number of operations. Also, in a conventional image forming device, when displaying a file included in a place on the liquid crystal touch panel, the user must select a place displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel and then input a download instruction, which results in a problem of a large number of operations.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a display information generating system, a display information generating program, and an image forming system that can improve the operability of an image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The display information generating system of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a shortcut information acquisition unit that acquires shortcut information from a file management server as information for accessing at least one of the files and folders managed by a file management server having a shortcut function using the shortcut function, and a display information generation unit that generates display information as information for displaying on the image forming device an operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute a file management server utilization operation as an operation using at least one of the files and folders, for each combination of the target of the shortcut function among the files and folders and the type of the file management server utilization operation, based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit.

[0007] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention generates display information for displaying on the image forming device an operated part for causing the image forming device to execute a file management server utilization operation for each combination of the target of the file management server's shortcut function and the type of file management server utilization operation among the files and folders managed by the file management server, so that an operated part can be displayed on the image forming device for each combination of the target of the shortcut function and the type of file management server utilization operation, thereby improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0008] In the display information generating system of the present invention, the display information generating unit converts the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit into the display information based on a conversion rule as a rule for converting the shortcut information into the display information and the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit, and the display information generating system may also include a rule changing unit that changes the conversion rule in response to an external instruction.

[0009] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention changes the conversion rules for converting shortcut information into display information in response to external instructions, thereby improving the customizability of the operated section displayed on the image forming device, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0010] In the display information generation system of the present invention, the display information generation unit excludes the shortcut information that is not to be used for generating the display information from the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit based on exclusion rules as rules for excluding the shortcut information that is not to be used for generating the display information from the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit and the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit, and the display information generation system may also include a rule changing unit that changes the exclusion rules in response to instructions from outside.

[0011] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention changes the exclusion rules for excluding shortcut information not used in generating display information from the shortcut information obtained from the file management server in response to external instructions, thereby improving the customizability of the operated section displayed on the image forming device, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0012] In the display information generation system of the present invention, at least one of the file management server utilization operations may be an operation of displaying a list of files within the same folder, which is an operation of displaying a screen on the file management server showing a list of the folders and files immediately below the folder immediately above the file that is the target of the shortcut information, when the target of the shortcut information is the file.

[0013] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention can display on the image forming device an operated section for displaying a list of files within the same folder, which displays a screen showing a list of folders and files directly below the folder directly above the file that is the subject of the shortcut information on the file management server, thereby improving operability in the image forming device.

[0014] In the display information generation system of the present invention, at least one of the file management server utilization operations may be a print setting screen display operation that displays a screen for accepting printing setting values ​​for the file that is the target of the shortcut information when the shortcut information is the file.

[0015] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention can display on the image forming device an operated section for the print setting screen display operation that displays a screen that accepts printing setting values ​​for the file that is the subject of the shortcut information, thereby improving operability on the image forming device.

[0016] The display information generating system of the present invention includes a setting value accepting unit that accepts an initial value of the setting value on the screen, and the display information generating unit may include the initial value accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying the operated portion on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute the print setting screen display operation.

[0017] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention includes initial values ​​accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying an operated unit on an image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute a print setting screen display operation, thereby improving the customizability of the screen that accepts printing setting values ​​for the file that is the target of the shortcut information, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0018] In the display information generating system of the present invention, at least one of the file management server utilization operations is an instantaneous printing operation in which, when the target of the shortcut information is the file, the file that is the target of the shortcut information is downloaded from the file management server and the file downloaded from the file management server is printed with predetermined print setting values, and the display information generating system includes a setting value receiving unit that receives the setting values, and the display information generating unit may include the setting values ​​received by the setting value receiving unit in the display information for displaying on the image forming device the operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute the instantaneous printing operation.

[0019] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention includes printing setting values ​​for the immediate printing operation accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying on the image forming device an operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute an immediate printing operation, thereby improving the customizability of the immediate printing operation executed by the image forming device, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0020] In the display information generation system of the present invention, at least one of the file management server utilization operations may be a scan setting screen display operation which, when the target of the shortcut information is the folder, displays a screen for accepting scan setting values ​​for generating the file to be uploaded to the folder that is the target of the shortcut information.

[0021] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention can display on the image forming device an operated section for the scan setting screen display operation that displays a screen that accepts scan setting values ​​for generating a file to be uploaded to the target folder of the shortcut information, thereby improving operability on the image forming device.

[0022] The display information generating system of the present invention includes a setting value accepting unit that accepts an initial value of the setting value on the screen, and the display information generating unit may include the initial value accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying the operated portion on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute the scan setting screen display operation.

[0023] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention includes initial values ​​accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying an operated unit on an image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute a scan setting screen display operation, thereby improving the customizability of the screen that accepts scan setting values ​​for generating a file to be uploaded to the target folder of the shortcut information, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0024] In the display information generating system of the present invention, at least one of the file management server utilization operations is an instantaneous scan operation in which, when the target of the shortcut information is the folder, a scan is performed with predetermined scan setting values, and the file generated by the scan is uploaded to the folder that is the target of the shortcut information, and the display information generating system includes a setting value receiving unit that receives the setting values, and the display information generating unit may include the setting values ​​received by the setting value receiving unit in the display information for displaying on the image forming device the operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute the instantaneous scan operation.

[0025] With this configuration, the display information generation system of the present invention includes the scan setting values ​​for the immediate scan operation accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying on the image forming device an operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute an immediate scan operation, thereby improving the customizability of the immediate scan operation performed by the image forming device, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0026] The display information generation program of the present invention is characterized in that it has a computer realize a shortcut information acquisition unit that acquires shortcut information from a file management server as information for accessing at least one of the files and folders managed by a file management server having a shortcut function using the shortcut function, and a display information generation unit that generates display information as information for displaying on the image forming device an operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute a file management server utilization operation as an operation using at least one of the files and folders, for each combination of the target of the shortcut function among the files and folders and the type of the file management server utilization operation, based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit.

[0027] With this configuration, a computer executing the display information generation program of the present invention generates display information for displaying on the image forming device an operated part for causing the image forming device to execute a file management server utilization operation, for each combination of the target of the file management server's shortcut function and the type of file management server utilization operation among the files and folders managed by the file management server. Therefore, an operated part can be displayed on the image forming device for each combination of the target of the shortcut function and the type of file management server utilization operation, thereby improving the operability of the image forming device.

[0028] The image forming system of the present invention comprises an image forming device, a shortcut information acquisition unit that acquires shortcut information from a file management server as information for accessing at least one of the files and folders managed by a file management server having a shortcut function using the shortcut function, and a display information generation unit that generates display information based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit as information for displaying an operated part on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute a file management server utilization operation as an operation using at least one of the files and folders, and the image forming device displays the operated part for each combination of the target of the shortcut function among the files and folders and the type of the file management server utilization operation based on the display information generated by the display information generation unit.

[0029] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention displays the operated unit for causing the image forming device to execute a file management server utilization operation for each combination of the target of the file management server's shortcut function and the type of file management server utilization operation among the files and folders managed by the file management server, thereby improving operability in the image forming device.

[0030] In the image forming system of the present invention, the image forming apparatus may be capable of simultaneously displaying the operated parts for a plurality of the file management servers.

[0031] With this configuration, the image forming system of the present invention can improve operability in the image forming apparatus since the image forming apparatus can simultaneously display operated parts for a plurality of file management servers. Effect of the Invention

[0032] The display information generating system, the display information generating program, and the image forming system of the present invention can improve the operability of an image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] (a) is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information notified to the display information generating system from one of the cloud storage services shown in Fig. 1. (b) is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information notified to the display information generating system from one of the cloud storage services shown in Fig. 1 that is different from the target of Fig. 2(a). (c) is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information notified to the display information generating system from one of the cloud storage services shown in Fig. 1 that is different from the target of Fig. 2(a) and the target of Fig. 2(b). [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of action button display information generated by the display information generating system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when it is an MFP. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the display information generating system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the exclusion rule information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of conversion rule information shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 1 when the image forming apparatus displays a home screen. FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 9 is a flowchart of the display information generating process shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 6 is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information compiled by the display information generating system shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 12] 7 is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information in which shortcut information not used for generating action button display information has been removed by the display information generating system shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 13] 6 is a diagram showing an example of action button display information converted from shortcut information by the display information generating system shown in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 14] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 15] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a button for accessing a cloud storage service is pressed on the home screen. [Figure 16] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a file list screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when a top-level folder is being accessed. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the file list screen shown in FIG. 16 when an item indicating a file is selected. FIG. [Figure 18] 1 when an item indicating a folder is selected on the file list screen. FIG. [Figure 19] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a file list screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 when a folder other than the top-level folder is accessed. FIG. [Figure 20] 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a "scan settings" button is pressed on the file list screen. [Figure 21] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a scan setting screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 22] 1 when a "print settings" button is pressed on the file list screen. FIG. [Diagram 23] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 24]2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the "Open" button is pressed on the home screen. [Diagram 25] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the "Go to scan settings" button is pressed on the home screen. [Figure 26] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the "Scan Now" button is pressed on the home screen. [Figure 27] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when the "Open Folder" button is pressed on the home screen. [Figure 28] 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a "Go to print settings" button is pressed on the home screen. [Figure 29] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a "Print Now" button is pressed on the home screen. [Diagram 30] 1 when exclusion rule information is changed. FIG. [Diagram 31] 1 when conversion rule information is changed. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 10 includes an image forming system 20 for forming an image.

[0038] The image forming system 20 includes an image forming device 30, such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) or a dedicated printer. The image forming system 20 can include at least one other image forming device similar to the image forming device 30.

[0039] The image forming system 20 includes a display information generating system 40 that generates display information (hereinafter referred to as "action button display information") as information for displaying on the image forming device an operated part (hereinafter referred to as "action button") for causing the image forming device to execute a cloud storage service usage action (hereinafter referred to as "action") as an action that uses at least one of the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service as a file management server that manages files and folders. The display information generating system 40 may be configured by one computer or may be configured by multiple computers.

[0040] The system 10 includes a cloud storage service 50, a cloud storage service 60, and a cloud storage service 70. The system 10 can include at least one cloud storage service that manages files and folders other than the cloud storage services 50, 60, and 70. Examples of cloud storage services that can be adopted include "Box (registered trademark)" from "Box, Inc.", "Google Drive" from "Google LLC," "Microsoft SharePoint (registered trademark) Online" from "Microsoft Corporation," and "Microsoft OneDrive (registered trademark)" from "Microsoft Corporation."

[0041] The image forming device, the display information generating system 40, and the cloud storage service can communicate with each other via a network 11 such as the Internet. The image forming device and the display information generating system 40 may also be able to communicate with each other via a network other than the Internet, such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0042] Files and folders managed by cloud storage services can be accessed not only from image forming devices, but also from various electronic devices such as PCs (Personal Computers) and smart devices.

[0043] Cloud storage services have a shortcut function that allows at least one of the files and folders they manage to be accessed more easily than by normal access methods. One example of the shortcut function is a "favorite" function that allows a user to specify which files and folders the cloud storage service manages that the user wants to be accessed more easily than by normal access methods. Another example of the shortcut function is a function that allows the cloud storage service to automatically manage, in chronological order, files that the user has recently accessed among the files managed by the cloud storage service.

[0044] The cloud storage service can notify the display information generating system 40 of shortcut information as information for accessing shortcut function targets among the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service itself by using the shortcut function. Shortcut information exists for each shortcut function target among the files and folders.

[0045] Fig. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information notified from a cloud storage service 50 to the display information generating system 40. Fig. 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information notified from a cloud storage service 60 to the display information generating system 40. Fig. 2(c) is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information notified from a cloud storage service 70 to the display information generating system 40.

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the shortcut information indicates, for each target of the shortcut function, a "shortcut name" as identification information for the target of the shortcut function among the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service, a "file type" indicating whether the target of the shortcut function is a file or a folder, an "identifier" by which the cloud storage service identifies the target of the shortcut function, and an "update date" indicating the date on which the shortcut information was updated in the cloud storage service.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of action button display information generated by the display information generating system 40. As shown in FIG.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 3, the action button display information is information that associates the name of the cloud storage service that manages the file or folder that is the target of the action button (hereinafter referred to as the "cloud storage name"), the "shortcut name" of the target of the action button, the "file type" of the file or folder that is the target of the action button, the "identifier" of the file or folder that is the target of the action button, the "update date" as the date when the shortcut information of the target of the action button was updated in the cloud storage service, the "type of action" of the target of the action button, and various parameters of the action of the target of the action button (hereinafter referred to as "action parameters"). The action button display information exists for each combination of the target of the shortcut function among the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service and the type of action.

[0049] In this embodiment, the cloud storage names of cloud storage service 50, cloud storage service 60, and cloud storage service 70 are "cloud storage service 50", "cloud storage service 60", and "cloud storage service 70", respectively.

[0050] As a type of action, when the subject of shortcut information is a file, there is a "files in the same folder list display action" which displays a screen showing a list of folders and files directly under the folder directly above the file that is the subject of shortcut information in the cloud storage service (hereinafter, the screen showing the list of folders and files is referred to as the "file list screen"). As a type of action parameter of the "files in the same folder list display action", for example, there is the "display name" of the action button on the home screen (hereinafter, simply referred to as the "home screen") when using a cloud storage service. The "display name" of the "files in the same folder list display action" is, for example, "open folder".

[0051] As a type of action, when the target of the shortcut information is a file, there is a "print setting screen display action" as an action of displaying a screen (hereinafter referred to as a "print setting screen") that accepts the print setting values ​​of the file that is the target of the shortcut information. As a type of action parameter of the "print setting screen display action", for example, there are a "display name" of the action button on the home screen and an "initial setting" that indicates the initial value of the print setting value on the print setting screen. The "display name" of the "print setting screen display action" is, for example, "to print setting". As an "initial setting" of the "print setting screen display action", for example, "color" indicating color printing is specified as the initial value of the setting value for "color / monochrome", which is a setting item indicating whether color printing or monochrome printing is to be performed, "A4" indicating A4 size is specified as the initial value of the setting value for "paper size", which is a setting item indicating the size of the medium to be printed, and "single-sided" indicating single-sided printing is specified as the initial value of the setting value for "double-sided / single-sided", which is a setting item indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is to be performed.

[0052] As a type of action, when the target of the shortcut information is a file, there is an "immediate print operation" which is an operation of downloading the target file of the shortcut information from a cloud storage service and printing the file downloaded from the cloud storage service with a predetermined print setting value. As a type of action parameter of the "immediate print operation", for example, there is a "display name" of the action button on the home screen and a "setting" indicating a print setting value. The "display name" of the "immediate print operation" is, for example, "print now". As a "setting" of the "immediate print operation", for example, "color" indicating color printing is specified as a setting value for "color / monochrome", which is a setting item indicating whether color printing or monochrome printing is to be performed, "A4" indicating A4 size is specified as a setting value for "paper size", which is a setting item indicating the size of the medium to be printed, and "single-sided" indicating single-sided printing is specified as a setting value for "double-sided / single-sided", which is a setting item indicating whether double-sided printing or single-sided printing is to be performed.

[0053] As a type of action, when the target of the shortcut information is a folder, there is a "file list display action" which is an action of displaying a file list screen showing a list of folders and files immediately below the folder that is the target of the shortcut information in the cloud storage service. As a type of action parameter of the "file list display action", for example, there is a "display name" of the action button on the home screen. For example, the "display name" of the "file list display action" is "open".

[0054] As a type of action, when the target of the shortcut information is a folder, there is a "scan setting screen display action" as an action of displaying a screen (hereinafter referred to as a "scan setting screen") that accepts scan setting values ​​for generating a file to be uploaded to the target folder of the shortcut information. As a type of action parameter of the "scan setting screen display action", for example, there are a "display name" of the action button on the home screen and an "initial setting" indicating the initial value of the scan setting value on the scan setting screen. The "display name" of the "scan setting screen display action" is, for example, "to scan setting". As an "initial setting" of the "scan setting screen display action", for example, "color" indicating color scan is specified as the initial value of the setting value for "color / monochrome", which is a setting item indicating whether a color scan or a monochrome scan is to be performed, "A4" indicating A4 size is specified as the initial value of the setting value for "original size", which is a setting item indicating the size of the medium to be scanned, and "single-sided" indicating single-sided scan is specified as the initial value of the setting value for "double-sided / single-sided", which is a setting item indicating whether a double-sided scan or a single-sided scan is to be performed.

[0055] As a type of action, when the target of the shortcut information is a folder, there is an "immediate scan operation" which is an operation of scanning with a predetermined scan setting value and uploading a file generated by the scan to the target folder of the shortcut information. As a type of action parameter of the "immediate scan operation", for example, there is a "display name" of the action button on the home screen and a "setting" indicating the scan setting value. The "display name" of the "immediate scan operation" is, for example, "scan now". As a "setting" of the "immediate scan operation", for example, "color" indicating color scan is specified as a setting value for "color / monochrome", which is a setting item indicating whether a color scan or a monochrome scan is to be performed, "A4" indicating A4 size is specified as a setting value for "original size", which is a setting item indicating the size of the medium to be scanned, and "single-sided" indicating single-sided scan is specified as a setting value for "double-sided / single-sided", which is a setting item indicating whether a double-sided scan or a single-sided scan is to be performed.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming device 30 when it is an MFP.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 30 includes an operation unit 31 which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information, a printer 33 which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 34 which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 35 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without using a network, a memory unit 36 ​​which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information, and a control unit 37 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 30.

[0058] The storage unit 36 ​​can store a cloud storage utilization program 36a for utilizing a cloud storage service. The cloud storage utilization program 36a may be installed in the image forming device 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image forming device 30, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 30 from an external storage medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image forming device 30 from a network.

[0059] The control unit 37 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 37. The CPU of the control unit 37 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 36 ​​or the ROM of the control unit 37.

[0060] The control unit 37 executes the cloud storage usage program 36a to realize a cloud storage usage unit 37a that uses a cloud storage service.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a display information generating system 40 configured by one computer.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the display information generating system 40 includes an operation unit 41 which is an operating device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input, a display unit 42 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a communication unit 43 which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wired or wireless means without going through a network, a memory unit 44 which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 45 which controls the entire display information generating system 40.

[0063] The storage unit 44 can store a display information generating program 44a for generating display information. The display information generating program 44a may be installed in the display information generating system 40 during the manufacturing stage of the display information generating system 40, or may be additionally installed in the display information generating system 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the display information generating system 40 from a network.

[0064] The storage unit 44 stores user management information 44b that includes, for each user, a combination of a user name as user identification information and a user password.

[0065] The storage unit 44 stores cloud storage service management information 44c that includes a list of cloud storage services for each user.

[0066] The storage unit 44 can store, for each user, exclusion rule information including at least one exclusion rule as a rule for excluding shortcut information not used for generating action button display information from shortcut information acquired from the cloud storage service. For example, the storage unit 44 stores exclusion rule information 44d.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the exclusion rule information 44d.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 6, the exclusion rule included in the exclusion rule information 44d is a combination of a cloud storage name condition of the cloud storage service from which shortcut information not used for generating action button display information is acquired, a shortcut name condition of shortcut information not used for generating action button display information, and a file type condition of shortcut information not used for generating action button display information. The exclusion rule information 44d shown in Fig. 6 includes, for example, an exclusion rule that the cloud storage name is "Any", i.e., any, a shortcut name is "*.dat", i.e., a name ending in ".dat", and a file type is "Any", i.e., any, an exclusion rule that the cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 50", the shortcut name is "Folder B", and the file type is "Folder", and an exclusion rule that the cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 60", the shortcut name is "Any", i.e., any, and the file type is "Folder".

[0069] 5, the storage unit 44 can store, for each user, conversion rule information including at least one conversion rule as a rule for converting shortcut information into action button display information. For example, the storage unit 44 stores conversion rule information 44e.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the conversion rule information 44e.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 7, the conversion rule included in the conversion rule information 44e indicates a combination of a cloud storage name condition of the cloud storage service from which shortcut information is obtained, a shortcut name condition of the shortcut information, and a file type condition of the shortcut information, and indicates a correspondence relationship between the type of action and the action parameter of the action. The conversion rule information 44e shown in Fig. 7 includes a conversion rule that, for example, shortcut information in which the cloud storage name is "Any", i.e., any, the shortcut name is "Any", i.e., any, and the file type is "folder", the action type is "file list display operation" and the "display name" as the action parameter of the action is "open".

[0072] The control unit 45 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a volatile storage device used as a working area for the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0073] By executing the display information generation program 44a, the control unit 45 realizes a user authentication unit 45a that performs user authentication, a cloud storage list notification unit 45b that notifies the image forming device 30 of a list of cloud storage services, a shortcut information acquisition unit 45c that acquires shortcut information from the cloud storage services, a display information generation unit 45d that generates action button display information based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquisition unit 45c, a display information notification unit 45e that notifies the image forming device 30 of the action button display information generated by the display information generation unit 45d, and a rule change unit 45f that changes the exclusion rule information and conversion rule information.

[0074] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0075] In the following, the image forming apparatus 30 will be described as a representative of the image forming apparatuses, and the cloud storage services 50, 60, and 70 will be described as representative of the cloud storage services.

[0076] First, the operation of the system 10 when the image forming apparatus 30 displays the home screen will be described.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the image forming apparatus 30 displays the home screen.

[0078] A user can instruct the image forming apparatus 30 to display the home screen via the operation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30. When the user instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to display the home screen, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 displays a screen for allowing the user to log in (hereinafter referred to as a "login screen") 100 (see FIG. 9) on the display unit 32, as shown in FIG. 8 (S201).

[0079] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen 100 displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

[0080] A login screen 100 shown in FIG. 9 includes a text box 101 for inputting a user's username, a text box 102 for inputting a user's password, and a login button 103 for executing login.

[0081] The user can input a user name and a password into text boxes 101 and 102, respectively, via operation unit 31, and then press login button 103 via operation unit 31. When login button 103 is pressed, cloud storage utilization unit 37a of image forming apparatus 30 transmits a login request (hereinafter referred to as a "login request") to display information generating system 40, as shown in Fig. 8 (S202). Cloud storage utilization unit 37a includes in the login request a combination of the user name that was input in text box 101 at the time that login button 103 was pressed and the password that was input in text box 102 at the time that login button 103 was pressed.

[0082] When the user authentication unit 45a of the display information generating system 40 receives the login request transmitted by the image forming apparatus 30 in S202, it executes user authentication using the combination of the user name and password included in the received login request (S203). Specifically, the user authentication unit 45a determines that the user authentication has been successful if the combination of the user name and password included in the login request is included in the user management information 44b. On the other hand, the user authentication unit 45a determines that the user authentication has failed if the combination of the user name and password included in the login request is not included in the user management information 44b.

[0083] When the user authentication unit 45a of the display information generating system 40 determines that the user authentication has failed, it notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the failure of the login (S204).

[0084] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 is notified of the failure of the login by the display information generating system 40 in S204, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a displays the failure of the login on the display unit 32 (S205).

[0085] When the user authentication unit 45a of the display information generating system 40 determines that the user authentication has been successful, it notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the success of the login (S206).

[0086] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 is notified by the display information generating system 40 of the success of the login in S206, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a requests the display information generating system 40 for a list of cloud storage services (S207).

[0087] When a list of cloud storage services is requested by image forming device 30 in S207, cloud storage list notification unit 45b of display information generating system 40 notifies image forming device 30 of a list of cloud storage services associated with the logged-in user (hereinafter simply referred to as the "logged-in user") in cloud storage service management information 44c via image forming device 30 (S208). Below, a case will be described in which the cloud storage services associated with the logged-in user in cloud storage service management information 44c are cloud storage services 50, 60, and 70.

[0088] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 is notified by the display information generating system 40 of the success of the login in S206, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a requests action button display information from the display information generating system 40 (S209).

[0089] When action button display information is requested by the image forming device 30 in S209, the shortcut information acquisition unit 45c of the display information generation system 40 requests shortcut information for the logged-in user from cloud storage service 50, one of the cloud storage services associated with the logged-in user in the cloud storage service management information 44c (S210).

[0090] When shortcut information for the logged-in user is requested by the display information generating system 40 in S210, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the display information generating system 40 of the shortcut information for the logged-in user (S211).

[0091] When action button display information is requested by the image forming device 30 in S209, the shortcut information acquisition unit 45c of the display information generation system 40 requests shortcut information for the logged-in user from the cloud storage service 60 among the cloud storage services associated with the logged-in user in the cloud storage service management information 44c (S212).

[0092] When the cloud storage service 60 is requested by the display information generating system 40 for shortcut information for the currently logged-in user in S212, the cloud storage service 60 notifies the display information generating system 40 of the shortcut information for the currently logged-in user (S213).

[0093] When action button display information is requested by the image forming device 30 in S209, the shortcut information acquisition unit 45c of the display information generation system 40 requests shortcut information for the logged-in user from the cloud storage service 70 among the cloud storage services associated with the logged-in user in the cloud storage service management information 44c (S214).

[0094] When shortcut information for the logged-in user is requested by the display information generating system 40 in S214, the cloud storage service 70 notifies the display information generating system 40 of the shortcut information for the logged-in user (S215).

[0095] When the display information generating unit 45d of the display information generating system 40 is notified of the shortcut information from the cloud storage services 50, 60, and 70, the display information generating unit 45d executes a display information generating process as a process for generating action button display information (S216).

[0096] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the display information generating process shown in FIG.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 10, the display information generating unit 45d of the display information generating system 40 aggregates the shortcut information notified from the cloud storage services 50, 60, and 70 (S231).

[0098] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information collected by the display information generating system 40. As shown in FIG.

[0099] 11 is generated by the display information generating unit 45d of the display information generating system 40 in S231 when the cloud storage service 50 notifies the display information generating system 40 of the shortcut information shown in Fig. 2(a) in S211, the cloud storage service 60 notifies the display information generating system 40 of the shortcut information shown in Fig. 2(b) in S213, and the cloud storage service 70 notifies the display information generating system 40 of the shortcut information shown in Fig. 2(c) in S215. The shortcut information shown in Fig. 11 indicates the source of the notification of the shortcut information, that is, the cloud storage name of the cloud storage service from which the shortcut information is obtained, the shortcut name, the file type, the identifier, and the update date for each target of the shortcut function.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 10, when the processing of S231 is completed, the display information generation unit 45d of the display information generation system 40 excludes shortcut information that is not used for generating action button display information from the shortcut information aggregated in S231 based on the exclusion rule information associated with the logged-in user among the exclusion rule information stored in the memory unit 44 and the shortcut information aggregated in S231 (S232).

[0101] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of shortcut information in which shortcut information not used for generating action button display information has been removed by the display information generating system 40. In FIG.

[0102] The shortcut information shown in Fig. 12 is generated by the display information generating unit 45d of the display information generating system 40 in S232 when the shortcut information shown in Fig. 11 is generated in S231 and the exclusion rule information associated with the logged-in user is that shown in Fig. 6. In the shortcut information shown in Fig. 12, shortcut information whose cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 70", whose shortcut name is "G.dat", and whose file type is "file" is excluded from the shortcut information shown in Fig. 11 due to the exclusion rule that the cloud storage name is "Any", the shortcut name is "*.dat", and the file type is "Any" among the exclusion rule information shown in Fig. 6. In the shortcut information shown in Fig. 12, shortcut information whose cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 50", whose shortcut name is "Folder B", and whose file type is "Folder" is excluded from the shortcut information shown in Fig. 11 due to the exclusion rule that the cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 50", whose shortcut name is "Folder B", and whose file type is "Folder" among the exclusion rule information shown in Fig. 6. The shortcut information shown in Figure 12 is based on the exclusion rule information shown in Figure 6 where the cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 60", the shortcut name is "Any", and the file type is "folder", and therefore shortcut information where the cloud storage name is "cloud storage service 60", the shortcut name is "D", and the file type is "folder" is excluded from the shortcut information shown in Figure 11.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 10, when the processing of S232 is completed, the display information generation unit 45d of the display information generation system 40 converts the remaining shortcut information that was not excluded in S232 out of the shortcut information aggregated in S231 into action button display information (S233) based on the conversion rule information stored in the memory unit 44 that is associated with the logged-in user and the shortcut information that was not excluded in S232 out of the shortcut information aggregated in S231.

[0104] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of action button display information converted from shortcut information by the display information generating system 40. As shown in FIG.

[0105] The action button display information shown in FIG. 13 was generated by the display information generation unit 45d of the display information generation system 40 in S233 when the shortcut information that was not excluded in S232, among the shortcut information aggregated in S231, is that shown in FIG. 12, and the conversion rule information associated with the currently logged-in user is that shown in FIG. 7.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 10, when the processing of S233 is completed, the display information generation unit 45d of the display information generation system 40 sorts the action button display information generated in S233 in order of update date (S234), and terminates the execution of the display information generation processing shown in FIG. 10.

[0107] The action button display information shown in FIG. 3 is generated by the display information generating unit 45d of the display information generating system 40 in S234 when the action button display information converted in S233 is the one shown in FIG.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8, when the display information generation process in S216 is completed, the display information notification unit 45e of the display information generating system 40 notifies the image forming device 30 of the action button display information generated in the display information generation process in S216 (S217).

[0109] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 receives the action button display information from the display information generating system 40 in S217, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a displays the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) on the display unit 32 based on the list of cloud storage services notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208 and the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217 (S218).

[0110] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 110 displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

[0111] A home screen 110 shown in FIG. 14 includes a cloud storage service list display area 120 that displays a list of cloud storage services, and an action button display area 130 that displays action buttons.

[0112] The cloud storage service list display area 120 includes a button for each cloud storage service notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208 to access the cloud storage service. For example, the cloud storage service list display area 120 shown in Fig. 14 displays a button 121 for accessing the first cloud storage service 50 in the list of cloud storage services notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208, and a button 122 for accessing the second cloud storage service 60 in the list of cloud storage services notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208. The cloud storage service list display area 120 includes a button 123 for displaying in the cloud storage service list display area 120 a cloud storage service that precedes the cloud storage service currently displayed in the cloud storage service list display area 120 from the list of cloud storage services notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208, and a button 124 for displaying in the cloud storage service list display area 120 a cloud storage service that follows the cloud storage service currently displayed in the cloud storage service list display area 120 from the list of cloud storage services notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208. When the button 124 is pressed, the cloud storage service list display area 120 shown in Fig. 14 displays a button for accessing the third cloud storage service 70 in the list of cloud storage services notified by the display information generating system 40 in S208.

[0113] The action button display area 130 includes a target display area that displays targets of shortcut functions by cloud storage name and shortcut name, and at least one button as an action button for each target of the shortcut function. The target display area also shows the file type of the shortcut function.

[0114] For example, the action button display area 130 shown in FIG. 14 displays a target display area 131a that displays the cloud storage name “cloud storage service 50” and the shortcut name “Folder A” of the target of the first shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, an “Open” button 131b that causes the image forming apparatus to execute a “file list display operation” as an action for the target of the first shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, a “Go to scan settings” button 131c that causes the image forming apparatus to execute a “scan setting screen display operation” as an action for the target of the first shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, and a “Scan now” button 131d that causes the image forming apparatus to execute an “instant scan operation” as an action for the target of the first shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217.

[0115] In addition, the action button display area 130 shown in FIG. 14 displays a target display area 132a that displays the cloud storage name “cloud storage service 50” and the shortcut name “File C” of the target of the second shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, an “Open folder” button 132b that causes the image forming device to execute “an operation of displaying a list of files in the same folder” as an action for the target of the second shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, a “Go to print settings” button 132c that causes the image forming device to execute “an operation of displaying a print setting screen” as an action for the target of the second shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, and a “Print now” button 132d that causes the image forming device to execute “an action of immediately printing” as an action for the target of the second shortcut function of the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217.

[0116] In addition, the action button display area 130 shown in FIG. 14 displays a target display area 133a displaying the cloud storage name “cloud storage service 70” and shortcut name “F” of the target of the third shortcut function in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, an “Open” button 133b for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a “file list display operation” as an action for the target of the third shortcut function in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, a “Go to scan settings” button 133c for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a “scan setting screen display operation” as an action for the target of the third shortcut function in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, and a “Scan now” button 133d for causing the image forming apparatus to execute an “instant scan operation” as an action for the target of the third shortcut function in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217.

[0117] The action button display area 130 shown in FIG. 14 includes a button 134 for displaying in the action button display area 130 an action button that is the target of a shortcut function that precedes the target of the shortcut function whose action button is currently displayed in the action button display area 130, from the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217, and a button 135 for displaying in the action button display area 130 an action button that is the target of a shortcut function that follows the target of the shortcut function whose action button is currently displayed in the action button display area 130, from the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217. When button 135 is pressed, action button display area 130 shown in FIG. 14 displays a target display area that displays the cloud storage name “cloud storage service 60” and shortcut name “E.txt” of the target of the fourth shortcut function of the action button display information notified by display information generating system 40 in S217, an “Open folder” button for causing the image forming device to execute “operation of displaying a list of files in the same folder” as an action for the target of the fourth shortcut function of the action button display information notified by display information generating system 40 in S217, a “Go to scan settings” button for causing the image forming device to execute “operation of displaying a scan settings screen” as an action for the target of the fourth shortcut function of the action button display information notified by display information generating system 40 in S217, and a “Scan now” button for causing the image forming device to execute “immediate scan operation” as an action for the target of the fourth shortcut function of the action button display information notified by display information generating system 40 in S217.

[0118] Next, the operation of the system 10 when a button for accessing a cloud storage service is pressed on the home screen 110 will be described.

[0119] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a button for accessing a cloud storage service is pressed on the home screen 110. As shown in FIG.

[0120] In the following, a case where button 121 is pressed on home screen 110 as a button for accessing a cloud storage service will be described as an example.

[0121] When button 121 is pressed on the home screen 110, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 requests a list of folders and files immediately below the top-level folder for the logged-in user from the cloud storage service 50 associated with the button 121, as shown in FIG. 15 (S301).

[0122] Upon receiving the request in S301, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the list requested in S301 (S302).

[0123] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the notification in S302, it displays the file list screen 140 (see FIG. 16) showing the list notified in S302 on the display unit 32 (S303).

[0124] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a file list screen 140 displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30 when the top-level folder is being accessed.

[0125] The file list screen 140 shown in FIG. 16 includes a button 141 for transitioning to the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14), text 142 indicating the currently accessed cloud storage service 50, an item 143 indicating a folder immediately below the currently accessed folder, and items 144 to 147 indicating files immediately below the currently accessed folder. The item indicating the folder immediately below the currently accessed folder is one in the example shown in FIG. 16, but is not limited to one, and may be zero, two or more, depending on the number of folders immediately below the currently accessed folder. The item indicating the files immediately below the currently accessed folder is four in the example shown in FIG. 16, but is not limited to four, and may be zero, one to three or less, or five or more, depending on the number of files immediately below the currently accessed folder. The file list screen 140 includes a button 148a for displaying, on the file list screen 140, items indicating folders or files that precede the folder and file whose items are currently displayed on the file list screen 140, from the list of folders and files notified in S302, and a button 148b for displaying, on the file list screen 140, items indicating folders or files that follow the folder and file whose items are currently displayed on the file list screen 140, from the list of folders and files notified in S302. The file list screen 140 includes a “scan settings” button 149a for displaying a scan settings screen.

[0126] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the file list screen 140 when an item indicating a file is selected.

[0127] On the file list screen 140, when an item indicating a file is selected, the "Scan settings" button 149a (see FIG. 16) becomes a "Print settings" button 149b for displaying the print settings screen, as shown in Fig. 17. In the example shown in Fig. 17, item 144 is selected as the item indicating a file.

[0128] Next, the operation of the system 10 when an item indicating a folder is selected on the file list screen 140 will be described.

[0129] FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when an item indicating a folder is selected on the file list screen 140.

[0130] In the following, a case where the item 143 is selected on the file list screen 140 will be described as an example.

[0131] When item 143 is selected on the file list screen 140, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 requests a list of folders and files directly under the folder corresponding to the selected item 143 from the currently accessed cloud storage service 50 (S321), as shown in FIG. 18.

[0132] Upon receiving the request in S321, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the list requested in S321 (S322).

[0133] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the notification in S322, it displays on the display unit 32 a file list screen 150 (see FIG. 19) showing the list notified in S322 (S323).

[0134] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a file list screen 150 displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30 when a folder other than the top-level folder is accessed.

[0135] The file list screen 150 shown in FIG. 19 includes a button 151 for transitioning to a file list screen 140 (see FIG. 16) showing a list of folders and files immediately below the folder one level above the currently accessed folder, text 152 showing the currently accessed folder, an item 153 showing the folder immediately below the currently accessed folder, and items 154 to 157 showing the files immediately below the currently accessed folder. The item showing the folder immediately below the currently accessed folder is one in the example shown in FIG. 19, but is not limited to one, and may be zero, two or more, depending on the number of folders immediately below the currently accessed folder. The item showing the files immediately below the currently accessed folder is four in the example shown in FIG. 19, but is not limited to four, and may be zero, one to three or less, or five or more, depending on the number of files immediately below the currently accessed folder. File list screen 150 is provided with a button 158a for displaying, on file list screen 150, items indicating folders or files preceding the folder and file whose items are currently displayed on file list screen 150, from the list of folders and files notified in S322, and a button 158b for displaying, on file list screen 150, items indicating folders or files subsequent to the folder and file whose items are currently displayed on file list screen 150, from the list of folders and files notified in S322. File list screen 150 is provided with a “Scan settings” button 159a for displaying a scan settings screen.

[0136] On file list screen 150, similarly to file list screen 140 (see FIG. 16), when an item indicating a file is selected, "scan settings" button 159a becomes a "print settings" button for displaying a print settings screen.

[0137] When there is one or more folders directly below the folder currently being accessed, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 can display on the display unit 32 a file list screen showing a list of folders and files directly below the folder directly below the folder currently being accessed, by performing operations similar to those described above.

[0138] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "scan settings" button is pressed on the file list screen will be described.

[0139] FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the "scan settings" button is pressed on the file list screen.

[0140] In the following, a case where the "scan setting" button 149a (see FIG. 16) is pressed on the file list screen 140 (see FIG. 16) will be described as an example.

[0141] When the "scan settings" button 149a is pressed on the file list screen 140, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 specifies the currently accessed folder as the upload destination, as shown in FIG. 20 (S341).

[0142] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a displays the scan setting screen 160 (see FIG. 21) on the display unit 32 (S342).

[0143] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a scan setting screen 160 displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

[0144] The scan setting screen 160 shown in Fig. 21 includes a button 161 for transitioning to a file list screen 140 (see Fig. 16) showing a list of folders and files immediately under the currently accessed folder, a text box 162 for specifying a file name of a file generated by scanning, a button 163 for specifying a setting value for "color / monochrome", which is a scan setting item, a button 164 for specifying a setting value for "original size", which is a scan setting item, a button 165 for specifying a setting value for "double-sided / single-sided", which is a scan setting item, and a "scan" button 166 for executing a scan. In the scan setting screen 160 shown in Fig. 21, the button 163 indicates that "color" has been specified as the setting value for "color / monochrome", the button 164 indicates that "A4" has been specified as the setting value for "original size", and the button 165 indicates that "single-sided" has been specified as the setting value for "double-sided / single-sided".

[0145] As shown in FIG. 20, when the process of S342 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 specifies the initial values ​​of the setting values ​​on the scan setting screen 160 as the setting values ​​of the scan to be executed (S343).

[0146] When the process of S343 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a updates the setting values ​​of the identified scan to be executed each time the setting value is changed using the text box 162 or any of the buttons 163 to 165 on the scan setting screen 160 (S344).

[0147] When the "scan" button 166 is pressed after the process of S343 is completed, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a executes scanning by the scanner 34 using the specified setting values ​​for the scan to be executed (S345).

[0148] When the process of S345 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a uploads the scanned and generated file to the folder that is the upload destination specified in S341 in the currently accessed cloud storage service 50 (S346). Note that, if a file with the same file name as the file name specified on the scan setting screen 160 already exists in the upload destination, the cloud storage service 50 may automatically set the file name of the uploaded file in S346 so that it does not overlap with the file name of the file already existing in the upload destination.

[0149] When the upload in S346 is completed, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the completion of the upload (S347).

[0150] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Print Settings" button is pressed on the file list screen will be described.

[0151] FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the "Print Settings" button is pressed on the file list screen.

[0152] In the following, a case where the "Print Settings" button 149b (see FIG. 17) is pressed on the file list screen 140 (see FIG. 17) will be described as an example.

[0153] When the "Print Settings" button 149b is pressed on the file list screen 140, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 specifies the currently selected file as the file to be downloaded, as shown in FIG. 22 (S361).

[0154] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a displays the print setting screen 170 (see FIG. 23) on the display unit 32 (S362).

[0155] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen 170 displayed on the display unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30. As shown in FIG.

[0156] A print setting screen 170 shown in Fig. 23 includes a button 171 for transitioning to a file list screen 140 (see Fig. 16) showing a list of folders and files immediately below the currently accessed folder, a button 172 for specifying a setting value for the print setting item "color / monochrome", a button 173 for specifying a setting value for the print setting item "paper size", a button 174 for specifying a setting value for the print setting item "double-sided / single-sided", and a "print" button 175 for executing printing. In the print setting screen 170 shown in Fig. 23, the button 172 indicates that "color" has been specified as the setting value for "color / monochrome", the button 173 indicates that "A4" has been specified as the setting value for "paper size", and the button 174 indicates that "single-sided" has been specified as the setting value for "double-sided / single-sided".

[0157] As shown in FIG. 22, when the process of S362 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 specifies the initial values ​​of the setting values ​​on the print setting screen 170 as the setting values ​​for the printing to be executed (S363).

[0158] When the process of S363 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a updates the specified setting values ​​of the scheduled printing each time the setting values ​​are changed by any of the buttons 172 to 174 on the print setting screen 170 (S364).

[0159] When the "Print" button 175 is pressed after the process of S363 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a requests the file to be downloaded identified in S361 from the currently accessed cloud storage service 50 (S365).

[0160] Upon receiving the request in S365, the cloud storage service 50 transmits the file requested in S365 to the image forming apparatus 30 (S366).

[0161] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a receives the file sent from the cloud storage service 50 in S366, it prints the received file using the printer 33 with the specified setting values ​​for the printing to be performed (S367).

[0162] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Open" button is pressed on the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) will be described.

[0163] FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the "Open" button is pressed on the home screen 110. As shown in FIG.

[0164] In the following, a case where the "Open" button 131b (see FIG. 14) on the home screen 110 is pressed will be described as an example.

[0165] When the "Open" button 131b is pressed on the home screen 110, as shown in FIG. 24, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 requests (S401) a list of folders and files immediately below the folder identified by the identifier associated with the "Open" button 131b in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217 (see FIG. 8), from the cloud storage service 50 associated with the "Open" button 131b in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217.

[0166] Upon receiving the request in S401, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the list requested in S401 (S402).

[0167] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the notification in S402, it displays a file list screen showing the list notified in S402 on the display unit 32 (S403). The file list screen displayed in S403 is, for example, similar to the file list screen 140 shown in Fig. 16 or the file list screen 150 shown in Fig. 19.

[0168] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Go to scan settings" button is pressed on the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) will be described.

[0169] FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the “Go to scan settings” button is pressed on the home screen 110. As shown in FIG.

[0170] In the following, a case where the "Go to scan settings" button 131c (see FIG. 14) on the home screen 110 is pressed will be described as an example.

[0171] When the “Go to scan settings” button 131c is pressed on the home screen 110, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 identifies, as the upload destination, a folder identified by an identifier associated with the “Go to scan settings” button 131c in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (see FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 25 (S441).

[0172] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a displays on the display unit 32 a scan setting screen in which the initial values ​​associated with the "Go to scan setting" button 131c in the action button display information notified from the display information generating system 40 in S217 are set (S442). The scan setting screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S442 is the same as the scan setting screen 160 (see FIG. 21).

[0173] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a specifies the initial values ​​of the setting values ​​on the scan setting screen being displayed on the display unit 32 as the setting values ​​of the scan to be executed (S443).

[0174] When the process of S443 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a updates the setting values ​​of the identified scan to be executed every time the setting values ​​are changed on the scan setting screen being displayed on the display unit 32 (S444).

[0175] After the processing of S443 is completed, when the “SCAN” button on the scan setting screen being displayed on the display unit 32 is pressed, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a executes a scan using the scanner 34 using the setting values ​​for the scan that is to be executed that has been identified (S445).

[0176] When the process of S445 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a uploads the file generated by scanning to the folder that is the upload destination identified in S441 in the cloud storage service 50 associated with the "Scan Now" button 131d in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217 (S446). Note that, if a file with the same file name as the file name specified on the scan setting screen already exists in the upload destination, the cloud storage service 50 may automatically set the file name of the uploaded file in S446 so that it does not overlap with the file name of the file already existing in the upload destination.

[0177] When the upload in S446 is completed, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the completion of the upload (S447).

[0178] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Scan Now" button is pressed on the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) will be described.

[0179] FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the “Scan Now” button is pressed on the home screen 110. As shown in FIG.

[0180] In the following, a case where the "Scan now" button 131d (see FIG. 14) on the home screen 110 is pressed will be described as an example.

[0181] When the “Scan Now” button 131d is pressed on the home screen 110, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 identifies, as the upload destination, a folder identified by an identifier associated with the “Scan Now” button 131d in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (see FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 26 (S461).

[0182] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a specifies the setting values ​​associated with the “Scan now” button 131d in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217 as the setting values ​​for the scan to be executed (S462).

[0183] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a executes a scan by the scanner 34 using the specified setting values ​​for the scan to be executed (S463).

[0184] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a uploads the file generated by scanning to the folder, which is the upload destination identified in S461, in the cloud storage service 50 associated with the "Scan Now" button 131d in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217 (S464). Note that the cloud storage service 50 may automatically set the file name of the file uploaded in S464 so that it does not overlap with the file name of a file already existing in the upload destination.

[0185] When the upload in S464 is completed, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the completion of the upload (S465).

[0186] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Open Folder" button is pressed on the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) will be described.

[0187] FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the "Open Folder" button is pressed on the home screen 110. As shown in FIG.

[0188] In the following, a case where the "Open Folder" button 132b (see FIG. 14) on the home screen 110 is pressed will be described as an example.

[0189] When the "Open Folder" button 132b is pressed on the home screen 110, as shown in FIG. 27, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 requests (S501) a list of folders and files immediately below the folder immediately above the file identified by the identifier associated with the "Open Folder" button 132b in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (see FIG. 8), from the cloud storage service 50 associated with the "Open Folder" button 132b in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217.

[0190] Upon receiving the request in S501, the cloud storage service 50 notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the list requested in S501 (S502).

[0191] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the notification in S502, it displays a file list screen showing the list notified in S502 on the display unit 32 (S503). The file list screen displayed in S503 is, for example, similar to the file list screen 140 shown in FIG. 16 or the file list screen 150 shown in FIG.

[0192] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Go to Print Settings" button is pressed on the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) will be described.

[0193] FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the “Go to print settings” button is pressed on the home screen 110. In FIG.

[0194] In the following, a case where the "Go to print settings" button 132c (see FIG. 14) on the home screen 110 is pressed will be described as an example.

[0195] When the “Go to print settings” button 132c is pressed on the home screen 110, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 identifies, as the file to be downloaded, the file identified by the identifier associated with the “Go to print settings” button 132c in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (see FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 28 (S561).

[0196] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a displays on the display unit 32 a print setting screen in which the initial value associated with the "Go to print setting" button 132c in the action button display information notified from the display information generating system 40 in S217 is set (S562). The print setting screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S562 is the same as the print setting screen 170 (see FIG. 23).

[0197] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a specifies the initial values ​​on the print setting screen being displayed on the display unit 32 as setting values ​​for the printing to be performed (S563).

[0198] When the process of S563 ends, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a updates the setting values ​​of the identified print to be executed every time the setting values ​​are changed on the print setting screen being displayed on the display unit 32 (S564).

[0199] After the processing of S563 is completed, when the "Print" button is pressed on the print settings screen being displayed on the display unit 32, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a requests the file to be downloaded identified in S561 from the cloud storage service 50 associated with the "Go to print settings" button 132c in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (S565).

[0200] Upon receiving the request in S565, the cloud storage service 50 transmits the file requested in S565 to the image forming apparatus 30 (S566).

[0201] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a receives the file sent from the cloud storage service 50 in S566, it prints the received file using the printer 33 with the specified setting values ​​for the printing to be performed (S567).

[0202] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the "Print Now" button is pressed on the home screen 110 (see FIG. 14) will be described.

[0203] FIG. 29 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the “Print Now” button is pressed on the home screen 110. As shown in FIG.

[0204] In the following, a case where the "Print now" button 132d (see FIG. 14) on the home screen 110 is pressed will be described as an example.

[0205] When the “Print Now” button 132d is pressed on the home screen 110, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming device 30 identifies, as the file to be downloaded, the file identified by the identifier associated with the “Print Now” button 132d in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (see FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 29 (S581).

[0206] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a specifies the setting values ​​associated with the “Print now” button 132d in the action button display information notified by the display information generating system 40 in S217 as the setting values ​​for the printing to be performed (S582).

[0207] Next, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a requests the file to be downloaded identified in S581 from the cloud storage service 50 associated with the “Print Now” button 132d in the action button display information notified by the display information generation system 40 in S217 (S583).

[0208] Upon receiving the request in S583, the cloud storage service 50 transmits the file requested in S583 to the image forming apparatus 30 (S584).

[0209] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a receives the file sent from the cloud storage service 50 in S584, it prints the received file using the printer 33 with the specified setting values ​​for the printing to be performed (S585).

[0210] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the exclusion rule information is changed will be described.

[0211] FIG. 30 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the exclusion rule information is changed.

[0212] A user can instruct the image forming apparatus 30 to edit the exclusion rule information via the operation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30. When a logged-in user instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to edit the exclusion rule information, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 requests the exclusion rule information of the logged-in user from the display information generating system 40 (S601), as shown in Fig. 30 .

[0213] When the rule changing section 45f of the display information generating system 40 receives the request in S601, it transmits the exclusion rule information requested in S601 to the image forming apparatus 30 (S602).

[0214] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the exclusion rule information transmitted by the display information generating system 40 in S602, it displays a screen for editing the received exclusion rule information (hereinafter referred to as the "exclusion rule information editing screen") on the display unit 32 (S603). The exclusion rule information transmitted by the display information generating system 40 in S602 is displayed on the exclusion rule information editing screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S603. The user can edit the exclusion rule information displayed on the exclusion rule information editing screen via the operation unit 31.

[0215] After the processing of S603 is completed, when editing of the exclusion rule information displayed on the exclusion rule information editing screen is completed, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a transmits the edited exclusion rule information to the display information generation system 40 (S604).

[0216] When the rule changing unit 45f of the display information generating system 40 receives the exclusion rule information transmitted by the image forming apparatus 30 in S604, the rule changing unit 45f stores the received exclusion rule information as the exclusion rule information of the currently logged-in user (S605).

[0217] The above describes a case where the user changes the exclusion rule information by accessing the display information generating system 40 via the image forming device 30. However, the same applies to a case where the user changes the exclusion rule information by accessing the display information generating system 40 via a computer such as a PC (not shown).

[0218] Next, the operation of the system 10 when the conversion rule information is changed will be described.

[0219] FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when the conversion rule information is changed.

[0220] A user can instruct the image forming apparatus 30 to edit the conversion rule information via the operation unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30. When a logged-in user instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to edit the conversion rule information, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 requests the conversion rule information of the logged-in user from the display information generating system 40 (S621), as shown in Fig. 31 .

[0221] Upon receiving the request in S621, the rule changing section 45f of the display information generating system 40 transmits the conversion rule information requested in S621 to the image forming apparatus 30 (S622).

[0222] When the cloud storage utilization unit 37a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the conversion rule information transmitted by the display information generating system 40 in S622, it displays a screen for editing the received conversion rule information (hereinafter referred to as the "conversion rule information editing screen") on the display unit 32 (S623). The conversion rule information transmitted by the display information generating system 40 in S622 is displayed on the conversion rule information editing screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S623. The user can edit the conversion rule information displayed on the conversion rule information editing screen via the operation unit 31.

[0223] After the processing of S623 is completed, when editing of the conversion rule information displayed on the conversion rule information editing screen is completed, the cloud storage utilization unit 37a transmits the edited conversion rule information to the display information generating system 40 (S624).

[0224] When the rule changing section 45f of the display information generating system 40 receives the conversion rule information transmitted by the image forming apparatus 30 in S624, it changes the received conversion rule information and stores it as conversion rule information for the currently logged-in user (S625).

[0225] The conversion rule information includes "initial setting" indicating the initial value of the print setting value on the print setting screen as the type of action parameter for the "print setting screen display operation", "setting" indicating the print setting value as the type of action parameter for the "instant print operation", "initial setting" indicating the initial value of the scan setting value on the scan setting screen as the type of action parameter for the "scan setting screen display operation", and "setting" indicating the scan setting value as the type of action parameter for the "instant scan operation". Therefore, the rule change unit 45f of the display information generation system 40 constitutes a setting value receiving unit that receives these setting values ​​and initial values.

[0226] The above describes a case where the user changes the conversion rule information by accessing the display information generating system 40 via the image forming device 30. However, the same applies to a case where the user changes the conversion rule information by accessing the display information generating system 40 via a computer such as a PC (not shown).

[0227] As described above, the display information generation system 40 generates action button display information for displaying an action button on the image forming device 30 for causing the image forming device 30 to execute an action, for each combination of the target of the shortcut function of the cloud storage service and the type of action among the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service (see S233 and FIG. 13), and can therefore cause the image forming device 30 to display an action button for each combination of the target of the shortcut function and the type of action (see S218 and FIG. 14).

[0228] In the image forming system 20, the image forming device 30 displays action buttons for causing the image forming device 30 to execute an action for each combination of the target of the cloud storage service's shortcut function and the type of action among the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service (see S218 and FIG. 14). This allows various actions to be executed with one click, thereby improving the operability of the image forming device 30.

[0229] In the image forming system 20, the image forming apparatus 30 can simultaneously display action buttons for a plurality of cloud storage services (see FIG. 14), so that the operability of the image forming apparatus 30 can be improved.

[0230] The display information generation system 40 changes the exclusion rules for excluding shortcut information not used for generating action button display information from the shortcut information obtained from the cloud storage service in response to external instructions (S605), thereby improving the customizability of the action buttons displayed on the image forming device 30, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device 30.

[0231] The display information generating system 40 changes the conversion rules for converting shortcut information into action button display information in response to external instructions (S625), thereby improving the customizability of the action buttons displayed on the image forming device 30, and as a result, improving the operability of the image forming device 30.

[0232] The display information generating system 40 can cause the image forming device 30 to display (S218) an "Open Folder" button 132b (see FIG. 14), which is an action button for displaying a list of files within the same folder, which displays a file list screen showing a list of folders and files immediately below the folder immediately above the file that is the subject of the shortcut information in the cloud storage service, thereby improving operability in the image forming device 30.

[0233] The display information generation system 40 can cause the image forming device 30 to display (S218) a "Go to print settings" button 132c (see FIG. 14), which is an action button for displaying a print settings screen that displays a print settings screen that accepts printing setting values ​​for the file that is the subject of the shortcut information, thereby improving operability at the image forming device 30.

[0234] The display information generation system 40 includes the initial values ​​of the print setting values ​​on the print setting screen accepted by the rule change unit 45f in S625 in the action button display information for displaying the "Go to print settings" button 132c on the image forming device 30 to cause the image forming device 30 to execute the print setting screen display operation (S233).This improves the customizability of the print setting screen that accepts the print setting values ​​for the file that is the subject of the shortcut information, and as a result, improves the operability on the image forming device 30.

[0235] The display information generating system 40 includes (S233) the print setting values ​​for the immediate printing operation accepted by the rule change unit 45f in S625 in the action button display information for displaying on the image forming device 30 a “Print Now” button 132d (see FIG. 14) for causing the image forming device 30 to execute an immediate printing operation. This improves the customizability of the immediate printing operation executed by the image forming device 30, and as a result, improves the operability of the image forming device 30.

[0236] The display information generation system 40 can display on the image forming device 30 "Go to scan settings" buttons 131c, 133c (see FIG. 14), which are action buttons for displaying a scan settings screen that displays a scan settings screen that accepts scan setting values ​​for generating a file to be uploaded to the target folder of the shortcut information, thereby improving operability on the image forming device 30.

[0237] The display information generation system 40 includes the initial values ​​of the scan setting values ​​on the scan setting screen, accepted by the rule change unit 45f in S625, in the action button display information for displaying the "Go to scan settings" buttons 131c, 133c on the image forming device 30 to cause the image forming device 30 to execute the scan setting screen display operation (S233).This improves the customizability of the scan setting screen that accepts the scan setting values ​​for generating a file to be uploaded to the target folder of the shortcut information, and as a result, improves the operability on the image forming device 30.

[0238] The display information generation system 40 includes (S233) the scan setting values ​​for the immediate scan operation accepted by the rule change unit 45f in S625 in the action button display information for displaying on the image forming device 30 the "Scan now" buttons 131d, 133d (see FIG. 14) for causing the image forming device 30 to execute an immediate scan operation. This improves the customizability of the immediate scan operation executed by the image forming device 30, and as a result, improves the operability of the image forming device 30.

[0239] Many documents generated in business activities in recent years are electronic documents. Electronic documents generated in business activities are often managed by cloud storage services. Therefore, the target of the shortcut function in the cloud storage service is strongly related to the user's business activities. Therefore, the image forming system 20 can improve the operability of the image forming device 30 in accordance with the target of the shortcut function of the cloud storage service, thereby improving the operability of the image forming device 30 in a manner that is in line with the user's business activities. For example, in business activities, changes may occur in which a particular file or folder becomes actively used, or a file or folder that was actively used may become less used over time. The image forming system 20 can make the operability of the image forming device 30 follow such changes in business activities.

[0240] Depending on the user, there may be bias in the operation of the image forming apparatus. For example, some users frequently access a specific file or folder, frequently use the same scan settings, or frequently use the same print settings. Such bias is largely due to the unique business activities of the user. For example, in the case of a task of scanning order forms received from many customers with the same scan settings and uploading all the scanned files to a specific folder, searching for the upload destination folder each time and changing the scan settings each time is a wasteful task, and if the user manually performs it each time, an operation error is likely to occur. However, in the image forming system 20, the image forming apparatus 30 displays an action button for each combination of the target of the shortcut function of the cloud storage service and the type of action among the files and folders managed by the cloud storage service, so that the possibility of the user performing a wasteful task can be reduced, and as a result, the operation error by the user can be reduced.

[0241] In the present embodiment, the image forming system 20 has "color / monochrome", "original size", and "double-sided / single-sided" as the setting items for scanning. However, the image forming system 20 may have other setting items as the setting items for scanning in addition to "color / monochrome", "original size", and "double-sided / single-sided", or instead of at least one of "color / monochrome", "original size", and "double-sided / single-sided". For example, the image forming system 20 may have at least one of the following setting items for scanning: "resolution" which is a setting item indicating the resolution of scanning; "original type" which is a setting item indicating the type of original, such as an original mainly composed of characters, or an original containing a mixture of characters and photos; "original orientation" which is a setting item indicating the direction in which the original is set in the image forming device 30; and "file format" which is a setting item indicating the format of the file generated by scanning, such as PDF (Portable Document Format), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), or JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).

[0242] In this embodiment, the image forming system 20 has "color / monochrome", "paper size", and "double-sided / single-sided" as print setting items. However, the image forming system 20 may have other setting items as scan setting items in addition to "color / monochrome", "paper size", and "double-sided / single-sided" or instead of at least one of "color / monochrome", "paper size", and "double-sided / single-sided".

[0243] In the present embodiment, the display information generating system 40 sorts the action button display information in order of update date (S234). However, the display information generating system 40 may be configured to allow a user to set whether or not to sort the action button display information in order of update date.

[0244] In this embodiment, the shortcut information notified from the cloud storage service to the display information generating system 40 includes an "update date". However, the shortcut information notified from the cloud storage service to the display information generating system 40 does not have to include an "update date". If the shortcut information notified from the cloud storage service to the display information generating system 40 does not include an "update date", the display information generating unit 45d of the display information generating system 40 does not execute the process of sorting the action button display information in order of update date (S234).

[0245] In this embodiment, user authentication is performed by the display information generating system 40. However, user authentication may be performed by a system other than the display information generating system 40, such as a server dedicated to user authentication.

[0246] In this embodiment, the file management server of the present invention is configured by a cloud storage service, however, the file management server of the present invention does not have to be a cloud storage service. [Explanation of symbols]

[0247] 20. Image forming system 30 Image forming device 40 Display information generation system (computer) 44a Display information generation program 44d Exclusion Rule Information 44e Conversion rule information 45c Shortcut information acquisition section 45d Display information generation section 45f Rule change section (setting value reception section) 50, 60, 70 Cloud storage service (file management server) 131b "Open" button (operated part) 131c “Go to scan settings” button (operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a scan settings screen display operation) 131d "Scan now" button (operated part for causing the image forming apparatus to execute an immediate scan operation) 132b "Open Folder" button (operated part) 132c “Go to print settings” button (operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a print settings screen display operation) 132d “Print now” button (operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute an immediate printing operation) 133b "Open" button (operated part) 133c “Go to scan settings” button (an operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a scan settings screen display operation) 133d "Scan Now" button (operated part for causing the image forming apparatus to execute an immediate scan operation) 140, 150 File list screen (screen showing a list of folders and files) 160 Scan setting screen (screen that accepts scan setting values) 170 Print setting screen (screen that accepts file printing setting values)

Claims

1. a shortcut information acquisition unit that acquires shortcut information from a file management server having a shortcut function, the shortcut information being information for accessing at least one of a file and a folder managed by the file management server using the shortcut function; a display information generating unit that generates display information as information for displaying on the image forming apparatus an operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a file management server utilization operation as an operation using at least one of the file and the folder, for each combination of a target of the shortcut function among the file and the folder and a type of the file management server utilization operation, based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit; A display information generating system comprising:

2. the display information generating unit converts the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit into the display information based on a conversion rule as a rule for converting the shortcut information into the display information and the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit; The display information generating system according to claim 1 , further comprising a rule changing unit that changes the conversion rule in response to an external instruction.

3. the display information generating unit excludes, from the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit, the shortcut information that is not to be used for generating the display information, based on an exclusion rule as a rule for excluding, from the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit, the shortcut information that is not to be used for generating the display information, and based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit; The display information generating system according to claim 1 , further comprising a rule changing unit that changes the exclusion rule in response to an external instruction.

4. The display information generation system described in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the file management server utilization operations is a file list display operation that displays a screen on the file management server showing a list of the folders and files directly below the folder directly above the file that is the target of the shortcut information when the shortcut information is the file.

5. The display information generation system described in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the file management server utilization operations is a print setting screen display operation that displays a screen for accepting printing setting values ​​for the file that is the target of the shortcut information when the shortcut information is the file.

6. a setting value receiving unit that receives an initial value of the setting value on the screen, The display information generating system of claim 5, characterized in that the display information generating unit includes the initial value accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying the operated unit on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute the print setting screen display operation.

7. At least one of the file management server utilization operations is an immediate print operation as an operation of downloading the file that is the target of the shortcut information from the file management server and printing the file downloaded from the file management server with a predetermined print setting value when the target of the shortcut information is the file, the display information generating system includes a setting value receiving unit that receives the setting value, The display information generating system of claim 1, characterized in that the display information generating unit includes the setting value accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying the operated unit on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute the instantaneous printing operation.

8. The display information generation system described in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the file management server utilization operations is a scan setting screen display operation as an operation for displaying a screen that accepts scan setting values ​​for generating the file to be uploaded to the folder that is the target of the shortcut information when the target of the shortcut information is the folder.

9. a setting value receiving unit that receives an initial value of the setting value on the screen, The display information generating system of claim 8, characterized in that the display information generating unit includes the initial value accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying the operated unit on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute the scan setting screen display operation.

10. At least one of the file management server utilization operations is an immediate scan operation as an operation of scanning with a predetermined scan setting value when the target of the shortcut information is the folder, and uploading the file generated by the scan to the target of the shortcut information, the display information generating system includes a setting value receiving unit that receives the setting value, The display information generating system of claim 1, characterized in that the display information generating unit includes the setting value accepted by the setting value accepting unit in the display information for displaying the operated unit on the image forming device to cause the image forming device to execute the instantaneous scanning operation.

11. a shortcut information acquisition unit that acquires shortcut information from a file management server having a shortcut function, the shortcut information being information for accessing at least one of a file and a folder managed by the file management server using the shortcut function; a display information generating unit that generates display information as information for displaying on the image forming apparatus an operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a file management server utilization operation as an operation using at least one of the file and the folder, for each combination of a target of the shortcut function among the file and the folder and a type of the file management server utilization operation, based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit; A display information generating program that causes a computer to realize the above.

12. An image forming apparatus; a shortcut information acquisition unit that acquires shortcut information from a file management server having a shortcut function, the shortcut information being information for accessing at least one of a file and a folder managed by the file management server using the shortcut function; a display information generating unit that generates display information as information for displaying, on the image forming apparatus, an operated unit for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a file management server utilization operation as an operation for utilizing at least one of the file and the folder, based on the shortcut information acquired by the shortcut information acquiring unit; Equipped with The image forming system is characterized in that the image forming device displays the operated part for each combination of the target of the shortcut function among the files and folders and the type of operation using the file management server based on the display information generated by the display information generation unit.

13. 13. The image forming system according to claim 12, wherein the image forming apparatus is capable of simultaneously displaying the operated parts for a plurality of the file management servers.

Images