Image processing apparatus, method for controlling image processing apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus which does not deteriorate usability even when execution of a job is instructed from an external terminal.SOLUTION: The image processing device 104 includes an operation unit 307 that instructs execution of a job corresponding to a feature of the device, a network I / F308 that receives a job instruction and user information from an external terminal, an automatic control processing unit 504 that executes the feature based on the job instructed by the operation unit 307 or the job received by the network I / F308, and a UI control unit 502 that performs display for screen transition from a predetermined screen to a feature screen corresponding to the job when the job is instructed by the operation unit 307 or when the job is received by the network I / F308. The UI control unit 502 performs screen transition when the network I / F308 receives a job so as to be similar to screen transition when the operation unit 307 instructs a job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that executes a job by wirelessly communicating with a data processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, with the widespread use of high-performance mobile devices known as smartphones, applications that allow users to use image processing devices from these mobile devices (data processing devices) have been provided. For example, to execute a function for sending a scanned document to a specified destination, an image processing device on a local area network (LAN) is searched for, and a transmission job is generated by adding the destination email address and various scan setting information (e.g., color, double-sided) set by the user. By sending the generated transmission job to the image processing device with the transmission function, the mobile device can instruct the image processing device to execute a series of processes required for transmission. In this case, network communication between the mobile device and the image processing device is established according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, NFC, or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and can be realized using known technology. Conventional image processing devices have various functions, such as scanning, printing, copying, networking, and fax sending / receiving.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, job settings are made on a client terminal such as a mobile terminal, and the job settings are sent from the client terminal to an image processing device, which allows jobs to be executed even on image processing devices that do not have an operation panel or that have a small operation panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-232085 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, many image processing devices are equipped with large operation panels to improve user operability. Large operation panels offer a wider range of display options, making it possible to display information such as the execution status of jobs in an easy-to-understand manner to the user.

[0006] In the prior art, when a job is executed from a client terminal, the display on the operation panel of the client terminal is different from that when the job is executed using the operation panel of the image processing device, which makes it difficult to understand what is being executed on the image processing device.

[0007] In image processing devices equipped with an operation panel, settings are typically made using the operation panel and the execution status is displayed on the operation panel. When executing a job using the operation panel of an image processing device, multiple operations are generally required before the job is executed. For example, logging in, launching an application to execute the job, configuring the job, and then executing the job. On the other hand, when a job is executed from a client terminal (external terminal), the job is executed without displaying these steps on the operation panel of the image processing device, which can confuse the user and reduce usability.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus that does not reduce usability even when job execution is instructed from an external terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the image processing device of the present invention is an image processing device that has an operation means for instructing the execution of a job corresponding to a function possessed by the image processing device, a receiving means for receiving the job instruction and user information from an external terminal, an execution means for executing the function based on the job instructed by the operation means or the job received by the receiving means, and a display control means for displaying a screen transition from a predetermined screen to a function screen corresponding to the job when the job is instructed by the operation means or the job is received by the receiving means, wherein the display control means performs the screen transition when the receiving means receives the job so that it is the same as the screen transition when the operation means instructs the job. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that does not reduce usability even when job execution is instructed from an external terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a data processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the data processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic control management table in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic control management table in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an automatic control management table in the first embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the overall flow of the data processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the data processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the data processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing processing of a data processing device in a second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing processing of a data processing device in a second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a data processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing processing of an image processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart showing processing of an image processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing processing of an image processing device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the components described in the embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0013] [First embodiment] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data processing system 100. The data processing system 100 is made up of a data processing device 101, a wireless LAN terminal 102, and an image processing device 104, which are connected via a network 103.

[0014] The data processing device 101 is a client terminal for operating the image processing device 104. In this embodiment, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone is used as an example, but a personal computer may also be used. The data processing device 101 is connected to a network 103 via a wireless LAN terminal 102. In this way, the data processing device 101 of this embodiment functions as an external terminal for the image processing device 104.

[0015] The wireless LAN terminal 102 is a wireless LAN base station with a general network router function, and provides wireless LAN via Wi-Fi in homes, offices, and the like.

[0016] The image processing device 104 is a digital multifunction peripheral equipped with various job execution functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a fax transmission function. The image processing device 104 is also called an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral). By operating the data processing device 101, a user can instruct the image processing device 104 to execute a job and execute various functions of the image processing device 104. In addition, the data processing device 101 and the image processing device 104 are capable of short-range wireless communication via wireless signals such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the data processing device 101. The data processing device 101 has a controller unit 201.

[0018] The controller unit 201 controls various communication units, such as an NFC communication unit 210, a BLE communication unit 211, and a wireless LAN communication unit 212. The controller unit 201 also controls various UI units, such as a microphone / speaker 213, a display 214, and a touch panel 215, as well as a camera 216.

[0019] The controller unit 201 is composed of a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a network I / F 205, an audio control unit 206, a display control unit 207, an input control unit 208, and a storage device 209. Each unit is connected by a system bus 217.

[0020] The CPU 202 controls the entire system of the data processing device 101. Various programs are executed by the CPU 202. The ROM 203 stores the operating system of the data processing device 101 and applications that control calls and data communications. The RAM 204 is a memory for the CPU 202 to execute various programs and a work memory area for applications to execute programs. The network I / F 205 is connected to the NFC communication unit 210, the BLE communication unit 211, and the wireless LAN communication unit 212, and controls various wireless communications with the image processing device 104. The audio control unit 206 controls the input and output of audio data via the microphone / speaker 213. The display control unit 207 controls the output of image data displayed on the display 214. The input control unit 208 controls the input of information instructed by the user via the buttons or touch panel 215 and the input of image data via the camera 216. Various applications executed by the data processing device 101 are provided to the user using the audio control unit 206, the display control unit 207, and the input control unit 208. The storage device 209 is a non-volatile storage device, and records various operation mode settings and operation logs that need to be retained even after the data processing device 101 is restarted.

[0021] 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device 104. The image processing device 104 has a controller unit 301, which controls various communication units, such as an NFC communication unit 310, a BLE communication unit 311, and a wireless LAN communication unit 312. The image processing device 104 also controls an operation unit 307, a scanner 313, and a printer 314.

[0022] When a user uses the copy function, the controller unit 301 controls the scanner 313 to acquire image data of an original document and controls the printer 314 to print and output the image on paper. When a user uses the scan function, the controller unit 301 controls the scanner 313 to acquire image data of an original document, converts it into code data, and transmits it to the data processing device 101 via the network 103. When a user uses the print function, the controller unit 301 receives print data from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The received print data is converted into image data and transmitted to the printer 314, which prints and outputs an image on paper based on the image data. The image processing device 104 also has a fax reception function that receives and prints data from ISDN or the like, and a fax transmission function that transmits scanned data to ISDN or the like. An instruction to execute a process for each of these functions is called a job, and the image processing device 104 executes a predetermined process in accordance with the job corresponding to each function.

[0023] The controller unit 301 is composed of a CPU 302 , a RAM 303 , a ROM 304 , a HDD 305 , an operation unit I / F 306 , a network I / F 308 , and a device I / F 309 , which are connected by a system bus 315 .

[0024] The CPU 302 controls the entire system of the image processing device 104. The RAM 303 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 302 and an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The RAM 303 also stores programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software. The RAM 303 also stores scanned image data read by the scanner 313 and print data received from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The ROM 304 is configured to store a system boot program. The hard disk drive (HDD) 305 is configured to store the operating system, system software, application software, print data, setting data, and the like. The operation unit I / F 306 is an interface with the operation unit 307 and outputs information to be displayed on the operation unit 307 to the operation unit 307. The operation unit I / F 306 also accepts information input by the user from the operation unit 307.

[0025] The operation unit 307 is a touch panel that displays messages and buttons on the screen, allowing the user to operate the unit while visually checking the instructions. However, all operations using the operation unit 307 do not need to be performed within the operation panel, and the operation unit 307 may have a portion that can be operated using physical buttons or the like. The operation unit 307 of this embodiment is an example of an operation means for instructing the execution of a job corresponding to a function of the image processing device 104. The operation unit 307 also functions as a display means for presenting information to the user.

[0026] The network I / F 308 is connected to an NFC communication unit 310, a BLE communication unit 311, and a wireless LAN communication unit 312, and controls various wireless communications with the data processing device 101. The NFC communication unit 310 and the BLE communication unit 311 establish short-range wireless communications with the data processing device 101 via wireless signals. The wireless LAN communication unit 312 establishes a wireless LAN with the data processing device 101 via the network 103. As described above, the network I / F 308 in this embodiment functions as a receiving unit that receives job instructions and user information from the data processing device 101. The image processing device 104 performs data communication with the data processing device 101 via the network I / F 308, receives execution commands for various functions of the image processing device 104, and executes jobs.

[0027] A device I / F 309 connects the controller unit 301 to a scanner 313 and a printer 314 that read and print image data, and inputs and outputs image data.

[0028] 4 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the data processing device 101. The application 401 is software executed by the CPU 202 of the data processing device 101 and is stored in the ROM 203. The application 401 has a UI control unit 402 and an MFP control unit 403.

[0029] The UI control unit 402 controls the UI (User Interface). The UI control unit 402 receives job setting information and connection information for the image processing device 104 input by the user via the touch panel 215, and transmits the information to the MFP control unit 403. The UI control unit 402 also receives a response from the MFP control unit 403 and outputs the response to the display 214 via the display control unit 207.

[0030] The MFP control unit 403 sends requests to and receives responses from the image processing device 104. The MFP control unit 403 generates job execution instruction information from the job settings accepted by the UI control unit 402, and transmits a job execution request to the image processing device 104 via the network 103. The MFP control unit 403 also acquires the job execution status from the image processing device 104 via the network 103 and transmits it to the UI control unit 402.

[0031] 5 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image processing device 104. System software 501 is software executed by the CPU 302 of the image processing device 104 and is stored in the RAM 303. The system software 501 includes a UI control unit 502, an authentication control unit 503, an automatic control processing unit 504, an automatic control management table 505, and a job control unit 506.

[0032] The UI control unit 502 receives information input by the user via the operation unit 307 and controls the screen of the operation unit 307. The authentication control unit 503 performs user authentication processing based on the authentication information received from the data processing device 101 and returns the result. In this embodiment, the UI control unit 502 functions as a display control unit that performs display control such as determining the content to be displayed on the screen of the operation unit 307 and the content of screen transitions when the image processing device 104 receives a job.

[0033] The automatic control processing unit 504 performs automatic control of the image processing device 104 based on a request received from the data processing device 101. Here, automatic control means that a series of processes combining multiple processes is defined in advance and then the processes are executed consecutively. In this embodiment, the automatic control processing unit 504 functions as an execution unit that executes the functions of the image processing device 104 based on a job instructed by the operation unit 307 or a job received by the network I / F 308.

[0034] The automatic control management table 505 is a table that manages information necessary for the automatic control processing unit 504 to automatically control the image processing device 104. Therefore, the automatic control management table 505 functions as an execution procedure determination unit that determines the job execution procedure according to either or both of the settings and the state of the image processing device 104. The job control unit 506 controls each processing unit, the scan processing unit 511, the copy processing unit 512, the print processing unit 513, and the fax processing unit 514, according to the job settings in the automatic control management table 505, and executes various jobs.

[0035] 6 to 8 are diagrams showing examples of the automatic control management table 505 in the first embodiment. The automatic control management table 505 shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 is a single table. The automatic control management table 505 defines the combination conditions of the authentication settings and authentication states of the image processing device 104, and each automatic control process that the image processing device 104 performs when each combination condition is met. Automatic control is made up of multiple steps, and each row of the automatic control management table 505 defines the process performed in one step.

[0036] An authentication setting column 601 is a column that indicates the authentication setting of the image processing apparatus 104. An authentication status column 602 is a column that indicates the authentication status of the image processing apparatus 104. The combination of the authentication setting column 601 and the authentication status column 602 determines the automatic control to be performed.

[0037] The execution step column 603 defines the processing order of automatic control. Processing is performed in ascending order of numbers. Execution step 0 is a special step that defines processing to check whether automatic control can be started. If it is determined in execution step 0 that automatic control is possible, the subsequent execution steps are performed.

[0038] The process column 604 defines the process to be performed in each execution step. Examples of processes include a screen check process, a screen display process, a job execution process, a login process, and a language switching process. However, the process contents are not limited to these.

[0039] The parameter column 605 defines the parameters to be added when performing the process defined in the process column 604. The parameters define the specific content of each process and the information to be used in each process.

[0040] The execution condition column 606 defines the conditions for executing each execution step. Steps with an execution condition of "-" are always executed. Execution steps with specific conditions defined in the execution condition are executed only if the condition is met; if the condition is not met, the execution step proceeds to the next execution step without being executed. In this way, the automatic control management table 505 specifies whether each procedure related to a job is executed or skipped based on the execution conditions.

[0041] The automatic transition column 607 defines whether the execution step will proceed automatically without user operation. An execution step with automatic transition set to "YES" will automatically perform the next execution step after performing the defined process. An execution step with automatic transition set to "NO" will wait for user operation after performing the defined process. In this way, if the automatic control management table 505 determines a procedure that does not automatically execute a job based on the execution conditions, the automatic control processing unit 504 will not automatically execute the job.

[0042] The user operation column 608 defines the user operation that is to be performed after the execution step for which the automatic transition is "NO" is performed. If the operation performed by the user after the execution step for which the automatic transition is "NO" is within the range of operations defined in the user operation column 608, the next execution step is performed; if not, the automatic control is stopped.

[0043] 9 is a sequence diagram showing the overall flow of the data processing system in the first embodiment. Specifically, it is a sequence diagram for explaining the exchange between the data processing device 101 and the image processing device 104. In step S701, the data processing device 101 transmits a job execution request including job setting values ​​input by the user to the image processing device 104.

[0044] In step S702, the image processing device 104 checks whether the job execution request received from the data processing device 101 is executable. In step S703, the image processing device 104 transmits the check result in step S702 to the data processing device 101 as a response to the job execution request.

[0045] In step S704, the image processing device 104 executes the processing of each execution step of the automatic control. In step S705, the image processing device 104 determines whether the execution steps of the automatic control have been executed up to the final step. If the execution up to the final step has been completed, the processing ends. On the other hand, if the execution up to the final step has not been completed, the process returns to step S704 and the processing of the next execution step is executed.

[0046] Next, the processing from step S710 to step S713 will be described. The processing from step S710 onwards is processing for displaying the execution status of the image processing device 104 on the data processing device 101, and is processing in which the data processing device 101 queries the image processing device 104 about the execution status at regular intervals. Note that the processing for displaying the execution status in the data processing device 101 (processing from step S710 to step S713) and the automatic control processing in the image processing device 104 (processing from step S704 to step S705) are performed asynchronously.

[0047] In step S710, the data processing device 101 transmits an execution status acquisition request to the image processing device 104 to inquire about the execution status. In step S711, the image processing device 104 acquires the execution status and transmits it to the data processing device 101. In step S712, the data processing device 101 displays the execution status received from the image processing device 104 on the display 214. In step S713, if the execution status received from the image processing device 104 indicates that execution has ended, the data processing device 101 terminates the processing. On the other hand, if the execution status does not indicate that execution has ended, the process returns to step S710.

[0048] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the data processing device 101 in the first embodiment. Specifically, it is a flowchart explaining job execution instruction processing executed by the data processing device 101. The processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 202 of the data processing device 101 reading into the RAM 204 and executing a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 209. The flowchart in FIG. 10 corresponds to the processing performed by the data processing device 101 in the sequence diagram in FIG. 9.

[0049] In step S801, the UI control unit 402 receives information (such as an IP address) for connecting to the image processing device 104 that will execute the job through a user operation on the screen of the application 401. Note that the information for connecting to the image processing device 104 may not be input by the user, but may be obtained by searching for the image processing device 104 connected to the network 103 using the wireless LAN communication unit 212. In the following steps, communication with the image processing device 104 is performed using the information received in step S801.

[0050] In step S802, the UI control unit 402 accepts job execution information from the user through a screen operation of the application 401. The job execution information includes information necessary for executing the job on the image processing device 104, such as the application to be executed on the image processing device 104, job setting values, login information, etc. In step S803, the MFP control unit 403 transmits a job execution request including the job execution information accepted in step S802 to the image processing device 104.

[0051] In step S804, the MFP control unit 403 receives a job execution response from the image processing device 104 as a response to step S803. In step S805, the MFP control unit 403 determines the content of the job execution response. If the content of the job execution response indicates success, the MFP control unit 403 proceeds to step S806; otherwise, the MFP control unit 403 proceeds to step S810.

[0052] In step S806, the MFP control unit 403 transmits an execution status acquisition request for acquiring the execution status of the job to the image processing apparatus 104. In step S807, the MFP control unit 403 receives an execution status acquisition response from the image processing apparatus 104 as a response to step S806.

[0053] In step S808, the UI control unit 402 displays on the display 214 information (such as a message or image) that allows the user to understand the job execution status based on the execution status response received in step S807.

[0054] In step S809, if the execution status response received in step S807 indicates that job execution has ended, the MFP control unit 403 ends the flowchart; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S806.

[0055] In step S810, the UI control unit 402 displays on the display 214 a message indicating that the job execution instruction has resulted in an error, and the flowchart ends.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the data processing device 101 in the first embodiment. Specifically, it shows an example of a screen displayed by the application 401 of the data processing device 101. FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing a screen for a user to input job execution information. Area 1401 is an area showing the application to be executed, and a transmission application is displayed as an example. Area 1402 is an area for inputting a destination. Area 1403 is an area for setting scan settings. Area 1404 is an area for inputting login information for the image processing device 104. When it is detected that the user has pressed the "Job Execution" button 1405, the processing of step S802 is performed.

[0057] 11B is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing the job execution status displayed in step S808. A display screen 1411 displays the current job execution status using messages and images.

[0058] 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the processing of the image processing device 104 in the first embodiment. Automatic control processing in the image processing device 104 will be described using FIGS. 12 and 13. The flowcharts in FIGS. 12 and 13 are implemented by the CPU 302 of the image processing device 104 reading into the RAM 303 programs for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305 and executing the programs. The flowcharts in FIGS. 12 and 13 correspond to the processing performed by the image processing device 104 in steps S701 to S705 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 9. In describing the automatic control processing, the flowcharts in FIGS. 12 and 13 will be used as the basis, and other figures will be used as necessary.

[0059] In step S901, the automatic control processing unit 504 receives a job execution request transmitted from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The job execution request is, for example, the information transmitted in step S803. In step S902, the authentication control unit 503 identifies the authentication settings and authentication status of the image processing device 104.

[0060] In step S903, the UI control unit 502 obtains, as automatic control information, information corresponding to the authentication setting and authentication status identified in step S902 from the automatic control management table 505. For example, if "authenticated / login screen displayed when device operation starts" and the authentication status is "unauthenticated," rows 617 to 624 in the automatic control management table 505 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) are read. Each step will be explained below using an example in which rows 617 to 624 are read as automatic control information.

[0061] In step S904, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines whether automatic control can be started. Specifically, it executes the check process defined in the first execution step of the automatic control read in step S903 (the row where the execution step column 603 is "0"). If the automatic control conditions are met, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S905; if not, it proceeds to step S920.

[0062] 7, a specific example of the check process in step S904 will be described. In line 617, the process column 604 is defined as "screen check," and the parameter column 605 is defined as "login screen, job status screen." Therefore, in step S904, it is checked whether the screen displayed on the operation unit 307 is the login screen or the job status screen. If the screen displayed on the operation unit 307 is the login screen or the job status screen, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines that the condition is met.

[0063] In step S905, the automatic control processing unit 504 transmits a job execution response to the job execution request received in step S901 to the data processing device 101. The job execution response includes information indicating that the job execution request has been successful.

[0064] In step S906, the automatic control processing unit 504 advances the execution step to the next. In step S907, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines whether the execution step to be processed satisfies the condition described in the execution condition column 606. If the execution condition is met, the automatic control processing unit 504 advances the process to step S908; if not, the automatic control processing unit 504 advances the process to step S913. Here, a specific example of the processing in step S907 will be described using line 618 in FIG. 7 as an example. In line 618, the execution condition column 606 defines "currently displayed screen!=login screen." The "!" symbol indicates that the information following the display is different. Therefore, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines that the execution condition is met if the screen displayed on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104 is other than the login screen.

[0065] In step S908, the automatic control processing unit 504 performs the processing defined in the processing column 604 of the execution step to be processed, using the information in the parameter column 605. Two specific examples of the processing in step S908 will be explained using lines 621 and 624 in FIG.

[0066] When the execution step to be processed is row 621, "screen display" is defined in the process column 604, and "notification screen" is defined in the parameter column 605. In this case, the automatic control processing unit 504 requests the UI control unit 502 to display a notification screen on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104. The "notification screen" is a screen for displaying information that the administrator should notify the user about before using the image processing device 104.

[0067] When the execution step to be processed is row 624, "job execution" is defined in the process column 604, and "job execution request: job setting" is defined in the parameter column 605. In this case, the automatic control processing unit 504 requests the job control unit 506 to execute the job using the job setting included in the job execution request received in step S901.

[0068] Returning to the description of the flowchart (see FIG. 13), in step S909, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines whether the execution step to be processed is an automatic transition or not, using the value of the automatic transition column 607. If the automatic transition column 607 is "YES", the process proceeds to step S913, and if it is "NO", the process proceeds to step S910.

[0069] In step S910, the UI control unit 502 displays operational support information on the operation unit 307 of the image processing apparatus 104. Here, the operational support information is information for conveying the operation to be performed by the user to continue or stop automatic control when the image processing apparatus 104 is in a state where it is waiting for a user operation without automatic transition. For example, an operation explanation may be displayed in a pop-up dialog on the screen displayed on the operation unit 307, or the operation information may be displayed in a blank area of ​​the screen so as not to interfere with the user's operation. Also, options (such as buttons) for continuing or stopping automatic control may be explicitly displayed. The user operation to continue the automatic transition is defined in the user operation column 608 of the automatic control management table 505. Based on this defined user operation, the UI control unit 502 determines the content to be displayed as operational support information.

[0070] In step S911, the UI control unit 502 waits for a user operation on the operation unit 307 of the image processing apparatus 104. When the UI control unit 502 detects a user operation, the process proceeds to step S912.

[0071] In step S912, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines whether the user operation detected in step S912 is an operation defined in the execution step user operation column 608. If the user operation is an operation defined in the execution step user operation column 608, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S913; if not, the flowchart is ended and automatic control is discontinued.

[0072] In step S913, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines whether or not there is a next execution step. If there is a next execution step, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S906; if not, the automatic control processing unit 504 ends the flowchart.

[0073] In step S920, the automatic control processing unit 504 transmits a job execution response including information indicating that the job execution request has failed to the data processing device 101 as a response to the job execution request received in step S901, and the flowchart ends.

[0074] Note that the automatic control may be stopped at a time other than step S912. For example, the flowchart may be terminated if a user operation is received on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104 during processing other than step S911. Here, the user operation that serves as a trigger may or may not be limited. Alternatively, the flowchart may be terminated when a screen transition or logout occurs due to a user operation. Furthermore, the trigger for stopping the automatic control may be something other than a user operation. For example, the flowchart may be terminated when it is detected that network communication with the data processing device 101 is no longer possible.

[0075] 14 and 15 are diagrams showing examples of screens of the image processing device 104 in the first embodiment. An example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0076] 14(A) shows a home screen, which is an example of a screen that is displayed when a user logs in to the image processing device 104. The home screen has applications that can be executed by the image processing device 104 arranged as buttons, and has a function of calling the selected application when it detects that the user has selected a button. If all the buttons cannot fit on the screen, they are displayed on multiple pages.

[0077] Area 1501 is an area showing the application being displayed. Button 1502 is a button for calling up the application. In this embodiment, there are buttons corresponding to the functions of copy, scan and send, print, fax, address book, and help. Icon 1503 is an icon for page forwarding. The screen displayed when the user logs in to the image processing device 104 is not limited to the home screen, and may be the screen of each application.

[0078] FIG. 14(B) is a diagram showing an example of an application screen for executing a job. As an example, a "scan and send" application for sending e-mail is shown. Area 1511 is an area for setting the destination of the e-mail. Button 1512 is a button for setting scan setting values. In this embodiment, there are buttons corresponding to full color, double-sided, and PDF. Button 1513 is a button for calling up setting items that do not fit on the screen. Button 1514 is a button for accepting the start of a job by the user. FIG. 14(B) is a function screen that is displayed when the "scan and send" button is selected on the screen of FIG. 14(A), and is a screen for setting and executing functions.

[0079] Fig. 14(C) is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a job is being executed, and is displayed when button 1514 is pressed in Fig. 14(B). The status of job execution is shown by displaying a pop-up display 1521 on the screen shown in Fig. 14(B). Area 1522 is an area that displays the setting values ​​of the job being executed. Area 1523 is an area that shows the progress of the job. Button 1524 is a button for accepting cancellation of the job by the user.

[0080] 15(A) is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen. The timing for displaying the notification screen is determined by settings. For example, it may be immediately after a user logs in to the image processing device 104 or immediately after a user logs out from the image processing device 104. Button 1531 is a button for closing the notification screen. Area 1532 is an area for displaying images and messages set by the administrator.

[0081] FIG. 15(B) is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying operational support information. As an example, an example is shown in which operational support information is displayed on a notification screen. Message 1543 is a message (automatic execution confirmation information) for asking the user whether or not to continue automatic control. Button 1544 is a button for accepting a user's request to continue automatic control. Button 1545 is a button for accepting a user's request to stop automatic control.

[0082] The following describes what displays are displayed on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104 when processing is performed according to the procedures in the flowcharts of FIGS. 12 and 13. The image processing device 104 receives a job execution request from the data processing device 101. Then, the image processing device 104 transitions from a login screen (not shown) for accepting login from a user to the home screen of FIG. 14(A), then to the application screen of FIG. 14(B), and displays the job execution screen of FIG. 14(C). The image processing device 104 automatically performs these screen transitions upon receiving a job. This allows the user who sent the job from the data processing device 101 to confirm that processing is being performed by looking at the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104. In this embodiment, the home screen is an example of a predetermined screen (post-login screen) displayed after logging in based on user information, which is information required for login, and the application screen is an example of a function screen corresponding to the job.

[0083] If the setting is such that the notification screens shown in Figures 15(A) and 15(B) are displayed after login, the notification screens shown in Figures 15(A) and 15(B) will be displayed before transitioning to the home screen, and the system will not automatically transition to the next screen.

[0084] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image processing device 104 in the first embodiment. Using FIG. 16, the processing in response to an execution status acquisition request executed by the image processing device 104 of this embodiment will be described. The flowchart in FIG. 16 is implemented by the CPU 302 of the image processing device 104 reading into the RAM 303 a program for implementing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305 and executing the program. The flowchart in FIG. 16 corresponds to the processing executed by the image processing device 104 in steps S710 to S711 in the sequence diagram of FIG. 9. The flowchart in FIG. 16 is executed asynchronously with the flowcharts in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0085] In step S1001, the automatic control processing unit 504 receives an execution status acquisition request transmitted from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The execution status acquisition request here is, for example, the information transmitted in step S806.

[0086] In step S1002, the automatic control processing unit 504 acquires the execution status of the automatic control. The execution status is information indicating the execution status, such as how far the execution steps of the automatic control have progressed, what processing is currently being performed, whether user operation is being waited for, whether the automatic control has ended, etc.

[0087] In step S1003, the automatic control processing unit 504 transmits the execution status of the automatic control acquired in step S1002 to the data processing device 101 as a response to the execution status acquisition request received in step S1001. In this way, the automatic control processing unit 504 transmits the execution status of the automatic control acquired in step S1002 to the data processing device 101 as an execution status acquisition response.

[0088] The above describes the processing performed when the data processing device 101 issues a job execution instruction to the image processing device 104 using the procedure described in this embodiment. In this embodiment, a series of processes up to the execution of the job in the image processing device 104 is automatically performed on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104. Furthermore, the UI control unit 502 performs screen transitions when the network I / F 308 receives a job in the same way as screen transitions when the operation unit 307 issues a job instruction. This makes it possible to present the user with the same display as when the user manually executes the job using the operation unit 307, improving usability.

[0089] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, when standby for a user operation occurs during automatic control processing, operational support information is displayed on the operation unit 307 of the image processing device 104. Furthermore, when standby for a user operation occurs, whether to continue processing is determined by operation on the operation unit 307. In the second embodiment, when standby for a user operation occurs during automatic control processing, operational support information is displayed on the display 214 of the data processing device 101. Then, an embodiment will be described in which whether to continue processing is determined by operation on the touch panel 215 of the data processing device 101. Since the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0090] 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing the processing of the data processing device 101 in the second embodiment. The job execution instruction processing executed by the data processing device 101 in the second embodiment will be described using Fig. 17 and Fig. 18. Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 are flowcharts modified from Fig. 8. Therefore, only the configurations different from Fig. 8 will be described.

[0091] In step S1101, the MFP control unit 403 determines from the execution status response received in step S807 whether or not awaiting user operation is occurring in the image processing apparatus 104. If awaiting user operation is occurring, the MFP control unit 403 proceeds to step S1102, and if not, proceeds to step S808.

[0092] In step S1102, the UI control unit 402 displays operational support information on the display 214 of the data processing device 101. Specifically, the operational support information displayed on the display 214 includes information notifying that the image processing device 104 is waiting for a user operation, buttons for selecting whether to continue or stop automatic control in the image processing device 104, and the like.

[0093] In step S1103, the UI control unit 402 waits for a user operation on the touch panel 215 of the data processing device 101. In step S1104, if no user operation has been performed for a certain period of time, the UI control unit 402 advances the process to step S806. Furthermore, if the user operation is a selection to continue automatic control, the UI control unit 402 advances the process to step S1105, and if the user operation is a selection to cancel automatic control, the UI control unit 402 advances the process to step S1110.

[0094] In step S1105, the MFP control unit 403 transmits to the image processing device 104 an operation request including information to continue automatic control in the image processing device 104. On the other hand, in step S1110, the MFP control unit 403 transmits to the image processing device 104 an operation request including information to cancel automatic control in the image processing device 104 (hereinafter, a cancellation request).

[0095] In step S1106, the MFP control unit 403 receives an operation response from the image processing device 104 as a response to step S1105 or step S1110. The operation response includes information such as whether the operation request in the image processing device 104 was successful or not, and the current execution status of automatic control.

[0096] Note that the configuration may be such that a cancel request can be sent to the image processing device 104 at any timing, not just when the image processing device 104 is waiting for a user operation. For example, when the execution status is displayed in step S808, a cancel button is displayed along with the execution status. Then, when the UI control unit 402 detects that the cancel button has been pressed, the MFP control unit 403 may send a cancel request to the image processing device 104.

[0097] 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the data processing device 101 in the second embodiment. Specifically, it is an example of a screen displayed by the application 401 of the data processing device 101.

[0098] 19A is a diagram showing an example of operation support information displayed by the application 401. The application 401 displays a message 1601 on the screen of the data processing device 101, instructing the user to perform an operation to continue automatic control.

[0099] 19(B) is a diagram showing another example of operation support information displayed by the application 401. The application 401 displays, on the screen of the data processing device 101, a message 1611 indicating that a user operation is required, as well as buttons 1612 and 1613 for selecting whether to continue or stop automatic control.

[0100] 19(C) is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing the execution status of a job. Display 1621 includes a message and an image, and the application 401 displays the current execution status of the job on the screen of the data processing device 101. Button 1622 is a button for sending a cancel request to the image processing device 104 to stop automatic control, by user operation.

[0101] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of the image processing device 104 in the second embodiment. The processing for an operation request executed by the image processing device 104 will be described using Fig. 20. The flowchart in Fig. 20 is realized by the CPU 302 of the image processing device 104 reading out into the RAM 303 a program for realizing each control module stored in the ROM 304 or HDD 305 and executing the program.

[0102] In step S1201, the automatic control processing unit 504 receives an operation request transmitted from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. This is, for example, information transmitted in step S1105 or step S1110. The flowchart in Fig. 30 and the flowcharts in Figs. 20 and 21, which will be described later, are executed asynchronously.

[0103] In step S1202, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines the content of the operation request sent from the data processing device 101. If the content of the operation request is to continue processing, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S1203, and if the content of the operation request is to cancel, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S1204. If the content of the operation request is anything other than that, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S1210.

[0104] In step S1203, the automatic control processing unit 504 notifies the asynchronously executing automatic control process (flowcharts in FIGS. 21 and 22) of a continuation signal as an operation signal. A signal is a means for notifying information to a process that is being executed asynchronously.

[0105] In step S1204, the automatic control processing unit 504 notifies the automatic control process (flowcharts in FIGS. 21 and 22) that is being executed asynchronously of a cancel signal as an operation signal.

[0106] In step S1205, the automatic control processing unit 504 transmits an execution status acquisition response to the data processing device 101 as a response to the operation request received in step S1201. The execution status acquisition response includes information on the current execution status of the automatic control process and information indicating that the operation request was successful.

[0107] In step S1210, the automatic control processing unit 504 transmits an execution status acquisition response to the data processing device 101 as a response to the operation request received in step S1201. The execution status acquisition response includes information on the current execution status of the automatic control process and information that the operation request has failed.

[0108] Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 are flowcharts showing the processing of the image processing device 104 in the second embodiment. The automatic control processing executed by the image processing device 104 will be described using Fig. 20 and Fig. 21. Fig. 20 and Fig. 21 are flowcharts modified from Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Only the configurations different from Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 will be described.

[0109] In step S1301, the automatic control processing unit 504 waits for a user operation on the operation unit 307 of the image processing apparatus 104 and an operation signal from a process being executed asynchronously. When either a user operation or an operation signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S1302.

[0110] In step S1302, the automatic control processing unit 504 determines the event detected in step S1301. If the event is a user operation, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S912, if the event is a processing continuation signal, the automatic control processing unit 504 proceeds to step S913, and if the event is a cancel signal, the automatic control processing unit 504 ends the flowchart.

[0111] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the image processing device 104 is placed on standby for a user operation during automatic control processing, operational assistance information can be displayed on the display 214 of the data processing device 101. Furthermore, whether or not to continue processing can be determined by operating the touch panel 215 of the data processing device 101, improving usability.

[0112] [Other embodiments] While the present invention has been described in detail above based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. In addition, parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

[0113] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 101...Data processing device 104...Image processing device 307...Operation unit 308...Network I / F 501...System Software 502...UI control unit 504...Automatic control processing unit 505...Automatic control management table 506...Job control unit

Claims

1. An image processing device, reading means for reading an original; a receiving means for receiving, from a terminal device, an instruction to execute a job involving reading of a document by the reading means and setting values ​​of the job; a display control unit that displays at least a part of the setting values ​​of the received job on a display unit of the image processing device based on the reception of the execution instruction; an execution unit that executes a job involving reading of an original by the reading unit using the setting value; 1. An image processing device comprising:

2. The display control means displays a setting value of the job on the display unit based on receipt of an instruction to execute the job while the home screen is displayed on the display unit.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The home screen is a screen for selecting a function to be used from a plurality of functions including a copy function and a scan function.

3. The image processing device according to claim 2.

4. The display control means displays an object for instructing cancellation of a job based on the execution instruction received together with the setting value of the job.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. After receiving the execution instruction, the display control means displays the received setting values ​​of the job on the display unit without any user operation on the display unit.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. The apparatus further comprises means for inquiring of a user as to whether to execute a job based on the execution instruction when the execution instruction is received while a predetermined screen is being displayed; The display control means, based on an instruction to execute a job in response to the inquiry, causes at least a part of the setting values ​​of the received job to be displayed on the display unit.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

7. The receiving means receives login information, The display control unit, upon completion of login to the image processing apparatus based on the received login information, causes at least a part of the setting values ​​of the received job to be displayed on the display unit.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

8. The display control means, upon receiving the execution instruction, displays a setting screen for the job, and then causes the display unit to display at least a part of the setting values ​​for the job that have been received.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

9. A control method for an image processing device having a reading means for reading a document, comprising: a receiving step of receiving, from a terminal device, an instruction to execute a job involving reading of a document by the reading means and setting values ​​for the job; a display control step of displaying at least a part of the setting values ​​of the received job on a display unit based on the reception of the execution instruction; an execution step of executing a job involving reading an original by the reading means using the set value.

2. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute each of the means described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images