Information processing methods, programs, information processing devices, and systems

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing method, program, information processing device, and system that facilitate adjustments such as changing frequently performed settings. [Solution] In an information processing system in which an MFP (information processing device) and a plurality of PCs 5 are connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet, the information processing method performed by the information processing device includes: step S204 of extracting combinations of changes to setting items and creating candidate tasks by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the change to the setting item of the device was performed, the person who performed the change to the setting item, and the history of the change to the setting item; step S205 of presenting the candidate tasks to the user; and step S208 of creating the candidate tasks selected by the user as a new task.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that enables acceptance of an instruction to register the settings of a job corresponding to a selected setting history as frequently used settings for the purpose of saving the setting history of frequently used jobs.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the setting item change function, when the change of frequently performed setting items is not taskified and the setting item screen is divided into multiple parts, it is necessary to execute the change of setting items accompanied by screen transition every time, which is time-consuming. Further, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, setting items required for maintenance other than jobs cannot be grouped together.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing method, a program, an information processing apparatus, and a system that can facilitate adjustments such as changes to frequently performed setting items.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus, the method including: referring to timeline history information including the execution date and time of a change to a setting item of a device, the performer of the change to the setting item, and the change history of the setting item, extracting a combination of changes to the setting item, and presenting the combination to a user as a candidate for taskification; and creating, as a new task, the candidate for taskification selected by the user.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] The present invention has the effect of making adjustments, such as changing frequently used settings, easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1-1] Figure 1-1 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 1-2] Figure 1-2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP according to this embodiment. [Figure 1-3] Figure 1-3 shows an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 1-4] Figure 1-4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the task suggestion function in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the display of the timeline screen in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the process of creating a task from the change history of setting items corresponding to item icons selected from the timeline screen of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process by which a candidate task is created from the change history and presented to the user in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for grouping multiple setting items in an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments of the information processing method, program, information processing device, and system will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] Figure 1-1 shows an example of the configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system according to this embodiment (an example of a system) has an MFP9 and a PC (or server)5, as shown in Figure 1-1. The MFP9 and the PC (Personal Computer)5 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0010] Figure 1-2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1-2, the MFP (Multi-function Peripheral / Product / Printer) 9 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network interface 950.

[0011] Of these, the controller 910 includes the main components of the computer: the CPU 901, system memory (MEM-P) 902, northbridge (NB) 903, southbridge (SB) 904, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, local memory (MEM-C) 907, HDD controller 908, and HD 909, with the NB 903 and ASIC 906 connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0012] Of these, the CPU901 is the control unit that performs overall control of the MFP9. The NB903 is a bridge that connects the CPU901 to the MEM-P902, SB904, and AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P902, as well as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master and an AGP target.

[0013] MEM-P902 consists of ROM902a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realize the various functions of the controller 910, and RAM902b, which is used for program and data deployment and drawing during memory printing. The programs stored in RAM902b may also be configured to be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0014] SB904 is a bridge for connecting NB903 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and acts as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C907, respectively. This ASIC906 consists of a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation etc. using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that performs data transfer via PCI bus 922 between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932. Note that the ASIC906 may also be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0015] MEM-C907 is local memory used as a copy image buffer and code buffer. HD909 is storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HD909 controls data reading or writing to it according to the control of CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to speed up graphics processing, and by directly accessing MEM-P902 with high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0016] Furthermore, the near-field communication circuit 920 is equipped with a near-field communication circuit 920a. The near-field communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In addition, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The operation panel 940 is equipped with a panel display unit 940a, such as a touch panel, which displays current settings and selection screens and accepts input from the operator, and an operation panel 940b, which consists of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density settings and a start key that accepts copy start instructions. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP9, for example, controlling drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing section such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0017] The MFP9 allows users to sequentially switch between document box, copy, printer, and facsimile functions using the application switching key on the control panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the device enters document box mode; when the copy function is selected, it enters copy mode; when the printer function is selected, it enters printer mode; and when the facsimile mode is selected, it enters facsimile mode.

[0018] The network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The short-distance communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

[0019] FIG. 1-3 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The MFP (an example of an information processing apparatus) 9 according to this embodiment has a print control unit 101, a display operation unit 102, a main body control unit 103, and a storage unit 104, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

[0020] The print control unit 101 forms an image on a sheet based on image data. The display operation unit 102 performs display for the user, operation input from the user, and the like. The main body control unit 103 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus (an example of a device) such as the MFP 9, operation input from the user, and the like. The storage unit 104 stores a paper management history and the like, which will be described later.

[0021] The operation input of the user is processed by the main body control unit 103, and instructions are given to the print control unit 101 and stored in the storage unit 104. The storage unit 104 has a database and continues to hold the stored information even when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off. The display operation unit 102 has a touch panel type panel display unit 940a and a connection unit for an input device other than the operation panel 940b such as a mouse and a keyboard.

[0022] FIG. 1-4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The main body control unit 103 of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment has a tasking unit 103a and a task creation unit 103b, as shown in FIG. 1-4.

[0023] The task creation unit 103a extracts combinations of setting item changes by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the setting item changes of the image forming apparatus (an example of equipment) were performed, the person who performed the setting item changes, and the setting item change history (an example of a change history). The task creation unit 103a is an example of a task creation means that presents the extracted combinations of setting item changes to the user as candidate tasks. For example, the task creation unit 103a displays the candidate tasks on the display operation unit 102.

[0024] Furthermore, the task creation unit 103a specifies reference information that indicates the timeline history information to be referenced from the timeline history information. For example, the task creation unit 103a may specify a period as the reference information. Alternatively, for example, the task creation unit 103a may specify the implementer as the reference information.

[0025] Furthermore, the task creation unit 103a may display multiple setting items included in the task creation candidates on a single screen. Here, a task consists of one or more tasks. Each task consists of one or more setting items and is displayed together on a single screen. In this case, the task creation unit 103a may also indicate the time required to change each setting item included in the task creation candidates.

[0026] Furthermore, the task creation unit 103a may set setting items that are performed by the same person as indicated in the timeline history information as candidates for task creation, and setting items that are performed on the same date and time as indicated in the timeline history information as candidates for task creation as setting items included in a single operation.

[0027] Alternatively, the task creation unit 103a may set setting items in the setting change history related to paper that have the same implementer and paper ID as indicated in the timeline history information as candidates for task creation, and setting items with the same implementation date and time indicated in the timeline history information as candidates for task creation as setting items included in a single operation.

[0028] Furthermore, the task creation unit 103a may include only one of the setting items in the task creation candidate if duplicate setting items are included in the same task creation candidate. For example, machine learning and AI may be incorporated into the task creation unit 103a. Also, for example, when creating new tasks for multiple image forming machines such as a printing factory, timeline history information such as the date and time of execution of each setting item of the multiple image forming machines may be saved in the cloud. The task creation unit 103a may then refer to the timeline history information saved in the cloud and set setting items that are frequently used in one image forming machine as task creation candidates for the other image forming machine, which has a high degree of similarity in its linked characteristics.

[0029] Task creation unit 103b is an example of a task creation means that creates a new task from a candidate for task creation selected by the user. In conventional technology, when there are multiple screens to change in order to perform maintenance on equipment such as an image forming apparatus, it is necessary to perform the setting items through multiple screen transitions, and repeated transitions are necessary to perform the same settings. In contrast, according to this embodiment, by grouping the setting items that are performed repeatedly in advance based on timeline history information, it becomes possible to present the setting items to the maintenance worker all at once, eliminating the need for the maintenance worker to perform repeated screen transitions, and making adjustments such as changing frequently performed setting items easier.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the workflow of the task suggestion function in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The display operation unit 102 displays timeline history information (step S201). Next, the user selects the timeline history information they want to turn into a task from the timeline history information (step S202). The main unit control unit 103 creates a candidate task by grouping setting items based on the timeline history information selected by the user (step S203). At that time, the main unit control unit 103 refers to the date and time of implementation, the person who implemented it, the paper ID, etc. included in the selected timeline history information and creates a candidate task by grouping the setting items of the related change history into a single task (step S204).

[0031] Next, the display operation unit 102 displays (presents) the candidate task to be created (step S205). Then, when the user selects and confirms the candidate task to be created from the candidate task (step S206: Yes, step S207), the main control unit 103 creates the selected candidate task as a new task (step S208).

[0032] Figure 3 shows an example of the display of the timeline screen in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the display operation unit 102 displays a timeline screen, which is an example of timeline history information including the change history of setting items that the operator has changed. Furthermore, when an item icon is selected by the operator from the list of change history on the timeline screen, the display operation unit 102 displays detailed information of the change history of the setting item corresponding to the selected item icon.

[0033] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process of creating a task from the change history of a setting item corresponding to an item icon selected from the timeline screen of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the "Create task from history" button displayed at the bottom of the timeline screen is pressed while the detailed information of the change history in the timeline screen is displayed, the display operation unit 102 presents candidates for task creation based on the selected change history.

[0034] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the process by which an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment creates task candidates from the change history and presents them to the user. The display operation unit 102 presents task candidates to the user. Furthermore, if the next button or back button is pressed on the screen where task candidates are presented, the display operation unit 102 displays other task candidates. This allows the user to confirm the task candidates. When the user presses the OK button, the main unit control unit 103 creates the task candidate that was presented when the OK button was pressed as a new task.

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates an example of a process for grouping multiple setting items in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the display operation unit 102 displays multiple setting items included in the task candidates in a list on a single screen. This makes it easy for the user to perform the setting tasks.

[0036] Thus, with the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to present setting items to the maintenance operator all at once, eliminating the need for the maintenance operator to repeatedly navigate between screens, and thus making adjustments such as frequently changing setting items easier.

[0037] The program executed by the MFP9 in this embodiment is provided pre-installed in ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like. The program executed by the MFP9 in this embodiment may also be configured to be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0038] Furthermore, the program executed by the MFP9 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the program executed by the MFP9 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0039] The program executed by the MFP9 in this embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-described parts (task creation unit 103a and task creation unit 103b). In actual hardware, an example of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads the program from the ROM and executes it, thereby loading the above-described parts into the main memory, and generating the task creation unit 103a and task creation unit 103b in the main memory.

[0040] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> An information processing method performed by an information processing device, The steps include: referencing timeline history information including the date and time the device settings were changed, the person who made the changes, and the history of the changes to the settings, extracting combinations of changes to the settings, and presenting them to the user as candidates for task creation; The steps include creating a new task based on the candidate for task creation selected by the user, Information processing methods including <2> The step includes specifying reference information that indicates the timeline history information to be referenced from the aforementioned timeline history information, <1> The information processing method described above. <3> The step includes specifying a period as the aforementioned reference information. <2> The information processing method described above. <4> The step includes specifying the implementer as the aforementioned reference information. <2> or <3> The information processing method described above. <5> The step includes displaying multiple of the aforementioned setting items included in the candidate task on a single screen. <1> from <4> The information processing method described in any one of the following. <6> The step includes indicating the time required to change each of the setting items included in the candidate task. <1> from <5> The information processing method described in any one of the following. <7> The process includes the step of setting the same setting item as a candidate for task creation for the change history indicated by the timeline history information, and setting the setting items with the same implementation date and time indicated by the timeline history information as a candidate for task creation as setting items included in one operation. <1> from <6> The information processing method described in any one of the following. <8> The process includes the steps of setting up a candidate for task creation for setting items where the implementer and paper ID of the change history related to the paper, as shown in the timeline history information, are the same, and setting up a candidate for task creation for setting items where the implementation date and time shown in the timeline history information are the same, as setting items included in a single operation. <1> from <6> The information processing method described in any one of the following. <9> If duplicate settings are included in the same candidate task, only one of the settings will be included in the candidate task. <7> or <8> The information processing method described above. <10> Computers, A task creation means that extracts combinations of changes to the device's settings by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the changes to the device's settings were made, the person who made the changes to the settings, and the history of the changes to the settings, and presents them to the user as candidates for task creation. A task creation means that creates the aforementioned task candidates selected by the user as new tasks, A program designed to function as such. <11> A task creation means that extracts combinations of changes to the device's settings by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the changes to the device's settings were made, the person who made the changes to the settings, and the history of the changes to the settings, and presents them to the user as candidates for task creation. A task creation means that creates the aforementioned task candidates selected by the user as new tasks, An information processing device equipped with the following features. <12> A task creation means that extracts combinations of changes to the device's settings by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the changes to the device's settings were made, the person who made the changes to the settings, and the history of the changes to the settings, and presents them to the user as candidates for task creation. A task creation means that creates the aforementioned task candidates selected by the user as new tasks, A system equipped with these features. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 5 PC 9 MFP 101 Printing Control Unit 102 Display operation section 103 Main Unit Control 103a Task Unit 103b Task Creation Section 104 Storage section 901 CPU 902a ROM 902b RAM 940 Control Panel 940a Panel display unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0042] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-173238

Claims

1. An information processing method performed by an information processing device, The steps include: referencing timeline history information including the date and time the device settings were changed, the person who made the changes, and the history of the changes to the settings, extracting combinations of changes to the settings, and presenting them to the user as candidates for task creation; The steps include creating a new task based on the candidate for task creation selected by the user, Information processing methods including

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of specifying reference information that indicates the timeline history information to be referenced from the aforementioned timeline history information.

3. The information processing method according to claim 2, which includes the step of specifying a period as the reference information.

4. The information processing method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising the step of specifying the implementer as the reference information.

5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of the setting items included in the candidate task on a single screen.

6. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the step of indicating the time required to change each of the setting items included in the candidate task.

7. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of setting the same setting item as a candidate for task creation for the change history indicated by the timeline history information, and setting the setting items with the same implementation date and time indicated by the timeline history information as a candidate for task creation as setting items included in one operation.

8. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of setting the same executor and paper ID among the change history related to the paper shown in the timeline history information as a candidate for task creation, and setting the same execution date and time shown in the timeline history information as a candidate for task creation as a executor included in a single operation.

9. The information processing method according to claim 7, wherein if duplicate setting items are included in the same candidate task, only one of the setting items is included in the candidate task.

10. Computers, A task creation means that extracts combinations of changes to the device's settings by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the changes to the device's settings were made, the person who made the changes to the settings, and the history of the changes to the settings, and presents them to the user as candidates for task creation. A task creation means that creates the aforementioned task candidates selected by the user as new tasks, A program designed to function as such.

11. A task creation means that extracts combinations of changes to the device's settings by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the changes to the device's settings were made, the person who made the changes to the settings, and the history of the changes to the settings, and presents them to the user as candidates for task creation. A task creation means that creates the aforementioned task candidates selected by the user as new tasks, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

12. A task creation means that extracts combinations of changes to the device's settings by referring to timeline history information including the date and time the changes to the device's settings were made, the person who made the changes to the settings, and the history of the changes to the settings, and presents them to the user as candidates for task creation. A task creation means that creates the aforementioned task candidates selected by the user as new tasks, A system equipped with these features.

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