Image processing device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To provide an image processing device which can display a Web content at an appropriate timing.SOLUTION: An image formation device having a display part includes registration means for registering information on contents displayed on the display part, setting means for setting a plurality of timings including print time by the image formation device, as a timing of displaying the registered content, and display control means for displaying the content on the display part using a Web browser, on the basis of the set timing, wherein the registration means can simultaneously register the information on the content displayed on the display part and the plurality of timings while being associated with each other, and it is possible to set different timings for each of the information on the plurality of contents to be registered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, "digital signage," which transmits information using network-connected displays, has become increasingly popular in a variety of locations, including outdoors, in stores, public spaces, and on public transport. The use of digital signage is also attracting attention in corporate offices, for purposes such as supporting information sharing among employees and controlling corporate information.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art In image processing devices such as multifunction peripherals, a technique is known in which content is acquired from a content distribution device connected via a network and displayed on an operation unit of the image processing device (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-218706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Image processing devices such as multifunction printers are devices that are used several times a day, and there is a demand for more effective use of them as signage within the office. A system is needed that can show users the right information at the right time.

[0006] For example, many image processing devices are equipped with a user authentication function to limit the users who can use the device. When the user authentication function is ON, a user who wishes to use the image processing device first enters their user ID and password via an authentication screen, and once user authentication and login are successful, the various functions of the image processing device become available for use. On the other hand, when the user authentication function is OFF, the authentication screen is not displayed, and the user can use the various functions of the image processing device without performing user authentication and logging in. In this way, the transition of the displayed screen changes depending on whether the user authentication function is ON or OFF, and the appropriate timing for operating as signage also changes. This is not limited to when the user authentication function is ON / OFF, but also applies to cases where the user authentication function is ON but the timing at which the authentication screen is displayed is different.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device that can display Web content at appropriate timing according to settings related to user authentication.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that displays content at appropriate timing in response to user login or other events. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve at least one of the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming device having a display unit, comprising: a registration means for registering information about content to be displayed on the display unit; a setting means for setting multiple timings, including the time of printing by the image forming device, as timings for displaying the registered content; and a display control means for displaying the content on the display unit using a web browser based on the set timings, wherein the registration means is capable of simultaneously registering multiple pieces of information about content to be displayed on the display unit by associating the multiple timings with the information, and is capable of setting different timings for each of the multiple pieces of information about the registered content. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing device capable of displaying content at an appropriate timing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the image processing device. [Figure 5-1] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for Web content. [Figure 5-2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for Web content. [Figure 5-3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for Web content. [Figure 5-4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for Web content. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a content setting management table 306. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for configuring settings related to user authentication. [Figure 8(a)] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is turned off and the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation. [Figure 8(b)] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is turned off and the authentication screen is set to be displayed when a function is selected. [Figure 8(c)] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is set to OFF and the user authentication function is set to OFF. [Figure 9]10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when pre-registered Web content is displayed by signage application 300. FIG. [Figure 10(a)] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is turned on, the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation, and web content is displayed after login. [Figure 10(b)] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is turned on, the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation, and Web content is displayed after auto-clear. [Figure 10(c)] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is turned on and the authentication screen is set to be displayed when a function is selected. [Figure 10(d)] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of screens displayed when the display of signage application 300 is set to ON and the user authentication function is set to OFF. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An image processing device 100 is connected to the Internet 110 via a LAN 101. A client PC 102 is connected to the image processing device 100 via the LAN 101. A content server 120 stores various Web content and is connected to the Internet 110 via a LAN 121. The image processing device 100 can acquire Web content (described below) from the content server 120 via the Internet 110. Note that, although an example will be described here in which there is one image processing device 100, one client PC 102, and one content server 120, multiple of these devices may also be used. Alternatively, instead of the content server 120, Web content may be stored in the image processing device 100, and the Web content may be acquired and displayed internally.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A control unit 200 including a CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the image processing device 100. The CPU 201 reads a control program stored in a ROM 202 to perform various control operations such as reading control and transmission control. The ROM 202 is a boot ROM in which a system boot program is stored. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of the CPU 201. The HDD 204 stores image data, various programs, and various information tables. The HDD 204 can also store web content, which will be described later. The operation unit I / F 205 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 209 and the control unit 200. The operation unit 209 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. The operation unit I / F 205 is an example of a display unit.

[0015] The printer I / F 206 is an interface for connecting the printer 210 and the control unit 200. Image data to be printed by the printer 210 is transferred from the control unit 200 via the printer I / F 206 and printed on a recording medium (paper) by the printer 210.

[0016] The scanner I / F 207 is an interface for connecting the scanner 211 and the control unit 200. The scanner 211 reads an image on a document, generates image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 200 via the scanner I / F 207.

[0017] The network I / F 208 is an interface for connecting the control unit 200 to the LAN 101. The network I / F 208 transmits and receives information to and from external devices connected to the Internet 110 via the LAN 101.

[0018] Representative functions (applications) of the image processing device 100 are as follows. A "copy" function that reads an image on a document using a scanner 211 and prints the generated image data using a printer 210 A "print" function that prints image data on the printer 210 based on a print job input from an external device such as the client PC 102. A "scan and send" function that reads an image on a document using the scanner 211 and sends the generated image data to an external device via the network I / F 208. A "scan and save" function that reads an image on a document using the scanner 211 and saves the generated image data on the HDD 204 A "use of saved files" function that prints image data saved in the HDD 204 using the printer 210 or transmits the image data to an external device via the network I / F 208. - "Browser" function to view, print, and save data on a web server via a web browser Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the entire system including the image processing device 100. Each functional unit shown in Fig. 3 is realized by the CPU 201 in the image processing device 100 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204.

[0019] The image processing device 100 has the functions of a signage application 300, an authentication processing unit 308, and an auto-clear processing unit 309.

[0020] Signage application 300 is an embedded software program installed in image processing device 100. Signage application 300 includes external communication unit 301, Web content display unit 302, display control unit 303, content setting unit 304, content management unit 305, content setting management table 306, and event receiving unit 307.

[0021] The external communication unit 301 communicates with the content server 120 and acquires Web content and content setting management tables managed by the content server 120. The communication protocols used for communication between the external communication unit 301 and the content server 120 are SMB, WebDAV, and HTTP. SMB stands for Server Message Block, and WebDAV stands for Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning. HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Other communication protocols, such as email or file transfer protocol (FTP), may also be used.

[0022] Web content display unit 302 reads Web content stored in content server 120 or HDD 204 into RAM 203 and outputs it to operation unit 209. Web content refers to data that can be viewed with a Web browser, such as text data, HTML, image files (JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, etc.), and video files.

[0023] The display control unit 303 switches between screens managed for each application and outputs them to the operation unit 209 .

[0024] The content setting unit 304 sets the Web content to be displayed. Specifically, the content setting unit 304 accesses the Web server of the image processing device 100 using the Web browser of the client PC 102, and allows the user to set the Web content to be displayed when a specific event occurs.

[0025] 5-1 to 5-4 are diagrams showing examples of screens for setting Web content. As described above, these screens are displayed by accessing the Web server of the image processing device 100 using the Web browser of the client PC 102.

[0026] Figure 5-1(a) is a diagram showing an example of an authentication screen for inputting authentication information. When a user inputs a user name and password via this authentication screen and presses the login button, the authentication processing unit 308 performs user authentication and login processing. When a user with administrator privileges logs in, the screen shown in Figure 5-1(b) is displayed.

[0027] FIG. 5-1(b) shows an example of a screen that allows a user with administrator privileges to configure various settings related to the image processing device 100. When a setting item is selected from the menu on the left side of the screen, detailed setting items corresponding to the selected item are displayed on the right side of the screen. For example, when a user selects the setting item "License / Other" 501, the screen shown in FIG. 5-2(a) is displayed.

[0028] Figure 5-2(a) is a diagram showing an example of a screen for making detailed settings related to licenses and other settings. Each setting item, including setting item 502, is a hyperlink, and when selected, a web page corresponding to that setting item is displayed. When the user selects setting item 502, the setting screen for signage application 300 shown in Figures 5-3 and 5-4(a) to (c) is displayed.

[0029] On the other hand, in FIG. 5-1(a), if a user without administrator privileges logs in, the screen in FIG. 5-2(b) will be displayed.

[0030] FIG. 5-2(b) is a diagram showing an example of a screen for allowing a user without administrator privileges to configure various settings related to the image processing device 100. This screen does not display the setting item 501 that was displayed on the screen in FIG. 5-1(b), so a user without administrator privileges cannot display the setting screen for the signage application 300. By limiting the setting screen for the signage application 300 to users with administrator privileges, the users who can configure web content can be limited to administrators. In this embodiment, users who can configure web content are limited to users with administrator privileges for the entire image processing device 100. However, general users without administrator privileges may also be allowed to configure web content. Furthermore, a separate administrator privilege for the signage application 300 may be provided in addition to the administrator privileges for the entire image processing device 100, so that only users with that privilege can configure web content.

[0031] FIG. 5-3 and FIGS. 5-4(a) to (d) are diagrams showing examples of the setting screen of signage application 300. Check box 503 is a setting item for switching the display of signage application 300 ON / OFF. When check box 503 is not checked, other setting items are displayed in a shaded state as shown in FIG. 5-3(a) and cannot be entered. When check box 503 is checked, configurable items are displayed without being shaded as shown in FIGS. 5-3(b) to (d).

[0032] The radio button 504 is a button for selecting the communication protocol between the external communication unit 301 and the content server 120. When the radio button 504 is selected as SMB, the setting items related to SMB are unshaded, as shown in FIG. 5-3(b), and each setting item can be input. When the radio button 504 is selected as HTTP / WebDAV, the setting items related to HTTP / WebDAV are unshaded, as shown in FIG. 5-4(c), and each setting item can be input.

[0033] Text box 505 is an input field for entering the path of the Web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. The path is a character string that indicates the storage location of the Web content, and in the case of SMB, it is a computer name, folder name, file name, etc., separated by a yen sign (¥) or a backslash (\). As the Web content, a file stored on HDD 204 or a file stored on content server 120 may be specified.

[0034] A text box 506 is an input field for inputting a user name to be used when accessing the path of the Web content displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB.

[0035] A text box 507 is an input field for inputting a password to be used when accessing the path of the Web content displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB.

[0036] Text box 508 is an input field for entering the path of the Web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. In the case of HTTP / WebDAV, the path is a computer name, folder name, file name, etc. that indicates the storage location of the Web content, separated by a / (slash). As the Web content, a file stored in HDD 204 or a file stored in content server 120 may be specified. Text box 509 is an input field for entering the user name to be used when accessing the path of the Web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV.

[0037] A text box 510 is an input field for inputting a password used to access the path of the Web content displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV.

[0038] Check boxes 511 and 512 are setting items for inputting settings for performing encrypted communication when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV.

[0039] The OK button 513 is a button for storing the items set in 503 to 512 in the content setting management table 306, which will be described later. When the OK button 513 is pressed, the settings of 503 to 512 are stored in the content setting management table 306, and the screen returns to that of FIG. 5-2(a).

[0040] A cancel button 514 is a button for returning to the screen of FIG. 5-2(b) without storing the items set in 503 to 512 in the content setting management table 306.

[0041] Radio button 515 is a button for setting the timing for displaying the web content when a setting has been made to display an authentication screen when operation of image processing device 100, which will be described with reference to Fig. 7, is started. When radio button 515 is selected to "after login," the web content is displayed after login if the setting is such that the authentication screen is displayed when operation of image processing device 100 is started. When radio button 515 is selected to "after auto-clear," the web content is displayed after auto-clear if the setting is such that the authentication screen is displayed when operation of image processing device 100 is started.

[0042] 5-1 to 5-4, the user can set and register specific information for specifying the Web content to be displayed on signage application 300. Note that although an example in which the Web content is set from client PC 102 has been shown here, the Web content may also be set using operation unit 209 of image processing device 100.

[0043] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 3, content management unit 305 stores the path of the Web content and the like in content setting management table 306 based on the settings made by content setting unit 304. Content management unit 305 also acquires the stored settings from content setting management table 306 and notifies Web content display unit 302 of the settings.

[0044] Content setting management table 306 is a management table for managing the setting values of signage application 300 set by content setting unit 304 .

[0045] 6 is a diagram showing an example of the content setting management table 306. Here, the content setting management table 306 is shown as being generated and updated based on the details entered via the setting screen shown in FIG. 5-4(c). The content setting management table 306 may be stored in the HDD 204 of the image processing device 100, or may be stored in the content server 120.

[0046] Reference numeral 601 denotes keys corresponding to the respective setting items of signage application 300.

[0047] 602 indicates the value corresponding to the key of each setting item of signage application 300.

[0048] An item 603 indicates ON / OFF of the display of signage application 300, where 0 indicates OFF and 1 indicates ON. This value is updated when the setting of check box 503 in FIGS. 5-3 and 5-4 is updated.

[0049] An item 604 indicates the communication protocol between the external communication unit 301 and the content server 120, with 0 indicating SMB and 1 indicating HTTP / WebDAV. This value is updated when the setting of the radio button 504 in FIG. 5-3 is updated.

[0050] An item 605 indicates the path of the web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. This value is updated when the setting in the text box 505 in Figures 5-3 and 5-4 is updated.

[0051] An item 606 indicates the user name to be used when accessing the path of the Web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. When the setting in the text box 506 in Figure 5-3 is updated, this value is updated.

[0052] An item 607 indicates the password used to access the path of the web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. When the setting in the text box 507 in Figure 5-3 is updated, this value is updated. The same applies to Figure 5-4.

[0053] An item 608 indicates the path of the Web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. When the setting in the text box 508 in FIG. 5-3 is updated, this value is updated.

[0054] An item 609 indicates the user name used to access the path of the Web content displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. When the setting in the text box 509 in Figure 5-3 is updated, this value is updated.

[0055] An item 610 indicates the password used to access the path of the Web content that is displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. This value is updated when the setting in the text box 510 in Figure 5-3 is updated.

[0056] Items 611 and 612 indicate settings for encrypted communication when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. When the settings of the check boxes 511 and 512 in Figure 5-3 are updated, these values are updated. The same applies to Figure 5-4.

[0057] An item 613 indicates the setting of the timing for displaying the signage when the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation of the image processing device 100 described in Fig. 7. When the setting of the radio button 515 in Fig. 5-3 etc. is updated, this value is updated.

[0058] The content management unit 305 references the content setting management table 306 based on the key 601 to obtain the setting value 602 for each setting item.

[0059] The above-mentioned operation is the same as that in FIG. 5-4.

[0060] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 3, the event receiving unit 307 receives various events notified from the authentication processing unit 308 and the auto-clear processing unit 309.

[0061] The authentication processing unit 308 displays an authentication screen on the operation unit 209 or the client PC 102 and performs user authentication using authentication information such as a user ID and password entered by the user. If the user authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 308 performs login processing to log the user into the image processing device 100. When a logout instruction is issued, the authentication processing unit 308 performs logout processing to log the logged-in user out of the image processing device. The logout instruction is issued when the user presses a logout button displayed on the operation unit 209 or when an auto-clear process, which will be described later, is executed. When the login process or logout process is performed, the authentication processing unit 308 transmits an event (login event, logout event) indicating that the process has been performed to the event receiving unit 307.

[0062] Furthermore, the authentication processing unit 308 controls the timing of displaying the authentication screen based on the display settings of the authentication screen, as will be described later.

[0063] The auto-clear processing unit 309 executes auto-clear processing when no operation is performed on the operation unit 209 for a predetermined time (hereinafter, the "predetermined time" is referred to as the auto-clear transition time). The auto-clear processing is a process for clearing the setting values / setting states on the displayed screen and resetting them to their initial values. For example, if a user leaves the image processing device 100 while configuring various copy-related settings via a copy screen and the auto-clear transition time elapses, the setting values that were set up until that point are cleared and reset to the default setting values. The auto-clear function prevents the setting states of the previous user from being unintentionally inherited, resulting in copying or other operations being performed with unexpected settings, or prevents the next user from viewing settings that should not be disclosed. When the auto-clear processing is executed, the auto-clear processing unit 309 sends an auto-clear event to the event receiving unit 307. Furthermore, when the auto-clear processing is executed, the authentication processing unit 308 executes logout processing to log out the currently logged-in user. The auto-clear transition time can be set arbitrarily by the user.

[0064] It is also possible to set a screen to which the image processing device 100 transitions during auto-clear processing. If an initial screen has been set as the screen to which the image processing device 100 transitions during auto-clear processing, the screen of the operation unit 209 switches from the screen that has been displayed up until then to the initial screen. The initial screen is a screen that has been set in advance by the user as the screen to be displayed at startup. For example, a main menu screen for selecting a function to be used from a plurality of functions (applications, functions) possessed by the image processing device 100, an application screen corresponding to each function, etc. can be set. In the following explanation, an example will be explained in which the initial screen is set as the screen to which the image processing device 100 transitions during auto-clear processing, and the main menu screen is set as the initial screen.

[0065] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for configuring settings related to user authentication. The screen shown in Fig. 7 can only be displayed when a user with administrator privileges logs in.

[0066] 7(a) shows a screen for setting whether or not to use user authentication. Button 701 is a button for enabling user authentication, and when this button is selected, an authentication screen is displayed and user authentication is required to use each function of the image processing device 100. Button 702 is a button for disabling user authentication, and when this button is selected, the authentication screen is not displayed and each function of the image processing device 100 can be used without user authentication.

[0067] 7(b) and (c) are screens for switching the display settings of the authentication screen, and the timing at which user authentication is performed is determined according to the settings made on this screen. Fig. 7(b) shows the screen when button 703 is selected, and Fig. 7(c) shows the screen when button 704 is selected.

[0068] A button 703 is a button for setting to display an authentication screen when starting operation of the image processing device 100. If this button is selected, the authentication screen is displayed and user authentication is required when the user starts operation. In other words, if the setting is set to display the authentication screen when starting operation, user authentication is required first regardless of which function is used.

[0069] Button 704 is a button for setting to display an authentication screen when each function is selected. When button 704 is pressed, a screen 705 for selecting functions that require user authentication is displayed as a pop-up, as shown in Fig. 7(c). When button 706 is selected here, the screen switches to the screen shown in Fig. 7(d).

[0070] FIG. 7(d) shows a screen for selecting a function that requires user authentication from among the multiple functions of the image processing device 100. For a function selected as requiring user authentication via the screen of FIG. 7(d), an authentication screen is displayed when the function is used. On the other hand, for a function not selected as requiring user authentication, the function can be used without user authentication. In FIG. 7(d), the functions "Copy," "Use Saved File," and "Print" are selected as functions that require user authentication. On the other hand, the functions "Scan and Save," "Scan and Send," and "Browser" do not require user authentication. In this way, when button 704 is selected, the authentication screen is not displayed when the image processing device 100 starts to be operated. However, when the user uses a function, an authentication screen is displayed depending on the selected function, and user authentication is required.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen flow displayed on operation unit 209 when the display of signage application 300 is set to OFF.

[0072] 8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams showing the screen flow when button 701 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7(a), that is, when the user authentication function is set to ON.

[0073] FIG. 8A shows a screen flow when button 703 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7B, i.e., when a setting is made to display the authentication screen at the start of operation. When a user turns on the power of the image processing device 100 and the image processing device 100 starts up, an authentication screen 801 is displayed first, allowing the user to enter authentication information. When user authentication based on the authentication information entered by the user via the authentication screen 801 is successful and login processing is completed, a main menu screen 802 is displayed, allowing the user to select a desired function from among the multiple functions possessed by the image processing device 100. When the user presses one of the function selection buttons on the main menu screen 802, a screen corresponding to the selected function is displayed. For example, when the “Copy” button is selected, a copy application screen 803 is displayed, allowing the user to configure various copy-related settings. When the “Scan and Save” button is selected, a “Scan and Save” application screen 804 is displayed, allowing the user to select a save destination for scanned image data. Note that if the auto-clear transition time has elapsed without the user operating the operation unit 209, auto-clear processing is performed. When the auto-clear processing is performed, the user is automatically logged out, and the authentication screen 801 is displayed again. For example, if the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 209 while one of the screens 802, 803, and 804 is displayed, the auto-clear process and logout process are performed, and the display switches to the authentication screen 801.

[0074] FIG. 8B shows a screen flow when button 704 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7C, i.e., when a setting is made to display an authentication screen when a function is selected. Also, as shown in FIG. 7D, it is assumed that the “Copy,” “Use Saved File,” and “Print” functions are selected as functions requiring authentication. When the image processing device 100 starts up and the user starts an operation on the operation unit 209, a main menu screen 802 is displayed first. If the function selected by the user on the main menu screen 802 is a function requiring authentication, an authentication screen 801 is displayed before transitioning to an application screen corresponding to the function. For example, when the “Copy” button is selected, an authentication screen 801 is displayed. If the user enters authentication information and user authentication is successful, a copy application screen 803 is displayed. On the other hand, if the function selected on the main menu screen does not require authentication, a transition to an application screen corresponding to the selected function occurs without displaying the authentication screen. For example, when the “Save Scan” button is selected, a screen 804 is displayed. Furthermore, if the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 209 and the auto-clear process is performed, the user is automatically logged out and the screen returns to the main menu screen 802.

[0075] FIG. 8(c) is a diagram showing the screen flow when button 702 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7(a), that is, when the user authentication function is set to OFF.

[0076] When the user turns on the power of the image processing device 100 and starts operation on the operation unit 209, a main menu screen 802 is displayed first. When the user presses any of the function selection buttons on the main menu screen 802, an application screen corresponding to the selected function is displayed. For example, when the "Copy" button is selected, screen 803 is displayed, and when the "Scan and Save" button is selected, screen 804 is displayed. Furthermore, when the auto-clear transition time has elapsed without the user operating the operation unit 209, auto-clear processing is performed, and the screen returns to the main menu screen 802 set as the initial screen.

[0077] In this way, by setting whether or not to perform user authentication via the screen in Fig. 7(a), it is possible to switch whether or not to display the authentication screen. Also, by setting via the screen in Fig. 7(b), it is possible to switch the timing of displaying the authentication screen, whether it is displayed at the start of operation or when each function is selected. Furthermore, the screen displayed during auto-clear also changes according to these settings related to user authentication.

[0078] Next, a screen displayed on operation unit 209 when the display of signage application 300 is set to ON will be described.

[0079] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when pre-registered web content is displayed by signage application 300. Web content 901 is displayed as web content obtained from content server 120. Here, the HTML file indicated by "https: / / guest_webdav / signage.html" from content setting management table 306 in FIG. 6 is displayed. When the user presses close button 902, web content 901 is hidden. Note that FIG. 9 displays a notice about a disaster prevention drill. In this way, by registering notices for employees as web content and displaying them on image processing device 100 using signage application 300, this can be used to support information sharing among employees, control corporate information, and the like.

[0080] Next, the timing of displaying web content, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described. As described above, the flow of the displayed screen differs depending on the settings related to user authentication via the screen in Fig. 7. In this embodiment, in order to effectively utilize the image processing device 100 as signage, this difference in screen flow is taken into consideration and web content is displayed at an appropriate timing according to the settings related to user authentication.

[0081] 10 is a diagram showing the flow of screens displayed on operation unit 209 when the display of signage application 300 is set to ON. The same screens as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals to clearly indicate the differences from the screen flow shown in FIG.

[0082] 10(a), (b), and (c) are diagrams showing the screen flow when button 701 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7(a), that is, when the user authentication function is set to ON.

[0083] Fig. 10(a) is a diagram showing the screen flow when button 703 is selected on the screen of Fig. 7(b), i.e., when the setting is made to display the authentication screen at the start of operation. In addition, Fig. 10(a) is the screen flow when radio button 515 is selected as "After login" on the screen of Fig. 5-4(d). Compared to Fig. 8(a), when user authentication is successful based on the authentication information entered by the user via authentication screen 801 and the login process is completed, screen 1001 of signage application 300 is displayed. This screen 1001 is the same as the screen shown in Fig. 9. Here, when the close button is pressed, screen 1001 is hidden and main menu screen 802 is displayed.

[0084] In this way, if the setting is such that the authentication screen is displayed when operation starts and the setting is such that web content is displayed after login, the web content is displayed by signage application 300 at the timing when the user completes login. Therefore, the web content is displayed when the user starts using image processing device 100, which can attract the user's attention and make it possible to effectively inform the user of internal company notices and the like.

[0085] FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing a screen flow when button 703 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7(b), i.e., when a setting is made to display the authentication screen at the start of operation. Additionally, FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing a screen flow when radio button 515 is selected as “after auto-clear” on the screen of FIG. 5-4(d). Compared to FIG. 8(a), when the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating operation unit 209 and auto-clear processing is performed, screen 1001 of signage application 300 is displayed. Then, when the close button is pressed, screen 1001 is hidden and authentication screen 801 is displayed. This screen 1001 is the same as the screen shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, when user authentication is successful based on the authentication information entered by the user via authentication screen 801 and login processing is completed, main menu screen 802 is displayed.

[0086] In this way, the authentication screen is set to be displayed when operation starts. Furthermore, if the setting is such that web content is displayed after operation ends after auto-clear, the following occurs: web content is displayed by signage application 300 when auto-clear is performed. Therefore, because the web content is displayed before the user operates image processing device 100, there are more opportunities for the web content to catch the eye of users who are simply passing by without intending to operate image processing device 100, and this can be expected to be highly effective as advertising.

[0087] Fig. 10(c) is a diagram showing the screen flow when button 704 is selected on the screen of Fig. 7(c), i.e., when the setting is made to display the authentication screen when a function is selected. Also, as shown in Fig. 7(d), it is assumed that the functions "Copy," "Use of saved file," and "Print" are selected as functions requiring authentication.

[0088] In this case, even if user authentication and login processing are completed based on the information entered via authentication screen 801, the screen of signage application 300 is not displayed. Instead, if the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating operation unit 209 and the auto-clear processing is performed, screen 1001 of signage application 300 is displayed. Then, when the close button is pressed, screen 1001 is hidden and main menu screen 802 is displayed.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 7B, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed when a function is selected, the web content is not displayed when the user logs in, but is displayed when auto-clear occurs. Even if the web content were displayed when the user logs in, as in the case where the authentication screen is set to be displayed when operation starts, the web content would be displayed if the user selected a function requiring user authentication. On the other hand, if the user selected a function not requiring user authentication, login would not be performed, and the web content would not be displayed. For example, a user who frequently uses the “scan and save” function but rarely uses the “copy” function would rarely have an opportunity to see the web content. In contrast, by setting the web content display timing to be when auto-clear occurs, a user who uses the image processing device 100 will see the web content when first operating the operation unit 209 after auto-clear. Therefore, regardless of the function being used, the image processing device 100 can be used as a promotional terminal while in standby mode, effectively informing users of notices and other information.

[0090] FIG. 10(d) is a diagram showing the screen flow when button 702 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7(a), that is, when the user authentication function is set to OFF.

[0091] In this case, as in the case of FIG. 10(c), screen 1001 of signage application 300 is displayed at the timing when auto-clear occurs.

[0092] In this way, even if the user authentication function is set not to be used, the image processing device 100 can be effectively used as signage by displaying web content when auto-clear occurs.

[0093] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the display process of Web content executed by CPU 201.

[0094] In S401, the CPU 201 determines whether the event receiving unit 307 has received a login event or an auto-clear event from the authentication processing unit 308 or the auto-clear processing unit 309. If the CPU 201 determines that either event has been received, the process proceeds to S402. If the CPU 201 determines that neither event has been received, the process returns to S401 and waits for reception of an event.

[0095] In S402, CPU 201, via content management unit 305, obtains the setting value corresponding to key 603 from content setting management table 306 and determines whether the display of signage application 300 is ON. If CPU 201 determines that the display is OFF, the process ends. If CPU 201 determines that the display is ON, the process proceeds to S403.

[0096] In S403, the CPU 201 determines whether the event received in S401 is a login event or an auto-clear event using the event receiving unit 307. If the CPU 201 determines that the event is a login event, the process proceeds to S404-1. If the CPU 201 determines that the event is an auto-clear event, the process proceeds to S404-2.

[0097] In S404-1, the CPU 201 determines, via the authentication processing unit 308, whether the display setting for the authentication screen is set to display the authentication screen when an operation starts. If the CPU 201 determines that the setting is not to display the authentication screen when an operation starts, that is, if the setting is to display the authentication screen when a function is selected, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the setting is to display the authentication screen when an operation starts, the process proceeds to S411.

[0098] In S411, CPU 201, via content management unit 305, obtains a setting value corresponding to key 613 from content setting management table 306, and determines whether the timing for displaying Web content is after login. If CPU 201 determines that the timing is after login, processing proceeds to S406. If CPU 201 determines that the timing is not after login, processing ends.

[0099] In S404-2, CPU 201 determines, via authentication processing unit 308, whether the display setting for the authentication screen is set to display the authentication screen when an operation starts. If CPU 201 determines that the setting is not to display the authentication screen when an operation starts, that is, if the setting is to display the authentication screen when a function is selected, processing proceeds to S405. If CPU 201 determines that the setting is to display the authentication screen when an operation starts, processing proceeds to S412.

[0100] In S405, the CPU 201 determines, via the authentication processing unit 308, whether the display setting for the authentication screen is set to display the authentication screen when a function is selected, or whether user authentication is set to be invalid. If the setting is not to display the authentication screen when a function is selected, that is, if the setting is to display the authentication screen when an operation starts, or if the CPU 201 determines that user authentication is valid, the process ends. If the setting is to display the authentication screen when a function is selected, or if the CPU 201 determines that user authentication is invalid, the process proceeds to S406.

[0101] In S412, CPU 201, via content management unit 305, obtains a setting value corresponding to key 613 from content setting management table 306 and determines whether the timing to display the Web content is after auto-clear. If CPU 201 determines that the timing is after auto-clear, processing proceeds to S406. If CPU 201 determines that the timing is not after auto-clear, processing ends.

[0102] In S406, the CPU 201 refers to the content setting management table 306 by the content management unit 305, acquires the Web content path, and notifies the Web content display unit 302 of it.

[0103] In S407, the CPU 201 causes the Web content display unit 302 to acquire the Web content from the content server 120 based on the path acquired in S402, and loads the acquired Web content into the RAM 203.

[0104] In S408, CPU 201 causes display control unit 303 to switch to the display of the screen of signage application 300. On the screen of signage application 300, the Web content acquired in S407 is output by Web content display unit 302, and the Web content is displayed on operation unit 209.

[0105] In S409, CPU 201 determines whether the user has pressed the close button on signage application 300 via operation unit 209. If CPU 201 determines that the close button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S410. If CPU 201 determines that the close button has not been pressed, the process returns to S409.

[0106] In S410, CPU 201 causes display control unit 303 to hide the screen of signage application 300.

[0107] As described above, the image processing device 100 of this embodiment allows the registered web content to be displayed when a specific event occurs by registering the web content. In particular, by determining the display timing of the signage application 300 according to the user authentication settings, information can be presented to the user at an appropriate timing, enabling more effective communication of information to the user. Specifically, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed when operation starts, i.e., when user authentication is required regardless of the use of any function, the web content is displayed when the user logs in. This ensures that the user using the image processing device 100 will see the web content. On the other hand, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed when a function is selected, i.e., when whether user authentication is required is determined for each function, or when user authentication is not required, the web content is displayed when auto-clear occurs. This ensures that the next user using the image processing device 100 after auto-clear occurs will see the web content. In this way, by registering information to be communicated to employees, etc. as web content in advance, the display timing of the web content is automatically changed according to the user authentication settings, eliminating the need to separately set the display timing and improving user convenience.

[0108] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, user authentication is performed based on a user ID and password entered by the user. However, the authentication information used to authenticate the user is not limited to these. In addition, while the above embodiment describes a case in which the user manually enters the authentication information, other methods may be used to enter the authentication information. For example, the image processing device may read the authentication information stored in a contactless communication card and perform user authentication by holding the card over the image processing device. In addition, in the above embodiment, the authentication processing unit 308 performs user authentication processing and performs login processing if authentication is successful. However, the image processing device itself does not necessarily have to perform user authentication processing. In this case, an external authentication server is provided, and the image processing device transmits authentication information entered by the user to the authentication server, which then performs user authentication. The image processing device then receives the authentication result from the authentication server and, if authentication is successful, performs user login processing.

[0109] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an image processing apparatus capable of switching the user authentication function ON / OFF has been described. However, an image processing apparatus in which the user authentication function is always ON may also be used. In this case, the timing of displaying the web content when the user logs in or when auto-clear is executed may be determined depending on whether the authentication screen is displayed at the start of operation or when a function is selected. Furthermore, an image processing apparatus capable of switching whether the authentication screen is displayed at the start of operation or when a function is selected while the user authentication function is ON has been described. However, an image processing apparatus in which the authentication screen cannot be set to be displayed when a function is selected may also be used. In this case, the timing of displaying the web content when the user logs in or when auto-clear is executed may be determined depending on whether the user authentication function is ON / OFF.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the time of auto-clear is one of the times when the Web content is displayed, but the display time may also be when the user logs out.

[0111] In addition, the timing of displaying web content can be controlled by selecting radio button 515 in Figure 5-4(d). This allows you to select whether to display web content after login or after auto-clear. For example, if the content is important and you want everyone to see it, you can display it after login. On the other hand, if the content is something you want to see only when auto-clear occurs due to a pending process, you can set it to display after auto-clear. In this way, the administrator can freely select or switch the display time of web content depending on the content.

[0112] The logout process is executed when the user presses the logout button or when the auto-clear process is performed, so the next user who uses the device after the user logs out will first see the web content. This means that the web content is displayed at a timing similar to when the authentication screen is set to be displayed when a function is selected or when user authentication is OFF, improving user convenience. Furthermore, when the user authentication function is ON and the authentication screen is set to be displayed when operation starts, the web content may be displayed when user authentication is successful, rather than when login is complete.

[0113] Web content may also be displayed when other events occur in image processing device 100. For example, signage application 300 may be displayed when printing, copying, a function for transmitting image data generated by a scanner to the outside (scan and send function) is started, or a saved file is started to be used. Signage application 300 may also be displayed when the state of image processing device 100 changes, such as when a maintenance event occurs, such as when there is no toner.

[0114] As described above, the CPU 201 registers the content to be displayed on the operation unit I / F 205 of the image processing apparatus 100 .

[0115] It has also been shown that the CPU 201 can set whether to display the registered content on the operation unit I / F in response to login to the image processing device 100. Furthermore, when the registered content is set to be displayed in response to login to the image processing device, the CPU 201 controls processing to display the registered content on the operation unit I / F 205 in response to login by a user.

[0116] Furthermore, the CPU 201 sets whether the content registered by the CPU 201 is to be displayed when the user is not logged in to the image processing device 101 or when the user logs in to the image processing device.

[0117] When the CPU 201 is set to display registered content when the user is not logged in to the image processing device 101, the following occurs: That is, the registered content is displayed on the operation unit I / F 205 when the user is not logged in. Furthermore, when the CPU 201 is set to display content when the user logs in to the image processing device 101, the CPU 201 controls processing to display the content on the operation unit I / F 205 when the user logs in.

[0118] When the CPU 201 is set to display content when the user is not logged in to the image processing device 101, the CPU 201 controls the process of displaying the content on the operation unit I / F 205 in response to the user logging out.

[0119] A different display timing may be set for each of the plurality of contents.

[0120] For example, content of important notices may be displayed before logging in or after logging out, and content of secondary notices may be displayed after logging in. Or vice versa.

[0121] For example, the content of secondary items may be set only when the game is auto-cleared.

[0122] The CPU 201 can set the timing for displaying content to be when a login event occurs or when an auto-clear event occurs, and also controls the processing for displaying content at the set timing.

[0123] In this embodiment, a radio button is used to select whether to display the content after logging in or before logging in. Instead of making the selection one-sided, these two timings may be independently turned on or off using a check box.

[0124] In this embodiment, the "logged-in state" may refer to a state in which a predetermined user authentication process is performed, the user displays an operation screen via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus is in a state in which it can be locally operated. The "logged-out state" may also be considered to be a state in which input of authentication information for the image forming apparatus is required. The timing of logout may include the timing of the auto-clear described above.

[0125] Although the above embodiment has been described with reference to the image processing device 100 having multiple functions such as a copy function and a scanner function, the present invention can also be applied to an image processing device having only some of these functions. Furthermore, the present invention may also be applied to other information processing devices such as personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, fax machines, cameras, video cameras, and other image viewers.

[0126] The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process: software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 HDD 208 Network Interface 209 Operation section 210 Printer 211 Scanner

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a display unit, a registration means for registering information about the content to be displayed on the display unit; a setting unit for setting a plurality of timings, including a time when the image forming apparatus prints the registered content, as timings for displaying the registered content; a display control means for displaying the content on the display unit using a web browser based on the set timing; The image forming device is characterized in that the registration means is capable of simultaneously registering multiple pieces of content information displayed on the display unit in association with the multiple timings, and is capable of setting different timings for each of the multiple pieces of content information to be registered.

2. the plurality of timings further includes timing for clearing the screen displayed on the display unit, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clearing process is a process of displaying an initial screen.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the clearing process is executed when no user operation is received for a predetermined period of time, and clears the settings made on a setting screen.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the initial screen is a setting screen after settings have been cleared.

5. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the initial screen is a menu screen on which function buttons for executing functions are displayed.

6. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined time is a time set for displaying an initial screen.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the display control means, upon execution of a clear process, acquires content from a server based on information registered by the registration means, and displays the content on the display unit.

8. An image forming apparatus as described in any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring content from an external server based on the information registered by the registration means, wherein the acquisition means acquires the content from the external server based on performing a clear process on the screen displayed on the display unit, and the display control means displays the content.

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, upon execution of the clearing process, a screen of an application for displaying the content acquired from the server is displayed.

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the clearing process includes a logout process.

11. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the content information is a path.

12. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content is Web content.

13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the multiple timings further include when the image forming apparatus starts to perform copying, when the image forming apparatus starts to perform a function of transmitting image data read by a reading means of the image forming apparatus to an external device, and when the image forming apparatus starts to use a saved file.

14. a reading means for reading an image on a document and generating image data; a printing means for printing an image on a sheet based on image data; a storage means for storing image data; a communication means for communicating with an external device via a network, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the functions provided by the image forming apparatus include at least one of the following: a function of printing an image on paper using the printing means based on image data generated by reading an image on a document using the reading means; a function of printing an image on paper based on image data transmitted from an external device; a function of transmitting image data generated by reading an image on a document using the reading means to an external device using the communication means; a function of storing image data generated by reading an image on a document using the reading means in the storage means; and a function of processing the image data stored in the storage means.

15. A control method executed by an image forming apparatus having a display unit, a registration step of registering information about the content to be displayed on the display unit; a setting step of setting a plurality of timings, including a time when the image forming apparatus prints the registered content, as timings for displaying the registered content; a display control step of displaying the content on the display unit using a web browser based on the set timing; A control method characterized in that in the registration process, multiple pieces of content information to be displayed on the display unit can be registered simultaneously by correlating them with the multiple timings, and different timings can be set for each of the multiple pieces of content information to be registered.

16. A program for causing a computer to operate as the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images