Output program, output system, and output method

Abstract

To enable the use of a user interface set by a user in various scenes.SOLUTION: An output program causes a computer to implement: a user setting unit which registers user setting information in which each of multiple users is associated with user interface information on a user interface of at least one service provided by an external information system and used by the users; and an enablement information output unit which outputs, for each of the users, service enablement information which enables the at least one service through the user interface on the basis of the user setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an output program, an output system, and an output method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system for providing a highly convenient user interface for users has been known.

[0003] For example, the document access device described in Patent Document 1 is a document access device that processes access to a document management application of a document management system. The device maintains user access information for each of a plurality of registered users, including user interface information registering one or more of a plurality of user interfaces of the registered users. Then, the device receives user information from the login of a specific user of the client terminal, extracts the user interface information registered for the specific user using the user information. Further, the device provides one or more of the registered user interfaces for display on the client terminal for the registered users.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the document access device described in Patent Document 1 provides an interface to the client terminal regarding the display format by the document management application of the document management system. Therefore, it is assumed that the device will be operated integrally with the document management application of the document management system. Consequently, when a user uses a service separated from the device, they cannot use the configured user interface.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an output program, an output system, and an output method that allow a user interface set by the user to be used in various situations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An output program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a user setting unit that registers user setting information in a computer, which associates each of a plurality of users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the plurality of users; and a service utilization information output unit that outputs service utilization information for each of the plurality of users, which enables them to use at least one service through the user interface based on the user setting information.

[0008] An output system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a user setting unit that registers user setting information relating each of a plurality of users to user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the plurality of users, and a usage information output unit that outputs service usage information for each of the plurality of users that enables the use of at least one service through the user interface based on the user setting information.

[0009] An output method according to one aspect of the present invention involves registering user setting information in a computer, which associates each of a plurality of users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the plurality of users, and outputting service utilization information for each of the plurality of users, based on the user setting information, which enables the use of at least one service through the user interface.

[0010] In this invention, "part" does not merely mean a physical means, but also includes cases where the functions of that "part" are realized by software. Furthermore, even if the functions of one "part" or device are realized by two or more physical means, devices, or software modules, the functions of two or more "parts" or devices may be realized by one physical means, device, or software module. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an output program, an output system, and an output method that allow a user interface set by the user to be used in various situations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the processing in an output system 100, which is one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an output system 100, which is one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of user setting information stored in the memory unit 110. [Figure 4] This is a sequence chart showing an example of processing in output system 100. [Figure 5] This is a sequence chart showing an example of processing in output system 100. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing in an output system 100, which is one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The output system 100 is an information processing system implemented by an output program, which outputs service utilization information that enables the use of at least one service through an interface, based on user setting information that associates each of multiple users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the multiple users.

[0015] Traditionally, users have accessed applications and information processing services through a predetermined user interface. However, this predetermined user interface may be one defined by the service provider offering the application or information processing service, limiting the user's freedom to configure the user interface. In other words, the user interface defined by the service provider may be one designed as optimal from the perspective of the service provider's service provision process, or one that the service provider judged to be optimal for the user, and therefore not necessarily the optimal user interface for the user.

[0016] Furthermore, if the existing centralized service processing model shifts to a distributed service processing model in the future, it is possible that service provider-driven user interfaces may become obsolete.

[0017] Therefore, the output system 100 functions as an information processing system that accepts interface settings, separated from programs and information processing systems that provide applications and information processing services. As a result, users can utilize various applications and information processing services through a user interface that suits their preferences. Additionally, this enables users to use an optimal user interface for themselves regardless of factors such as location, time, terminal, or the services they use.

[0018] The user interface processed by the output system 100 includes, for example, the display format on the user terminal 200 and the correspondence between user operations and computer processing.

[0019] The display format on the user terminal 200 may be, for example, a display format related to the position, size, font, and color of the information displayed on the user terminal 200. As a result, users can use the service in a display format that is easy for them to use.

[0020] The correspondence between user operations and computer processing may be, for example, the correspondence between user operations and the computer processing triggered by the user operations. Specifically, for example, it may be the correspondence between the keys on the keyboard pressed by the user and the computer processing when the keys are pressed. Note that the user operations are not limited to key pressing operations and may be, for example, operations of a mouse or trackpad, touch operations on the screen, or operations of a controller (e.g., game devices, VR (Virtual Reality) devices, etc.). As a result, users can use the service in an operation format that is easy for them to use.

[0021] First, the output system 100 accepts registrations from each of a plurality of users and registers user setting information in which each of the plurality of users is associated with user interface information regarding the user interface of at least one service used by the plurality of users (S101).

[0022] Subsequently, the output system 100 acquires necessary information required for outputting service utilization information from, for example, the service processing system (S102). Specific examples of the necessary information will be described later. Then, the output system 100 outputs service utilization information based on user setting information for each of the plurality of users (S103).

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an output system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The output system 100 is communicably connected to a user terminal 200 and a service processing system 300 via a network such as the Internet. Details of the output system 100 will be described later.

[0024] The user terminal 200 is a computer used by the user, such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, smartphone, tablet terminal, personal computer, VR goggles, VR glasses, smartwatch, etc.

[0025] The user accesses at least one of the output system 100 and the service processing system 300 using the user terminal 200 and uses the service provided by the service processing system 300. That is, the user may access the service processing system 300 and directly use the service provided by the service processing system 300, or may access the output system 100 and indirectly use the service provided by the service processing system 300 via the output system 100.

[0026] The service processing system 300 is an information processing system corresponding to the service used by the user.

[0027] The service provided by the service processing system is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a cloud service using a cloud (e.g., SaaS (Software as a Service)).

[0028] In Figure 2, one user terminal 200 and one service processing system 300 are shown, but there may be multiple user terminals 200 and multiple service processing systems 300. The multiple service processing systems 300 may be service processing systems 300 corresponding to each of multiple services used by one or more users.

[0029] Next, the details of the output system 100 will be described. The output system 100 includes a storage unit 110, an interface registration unit 120, a user setting unit 130, a request reception unit 140, a necessary information acquisition unit 150, a utilization information generation unit 160, and a utilization information output unit 170. Each of the units shown in Figure 2 can be realized, for example, by using a storage area or by having a processor execute a program stored in the storage area.

[0030] The storage unit 110 stores information processed in the output system 100. The storage unit 110 can store, for example, user setting information, which will be described later.

[0031] The interface registration unit 120 registers first user interface information that is generated based on the actions of the first user, who is included among multiple users.

[0032] In other words, the first user of the output system 100 creates a user interface themselves. The interface registration unit 120 then registers the first user interface information relating to the created user interface in the output system 100. As a result, the user can use the first user interface information relating to the user interface created by the first user themselves, rather than the user interface information that has been pre-generated in the output system 100 or a predetermined information processing system (for example, a third-party information processing system).

[0033] In this case, the first user may choose not to disclose the first user interface information to other users, or may disclose it to other users. That is, the interface registration unit 120 may register the first user interface information in association with information regarding whether or not the first user interface information can be disclosed.

[0034] Furthermore, the creation of user interfaces by the first user may be subject to certain conditions depending on the nature of the corresponding service. In other words, the first user may not be able to create user interfaces that cannot be provided due to the specifications of the service or the service processing system 300.

[0035] Furthermore, the interface registration unit 120 may register optimal user interface information in response to the user's use of the service processing system 300. That is, it may register optimal user interface information in response to the user's operation of the user terminal 200. Specifically, the interface registration unit 120 may register, for example, user interface information that places buttons frequently used by the user at a higher position, or user interface information that associates frequently used operations with an operation format that is easier to operate. As a result, the user can register optimal user interface information in response to their operations without having to register the first user interface information themselves.

[0036] The user setting unit 130 registers user setting information that associates each of the multiple users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service used by the multiple users, and stores the user setting information in the storage unit 110.

[0037] The user setting unit 130 may use user interface information that has been generated in advance in the output system 100 or a predetermined information processing system (for example, a third-party information processing system) as user interface information, or it may use first user interface information registered by the interface registration unit 120.

[0038] Furthermore, the user setting unit 130 may register user setting information that associates a first user with the first user interface information described later, or it may register user setting information that associates a second user, different from the first user, with the first user interface information. This allows a user (in this case, the second user) to use an interface created and registered by another user (in this case, the first user). In other words, the output system 100 can function as a platform for users to exchange interfaces with each other.

[0039] Furthermore, if at least one service includes multiple services, the user interface information includes the user interface information for each of those multiple services, and the user setting unit 130 can register user setting information that associates each of the multiple users with the user interface information for each of the multiple services. As a result, the output system 100 can process user setting information for multiple users and multiple services, and each of the multiple users can use a highly convenient user interface for each of the multiple services.

[0040] In this case, the user setting unit 130 does not need to associate the user with all the user interface information of the multiple services; it is sufficient to associate the user with the user interface information of at least some of the services.

[0041] Furthermore, the user setting unit 130 may register user setting information that further associates device information for the devices used by each of multiple users. This allows the usage information generation unit 160, described later, to generate usage information optimized for a device, for example, according to the type of device of the user terminal, and users can use the service through an interface optimized for each device.

[0042] Here, the device is, for example, a computer used by the user, and may be a smartphone, tablet, personal computer, VR (Virtual Reality) goggles, VR glasses, or smartwatch. The device information may be information that identifies the device, or it may be OS information that identifies the OS (Operating System) used by the device, or device information that identifies the browser used by the device.

[0043] Figure 3 shows an example of user configuration information stored in the storage unit 110. The user configuration information stored in the storage unit 110 includes, for example, a user ID, user interface information, and device information. The user ID is information that identifies the user of the output system 100.

[0044] The request receiving unit 140 receives requests for output of service usage information.

[0045] The request receiving unit 140 may receive output requests from user terminals 200 (for example, the first user terminal of the first user included in a group of users), or it may receive output requests from the service processing system 300. When the request receiving unit 140 receives an output request from the service processing system 300, the service processing system 300 may, for example, make an output request to the output system 100 in response to the output request from the user terminal 200.

[0046] Specifically, when a user indirectly uses the service processing system 300 via the output system 100, the request receiving unit 140 may receive output requests from, for example, the user terminal 200. Alternatively, when a user directly uses the services provided by the service processing system 300, for example, the user may first make an output request to the service processing system 300, and then the service processing system 300 may make an output request to the output system 100.

[0047] The necessary information acquisition unit 150 may, for example, acquire the necessary information from the user terminal 200, or it may acquire the necessary information from the service processing system 300.

[0048] The required information is the information necessary for outputting service usage information. If the user interface information is information about the display format on the user terminal 200, the required information may be, for example, the information displayed on the user terminal 200 itself (i.e., text data or numerical data).

[0049] Furthermore, if the user interface information is information relating to the correspondence between user operations and computer processing, the necessary information may be, for example, information obtained from the user terminal 200 regarding operations performed by the user on the user terminal 200 (for example, information indicating which buttons were pressed).

[0050] Furthermore, if the service usage information generation process by the usage information generation unit 160, described later, does not require any specific information, the necessary information acquisition process by the necessary information acquisition unit 150 may be omitted.

[0051] The service utilization information generation unit 160 generates service utilization information for each of the multiple users, based on user setting information, which enables them to use at least one service through the user interface.

[0052] Service utilization information is, for example, information that enables a user to use a service through a user interface in a user terminal 200 or a service processing system 300.

[0053] Specifically, if the user interface information is information about the display format on the user terminal 200, the service utilization information may be, for example, information that associates the information itself displayed on the user terminal 200 (i.e., text data or numerical data) with the display format in which that information is displayed (e.g., display position, size, color, etc.). In this case, the service utilization information may also be display information for displaying the information on the user terminal 200 in the display format indicated by the user interface information. This allows the user to use the service in the display format of the registered user interface.

[0054] In this case, the usage information generation unit 160 may generate optimal usage information according to, for example, the type of device of the user terminal.

[0055] In other words, for example, if the user terminal 200 is a smartphone, the usage information generation unit 160 may generate usage information that can be displayed in a size suitable for viewing on a smartphone. Also, if each device has a different keyboard layout, the usage information generation unit 160 may generate usage information optimized for the keyboard layout of that device.

[0056] Furthermore, if the user interface information is information relating to the correspondence between user operations and computer processing, the service utilization information may, for example, be information indicating computer processing corresponding to user operations. That is, the service processing system 300 can perform computer processing corresponding to user operations based on information indicating computer processing corresponding to user operations. As a result, the user can use the service by performing predetermined computer processing through predetermined operations via the registered user interface.

[0057] The utilization information generation unit 160 can generate utilization information based on the necessary information acquired by the necessary information acquisition unit 150.

[0058] Specifically, for example, if the required information is the information itself displayed on the user terminal 200, the service utilization information generation unit 160 can generate service utilization information by associating the information itself displayed on the user terminal 200 included in the required information with the display format for displaying that information, based on the required information and user interface information.

[0059] Furthermore, if at least one service includes multiple services, the usage information generation unit 160 can output first service usage information that enables the use of the first service included in the multiple services.

[0060] Furthermore, the utilization information generation unit 160 can generate utilization information in response to output requests acquired by the request reception unit 140.

[0061] The service availability information output unit 170 outputs the generated service availability information. Specifically, for each of the multiple users, the service availability information output unit 170 outputs service availability information that enables them to use at least one service through the user interface, based on the user setting information.

[0062] The service usage information output unit 170 may, for example, output service usage information to the user terminal 200.

[0063] Specifically, for example, if the service usage information is information that associates the information itself displayed on the user terminal 200 with the display format in which that information is displayed, the service usage information output unit 170 outputs the service usage information to the user terminal 200, and the user terminal 200 displays the information based on the service usage information in the display format indicated by the user interface information.

[0064] Furthermore, the service utilization information output unit 170 may output service utilization information to, for example, the service processing system 300.

[0065] Specifically, for example, if the service utilization information is information that associates the information itself to be displayed on the user terminal 200 with the display format for displaying that information, the service utilization information output unit 170 may first output the service utilization information to the service processing system 300, and the service processing system 300 may generate display information for display on the user terminal 200 based on the service utilization information and output it to the user terminal 200. Alternatively, if the service utilization information is information that indicates computer processing corresponding to user operations, the service utilization information output unit 170 may output the service utilization information to the service processing system 300, and the service processing system 300 may execute computer processing corresponding to user operations based on the service utilization information.

[0066] Figure 4 is a sequence chart showing an example of processing in the output system 100. The sequence chart shown in Figure 4 shows an example of processing when the user interface information is information about the display format to the user terminal 200.

[0067] First, the interface registration unit 120 registers first user interface information generated based on the operations of the first user, who is included in the group of users (S401). Note that if the first user uses user interface information that has been registered in advance, the registration process for the first user interface information does not need to be performed. Next, the user setting unit 130 registers user setting information that associates each of the group of users with user interface information (for example, user interface information that has been registered in advance or first user interface information) relating to the user interface of at least one service used by the group of users (S402).

[0068] The request receiving unit 140 receives an output request, for example, from a user terminal 200 (S403). The necessary information acquisition unit 150 acquires necessary information, for example, from a service processing system 300 (S404).

[0069] Then, the service utilization information generation unit 160 generates service utilization information based on user setting information in response to an output request. The service utilization information output unit 170 outputs the service utilization information to, for example, a user terminal 200 or a service processing system 300 (S405a, S405b). When the service utilization information output unit 170 outputs the service utilization information to the service processing system 300, the service processing system 300 may further output, for example, display information based on the service utilization information to the user terminal 200 (S406). As a result, the user can use the service in the display format shown by the configured user interface.

[0070] Output requests may be received from the service processing system 300, and necessary information may be obtained from the user terminal 200.

[0071] Figure 5 is a sequence chart showing an example of processing in the output system 100. The sequence chart shown in Figure 5 shows an example of processing when the user interface information is information about the correspondence between user operations and computer processing.

[0072] First, the interface registration unit 120 registers first user interface information generated based on the operations of the first user, who is included in the group of users (S501). Note that if the first user uses user interface information that has been registered in advance, the registration process for the first user interface information does not need to be performed. Next, the user setting unit 130 registers user setting information that associates each of the group of users with user interface information (for example, user interface information that has been registered in advance or first user interface information) relating to the user interface of at least one service used by the group of users (S502).

[0073] The request receiving unit 140 receives an output request, for example, from the user terminal 200 (S503). The necessary information acquisition unit 150 acquires the necessary information, for example, from the user terminal 200 (S504).

[0074] Then, the service utilization information generation unit 160 generates service utilization information based on user setting information in response to an output request. The service utilization information output unit 170 outputs the service utilization information to, for example, a user terminal 200 or a service processing system 300 (S505a, S505b). When the service utilization information output unit 170 outputs service utilization information to the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 may further output operation information corresponding to the service utilization information to the service processing system 300 (S506). As a result, the user can use the service through operations corresponding to the configured user interface.

[0075] Output requests may be received from the service processing system 300, and necessary information may be obtained from the service processing system 300. If the output system 100 obtains necessary information from the service processing system 300, the service processing system 300 may obtain the necessary information from the user terminal 200.

[0076] The present invention has been described above. The output system 100 registers user setting information that associates each of the multiple users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the multiple users, and can output service utilization information for each of the multiple users that enables them to use at least one service through the user interface based on the user setting information. This makes it possible to separate the output system 100 from the information processing system that provides the service (for example, the service processing system 300), and to make the user interface set by the user available in various situations.

[0077] Furthermore, if at least one service includes multiple services, the output system 100 can output first service utilization information that enables the use of the first service included in the multiple services, based on user configuration information. This allows the user to use the user interface they have configured for each of the multiple services.

[0078] Furthermore, the output system 100 can receive a request to output service utilization information from the service processing system 300 corresponding to at least one service, and can output the service utilization information based on the user setting information in response to the output request. As a result, even when a user accesses the service processing system 300 and directly uses the services provided by the service processing system 300, the user can use the user interface that they have set up.

[0079] Furthermore, the output system 100 can receive a request to output service usage information from the first user terminal of the first user who is included in a group of users, and can output the service usage information based on the user setting information in response to the output request. As a result, even when a user indirectly uses a service provided by the service processing system 300 via the output system 100, the user can use the user interface that they have set up.

[0080] Furthermore, the output system 100 can register first user interface information generated based on the operations of a first user who is included among multiple users, and can register user setting information that associates the first user with the first user interface information. As a result, users can use user interfaces they have created themselves, rather than user interface information that has been pre-generated in the output system 100 or a predetermined information processing system (for example, a third-party information processing system).

[0081] Furthermore, the output system 100 can register user setting information that associates a second user, who is different from the first user, with the first user interface information. This allows users to utilize interfaces created and registered by other users.

[0082] This embodiment is provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are also included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 100 Output system, 110 Storage unit, 120 Interface registration unit, 130 User setting unit, 140 Request reception unit, 150 Necessary information acquisition unit, 160 Usage information generation unit, 170 Usage information output unit, 200 User terminal, 300 Service processing system

Claims

1. On the computer, A user setting unit registers user setting information that associates each of multiple users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the multiple users. For each of the aforementioned multiple users, a service utilization information output unit outputs service utilization information that enables the use of at least one service through the user interface based on the user setting information, An interface registration unit is provided that registers first user interface information generated based on the operations of a first user included in the aforementioned plurality of users. The user setting unit registers user setting information that associates a second user, different from the first user, with the first user interface information. Output program.

2. The aforementioned at least one service includes multiple services, The user interface information includes the user interface information for each of the multiple services, The usage information output unit outputs first service usage information that enables the use of the first service included in the plurality of services, based on the user setting information. The output program according to claim 1.

3. To the aforementioned computer, A request receiving unit that receives a request to output service utilization information from a service processing system corresponding to at least one of the aforementioned services is further realized. The service utilization information output unit outputs the service utilization information based on the user setting information in response to the output request. The output program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. To the aforementioned computer, Further, a request receiving unit is realized that receives a request to output the service usage information from the first user terminal of the first user included in the aforementioned plurality of users, The service utilization information output unit outputs the service utilization information based on the user setting information in response to the output request. The output program according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The output program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user setting unit registers user setting information that associates the first user with the first user interface information.

6. A user setting unit registers user setting information that associates each of multiple users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the multiple users. For each of the aforementioned multiple users, a service utilization information output unit outputs service utilization information that enables the use of at least one service through the user interface based on the user setting information, The system includes an interface registration unit that registers first user interface information generated based on the operations of a first user included in the plurality of users, The user setting unit registers user setting information that associates a second user, different from the first user, with the first user interface information. Output system.

7. Computers Registering user configuration information that associates each of multiple users with user interface information relating to the user interface of at least one service provided by an external information processing system used by the multiple users, For each of the aforementioned multiple users, service usage information is output based on the user setting information, enabling the use of at least one of the aforementioned services through the user interface. The process involves registering first user interface information generated based on the actions of the first user, who is included in the aforementioned group of users, and performing the following actions: The registration of the user settings information includes registering the user settings information that associates a second user, different from the first user, with the first user interface information. Output method.

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