Information processing device, information processing method, program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system which transmits screen information of a second screen for accepting a setting regarding a first screen input by an end user to a second terminal.SOLUTION: The information processing system provides information regarding an application set on the first screen displayed on a first terminal to a device 20 to execute the application by a request from the device, and comprises a communication unit which transmits screen information of the second screen for accepting a setting regarding the first screen of the application to a second terminal 30A on the basis of a setting item of the application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Information processing device, information processing method, and program the following.

Background Art

[0002] Services that provide applications that combine multiple functions (for example, scanning, saving to a folder, sending an email, etc.) are known. When a user executes this application, the device transmits an electronic file (image data) obtained by scanning to an information processing system. The information processing system can perform predetermined processing on the electronic file and then send it by email or save it to a folder.

[0003] Techniques for improving the development efficiency of such applications have been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system that receives settings related to an operation screen of an application from a setting screen.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technology has a problem that screen information of a second screen that receives settings related to a first screen input by an end user is not transmitted to a second terminal device. That is, the end user makes necessary settings such as default values of the application on the first screen. In the case of an application with many setting items, the user has to input them into the setting items simply arranged on the first screen, resulting in a decrease in usability.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to transmit screen information of a second screen that receives settings related to a first screen input by an end user to a second terminal device technology as an object.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention The application comprises: a second screen providing unit that transmits screen information of a second screen to a second terminal used by the application developer, which accepts settings regarding the display format of the first screen displayed on the first terminal used by the application user, and which accepts settings for grouping multiple setting items included in the application into one or more groups; and a first screen providing unit that transmits screen information of the first screen to the first terminal, which displays the multiple setting items in groups according to the settings accepted by the second screen. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The system transmits screen information from the second screen, which accepts settings related to the first screen entered by the end user, to a second terminal device. technology We can provide this. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an example diagram illustrating the relationship between the screens used by app developers and end users. [Figure 2] This figure shows the system configuration of an example of a service provision system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows the hardware configuration of an example of an information processing system and terminal device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a service provision system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of application information managed by the Application Management Department. [Figure 6] This diagram shows an example of settings related to My Page managed by the My Page Settings Management Department. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a processing flow screen provided by the WF development tool, as displayed by the terminal device. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of an input item setting screen provided by the WF development tool, as displayed by the terminal device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the My Page settings screen provided by the WF development tool, as displayed on the terminal device. [Figure 10] Figure 9 shows an example of the My Page displayed by the terminal device when the My Page settings screen is configured as shown. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the My Page settings screen after configuring settings related to My Page. [Figure 12]It is a diagram showing an example of a my page displayed by a terminal device when a my page setting screen is set as shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of a my page displayed by a terminal device when a my page setting screen is set as shown in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of an execution screen displayed by a device. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing an example of a my page setting screen having a message prompting settings related to the my page. [Figure 16] It is an example of a flowchart showing a procedure for a screen providing unit to switch whether to display a message on a my page setting screen. [Figure 17] It is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for an app developer to operate a terminal device to set a my page setting screen and register settings related to the my page in an information processing system. [Figure 18] It is a diagram showing an example of a my page setting screen in which setting items are grouped by component. [Figure 19] It is a diagram showing an example of a my page setting screen in which setting items are grouped according to display settings of input items of an end user.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, as an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention, a service providing system and a setting method performed by the service providing system will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Outline of Operations> First, referring to FIG. 1, some screen examples used in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between screens input by app developer 9 and end user 8.

[0011] (1) First, the app developer 9 operates the development tool on the terminal device 30A (developer terminal, an example of the second terminal device), and develops an application on the processing flow screen 300 and the my page setting screen 310. The processing flow screen 300 accepts the creation of a processing flow by combining a plurality of functions (for example, scanning, printing, email sending, etc.). Also, the my page setting screen 310 (an example of the second screen) accepts the display format of the my page (the display order and grouping of setting items).

[0012] (2) The end user 8 can set default values and the like required for the application from the my page 320 displayed on the terminal device 30B (user terminal, an example of the first terminal device). The my page 320 is, for example, a screen for the end user 8 to set the default values displayed when the app is launched. The default value is, for example, the setting of the destination email address or the like if the process of the application is email sending. Since the my page 320 (an example of the first screen) is set in a display format that is easy to input by the my page setting screen 310, the end user 8 can easily set the my page 320.

[0013] (3) When the device 20 displays the execution screen 330 of the application, the default values set on the my page 320 are set. Therefore, the number of input items that the end user 8 needs to set when executing the application can be reduced.

[0014] In this way, by the app developer 9 setting the display format of the my page 320 on the my page setting screen 310, the end user 8 can be made to easily use the my page 320.

[0015] <Regarding terms> The app developer 9 is a person who has the authority to create an application. The app developer 9 is mainly a person related to the company that provides the information processing system 10 or a person in charge of an affiliated company. The app developer 9 may be, for example, a staff member of a dealer who introduces the information processing system to customers.

[0016] End user 8 is a customer who uses the application. End user 8 may be the customer's administrator, a regular employee, or someone similar.

[0017] An application is software developed and used for a specific function or purpose, and is not intended for the operation of a computer itself. In this embodiment, the application will be described as a web application.

[0018] Configuration items are fields where the user can set values ​​that are passed to the application. The application will execute based on these values.

[0019] <System Configuration> The system configuration of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0020] The service provision system 100 shown in Figure 2 includes an information processing system 10 and equipment 20, and is connected to a terminal device 30 via a wide-area network N1 such as the Internet. The service provision system 100 can also communicate with an external service system 40, which is an external system.

[0021] The information processing system 10 is implemented using one or more information processing devices and provides various services through a series of processes that are linked with an external service system 40, such as a cloud service, via the network N1. Specific examples of the services provided by the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment will be described later. The information processing system 10 may be implemented using cloud computing or by a single information processing device. Cloud computing refers to a form of utilization where network resources are used without being aware of specific hardware resources. The information processing system 10 may reside on the internet or on-premises. The series of processes is provided by a single application, and the series of processes is also referred to as a "processing flow" or "workflow".

[0022] Device 20 consists of various electronic devices used by the user. Examples of devices 20 include image forming equipment such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals), PCs (Personal Computers), projectors, electronic whiteboards, video conferencing terminals, and digital cameras. Device 20 is connected to network N2. End users can use Device 20 to access various services provided by the information processing system 10 or the external service system 40.

[0023] In the following, when distinguishing between multiple devices 20, we will use subscripts such as "device 20A," "device 20B," etc.

[0024] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a desktop PC, notebook PC, smartphone, or tablet used by an administrator or end-user. The terminal device 30 is connected to network N2. The administrator or user can operate the terminal device 30 to use various services provided by the information processing system 10 or the external service system 40, and can also configure applications. In addition, end-users can use the terminal device 30 to use various services provided by the information processing system 10 or the external service system 40.

[0025] In the following, when distinguishing between multiple terminal devices 30, we will use subscripts such as "terminal device 30A," "terminal device 30B," etc.

[0026] The external service system 40 is one or more information processing devices that provide services by executing applications via the network N1. Data is saved or read through the execution of these applications. The term "external" in "external service system 40" means that it is a separate system from the information processing system 10. It is often operated by different companies. For example, even the same user may have different accounts for the external service system 40 and the information processing system 10.

[0027] Examples of external service systems 40 include, for example, cloud services and ASPs (Application Service Providers), and may include various external services provided over a network. For example, storage services are one type of service. External service systems 40 may reside on the internet or on-premises.

[0028] In the following discussion, when distinguishing between the multiple external service systems 40, they will be referred to as "External Service System 40A, 40B" as shown in the diagram.

[0029] <Example Hardware Configuration> Referring to Figure 3, the hardware configuration of the information processing system 10 and terminal device 30 included in the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0030] <<Information Processing Systems and Terminal Devices>> Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of an example of the information processing system 10 and terminal device 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the information processing system 10 and terminal device 30 are built using a computer and include a CPU 501, ROM 502, RAM 503, HD (Hard Disk) 504, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, display 506, external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, network I / F 509, bus line 510, keyboard 511, pointing device 512, DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and media I / F 516.

[0031] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire information processing system 10 and terminal device 30. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as the work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, external devices include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and printers. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network N2. The bus line 510 is an address bus, data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in Figure 3.

[0032] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys used for inputting characters, numbers, or various instructions. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means used for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting processing targets, moving the cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls the reading or writing of various data to the DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW drive 514 is not limited to DVD-RW, but may also be DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to the recording medium 515, such as flash memory.

[0033] Although device 20 is one of the devices that executes the application, it is not a feature of this embodiment, so the hardware configuration of device 20 will be omitted.

[0034] <About the features> Next, the functional configuration of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the service provision system 100 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the execution of the application by the device 20 is not a feature, so the functions of the device 20 will not be described. Furthermore, terminal device 30A will be described as a terminal device operated by the application developer 9 (developer terminal), and terminal device 30B will be described as a terminal device operated by the end user 8 (user terminal).

[0035] <<Administrator Terminal>> The terminal device 30A includes a first communication unit 31a, a display control unit 32a, and an operation reception unit 33a. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed on the terminal device 30A. This program may be a web browser or dedicated software.

[0036] The first communication unit 31a sends and receives various types of information to and from the information processing system 10. In this embodiment, it receives various screen information and the like from the information processing system 10 and transmits information set by the application developer 9 to the information processing system 10.

[0037] The display control unit 32a interprets screen information from various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation reception unit 33a receives various user operations on the various screens displayed on the display 506. The screen information is a program written in HTML, XML, scripting languages, and CSS (Cascading Style Sheet), etc., with HTML mainly defining the structure of the web page, scripting languages ​​defining the operation of the web page, and CSS defining the style of the web page.

[0038] <<User Terminal>> The terminal device 30B includes a second communication unit 31b, a display control unit 32b, and an operation reception unit 33b. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed on the terminal device 30B. This program may be a web browser or dedicated software.

[0039] The second communication unit 31b sends and receives various types of information to and from the information processing system 10. In this embodiment, it receives screen information such as My Page 320 from the information processing system 10 and transmits information set by the end user 8 to the information processing system 10.

[0040] The display control unit 32b interprets screen information from various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation reception unit 33b receives various operations from the end user 8, mainly on the My Page 320, which is displayed on the display 506.

[0041] <<Information Processing System>> The information processing system 10 includes a communication unit 11, a web application control unit 12, a WF development tool 13 (WF stands for Work Flow), a user setting tool 14, and an input / output service 15. Each functional unit of the information processing system 10 is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the information processing system 10.

[0042] The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various types of information to and from terminal devices 30A and 30B. In this embodiment, the communication unit 11 transmits screen information of various screens to terminal devices 30A and 30B and receives various settings from terminal devices 30A and 30B.

[0043] The Web application control unit 12 executes an application in response to a request from the device 20. In this embodiment, the application is provided as a Web application. The term "Web application" is used in contrast to native applications that can be executed on the device alone. A Web application is software or a system that operates through the cooperation of a program written in a programming language (e.g., JavaScript®) that runs on a Web browser and a program on the Web server side, and is executed on a Web browser.

[0044] The Web application control unit 12 has a screen configuration unit 21 and an application execution unit 22. For each Web application, the screen configuration information and processing flow are managed by the application management unit 29 of the input / output service 15, and the screen configuration unit 21 sends the screen configuration information (application execution screen) of the Web application to the device 20. The application execution unit 22 executes processing on image data scanned by the device 20 or received faxes, emails, etc., based on the processing flow (each process and execution order, such as scanning, OCR, and email sending). Each process has a corresponding component, and the I / O logic processing unit 28 calls and executes the component.

[0045] The WF development tool 13 is a tool that allows application developers to create applications that run on device 20 via a web browser executed by terminal device 30A. A tool is a program (mainly a web page or web application) that has a set of functions. As will be described later, an application is made up of various processes (components) linked together, and the information processing system 10 executes each process in order. The WF development tool 13 can only be accessed by application developers 9 who have application development privileges, and they can develop applications using this tool.

[0046] The WF development tool 13 includes a screen provisioning unit 24, an application registration unit 23, and a My Page settings information registration unit 25. The screen provisioning unit 24 provides the processing flow screen 300 and the input item setting screen 340, which will be described later, to the terminal device 30A and accepts the application settings (processing flow definition, user input items, etc.) from the application developer 9. The screen provisioning unit 24 also generates and provides the My Page settings screen 310, which will be described later, to the terminal device 30A and accepts My Page settings (an example of a second screen provisioning unit).

[0047] The application registration unit 23 registers the application settings (processing flow definition, user input items, etc.) received by the screen provision unit 24 with the application management unit 29. The My Page settings information registration unit 25 registers the settings and user input items for the My Page 320 received by the screen provision unit 24 with the My Page settings management unit 19.

[0048] User Configuration Tool 14 is a tool that allows you to configure settings for applications created with WF Development Tool 13 (such as default value settings) on a tenant or end-user basis.

[0049] The user configuration tool 14 has a screen provisioning unit 26 and a setting registration unit 27. The screen provisioning unit 26 obtains settings related to My Page 320 from My Page setting management unit 19 and generates My Page screen information. The screen provisioning unit 26 provides the My Page 320 screen information to the terminal device 30B and accepts the end user 8's settings for My Page 320, etc. (an example of the first screen provisioning unit).

[0050] The settings registration unit 27 registers the default value settings for My Page 320 received by the screen provision unit 26 with the application management unit 29.

[0051] The input / output service 15 saves the values ​​set in the WF development tool 13 and the user configuration tool 14. The input / output service 15 also executes various processes defined in the application (OCR, email sending, saving to a folder, etc.).

[0052] The input / output service 15 includes an I / O logic processing unit 28, an application management unit 29, and a My Page settings management unit 19. The application management unit 29 manages application information (processing flow for each application, user input items, default values, and screen configuration information, etc.).

[0053] The My Page settings management unit 19 maintains settings related to My Page 320 on a tenant or user basis. The I / O logic processing unit 28 calls the component corresponding to the processing requested by the application execution unit 22 and executes the processing corresponding to the OCR and other components included in the application.

[0054] Figure 5 shows an example of application information managed by the application management unit 29. The application information is associated with the application ID and has a processing flow and default values. The processing flow is set by the application developer 9 and arranges the components in the order they are executed, such as Component 1 → Component 2 → Component 3…

[0055] The default value is the setting value displayed immediately after the application screen appears when end-user 8 runs the application on device 20 or terminal device 30. The default value is set by end-user 8 on My Page 320.

[0056] Furthermore, the settings items of each component are user input items (required and optional input items, as described later) set by the app developer. The screen configuration information for displaying each setting item is provided in screen definitions, such as HTML labels.

[0057] Figure 6 shows an example of settings related to My Page 320 managed by the My Page Settings Management Unit 19. Settings related to My Page 320 are managed in association with the application ID. Figure 6 shows the settings related to My Page 320 in an application that performs OCR → email sending. Each item will be explained below. A component is a component included in an application. • All settings are all the settings a component has. All settings for a component are predetermined. • User input fields are settings related to the display and input of each setting item that the application has, as configured by the app developer 9 from among all setting items. In other words, setting items that are set to "required" or "optional" in parentheses following the setting item will be displayed on the application's execution screen 330, while setting items that are set to "do not allow" will not be displayed. This setting is also common on the My Page 320. User input fields are configured by the app developer 9. A group is a collection of settings. One or more grouped settings can be toggled on and off together on My Page 320. Multiple groups may be set for a single component. Groups are set by the app developer 9 (they may also be set automatically). • Members are a setting item that indicates whether they belong to a group. Each setting item is also assigned a number, which represents the display order on My Page 320.

[0058] <Example of a screen displayed by a terminal device> Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 13, the screens displayed by terminal devices 30A and 30B will be explained.

[0059] Figure 7 shows an example of a processing flow screen 300 provided by the WF development tool 13, as displayed by the terminal device 30A. The processing flow screen 300 has a processing list field 301 and an editor field 302. The processing list field 301 displays a list of components that the application can execute, represented by icons. The editor field 302 is divided into a mesh.

[0060] App developer 9 selects the icon of the component they want to incorporate into the application from the process list field 301 and drags and drops it into the editor field 302. By repeating this process, app developer 9 can define a series of processing flows. In the example in Figure 7, Execute OCR 303, Upload File 304, and Send Email 305 are defined in this order. Each process corresponds to a component.

[0061] Figure 8 shows an example of the input item setting screen 340 provided by the WF development tool 13 and displayed by the terminal device 30A. The input item setting screen 340 is a screen where the application developer 9 configures input items, such as which input items the device 20 will require the user to input, based on the created processing flow 341. Input item settings can be configured for each input item (sometimes called a parameter) that each component included in the processing flow possesses.

[0062] Figure 8 shows the components for scanning 341a, OCR execution 341b, and email sending 341c. When the application developer 9 selects a component, the input item setting screen 340 appears. In Figure 8, OCR execution 341b is selected. The input item setting screen 340 accepts which input items of the OCR component corresponding to OCR execution 341b should be entered by the end user 8. For example, the OCR component has input items such as OCR language and output file format. For this input item name 342, the input item setting screen 340 has user input settings 343, input type settings 344, and parameter value settings 345.

[0063] User input setting 343 accepts a setting for whether or not to prompt the end user for input. For example, if the app developer 9 sets the OCR language input field (which language to use for OCR) of the OCR component to "Required," a field for the end user 8 to specify the OCR language will be displayed on the application execution screen 330, and the application cannot be executed until the end user 8 sets it. User input setting 343 also has "Optional" and "Do not require." "Optional" means the input field is displayed on the application execution screen 330, but the application can be executed even if the end user 8 does not set it. "Do not require" means the input field is not displayed on the application execution screen 330.

[0064] Note that settings that are set to "Do not allow" in the user input settings will not be displayed on My Page 320. User input settings 343 are common to both My Page 320 and the application execution screen 330. On the other hand, regardless of the user input settings, all component settings are displayed on the My Page settings screen 310.

[0065] The input type setting 344 accepts the setting of whether the input item displayed on the application execution screen 330 is in selection format, numerical input format, or character input format. The parameter value setting 345 accepts the setting of which options to display, along with the number of options, when the input item is in selection format (for example, if there are a total of 20 OCR languages, a list of 3 to 5 OCR languages ​​that the end user can use).

[0066] Figure 9 shows an example of the My Page settings screen 310A provided by the WF development tool, displayed by the terminal device 30A. In the description of the My Page settings screen 310, different versions of the My Page settings screen 310 are denoted by symbols A to E.

[0067] The My Page settings screen 310 is where the app developer 9 configures the display format of the My Page 320. The display format refers to, for example, the display order of setting items and the grouping of setting items. Figure 9 shows the My Page settings screen 310A of an application that runs an OCR component and an email sending component. These components have the following setting items 311, as shown in Figure 6.

[0068] ■ OCR components • OCR language Output file format • Output file size ·Blank page removal ■ Email sending component · Recipient address Email Title Email body File name These configuration items represent all configuration items that a component may have. However, actual components have more configuration items, and for the sake of clarity, this specification assumes that each component has a total of four configuration items.

[0069] First, for comparison, the My Page settings screen 310A in Figure 9 shows a state where no settings have been made regarding My Page 320. "No settings have been made regarding My Page 320" means that the various setting items of the component are simply displayed in a list format.

[0070] Figure 10 shows the My Page 320 displayed by the terminal device 30B when the My Page settings screen 310 is configured as shown in Figure 9. The My Page 320 has the settings items ("required" and "optional") that the user entered on the input item settings screen 340 in Figure 8. Therefore, the OCR language field 321, output file format field 322, output file size field 323, blank page removal field 324, recipient address field 325, email title field 326, email body field 327, and file name field 328 are displayed according to the user input items for the My Page settings in Figure 6.

[0071] Because no settings were configured for My Page 320, as shown in Figure 10, My Page 320 simply displays a list of settings. The actual number of settings in the component can be several tens of times greater than the number of settings in Figure 10, which could lead to a decrease in usability.

[0072] Figure 11 is an example of the My Page settings screen 310B after settings related to My Page 320 have been configured. Note that the explanation of Figure 11 will mainly focus on the differences from Figure 9. In the My Page settings screen 310B, the app developer 9 can change the display order of the My Page 320 settings items and group them. In Figure 11, two groups, "OCR settings group" 312 and "Email settings group" 313, have been created.

[0073] App developer 9 presses the group creation button 314 to create a group. App developer 9 enters a group name and groups the setting items by clicking to select the setting items to belong to the group.

[0074] As shown in Figure 11, grouped settings are displayed indented below the group name. In Figure 11, the OCR language, output file format, and output file size are shown. The settings are grouped into an "OCR settings group" 312, and the recipient address, email title, and email body are grouped into an "email settings group" 313. The grouped settings can be easily toggled on and off on My Page 320. In addition, the app developer 9 can set whether to expand and display or hide the settings for each group immediately after displaying My Page.

[0075] Additionally, app developers can change the display order of each setting item by dragging and dropping them. The display order on the My Page settings screen 310 will be the display order of the setting items on My Page 320.

[0076] Note that while Figure 11 shows the components grouped by type, app developers 9 can group any combination of setting items they like. For example, they can separate infrequently used setting items from frequently used setting items into different groups, and then set the frequently used group to expand and display immediately after the My Page 320 is displayed, while hiding the less frequently used group.

[0077] Figures 12 and 13 show the My Page 320 displayed by the terminal device 30B when the My Page settings screen 310 is configured as in Figure 11. In Figure 12, the settings items for "OCR settings group" 312 and "email settings group" 313 are hidden (not expanded). Therefore, the two group names, the ungrouped file name field 328, and the blank page removal field 324 are displayed.

[0078] Figure 13 shows the settings for the "OCR settings group" 312 and the "email settings group" 313 in their expanded state. As a result, the grouped OCR language field 321, output file format field 322, and output file size field 323 are displayed at the bottom of the "OCR settings group" 312, while the grouped recipient address field 325, email title field 326, and email body field 327 are displayed at the bottom of the "email settings group" 313.

[0079] In this way, by having the app developer 9 configure settings related to My Page 320 on the My Page settings screen 310, the layout of My Page 320 displayed by the terminal device 30B becomes easier to input, improving usability. In addition, the visibility of My Page 320 is improved.

[0080] <<Application execution screen>> Figure 14 shows an example of the execution screen 330 displayed by the device 20. For simplicity, in Figure 14, it is assumed that only the OCR language is selected (required or optional) as an input item set by the end user 8 on the input item setting screen 340, and that "Do not allow" is selected for all other input items. Therefore, the execution screen 330 has an OCR language selection field 331. The default value (Japanese) set by the end user is displayed in the OCR language selection field 331.

[0081] <Handling cases where there are many settings items on My Page> If the number of settings items on My Page 320 is large, it is preferable for the screen provider 24 to prompt the app developer 9 to group them or take other actions. By doing so, if the number of settings items on My Page 320 exceeds a threshold, the app developer 9 can group the settings items on the My Page settings screen 310 or change the display order, thereby providing a My Page 320 with good usability.

[0082] Figure 15 is an example of a My Page settings screen 310C that has a message prompting the user to configure settings related to My Page 320. Note that the explanation of Figure 15 will mainly focus on the differences from Figure 11. The My Page settings screen 310C in Figure 15 displays a message 315 that says, "There are many settings, so we recommend grouping them." Message 315 allows the app developer 9 to recognize that settings related to My Page 320 are required.

[0083] Figure 16 is an example of a flowchart illustrating the procedure for switching whether or not the screen provider unit 24 displays message 315 on the My Page settings screen 310.

[0084] App developer 9 develops the application (processing flow) on the processing flow screen 300 (S101). App developer 9 also sets the input items (required, optional, or not required) that the end user 8 will input on the input item setting screen 340 (S102).

[0085] The screen provider unit 24 determines whether the number of setting items displayed on My Page 320 is equal to or greater than a threshold (S103).

[0086] The number of settings displayed on My Page 320 represents the number of settings (required or optional) that the user has entered and configured out of all the settings included in the application.

[0087] If the decision in step S103 is Yes, the screen provider unit 24 displays the message 315 "There are many setting items, so we recommend grouping them" on the My Page settings screen 310 (S104).

[0088] App developer 9 configures settings related to My Page 320 on the My Page settings screen 310C (S105). App developer 9 can configure settings related to My Page 320 regardless of whether messages are displayed or not.

[0089] <Operating Procedure> Figure 17 is an example of a sequence diagram showing the procedure by which an application developer 9 operates a terminal device 30A to configure the My Page settings screen 310 and register the settings related to My Page 320 with the information processing system 10.

[0090] S1: First, the application developer 9 operates the terminal device 30A to make the terminal device 30A communicate with the information processing system. When the application developer 9 inputs an operation to display the processing flow screen 300, the operation reception unit 33a receives the operation, and the first communication unit 31a requests the processing flow screen 300 from the screen provision unit 24 of the WF development tool 13.

[0091] S2: The screen provisioning unit 24 transmits the screen information of the processing flow screen 300 to the terminal device 30A.

[0092] S3: The first communication unit 31a of the terminal device 30A receives screen information from the processing flow screen 300, and the display control unit 32a displays the processing flow screen 300. The application developer 9 creates the application (processing flow) by placing icons corresponding to the components in the editor field 302.

[0093] S4: Next, when the app developer 9 inputs an operation to display the input item setting screen 340, the operation reception unit 33a receives the input, and the first communication unit 31a requests the input item setting screen 340 from the screen provision unit 24 of the WF development tool 13.

[0094] S5: The screen provisioning unit 24 transmits the screen information of the input item setting screen 340 to the terminal device 30A.

[0095] S6: The first communication unit 31a of the terminal device 30A receives screen information from the input item setting screen 340, and the display control unit 32a displays the input item setting screen 340. The application developer 9 sets the input items (required, optional, not allowed) that the user will input.

[0096] S7: Next, when the app developer 9 inputs an operation to display the My Page settings screen 310, the operation reception unit 33a receives the input, and the first communication unit 31a requests the My Page settings screen 310 from the screen provision unit 24 of the WF development tool 13.

[0097] S8: The screen provider unit 24 determines whether the number of setting items displayed on My Page 320 is equal to or greater than a threshold. If it is less than the threshold, the screen provider unit 24 sends the screen information of My Page settings screen 310, which does not include message 315, to the terminal device 30A.

[0098] S9: If the threshold is exceeded, the screen provision unit 24 adds a message 315 to the screen information of the My Page settings screen 310 and sends it to the terminal device 30A.

[0099] S10: The first communication unit 31a of the terminal device 30A receives screen information from the My Page settings screen 310, and the display control unit 32a displays the My Page settings screen 310. The application developer 9 performs actions on the My Page settings screen 310, such as grouping setting items and changing the display order.

[0100] S11~S13: Once the settings on the My Page settings screen 310 are complete, the first communication unit 31a of the terminal device 30A transmits the application's processing flow and user input items to the information processing system 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing system 10 receives these, and the application registration unit 23 registers the application's processing flow and the input items to be displayed when the application is executed with the application management unit 29.

[0101] S14~S16: When the settings on the My Page settings screen 310 are completed, the first communication unit 31a of the terminal device 30A transmits the settings related to My Page 320 to the information processing system 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing system 10 receives the settings related to My Page 320, and the My Page settings management unit 19 registers the settings related to My Page 320 with the My Page settings management unit 19.

[0102] S17, S18: The end user displays My Page 320 on the terminal device 30B. The screen provision unit 26 of the user setting tool 14 obtains information about My Page 320 from the My Page setting management unit 19 and generates screen information for My Page 320, which includes input items set as "required" or "optional" in the user input fields, and has grouping and display order set. The communication unit 11 transmits the screen information for My Page 320 to the terminal device 30B.

[0103] S19: End users set default values ​​for their My Page. These default values ​​are registered in the application management unit 29 as part of the application information.

[0104] When device 20 runs an application, the application execution screen 330 is displayed, in which the default values ​​registered in the application management unit 29 are displayed in the user input fields.

[0105] <Differences of grouping> In the explanation for Figure 11, it was stated that the app developer 9 performs the grouping, but the screen provider 24 may also perform the grouping. In this case, the My Page settings screen 310 displays the settings items for each component in a grouped state, and the app developer 9 can further edit the grouping status.

[0106] Figure 18 shows an example of the My Page settings screen 310D where settings are grouped by component. In Figure 18, settings are grouped by component. The screen provisioning unit 24 groups all settings for each component managed by the My Page settings management unit 19 by component. This reduces the workload for the application developer 9 in terms of grouping.

[0107] Alternatively, the input fields for end-user 8 may be grouped according to whether they are "required," "optional," or "not allowed." Figure 19 is an example of a My Page settings screen 310E where the settings are grouped according to the display settings of the input fields for end-user 8. The screen provider 24 may, for example, divide the input fields into one group for "required" and "optional," and another group for "not allowed." For the sake of explanation, it is assumed that blank field removal is set to "not allow" user input. Therefore, in Figure 19, the "display item group" 316 and the "hidden group" 317 are displayed.

[0108] In this way, the screen provisioning unit 24 groups the setting items based on the user input items of each component managed by the My Page settings management unit 19. This eliminates the need for the application developer 9 to configure the display order of setting items that are not displayed on the My Page 320 or the application execution screen 330.

[0109] <Main effects> As described above, the service provision system of this embodiment allows the app developer 9 to set the display format of My Page 320 on the My Page settings screen 310, thereby improving usability when end users 8 set up My Page 320. Furthermore, even if there are many setting items on My Page 320, visibility can be improved.

[0110] <Other application examples> Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention is not limited in any way to these examples, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0111] For example, in this embodiment, the application was described as a web application, but the application may also be a native application.

[0112] In this embodiment, the application is executed from device 20, but there are also cases where the terminal device 30 executes the application.

[0113] Furthermore, the configuration examples shown in Figure 4 and other figures are divided according to their main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing performed by the terminal device 30, the equipment 20, and the information processing system 10. The present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of those units. The processing of the terminal device 30, the equipment 20, and the information processing system 10 can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Alternatively, each processing unit can be divided to include even more processing.

[0114] Furthermore, the apparatus described in the examples represents only one of several computing environments for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information processing system 10 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including networks and shared memory, and perform the processing disclosed herein.

[0115] Furthermore, the information processing system 10 can be configured to share the processing steps disclosed in this embodiment, such as those shown in Figure 17, in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a predetermined unit can be executed by multiple information processing devices of the information processing system 10. Also, the information processing system 10 may be consolidated into a single server device or divided into multiple devices.

[0116] Each of the functions of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 10. Information Processing Systems 20 equipment 30 Terminal devices 100 Service Delivery Systems [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0118] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-208064

Claims

1. A second screen providing unit that transmits screen information of a second screen to a second terminal used by the developer of the application, the second screen which accepts settings relating to the display format of a first screen displayed on a first terminal used by a user of the application, and which accepts settings for grouping a plurality of setting items included in the application into one or more groups, A first screen providing unit transmits to the first terminal screen information of the first screen, which displays the plurality of setting items in groups according to the settings received on the second screen. An information processing device having

2. The second screen providing unit accepts the selection of setting items to be assigned to a group on the second screen and groups the plurality of setting items. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The second screen providing unit receives a setting for each group on the second screen, whether to display the group on the first screen in an expanded state or to display the group on the first screen without expanding it. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second screen providing unit automatically groups the plurality of setting items. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The second screen providing unit groups the setting items according to whether or not they require input from the user on the first screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. If the number of setting items displayed on the first screen is equal to or greater than a threshold, a message prompting the grouping of the setting items is sent to the second terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. An information processing method performed by an information processing device, The second screen providing unit transmits screen information of a second screen to a second terminal used by the application developer, which is a second screen that accepts settings regarding the display format of the first screen displayed on the first terminal used by the user of the application, and which accepts settings for grouping multiple setting items included in the application into one or more groups. The first screen providing unit transmits to the first terminal screen information of the first screen, which displays the multiple setting items in groups according to the settings received on the second screen. An information processing method that performs this task.

8. Information processing device, A second screen providing unit transmits screen information to a second terminal used by the application developer, the second screen which accepts settings regarding the display format of the first screen displayed on the first terminal used by the user of the application, and which accepts settings for grouping multiple setting items included in the application into one or more groups. A first screen providing unit transmits screen information of the first screen to the first terminal, which displays the multiple setting items in groups according to the settings received on the second screen. A program that makes it function as such.

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