Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce the labor of setting.SOLUTION: An information processing device for performing processing on the basis of a plurality of setting values includes a notification part for notifying a first setting value having access for performing setting among the plurality of setting values, and an output part for outputting a second setting value obtained by eliminating the first setting value from the plurality of setting values on the basis of the notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An information processing apparatus such as a MultiFunction Peripheral (MFP) executes processes such as printing based on settings such as the paper size, the number of copies, and whether it is monochrome printing. Techniques for assisting a user in making such settings are known.

[0003] Specifically, the information processing apparatus obtains the difference between the value set at factory shipment or the like and the setting value set later, and the difference between the value set by the user as default and the setting value set later. Then, the information processing apparatus displays the two differences on the setting history button. In this way, a technique for allowing the user to recognize the setting content of the setting history button is known (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The conventional technology does not assume a case where the default value is not intentionally changed in a factory, warehouse, etc., or a case where the same value as the default value is set again after changing from the default value. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to know which setting value should be set, and there is a problem that the setting takes time.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to reduce the time and effort of setting.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an information processing apparatus that performs processing based on a plurality of setting values includes: a notification unit that notifies a first setting value for which there has been an access to make a setting among the plurality of setting values; Based on the notification, an output unit outputs a second setting value obtained by subtracting the first setting value from the plurality of setting values. It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the effort required for setup can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an information processing system configuration. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of an image processing device. [Figure 3] The figure shows an example of the setting values. [Figure 4] This figure shows the device configuration and an example of saving setting values. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example configuration of software that provides notifications. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of UI transitions. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a functional configuration. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the overall process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following examples will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the embodiments are not limited to the examples described below.

[0010] [Examples of information processing system configurations and information processing devices] Figure 1 shows an example of an information processing system configuration. For example, as shown in the figure, information processing system 1 is configured to connect an electronic whiteboard, inkjet printer, smartphone, PC, 360-degree camera, video conferencing terminal, projector, and information processing devices such as an MFP to network 4. The following explanation will use the case where the information processing device is an image processing device 3 as an example. For example, the image processing device 3 is an MFP with the following hardware configuration.

[0011] Figure 2 shows an example of an image processing device.

[0012] The image processing device 3 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network interface 950.

[0013] Of these components, the controller 910 includes the main components of the computer: the CPU 901, system memory (MEM-P) 902, northbridge (NB) 903, southbridge (SB) 904, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, local memory (MEM-C) 907, HDD controller 908, and HD 909. Furthermore, the NB 903 and ASIC 906 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0014] The CPU 901 is a control device that performs overall control of the image processing device 3.

[0015] The NB903 is a bridge that connects the CPU901, MEM-P902, SB904, and the AGP bus 921. The NB903 also includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0016] MEM-P902 consists of ROM902a, which is a memory for storing programs or data that implement the various functions of the controller 910, and RAM902b, which is used for program and data deployment and as drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in RAM902b may also be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0017] SB904 is a bridge that connects NB903, a PCI device, and peripheral devices.

[0018] ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications. Also, ASIC906 serves as a bridge that connects an AGP bus 921, a PCI bus 922, an HDD controller 908, and a MEM-C 907. This ASIC906 consists of a PCI target, an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of ASIC906, a memory controller that controls MEM-C 907, hardware logic, etc., multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform operations such as rotation of image data, and a PCI unit that transfers data via the PCI bus 922 between a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. Note that a USB interface or an interface of IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) may be connected to ASIC906.

[0019] MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

[0020] HD909 is a storage that accumulates image data, font data used at the time of printing, and forms. Also, HD909 controls the reading or writing of data to / from HD909 according to the control of CPU901.

[0021] AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. Also, AGP bus 921 can directly access MEM-P902 with high throughput to speed up the graphics accelerator card.

[0022] Furthermore, the short-range communication circuit 920 includes an antenna 920a. For example, the short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth®.

[0023] The engine control unit 930 consists of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932.

[0024] The control panel 940 displays the current settings or a selection screen. The control panel 940 also includes a panel display unit 940a, such as a touch panel, for receiving input from the operator, and an operation input panel 940b having a numeric keypad for receiving setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density settings, and a start key for receiving a copy start command.

[0025] The controller 910 controls the entire image processing device 3. For example, the controller 910 controls drawing, communication, or input from the operation panel 940.

[0026] The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit that performs error diffusion and gamma conversion, etc.

[0027] The image processing device 3 sequentially switches between the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the operation panel 940.

[0028] For example, when the document box function is selected, the image processing device 3 enters document box mode. Similarly, when the copy function is selected, the image processing device 3 enters copy mode; when the printer function is selected, the image processing device 3 enters printer mode; and when the facsimile mode is selected, the image processing device 3 enters facsimile mode.

[0029] The Network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication using a communication network.

[0030] The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network interface 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

[0031] Note that the hardware configuration is not limited to the configuration described above. Therefore, the image processing device 3 may have a configuration other than the one described above.

[0032] [Example of settings] Figure 3 shows an example of the setting values. Hereafter, the image processing device 3 will be ready for image processing once all the setting values ​​shown in "Settings required before using the device" have been set.

[0033] Specifically, the settings are "Time setting," "Date setting," "Region setting," "Firmware automatic update setting," "IP address setting," and "Proxy setting." Note that other types of settings are also acceptable.

[0034] Figure 3 shows the timing for setting each setting value and the setting value to be set. As shown in "Setting Timing," when there are multiple setting values, the setting values ​​may be set at different times.

[0035] The setting timings in this embodiment are assumed to be "settings performed during factory assembly," "settings performed when the equipment is delivered to the warehouse," "settings performed when the equipment is installed by an engineer," and "settings performed when the user performs the initial operation." However, the setting timings are not limited to the timings and stages described above. Therefore, the setting timings may be other timings than those shown in the diagram, and other timings than five. The following explanation will use the case where the user performs the setting during "the user's initial operation" as an example. Therefore, the user performs the setting after the preceding processes of "settings performed during factory assembly," "settings performed when the equipment is delivered to the warehouse," and "settings performed when the equipment is installed by an engineer" have been completed in advance.

[0036] [Example of device configuration and saving of settings] Figure 4 shows an example of the device configuration and saving of settings. For example, the image processing device 3 consists of an operating device 31 and other devices (hereinafter referred to as "main unit 32"). The operating device 31 and the main unit 32 communicate with each other via cables or the like. Note that the device configuration may be divided in ways other than those shown in the figure.

[0037] The main unit 32 includes a first storage device 315. The first storage device 315 stores the set value. The first storage device 315 also notifies the acquisition device 313 when there is an access to set the set value.

[0038] Hereinafter, "access" refers to the operation of setting a value. Therefore, when access occurs, the setting value is entered, changed, or referenced.

[0039] The operating device 31 includes a setting storage device 311, a display device 312, an acquisition device 313, and a second storage device 314.

[0040] The second storage device 314 stores the setting values ​​for each device. Furthermore, when the second storage device 314 receives an access request to change the setting values, it notifies the setting storage device 311.

[0041] The acquisition device 313 communicates with the main unit 32. Asynchronous communication is preferable. For example, if the communication between the acquisition device 313 and the main unit 32 is synchronous, it becomes difficult to perform other processes until the communication is complete. Since settings are configured in various ways (for example, by user operation on the operation device 31, or by accessing the main unit 32 via HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)), multiple configurations may occur simultaneously. Therefore, asynchronous communication allows the configuration process to be executed without waiting for the completion of other configuration-related processes. Furthermore, when the acquisition device 313 receives notification from the main unit 32, it notifies the configuration storage device 311.

[0042] The display device 312 displays a settings screen based on the settings stored in the settings storage device 311.

[0043] The setting storage device 311 stores the setting values. For example, the setting storage device 311 stores the setting values ​​in a table format. The setting screen is then displayed based on the setting values ​​stored by the setting storage device 311. In addition, the setting storage device 311 updates the stored setting values ​​when it receives a notification from the acquisition device 313 or the second storage device 314.

[0044] In the "initial user setup," the settings are performed using the initial setup application software (hereinafter referred to as "initial setup app 321"). The initial setup app 321 contains a list of setting values ​​used for the "settings required before using the device."

[0045] For example, the initial setup application is pre-installed on the operating device 31 for the user to use.

[0046] The initial setup app remembers the information accessed when setting values ​​are accessed during "factory assembly," "warehouse delivery," or "engineer installation," before the "initial user setup." The initial setup app then determines and displays the setting values ​​to be shown during the "initial user setup."

[0047] The settings are stored in the device or other equipment. There are various ways to access these settings. Therefore, the settings are not necessarily set on the settings screen displayed by the initial setup app. For this reason, the initial setup app selects a setting based on the information accessed and displays a settings screen for setting the target setting.

[0048] Hereafter, among multiple settings, the setting that has been accessed and set at least once will be referred to as the "first setting." On the other hand, among multiple settings, any setting that has never been accessed, i.e., any setting other than the first setting, will be referred to as the "second setting."

[0049] [Example of a notification] Figure 5 shows an example configuration of notification software, etc. For example, the image processing device 3 pre-installs software such as the initial setup application 321 and the communication module 322 on the operating device 31. However, the software is not limited to the configuration shown. For example, there may be multiple software programs.

[0050] The initial setup app 321 displays the settings screen to the user. The initial setup app 321 also saves the settings required before using the device.

[0051] The second storage device 314 stores the settings for each device. The initial setup application 321 receives a notification from the second storage device 314 when it accesses the settings.

[0052] The first storage device 315 stores the setting value in the main unit 32.

[0053] The communication module 322 connects the operating device 31 and the main unit 32 via communication. Specifically, it receives notifications from the main unit 32 when a setting value has been accessed. Upon receiving the notification, the communication module 322 then transmits the notification that a setting value has been accessed to the initial setup application 321.

[0054] As described above, the initial setup application 321 can detect when the setting values ​​are accessed via notification, regardless of whether the access is made from the operating device 31 or the main unit 32.

[0055] [Examples of UI (User Interface)] Figure 6 shows an example of UI transitions. The settings screen displays, for example, the first UI41, the second UI42, the third UI43, and the fourth UI44.

[0056] The first UI41 determines whether each setting value in "Settings required before using the device" is the first setting value or the second setting value.

[0057] The settings screen may also display the second UI42 and the third UI43.

[0058] The second UI42 is a UI that displays a list of the first setting values ​​51. The first setting values ​​51 are displayed based on notifications. In the example shown in Figure 3, setting values ​​such as "Region Settings" have been set in the previous step. Therefore, when the region button 52 is pressed in the second UI42, the user transitions to the third UI43, which displays the setting value of "Region Settings," which is the first setting value.

[0059] The third UI43 displays the setting value for "Regional Settings." Since the "Regional Settings" setting value is already set, it is displayed to the user for confirmation purposes. The third UI43 may also allow the user to change the "Regional Settings" setting value.

[0060] Thus, when the first setting value 51 is selected in the second UI42, the user can check or change the content of the setting value using the third UI43.

[0061] When the "OK" button is pressed in the second UI42, the settings screen displays the fourth UI44. In the example shown in Figure 3, the fourth UI44 displays "IP Address Settings," which was not accessed in the previous step.

[0062] In this way, the fourth UI44 outputs the second setting value 53. When the second setting value 53 is output, as with the fourth UI44, the user can identify the settings that have not yet been set among the "settings required before using the device". Therefore, the user can avoid the first setting value 51, which is often already set, and only need to set the settings that have not yet been set, thus reducing the effort required for setup. Furthermore, it is desirable that the fourth UI44 also allows input for setting the second setting value 53. Note that the fourth UI44 may output multiple second setting values ​​53, such as "proxy settings".

[0063] [Example of Functional Configuration] Figure 7 shows an example of a functional configuration. Specifically, the image processing device 3 includes an output unit 101 and a notification unit 102. Furthermore, it is desirable that the image processing device 3 also includes a storage unit 103, an image processing unit 104, an operation unit 105, and a communication unit 106.

[0064] The output unit 101 performs an output procedure to output a second set value based on the notification. For example, the output unit 101 is implemented by an operating device 31 or the like.

[0065] The notification unit 102 performs a notification procedure to notify the first set value. For example, the notification unit 102 is implemented by an acquisition device 313 or the like.

[0066] The storage unit 103 performs a saving procedure to save multiple setting values. For example, the storage unit 103 can be implemented by a setting storage device 311 or the like.

[0067] The image processing unit 104 performs image processing procedures based on multiple set values. For example, the image processing unit 104 is implemented by the engine control unit 930, etc.

[0068] The operation unit 105 performs an operation procedure that accepts operations to be performed by the user. For example, the operation unit 105 is implemented by an operating device 31 or the like.

[0069] The communication unit 106 performs asynchronous communication procedures with software other than that installed on the operating unit 105. For example, the communication unit 106 is implemented by an acquisition device 313, etc.

[0070] [Overall processing example] Figure 8 shows an example of the overall processing.

[0071] In step S0801, the notification unit 102 determines whether or not the setting value has been accessed. If the setting value has been accessed (YES in step S0801), the notification unit 102 proceeds to step S0802. On the other hand, if the setting value has not been accessed (NO in step S0801), the notification unit 102 repeats step S0801.

[0072] In step S0802, the notification unit 102 notifies the output unit 101 of the first setting value.

[0073] In step S0803, the output unit 101 determines the second set value based on the notification.

[0074] In step S0804, the output unit 101 outputs the second set value.

[0075] When the first setting value is notified, the image processing device 3 can determine which setting values ​​have already been accessed and set, among the setting values ​​that need to be set to perform a predetermined process such as image processing. In addition, the image processing device 3 can determine the second setting value, excluding the first setting value. Then, the user can use the image processing device 3 by setting mainly the second setting value, thereby reducing the effort required for setup.

[0076] In this way, when the determination of whether or not a setting is to be configured is made based on whether or not it has been accessed, the image processing device 3 will determine that it is the first setting value because it has been accessed, even if the user has not intentionally changed the default value, or if the user has changed the default value and then set it back to the same value as the default value. Therefore, it is excluded from the second setting value, preventing the user from mistakenly believing that they must set the first setting value.

[0077] [Other embodiments] The information processing device is not limited to the image processing device 3 described above. Therefore, the information processing device may be any device that performs processing based on set values, including devices that perform processing other than image processing. In other words, the predetermined processing may be other than image processing.

[0078] Notifications can be sent when there is access to the configured settings, or they can be sent in batches after being recorded in logs or similar data.

[0079] Note that the configuration of the storage device is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the storage device may consist of multiple devices, or a single storage device may serve multiple purposes.

[0080] The information processing method may be implemented, for example, based on a program. Specifically, devices such as an arithmetic unit, a memory device, and a control device work together based on the program to execute the information processing method. The program may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium and distributed, or distributed via a telecommunications line.

[0081] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above. Therefore, the present invention can be modified by adding or changing components without departing from the technical spirit. Thus, all technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The embodiments exemplified above are specific examples that are suitable for implementation. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications from the disclosed content, and such modifications are included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1: Information Processing System 3: Image processing device 4: Network 31: Operating device 32: Main unit 51: First setting value 52: Region button 53: Second setting value 101: Output section 102:Notification Department 103: Preservation Department 104: Image Processing Unit 105:Operation unit 106: Communications Department 311 :Setting storage device 312:Display device 313: Acquisition device 314:Second storage device 315: 1st storage device 321: Initial setup app 322: Communication module [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0083] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-123235

Claims

1. An information processing device that performs processing based on multiple set values, A notification unit that receives notification of the first setting value among the multiple setting values ​​that has been accessed and set by a user operation, An output unit that, based on the notification, grasps the first setting value and outputs a second setting value obtained by subtracting the first setting value from the plurality of setting values. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The system further comprises a storage unit for storing the aforementioned multiple setting values. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The output unit is, The first setting value is output to the user, A settings screen for setting the second setting value is displayed to the user. The first setting value is, Of the aforementioned multiple setting values, the setting value that has been accessed at least once before the setting screen is displayed, The second setting value mentioned above is: Of the aforementioned multiple setting values, the setting value that has not been accessed even once before the setting screen is displayed, When the input to the aforementioned settings screen and the first setting value are matched, the system becomes ready to execute the predetermined process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An information processing method performed by an information processing device that processes based on multiple set values, A notification procedure for receiving notification of the first setting value among the aforementioned multiple setting values ​​that has been accessed and set by a user operation, An output procedure that, based on the notification, determines the first setting value and outputs a second setting value obtained by subtracting the first setting value from the plurality of setting values, Information processing methods including

5. A program for executing the information processing method described in claim 4.

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