Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To make use of a history related to whether print settings recommended in the past are used, in determining print settings to be recommended to a user.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has: a storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to functions used by a user, and a recommended setting history including information on whether recommended settings notified to the user are used; a determination unit that determines, by using the function execution history and the recommended setting history, the recommended settings to be notified to the user from the settings included in the function execution history; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the recommended settings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] When performing printing using an image forming apparatus or the like, the user needs to make settings in advance for setting items such as double-sided printing, color printing, collating printing, and printing paper. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for notifying recommended printing settings based on the user's printing execution history.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the conventional technology, when determining the printing settings recommended to the user, it was not possible to utilize the history regarding whether the printing settings recommended in the past were used. Therefore, when the recommended printing settings were not used, it was difficult to recommend another printing setting suitable for the user when executing printing in the future.

[0004] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to utilize the history regarding whether the printing settings recommended in the past were used when determining the printing settings recommended to the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to functions used by the user and a recommended setting history including information regarding whether the recommended settings notified to the user in the past were used, a determination unit that determines the recommended settings to be notified to the user from the settings included in the function execution history using the function execution history and the recommended setting history, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the recommended settings. The determination unit then determines the recommended setting using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used and the number of times the recommended setting was selected by the user when a different setting was recommended, from the number of times the recommended setting was not used. It is characterized by doing so.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to determine the recommended print settings for the user by utilizing a history of whether or not previously recommended print settings have been used. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device and a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a configuration diagram of a functional block in an information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example sequence of the notification process for recommended print settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a flowchart relating to the process for determining recommended print settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a printing history according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a print history using a setting ID according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a print history compiled for each setting item according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a notification screen for recommended print settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a configuration diagram of a functional block in an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] [First Embodiment] <System Overview> Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 includes, for example, an image forming apparatus 9, a terminal device 5, and an information processing device 4 connected to a communication network 2 such as a local area network within a company. The image forming apparatus 9 receives a login request from a user, and after login, determines recommended print settings based on the history of prints previously performed by the user and the history of print settings recommended to the user, and transmits the determined recommended print settings to the terminal device 5. The terminal device 5 displays the recommended print settings received from the image forming apparatus 9 on its screen and accepts the user's operation to perform a print. The user decides whether to print using the recommended print settings or using different print settings, and then requests to perform a print. The image forming apparatus 9 performs the print based on the user's request and stores the print settings recommended to the user and the print settings set by the user as history. Here, some of the processes performed by the image forming apparatus 9 (such as the process of determining the recommended print settings) may be performed by the information processing device 4. As a result, the information processing system 1 can determine the print settings to recommend to the user by utilizing information on whether or not previously recommended print settings have been used. This allows the system to recommend alternative print settings suitable for the user the next time they print, even if the user did not use the recommended print settings. Furthermore, the information processing system 1 can determine recommended settings not only for printing but also for other functions such as fax and scanning. Here, the history including the settings for functions used by the user may be called the function execution history, and the history of recommended settings for functions may be called the recommended settings history.

[0010] Note that the system configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1 is just one example. For example, the information processing device 4 may be connected to the image forming apparatus 9 instead of the communication network 2. Also, the image forming apparatus 9, terminal device 5, and information processing device 4 are not limited to one unit, but can be any number. Furthermore, the communication network 2 may include connection sections using wireless communication such as mobile communication or wireless LAN.

[0011] <Example Hardware Configuration (Image Forming Apparatus)> Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 9 (also called an MFP, Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network interface 950.

[0012] Of these, the controller 910 includes the main components of the computer: the CPU 901, system memory (MEM-P) 902, northbridge (NB) 903, southbridge (SB) 904, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, local memory (MEM-C) 907, HDD controller 908, and HD 909, with the NB 903 and ASIC 906 connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0013] Of these, the CPU 901 controls the entire image forming apparatus 9. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, SB 904, and AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, as well as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master and an AGP target.

[0014] MEM-P902 consists of a ROM902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 910, and a RAM902b which is used as a memory for developing programs and data, and a drawing memory during memory printing. Note that the programs stored in the RAM902b may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc. in an installable or executable file format.

[0015] SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has the role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD908, and the MEM-C907 respectively. This ASIC906 consists of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) forming the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller for controlling the MEM-C907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) for performing operations such as rotation of image data by hardware logic, etc., and a PCI unit for performing data transfer via the PCI bus 922 between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932. Note that an interface for USB (Universal Serial Bus) or an interface for IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) may be connected to the ASIC906.

[0016] The short-range communication circuit 920 has a card reader 920a for reading authentication information of the user stored in an IC card or the like.

[0017] The operation panel 940 has a touch panel 940a for receiving inputs from the user and a numeric keypad 940b. Also, the touch panel 940a displays an application screen or the like executed by the image forming apparatus 9.

[0018] <Hardware Configuration Example (Information Processing Device 4, Terminal Device 5)> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 4 and the terminal device 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 4 and the terminal device 5 are constructed by a computer, and include a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0019] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operations of the entire information processing device 4 and the terminal device 5. The ROM 502 stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a 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 and from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, and the like. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 2. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] 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.

[0021] <About the features> Figure 4 shows an example of a configuration diagram of a functional block in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 9 includes a communication unit 10, an authentication unit 11, a determination unit 12, a notification unit 13, and a printing unit 14. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the image forming apparatus 9. The storage unit 15 can be realized by a storage device such as the HD909 of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0022] The communication unit 10 is a communication function of the image forming apparatus 9, and it transmits and receives information with the terminal device 5 via the communication network 2.

[0023] The authentication unit 11 performs user authentication. User authentication is performed, for example, by comparing the authentication information (login ID and password) entered by the user with the authentication information held by the authentication unit 11.

[0024] The determination unit 12 determines the recommended print settings based on the history of prints previously performed by the user (print history) and the history of recommended print settings to the user (recommended print settings). Details of the print history and the determination method will be described later.

[0025] The notification unit 13 notifies the user by transmitting the recommended print settings determined by the decision unit 12 to the terminal device 5 operated by the user. Alternatively, the notification unit 13 notifies the user by generating screen information to display the recommended print settings determined by the decision unit 12 on the terminal device 5 operated by the user, and transmitting the generated screen information to the terminal device 5.

[0026] The printing unit 14 performs printing using the print settings specified by the user in response to a print request from the user.

[0027] The storage unit 15 stores a history of print settings used by the user in the past (print history), as well as a history of recommended print settings to the user (recommended print settings). The storage unit 15 also transmits the stored print history and recommended print settings history to the decision unit 12 upon request from the decision unit 12.

[0028] The terminal device 5 includes a communication unit 20, a display control unit 21, and an operation reception unit 22. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the terminal device 5. The storage unit 23 can be realized by a storage device such as the HD 504 of the terminal device 5.

[0029] The communication unit 20 is a communication function of the terminal device 5, and it transmits and receives information with the image forming apparatus 9 via the communication network 2.

[0030] The display control unit 21 uses the received screen information to display a notification screen for recommended print settings, etc., on the terminal device 5.

[0031] The operation reception unit 22 receives user inputs such as text input and button presses via the keyboard or pointing device of the terminal device 5 to configure settings related to functions such as printing, and to execute functions such as printing.

[0032] The memory unit 23 stores the recommended print settings notified to the user as the print settings to be used normally (default settings).

[0033] <Recommended print settings notification process> Figure 5 shows an example of a sequence relating to the notification process for recommended print settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence, the user operates the terminal device 5 to log in to the image forming apparatus 9 in order to perform printing. The image forming apparatus 9 determines the recommended print settings based on the history of printing performed by the user in the past and the history of print settings recommended to the user, and notifies the terminal device 5 of the determined recommended settings. The processing of each step in Figure 5 will be described below.

[0034] Step S40: The operation reception unit 22 of the terminal device 5 receives operations such as the user entering a login ID and password to log in to the image forming apparatus 9. The communication unit 20 of the terminal device 5 sends a message requesting login to the communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9. The message includes the login ID and password.

[0035] Step S41: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the authentication unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting user authentication. The message includes the login ID and password.

[0036] Step S42: The authentication unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 9 performs user authentication. User authentication is performed, for example, by comparing the received authentication information (login ID and password) with the authentication information held by the authentication unit 11. The authentication information held by the authentication unit 11 includes the password corresponding to the user ID and information about the group to which the user belongs (i.e., the group ID corresponding to the user ID). At this point, the user authentication is assumed to be successful and the subsequent processing proceeds.

[0037] Step S43: The authentication unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the storage unit 15 requesting the storage of user information, specifically the user ID and the group ID of the group to which the user belongs. The message includes the user ID and the group ID.

[0038] Step S44: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting the user to decide on recommended print settings.

[0039] Step S45: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting the print history and recommended settings history.

[0040] Step S46: The storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 transmits the print history and recommended settings history to the decision unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9. Alternatively, the storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 may transmit information (such as file names) that allows the location where the print history and recommended settings history are stored to the decision unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9.

[0041] Step S47: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 determines the print settings to recommend to the user based on the received print history and recommended settings history. The method by which the determination unit 12 determines the print settings to recommend to the user will now be described in detail. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart relating to the recommended settings determination process according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing of each step in Figure 6 will be described below.

[0042] Step S60: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 acquires the print settings that the user has used most frequently in the past, based on the print history received in step S46 of Figure 5. Details of the acquisition method will be described later.

[0043] Step S61: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 determines that if the number of times (N1) the user has not used the print settings recommended in step S60 has been recommended to the user in the past is X or more, the process proceeds to step S62; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S63. Here, the value of X is a predetermined value, and it may be possible for the user to set the value (for example, the storage unit 15 stores the value of X for each user). The method for calculating N1 will be described later.

[0044] Step S62: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 then obtains the print setting most frequently used by the user, and then performs the process of step S61 on the obtained print setting.

[0045] Step S63: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 determines that the print settings that did not meet the conditions in step S61 are the print settings recommended to the user.

[0046] <How to obtain the number of times print settings have been used> Steps S60 and S62 in Figure 6 describe a method for obtaining frequently used print settings based on the print history. Figure 7 shows an example of a print history according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the items of history number 71, user ID 72, group ID 73, and print date and time 74, the print history 70 in Figure 7 includes five print setting items: double-sided printing 75, color printing 76, collated printing 77, stapling 78, and paper type 79, as well as an item of whether recommended settings are used or not 80.

[0047] History number 71 is a number assigned each time printing is performed.

[0048] User ID 72 is the user ID of the user who performed the print operation.

[0049] Group ID 73 is the group ID of the user group to which the user who performed the print operation belongs.

[0050] The print date and time 74 indicates the date and time when the print job was executed.

[0051] "Double-sided printing 75" is a setting item that determines whether or not to print on both sides of the paper. It displays "Yes" if you want to print on both sides, and "No" if you want to print on only one side.

[0052] Color Printing 76 is a setting item that determines whether or not to print in color. It displays "Color" if color printing is enabled, and "Monochrome" if color printing is disabled.

[0053] The "Collapse Printing 77" setting determines whether or not to perform collapsible printing. If collapsing is not performed, it displays "None," and if two or four pages are to be collapsed into one page, it displays "2in1" or "4in1," respectively.

[0054] Staple 78 is a setting item related to the function of joining multiple sheets of paper together with metal staples (also called stapling). It displays "Yes" if the function is used and "No" if it is not used.

[0055] Paper type 79 is a setting item related to the type of paper used for printing, and displays options such as "plain paper," "thin paper," and "thick paper" depending on the type of paper being used.

[0056] The "Recommended Settings Used" item (80) indicates whether the recommended settings notified to the user were used. It displays "Yes" if used and "No" if not used. Furthermore, if "No" is displayed, it includes information about the print settings recommended to the user before printing (double-sided printing 75, color printing 76, collated printing 77, stapling 78, paper type 79).

[0057] To obtain the print settings most frequently used by a user based on the print history 70, the user can be identified using the user ID 72 field, and then the number of times each print setting (determined by a combination of setting items) has been printed (the number of times a history exists) can be calculated. To obtain the number of times a recommended print setting was not used by the user (N1), the user can be identified using the user ID 72 field, and then the number of print settings recorded in Recommended Setting Usage 80 for histories where Recommended Setting Usage 80 is "None" can be calculated. Alternatively, in step S61 of Figure 6, instead of the number of times a recommended print setting was not used by the user (N1), the value obtained by subtracting the number of times the user did not use the recommended print setting from N1 (N2), or further, the value obtained by subtracting the number of times the setting was not recommended (another print setting was recommended) but was selected by the user and used (N3) can be used. Similar to N1, the values ​​of N2 and N3 can also be calculated using the information contained in Recommended Setting Usage 80.

[0058] Furthermore, when acquiring print settings and calculating the number of times, it is also possible to use only the most recent number of entries (for example, the 10 most recent entries) or the history within a predetermined period (for example, the most recent date and time, such as within 10 days from the current date and time).

[0059] Furthermore, when obtaining print settings and calculating the number of times, the history of the group to which the user belongs may be used. That is, instead of using the history identified by the user ID 72 of the user in question, the history identified by the group ID 73 of the group (user group) to which the user belongs may be used.

[0060] Furthermore, in the print history 70, information regarding whether the recommended settings were used 80 may be stored separately from other information. That is, information regarding the executed print settings and information regarding the print settings recommended to the user may be stored separately. For example, the history information excluding whether the recommended settings were used 80 from the print history 70 (print execution history) and the history information including the history number 71 (or print date and time 74) and whether the recommended settings were used 80 (recommended settings history) may be stored separately. In addition, the history information may be stored separately for each user or user group (for each user ID 72 or group ID).

[0061] <Print history using configuration ID> When using the print history 70 in Figure 7 to perform the recommended settings determination process in Figure 6, it is necessary to calculate the number of times each print setting has been used each time printing is performed. Therefore, as an alternative method for storing the print history, the number of times each print setting has been used may be aggregated and stored using an ID that identifies the print setting. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a print history using a setting ID according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print history 90 in Figure 8 has the following items: setting ID 91, setting content 92, setting usage count 93, recommended setting non-use count 94, and print execution history 95.

[0062] Setting ID 91 is an identifier (ID) assigned to identify the print setting determined by each combination of print setting items. Identifiers may be assigned to all print setting combinations in advance, or an identifier may be assigned to a print setting only when it is used for the first time.

[0063] The setting details 92 are the print settings identified by the setting ID 91. For example, the five items related to print settings in the print history 70 of Figure 7 (double-sided printing 75, color printing 76, collated printing 77, stapling 78, paper type 79) are shown.

[0064] The usage count of 93 indicates the number of times the print setting identified by setting ID 91 has been used in the past.

[0065] The number of times the recommended setting was not used (94) is the number of times (N1) when the print setting identified by setting ID 91 was recommended to the user but the user did not use that print setting, i.e., the number of times (N1) it was used in step S61 of Figure 6 above. Similar to the print history 70 in Figure 7 above, the value obtained by subtracting the number of times the user did not use the print setting when it was recommended to the user (N2), or further, the value obtained by subtracting the number of times the setting was not recommended (another print setting was recommended) but was used by the user through selection (N3), from N2 may be used.

[0066] Print execution history 95 is the print execution history for the print settings identified by setting ID 91, and includes information on how the print settings identified by setting ID 91 were used, in addition to the date and time the print was executed. "Recommended setting used" indicates that the print settings identified by setting ID 91 were notified to the user as recommended print settings before the print was executed, and the user executed the print using the notified recommended print settings. "Setting used (not recommended)" indicates that the print settings identified by setting ID 91 were not recommended print settings, but were used by the user after being selected. "Recommended setting not used" indicates that the print settings identified by setting ID 91 were recommended before the print was executed, but were not used, i.e., the user executed the print using different print settings.

[0067] The print history 90 in Figure 8 is created on a per-user basis or on a per-group basis (user group) to which a user belongs. Therefore, in steps S45, S48, S54, etc. of the sequence diagram in Figure 5, when requesting (reading) or storing information of the print history 90 from the storage unit 15, the user ID or group ID is used to specify the print history 90 used by the relevant user. When creating print history on a per-user group basis, for example, if the types of documents printed within the same group are the same and the print settings tend to be similar, it has the effect of sharing recommended print settings with new users who have recently joined the group. In addition, by creating print history on a per-group basis, it is possible to reduce the amount of data used to store the print history compared to creating it on a per-user basis.

[0068] To perform the recommended settings determination process in Figure 6 using the print history 90 in Figure 8, the number of times the setting has been used 93 and the number of times the recommended setting has not been used 94 should be used. Alternatively, similar to the case using the print history 70 in Figure 7, only a predetermined number of recent entries (for example, the most recent 10 entries) or a predetermined period (for example, the most recent date and time, such as within 10 days from the current date and time) may be used. In this case, the number of times the setting has been used 93 and the number of times the recommended setting has not been used 94 can be calculated using the print execution history 95.

[0069] <Print history compiled by setting item> When using the print history 90 in Figure 8, the number of print settings (setting IDs) becomes very large if the number of setting items increases. Therefore, as another method for storing the print history, the number of uses for each setting item may be tallied and stored. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of a print history tallied for each setting item according to an embodiment of the present invention. The print history 100 in Figure 9 has the items of print setting item 101, option 102, number of uses 103, and number of times recommended setting was not used 104.

[0070] Print setting item 101 is a print setting item, and for example, it is the content of the five print setting items in the print history 70 of Figure 7 (double-sided printing 75, color printing 76, collated printing 77, stapling 78, paper type 79).

[0071] Option 102 is the option selected in print setting item 101.

[0072] Usage count 103 represents the number of times option 102 of print setting item 101 was used.

[0073] The number of times the recommended setting was not used (104) is the number of times (N1) when option 102 of print setting item 101 was recommended to the user but the user did not use that print setting. Similar to the print history 70 in Figure 7 above, a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the user did not use the recommended print setting from N1 (N2), or further, a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the setting was not recommended (another print setting was recommended) but was used by the user through selection (N3), from N2 may be used.

[0074] The print history 100 in Figure 9 is created on a per-user basis or per-group (user group) basis, similar to the print history 90 in Figure 8. Therefore, in steps S45, S48, S54, etc., of the sequence diagram in Figure 5, when requesting (reading) or storing information of the print history 100 from the storage unit 15, the print history 100 used by the corresponding user is specified using the user ID or group ID.

[0075] To perform the recommended setting determination process in Figure 6 using the print history 100 in Figure 9, steps S60 to S63 should be repeated for each print setting item 101, using the usage count 103 and the number of times the recommended setting was not used 104, to determine the recommended print setting item 101 option 102. Alternatively, similar to the case using the print history 70 in Figure 7, only the history of a predetermined number of recent entries (for example, the most recent 10 entries) or a predetermined period (for example, the most recent date and time within 10 days from the current date and time) may be used. In this case, the usage count 103 and the number of times the recommended setting was not used 104 should be updated using, for example, the information from the print history 70 in Figure 7, so that they correspond to the predetermined number of recent entries or the predetermined period when updating the print history 100.

[0076] Let's return to the sequence diagram in Figure 5 and explain.

[0077] Step S48: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting storage of the recommended print settings (recommended print settings) determined in step S47. The storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 stores the received recommended print settings. The message includes information about the recommended print settings.

[0078] Step S49: The determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the notification unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting notification of recommended print settings. The message includes information regarding the recommended print settings.

[0079] Step S50: The notification unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting notification of the recommended print settings. The message includes information about the recommended print settings or screen information for displaying the recommended print settings.

[0080] Step S51: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the communication unit 20 of the terminal device 5 notifying it of the recommended print settings. The message includes information about the recommended print settings or screen information for displaying the recommended print settings. The display control unit 21 of the terminal device 5 uses the received information to display a notification screen of the recommended print settings on the terminal device 5. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a notification screen of the recommended print settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the notification screen 110 of Figure 10, the recommended print settings display area 111 displays the contents of the recommended print settings (recommended print settings) determined in step S47. The user checks the contents of the displayed recommended print settings and presses the print execution button 112 if they want to print using the recommended print settings, or presses the setting change button 113 if they want to change the print settings. Let's return to Figure 5 for explanation.

[0081] Step S52: The operation reception unit 22 of the terminal device 5 receives an operation from the user to perform a print. The communication unit 20 of the terminal device 5 sends a message to the communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting the execution of a print. The message includes information about the print settings selected by the user. The storage unit 23 of the terminal device 5 may store the recommended print settings as the normally used print settings (default settings). Alternatively, the storage unit 23 may store the recommended print settings as the default settings when specified by the user. Alternatively, the storage unit 23 may store the recommended print settings as the default settings when no default settings are set, such as when the user is using the terminal device 5 for the first time.

[0082] Step S53: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 requests the printing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 to execute printing according to the print settings received from the terminal device 5. The printing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 9 executes the requested printing.

[0083] Step S54: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 requesting that the received print settings be stored. The storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 stores the received print settings as print history, along with the print execution time, etc. Alternatively, if the received print settings are the same as the recommended print settings stored in step S48, the storage unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 9 may store that printing was performed using the recommended print settings.

[0084] Based on the above, the information processing system 1 can determine and notify the user of recommended print settings by utilizing information regarding whether or not previously recommended print settings were used. This also allows the system to recommend alternative print settings suitable for the user when printing is performed in the future, if the user did not use the recommended print settings.

[0085] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the determination of recommended print settings is not performed by the image forming apparatus 9, but by an information processing device 4, such as a server connected to the communication network 2 or the image forming apparatus 9.

[0086] <About the features> Figure 11 shows an example of a functional block configuration diagram in an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the functional block diagram in the first embodiment shown in Figure 4 is that the information processing system 1 has an information processing device 4 in addition to the image forming apparatus 9 and terminal device 5, and the image forming apparatus 9 does not have a determination unit 12. The configuration of the terminal device 5 is the same as in the first embodiment. The information processing device 4 has a communication unit 30 and a determination unit 31. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the information processing device 4. The storage unit 32 can be realized by a storage device such as the HD 504 of the information processing device 4.

[0087] The communication unit 30 is a communication function of the information processing device 4, and it transmits and receives information with the image forming apparatus 9 and other devices via the communication network 2.

[0088] The determination unit 31 determines the print settings to recommend to the user using the same procedure as the determination unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 9 in Figure 4.

[0089] The storage unit 32 stores a history of print settings used by the user in the past (print history), as well as a history of recommended print settings. The storage unit 32 also transmits the stored print history and recommended print settings history to the decision unit 31 upon request from the decision unit 31.

[0090] <Recommended print settings notification process> In the recommended print settings notification process described in the sequence diagram of Figure 5, we will now explain the process that differs from the first embodiment. The process from step S40 to step S43 is the same as the process in the first embodiment.

[0091] Step S44: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the communication unit 30 of the information processing apparatus 4 requesting the user to decide on recommended print settings.

[0092] Step S45: The determination unit 31 of the information processing device 4 sends a message to the storage unit 32 of the information processing device 4 requesting the print history and recommended settings history.

[0093] Step S46: The storage unit 32 of the information processing device 4 transmits the print history and recommended settings history to the decision unit 31 of the information processing device 4.

[0094] Step S47: The determination unit 31 of the information processing device 4 determines the print settings to recommend to the user based on the received print history and recommended settings history. The determination method is the same as the method in the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of Figure 6.

[0095] Step S48: The determination unit 31 of the information processing device 4 sends a message to the storage unit 32 of the information processing device 4 requesting storage of the recommended print settings (recommended print settings) determined in step S47. The storage unit 32 of the information processing device 4 stores the received recommended print settings. The message includes information about the recommended print settings.

[0096] Step S49: The determination unit 31 of the information processing device 4 sends a message to the communication unit 30 of the information processing device 4 requesting notification of recommended print settings. The communication unit 30 of the information processing device 4 sends the received message to the communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9. The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends the received message to the notification unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 9. The message includes information regarding recommended print settings.

[0097] The processing from step S50 to step S53 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0098] Step S54: The communication unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 9 sends a message to the communication unit 30 of the information processing apparatus 4 requesting storage of the print settings received from the terminal device 5. The communication unit 30 of the information processing apparatus 4 sends the received message to the storage unit 32 of the information processing apparatus 4. The storage unit 32 of the information processing apparatus 4 stores the received print settings as print history, along with the print execution time, etc. Alternatively, if the received print settings are the same as the recommended print settings stored in step S48, the storage unit 32 of the information processing apparatus 4 may store that printing was performed using the recommended print settings.

[0099] [Third Embodiment] In the third embodiment, the user does not log in to the image forming apparatus 9 by operating the terminal device 5, but directly logs in to the image forming apparatus 9 by using an IC card on which login information is recorded. Furthermore, user operations and the display of recommended print setting notification screens, etc., are performed via the operation panel 940, etc., of the image forming apparatus 9. Accordingly, in the block diagram of Figure 4 or Figure 11, the display control unit 21, operation reception unit 22, and storage unit 23 of the terminal device 5 become functions executed in the image forming apparatus 9. Other processing is the same as that described in the first and second embodiments.

[0100] Although several embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0101] For example, the functional block configuration diagrams in Figures 4 and 11 are examples of divisions according to their main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 9, terminal device 5, and information processing device 4 that constitute the information processing system 1. The present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of those units. The processing in the image forming apparatus 9, terminal device 5, and information processing device 4 can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, a single processing unit can be divided to include even more processing.

[0102] Furthermore, each function 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.

[0103] Furthermore, the described apparatus represents only one of several computing environments for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the image forming apparatus 9, terminal apparatus 5, and information processing apparatus 4 include 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 a network or shared memory, and perform the processing disclosed herein.

[0104] Examples of the present invention are as follows: <1> The image forming apparatus is characterized by having: a storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the recommended settings previously notified to the user were used; a determination unit that uses the function execution history and the recommended settings history to determine the recommended settings to be notified to the user from among the settings included in the function execution history; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the recommended settings. <2> The determination unit determines the recommended setting using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used from the number of times the recommended setting was not used. <1> This is the image forming apparatus described in [reference]. <3> The determination unit determines the recommended setting using only the most recent history of a predetermined number of entries, or only the most recent history of a predetermined period, from the function execution history and the recommended setting history. <1> or the above <2> This is an image forming apparatus as described in any of the above. <4> The storage unit stores the function execution history and the recommended settings history for each user group to which the user belongs, and the determination unit determines the recommended settings using the function execution history and the recommended settings history corresponding to the user group to which the user belongs. <1> or the above <3> This is an image forming apparatus as described in any of the above. <5> The information processing device is characterized by comprising: a storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to functions used by the user and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the settings previously recommended to the user have been used; a determination unit that uses the function execution history and the recommended settings history to determine a recommended setting to notify the user from among the settings included in the function execution history; and a notification unit that notifies the user of the recommended setting. <6> An information processing system comprising a terminal device operated by a user and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the terminal device, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to functions used by the user and a recommended setting history including information on whether or not recommended settings previously notified to the user have been used, a determination unit that uses the function execution history and the recommended setting history to determine the recommended setting to be notified to the user from among the settings included in the function execution history, and a notification unit that transmits the recommended setting to the terminal device to the user, and the terminal device includes a display control unit that displays the recommended setting received from the image forming apparatus, an operation reception unit that accepts operations for the user to set the functions and operations for executing the functions, and a communication unit that transmits a message to the image forming apparatus requesting the execution of the functions. <7> The information processing method includes the steps of: storing a function execution history that includes settings related to the functions used by the user and a recommended settings history that includes information on whether or not recommended settings previously notified to the user were used; determining the recommended settings to be notified to the user from among the settings included in the function execution history using the function execution history and the recommended settings history; and notifying the user of the recommended settings. <8> This program causes an information processing device to perform the following steps: store a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not recommended settings previously notified to the user were used; use the function execution history and the recommended settings history to determine the recommended settings to be notified to the user from among the settings included in the function execution history; and notify the user of the recommended settings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1. Information Processing System 2. Communication Network 4. Information Processing Device 5 Terminal devices 9 Image forming apparatus 10, 20, 30 Communications Department 11. Authentication Department 12 31 Judgment Department 13 Notification Department 14 Printing Department 15, 23, 32 storage section 21 Display Control Unit 22 Operation reception section [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0106] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-257856

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user, and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the recommended settings previously notified to the user were used, A determination unit that uses the function execution history and the recommended settings history to determine the recommended settings to notify the user from among the settings included in the function execution history, A notification unit that notifies the user of the recommended settings, It has, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the determination unit determines the recommended setting using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used and the number of times the recommended setting was selected by the user when a setting different from the recommended setting was recommended, from the number of times the recommended setting was not used.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the recommended setting using only the most recent history of a predetermined number of entries, or only the most recent history of a predetermined period, from the function execution history and the recommended setting history.

3. The storage unit stores the function execution history and the recommended settings history for each user group to which the user belongs. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the recommended setting using the function execution history and the recommended setting history corresponding to the user group to which the user belongs.

4. A storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user, and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the recommended settings previously notified to the user were used, A determination unit that uses the function execution history and the recommended settings history to determine the recommended settings to notify the user from among the settings included in the function execution history, A notification unit that notifies the user of the recommended settings, It has, The information processing device is characterized in that the determination unit determines the recommended setting using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used and the number of times the recommended setting was selected by the user when a setting different from the recommended setting was recommended, from the number of times the recommended setting was not used.

5. An information processing system comprising a terminal device operated by a user and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the terminal device, The image forming apparatus is A storage unit that stores a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user, and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the recommended settings previously notified to the user were used, A determination unit that uses the function execution history and the recommended settings history to determine the recommended settings to notify the user from among the settings included in the function execution history, A notification unit that transmits the recommended settings to the terminal device to the user, It has, The determination unit determines the recommended setting using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used and the number of times the recommended setting was selected by the user when a different setting was recommended from the number of times the recommended setting was not used. The aforementioned terminal device is A display control unit that displays the recommended settings received from the image forming apparatus, An operation receiving unit that accepts an operation by the user to configure the function and an operation to execute the function, A communication unit that transmits a message to the image forming apparatus requesting the execution of the aforementioned function, An information processing system characterized by having the following features.

6. A step of storing a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user, and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the recommended settings previously notified to the user were used, A step of determining the recommended setting to notify the user from among the settings included in the function execution history, using the function execution history and the recommended setting history, wherein the recommended setting is determined using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used and the number of times the recommended setting was used when a setting different from the recommended setting was recommended and the user selected the recommended setting, from the number of times the recommended setting was not used. The steps include notifying the user of the recommended settings, An information processing method having

7. A step of storing a function execution history including settings related to the functions used by the user, and a recommended settings history including information on whether or not the recommended settings previously notified to the user were used. A step of determining the recommended setting to notify the user from among the settings included in the function execution history, using the function execution history and the recommended setting history, wherein the recommended setting is determined using a value obtained by subtracting the number of times the recommended setting was used and the number of times the recommended setting was used when a setting different from the recommended setting was recommended and the user selected the recommended setting. A step of notifying the user of the recommended settings, A program that causes an information processing device to execute.

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