JP7257118B2 - MULTI-FUNCTIONAL PERIPHERAL DEVICE, MULTI-FUNCTIONAL PERIPHERAL DEVICE SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE CUSTOMIZATION METHOD FOR MULTIFUNCTIONAL PERIPHERAL DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/491,553, filed April 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/334,634, filed May 11, 2016, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/455,348, filed March 10, 2017 are also continuation-in-part applications of , and both applications are incorporated herein by reference. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/360,581, filed July 11, 2016, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/455,785, filed March 10, 2017 are also continuation-in-part applications of , and both applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to device interface settings for multifunction peripherals. More specifically, it relates to remote customization of touch screen user interfaces for multifunction peripherals via a web interface.

Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and email gateways. In recent years, devices have been found in office environments that use more than one of these functions. These appliances are called multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are intended to include printers alone or in combination with other features described above. Further, it is contemplated that any suitable document processing device may be used.

Conventionally, a user presses a dedicated "copy" button via an electromechanical switch, for example, or dials a fax number and presses a "send" switch when connected to a remote facsimile machine. By doing so, the MFP was operated. MFPs are becoming more and more sophisticated, and correspondingly, user operations are becoming more complex. Currently, MFP devices typically have a touch screen user interface. Various functions and controls can be displayed and selected by a screen having touch-selectable areas.

End users often desire to customize the user interface of their MFP device. For example, a company may wish to completely eliminate the option for color printing in order to save printing costs. Also, a company may have special needs for certain job functions or special job functions. A user may have to navigate through a complex series of menus each time such a job function is used. The process of changing the software code for a customized interface is complicated and is typically performed by MFP manufacturers. Large companies may be able to pay device manufacturers to generate specific user interfaces for their devices. However, the cost is prohibitively expensive for many end users.

The MFP's user interface can be customized through software running on the MFP's intelligent controller. User interaction for customization can be done using the MFP's built-in touch screen. Device functionality can be appropriately customized by selecting from a menu of callable applications, including embedded web applications and the like. This is very advantageous, however, when customizing using the MFP's touchscreen, especially when the customization interface is being set up, the user will be visually aware of how this customization interface will appear after loading. I can't.

It would also be advantageous to update and customize the user interface based on company needs, company image and professional service agreements. The user interface can be customized by setting a customization file or set of user interface controls. However, this method does not allow the user to visually perceive the final result. Also, editing and customizing can have unpredictable results. Furthermore, it is inconvenient for an administrator to physically operate one or more MFPs to customize menus.

Japanese Patent No. 5142852 JP 2009-54027 A

One way to provide a customizable interface is to make a customized interface available to users. This requires a user-friendly customization interface that has mechanisms for customization, is fully compatible with the target device, and can be easily saved for automatic loading.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a multi-function peripheral device, a multi-function peripheral device system, and a multi-function peripheral device having a user-friendly customized interface that allows visual recognition of final results without performing complicated operations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for customizing a user interface of a peripheral device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the multifunction peripheral has the ability to remotely customize a default user interface screen or a previously customized user interface screen via a management terminal . The user interface screen has at least a button area displaying a plurality of buttons each having an icon indicating an application and text indicating the content of the application, and a background area displaying a first background screen . When one or more of the icon, the text, and the properties of the application of the selected button are customized by the management terminal, the selected button on the user interface screen is displayed in real time with the customized content. and means for changing the background area of the user interface screen to the second background screen in real time when the first background screen is customized to the second background screen by the management terminal. have.

Embodiments will be understood from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a remotely operable, user customizable MFP interface system. FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a document rendering system. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a web server for user interface customization tools. FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a user interface customization system. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first interactive preview screen for user interface customization. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a second interactive preview screen for user interface customization. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a third interactive preview screen for user interface customization. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fourth interactive preview screen for user interface customization. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fifth interactive preview screen for user interface customization. FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a sixth interactive preview screen for user interface customization.

The systems and methods disclosed herein will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. The disclosed embodiments, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatus, devices, methods, systems, etc. may be modified as appropriate. Also, it will be appreciated that modifications may be desirable for particular applications. Even if a specific technique, arrangement, etc., is specified in this disclosure, it is either related to the specific example presented or is merely a general description of such technique, arrangement, etc. do not have. The identification of specific details or specific examples is not intended, nor should be construed, to be mandatory or limiting unless otherwise specified.

The MFP's touch screen user interface provides access to a variety of device functions such as faxing, scanning, printing or emailing documents. Additional functional options (such as paper size selection, page collation, hole punching, stapling, duplex printing or N-up printing of multiple pages per sheet) may be added. A touch screen (display input means) that constitutes the user interface may be used by the user to log in with a user ID and password. The touch screen may be used to bill job costs to a specific billing account.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a remotely operable, user customizable MFP interface system 100 .
With this MFP interface system 100, it is possible to immediately visualize (display) how the interface screen once implemented and customized will be displayed. MFP 110 has a user interface 120 . User interface 120 includes a touch screen 130 . MFP 110 is in network data communication with a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the global Internet or a combination thereof via a connection with cloud 140 . A management terminal 150 is also connected to the cloud 140 . As described below, management terminal 150 facilitates remote customization of user interface 120 of MFP 110 .

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of document rendering system 200 . MFP 110 shown in FIG. 1 suitably includes document rendering system 200 . Document rendering system 200 includes a controller 201 comprised of one or more processors, shown as processor 202 . Each processor, including processor 202 , is suitably connected to non-volatile memory such as ROM 204 and random access memory (RAM) 206 via data bus 212 . The non-volatile memory stores multiple device control applications. Device control applications serve corresponding subsets of functional units (subsystems) described below. A plurality of image files are stored in the nonvolatile memory. Each image file is used to generate an interface image corresponding to a device control application on a user interface that includes a touch screen.

Processor 202 is also in data communication with storage interface (I/F) 208 for reading from or writing to storage 216 . Storage 216 suitably comprises a hard disk, optical disk, solid state disk, cloud-based storage, or other suitable data storage as understood by those of skill in the art.

Processor 202 is also in data communication with network interface (I/F) 210 . Network interface 210 provides an interface to network interface controller (NIC) 214 . NIC 214 in turn provides a data path for any suitable wired/physical network connection 220 or wireless data connection via wireless network interface 218 . Examples of wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Examples of wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Apple Lightning, telephone lines, and the like. Processor 202 is also in data communication with one or more sensors 219 . The one or more sensors 219 provide data regarding the state of the device or the surrounding environment, such as device temperature, ambient temperature, humidity, device movement, and the like.

Processor 202 provides data communication for user peripherals, such as a display, keyboard, mouse, trackball, touch screen, etc., any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface (hereinafter simply user interface). H.221 data communication is also possible. Also in data communication with data bus 212 is document processor interface (I/F) 222 suitable for data communication with MFP function unit 250 . In the example of FIG. 2, these MFP functional units 250 include copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244, and facsimile hardware 246 that constitute MFP functional hardware. MFP functionality 250 is suitably comprised of intelligent units including any suitable hardware or software platform.

A hardware monitor (touch screen) of user interface 221 suitably provides device event data and works in conjunction with a suitable monitoring system. As a further example, the monitoring system may include page counters and sensor outputs such as consumable level sensors, temperature sensors, power quality sensors, device error sensors and door open sensors. Data is suitably stored in one or more device logs, such as storage 216 shown in FIG.

Controller 201 suitably includes an embedded web server system for device configuration and device management. The web server suitably consists of a TOP ACCESS Controller (sometimes referred to as "TA" in the drawings) available from Toshiba TEC Corporation.
The controller 201 executes the embedded electronic application to display the configuration of the user interface screen on the touch screen, acquires the image file for customization created by the setting tool of the management terminal 150 connected to the network, and acquires the image file for customization. It has a function to display and register the result of customizing the user interface screen using .

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a web server for customization tool 300 for user interface 221 of an MFP. Customization tool 300 is available through platforms such as TopAccess and web client access. Customization options are selectable from embedded electronic applications (e-apps).
The embedded applications in the example of FIG. 3 include Copy eApp 304 and Scan eApp 316 . The copy e-app 304 has the ability to control the copy function of the device through one or more selectable profiles 308 . A top access user interface link (TAUI link) 312 allows device interaction. Similarly, ScaneApp 316 includes one or more selectable profiles 320 and top access user interface links (TAUI links) 324 . Once the user interface screen is built, the user can see the results from the touch screen 130 at block 327 . Block 327 renders how the configuration of the user interface is displayed.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, customization is performed by another callable e-app, customization e-app 314 . The customized e-app 314 includes an extensible markup language (XML) e-app parser 328 , a customized user interface (UI)/e-app settings (configurator) 332 , and an XML user interface (UI) parser 336 .

User interaction via the web interface of management terminal 150 is through configuration tool 350 . Configuration tool 350 invokes customized e-app 314 using e-app package 354 . The e-Apps package 354 allows interaction with image files in XML and GIF, TIFF, JPEG, or other suitable image file formats. Such an image file allows a user to place an image, such as a company logo, on the user interface 221 . It may be customized to select color schemes, menu layouts, background images, available device features, and the order of hierarchical interface screens.

Once the user interface screen is constructed, the user interface is registered and displayed on the touch screen 130 at block 360 . Updates or patches (modifications) of e-apps are conveniently made via a network connection with patch request 362 . At block 364, a determination is made as to whether the patch can be used in an e-app. Alternatively, at block 368, it is determined whether the patch is to be displayed.

Thus, a platform for a web-based user interface is provided for customizing the look and feel (interface design and behavior) of multifunction peripherals. The user interface screens select a template layout, add resident applications to be placed within the template layout, customize these applications, and provide realistic preview and in-place editing. Customize the look and feel of your multifunction peripheral by using . This improves usability and increases the predictability of results.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart 400 of an exemplary embodiment of customizing the user interface (120 of FIG. 1). Operation begins at block 404 . A preview screen, ie, a default user interface screen or a previously customized user interface screen, is appropriately displayed on touch screen 130 at block 408 . In this embodiment, a template is prepared as a user interface displayed during customization. The user will customize this template.
At block 416, a change to the background may be selected by clicking on the preview background with the mouse. If change background is selected, at block 420 the user selects a background from the background options. If block 424 determines that the user has selected a background, block 428 changes the background and generates a preview. If more customizations are to be made, the system returns to display block 408 for the now updated preview screen. If no further customizations are to be made, the process ends at block 432 .

At block 436, a screen for selecting an element is displayed on touch screen 130 when the user clicks a button on the preview interface. In this embodiment, the editable elements are displayed, as indicated by block 440 . At block 444 an icon or other graphic element is selected and invoked. Also, an opportunity is provided to edit the text at block 448 . One or more associated application properties are edited at block 450 .
Changes are made at block 454 and, if permitted, the icon view is updated at block 456 . If no further user interface screen customizations are to be made, the process ends at block 458 . If further user interface screen customization is to be performed, processing returns to block 408 as appropriate. At block 462, similar processing is performed on the text preview. If customization is complete, processing ends at block 464 and returns to block 408 if further customization is required. The changed settings are appropriately previewed at block 468 . Processing ends at block 470 or returns to block 408 . If no changes are to be made or changes are not permitted, processing returns to block 408 .

If at block 474 the user clicks on the logo or logo area on the image of the preview interface displayed on touch screen 130, the user at block 478 instructs the system to select the location of the desired electronic image file. Desired. Once the file location is selected at block 480, the preview image is updated at block 484 and the process ends at block 490. FIG. If more customizations are to be made, processing returns to block 408 .

5-10 each illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an interactive preview screen (web page) for user interface customization.
In FIG. 5, a web page 500 is generated on a web interface such as the management terminal 150 shown in FIG. Layout options 504, 506, 510, and 514 are displayed when the user selects button 502 to view layouts. These opsins 504, 506, 510, 514 are templates. As layouts, four types of selectable templates are provided. For example, when the user selects layout 504 , the selectable button area can be left-aligned as shown at 520 . The displayed layout display consists of a background, buttons, and a logo, and the buttons displayed on the left are already associated with certain functions (applications). This button consists of a so-called icon image and an outline of the application corresponding to the button or an explanation within the user's company.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a customization screen 600 of a preview user interface screen (web page). In this case, the user wishes to change the process (application) specified by the button, that is, change the function. At customization screen 600, the user selects button 604 (corresponding to block 436 in FIG. 4) to load their own customized form. One or more custom forms are made available to the user through the customized user interface screens by entering the appropriate information, indicated at 610, through the display panel. In this case, the user wishes to change the registration form to a form specific to the user . When the button 604 is selected, a guide "Set Scan to Folder Location" is displayed on the right side of the screen (corresponding to block 450 in FIG. 4). In the field below it, applications are displayed in a pull-down format. Here, the user selects "scan to folder application". In addition, specify the location path "\\path\folder" in the field below it. Next, enter the “ user name” and “password” for folder management. A default file format can be selected from a pull-down menu. It is also possible to select whether or not the user can edit or display the settings. Note that the processing in FIG. 3 is performed based on these pieces of information, and specific functions are realized.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a customization screen 700 of a preview user interface screen (web page). Here, we want to change the design of the button. In customization screen 700, the user selects icon area 704 to select an icon for the button area. In response to this selection, a list of selectable icons is displayed in screen area 708 . The user arbitrarily selects a desired icon from the icons displayed in screen area 708 . The icon change process is now executed.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a preview user interface screen (web page) 800. As shown in FIG. This figure is an example of changing the background. Clicking on the background (corresponding to block 416 in FIG. 4) on the screen causes preview user interface screen 800 to display a list of backgrounds in screen area 810 . If background 820 is selected in the list of backgrounds, it is displayed (changed) in the preview as background area 850 .

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a preview user interface screen (web page) 900. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, to edit the tagline, click to select the tagline area 910 (corresponding to block 448 in FIG. 4).

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a preview user interface (web page) screen 1000. As shown in FIG. Selecting the tagline area 910 shown in FIG. 9 displays the text entry box 1010 shown in FIG. In the text entry box 1010, changes (editing inputs) are made and saved.
As described above, an intuitive user interface screen customization tool allows suitable remote customization of user interface screens. On the other hand, the user can visually recognize in real time how the user interface screen will look when applied to the MFP.

Although specific embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein can be embodied in many other forms. Moreover, various omissions, substitutions and modifications may be made in the form of the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims and their equivalents cover any forms or modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

100... MFP interface system 110... MFP
120... User interface 130... Touch screen 140... Cloud 150... Management terminal 200... Document rendering system 201... Controller 219... Sensor 221... User interface (I/F)
222 ... document processor interface (I/F)
240... Copy hardware 242... Scan hardware 244... Print hardware 246... Fax hardware 250... Functional part 300... Customize tool 350... Setting tool 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000... Interactive preview screen (web page )

Claims (6)

In multifunction peripherals with the ability to remotely customize default user interface screens or previously customized user interface screens via a management terminal ,
The user interface screen has at least a button area displaying a plurality of buttons each having an icon indicating an application and text indicating content of the application , and a background area displaying a first background screen . ,
When one or more of the icon, the text, and the properties of the application of the selected button are customized by the management terminal, the selected button on the user interface screen is displayed in real time with the customized content. a means for changing to
means for changing the background area of the user interface screen to the second background screen in real time when the first background screen is customized to the second background screen by the management terminal ;
Multifunctional peripherals with The customization of the background area includes displaying a list of backgrounds by clicking on the first background screen, and displaying the second background screen selected from the list in real time in the background area. A multi-function peripheral device according to claim 1. a multifunction peripheral having a default user interface screen or a previously customized user interface screen;
a management terminal network-connected to the multifunctional peripheral device and remotely customizing the user interface screen;
In a multifunction peripheral system comprising
The user interface screen has at least a button area displaying a plurality of buttons each having an icon indicating an application and text indicating content of the application, and a background area displaying a first background screen,
When one or more of the icon, the text, and the application properties of the selected button are customized by the management terminal, the multifunction peripheral displays the selected button on the user interface screen in real time. Change to the customized content,
when the management terminal customizes the first background screen to a second background screen, the multifunction peripheral changes the background area of the user interface screen to the second background screen in real time;
A multifunctional peripheral system characterized by: The customization of the background area is characterized in that a list of backgrounds is displayed by clicking on the first background screen, and the second background screen selected from the list is displayed in the background area in real time. 4. The multifunction peripheral system of claim 3, wherein: A user interface customization method for a multifunction peripheral having a default user interface screen or a previously customized user interface screen, comprising:
a management terminal network-connected to the multifunctional peripheral device and remotely customizing the user interface screen;
The user interface screen has at least a button area displaying a plurality of buttons each having an icon indicating an application and text indicating content of the application, and a background area displaying a first background screen,
when one or more of the icon, the text, and the application properties of the selected button are customized by the management terminal, the selected button of the user interface screen on the multifunction peripheral in real time. changing to the customized content;
changing the background area of the user interface screen to the second background screen in real time in the multifunction peripheral when the first background screen is customized to the second background screen by the management terminal;
A method for customizing a user interface of a multi-function peripheral having In the step of customizing the background area, clicking on the first background screen displays a list of backgrounds, and the second background screen selected from the list is displayed in the background area in real time. 6. The method for customizing a user interface of a multi-function peripheral device as claimed in claim 5.

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