JP2019010787A - Image processing device, method for controlling the same and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing device that reduces network load when acquiring content and can display the content properly.SOLUTION: An image processing device registers content stored in a content server connected via a network, as content to display, generates a cache of the registered content and displays the generated cache on an operation part in accordance with receipt of a predetermined event.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, “digital signage” that transmits information using a display connected to a network, etc. in every place such as outdoors, storefronts, public spaces, and transportation facilities is spreading. In offices of companies and the like, the use of digital signage is attracting attention for the purpose of supporting information sharing for employees and controlling information of companies.

  Also in an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, a technique for acquiring content from a content distribution apparatus connected via a network and displaying the content on an operation unit of the image processing apparatus is known. In Patent Document 1, when a predetermined event occurs, the content acquisition frequency is changed according to the event type, thereby shortening the time until the latest content is acquired from the content distribution apparatus, and efficiently. A technique for displaying content is disclosed.

JP2016-218706

  However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to acquire content every time from a content distribution apparatus connected via a network. In particular, when the frequency of content acquisition is high, there is a problem that an excessive load is applied to the network. On the other hand, when the content acquisition frequency is low, the latest content cannot be posted, and the signage function may not be effectively used.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can reduce network load in content acquisition and perform appropriate content display.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a registration unit that registers content stored in a content server connected via a network as content to be displayed, a reception unit that receives an event, and the reception unit. An image processing apparatus having display control means for displaying the content registered by the registration means on the operation unit in response to receiving a specific event, and generating a cache of the content registered by the registration means It has a generating means, and the display control means displays the cache generated by the generating means on the operation unit according to the reception of the specific event by the receiving means.

  According to the present invention, the image processing apparatus can reduce the network load upon content acquisition and perform optimal content display.

1 is an overall view of a system. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the software structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of a content setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of a content setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen of a content setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the content setting management table. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen for performing the setting regarding user authentication. It is a figure which shows the flow of the screen displayed when the display of the signage application 300 is OFF and the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation. It is a figure which shows the flow of the screen displayed when the display of the signage application 300 is OFF and the setting which displays an authentication screen at the time of a function selection is carried out. It is a figure which shows the flow of the screen displayed when the display of the signage application 300 is set to OFF and the user authentication function is set to OFF. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen when the content registered beforehand by the signage application 300 is displayed. It is a figure which shows the flow of a screen displayed when the display of the signage application 300 is ON and the setting which displays an authentication screen at the time of an operation start is carried out. It is a figure which shows the flow of a screen displayed when the display of the signage application 300 is set to ON and the setting to display an authentication screen when selecting a function is performed. It is a figure which shows the flow of the screen displayed when the display of the signage application 300 is set to ON and the user authentication function is set to OFF. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen for setting auto clear transfer time. It is a figure which shows the example of an error screen. It is a flowchart which shows a cache update process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a cache production | generation judgment processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a cache production | generation process procedure. It is a flowchart which shows a cache deletion processing procedure. It is a figure which shows the example of cache information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 100 is connected to the Internet 110 via a LAN 101. The client PC 102 connects the LAN 101 to the image processing apparatus 100. The content server 120 stores various contents and is connected to the Internet 110 via the LAN 121. The image processing apparatus 100 can acquire content to be described later from the content server 120 via the Internet 110. Here, a case where there is one image processing apparatus 100, one client PC 102, and one content server 120 will be described as an example, but a plurality of these apparatuses may be provided. Further, instead of the content server 120, the content may be stored in the image processing apparatus 100, and the content may be acquired and displayed inside.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A control unit 200 including a CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 100. The CPU 201 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 202 and performs various controls such as reading control and transmission control. A ROM 202 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area for the CPU 201. The HDD 204 stores image data, various programs, or various information tables. The HDD 204 can also store content that will be described later. The operation unit I / F 205 is an interface for connecting the operation unit 209 and the control unit 200. The operation unit 209 includes a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like.

  A printer I / F 206 is an interface for connecting the printer 210 and the control unit 200. Image data to be printed by the printer 210 is transferred from the control unit 200 via the printer I / F 206, and is printed on the recording medium (paper) by the printer 210.

  A scanner I / F 207 is an interface for connecting the scanner 211 and the control unit 200. The scanner 211 reads an image on a document to generate image data, and inputs the image data to the control unit 200 via the scanner I / F 207.

  A network I / F 208 is an interface for connecting the control unit 200 to the LAN 101. The network I / F 208 transmits and receives information to an external device connected to the Internet 110 via the LAN 101.

Representative functions (applications) of the image processing apparatus 100 are as follows.
A “copy” function for printing image data generated by reading an image on a document by the scanner 211 using the printer 210. Image data printing using the printer 210 based on a print job input from the outside such as the client PC 102. “Print” function • “Scan and send” function that scans and transmits image data generated by reading an image on the document with the scanner 211 to the outside via the network I / F 208 • Scans the image on the document with the scanner 211 “Scan and Save” Function for Saving Image Data Generated in HDD 204 • “Use Save File” for printing image data saved in HDD 204 to printer 210 or sending it to the outside via network I / F 208 Function / Data on Web server via Web browser Viewing, printing, saving "browser" function

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of the entire system including the image processing apparatus 100. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 201 in the image processing apparatus 100 reading and executing a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the HDD 204.

  The image processing apparatus 100 has functions of a signage application 300, an authentication processing unit 308, and an auto clear processing unit 309.

  The signage application 300 is a built-in software program installed in the image processing apparatus 100. The signage application 300 includes an external communication unit 301, a content display unit 302, a display control unit 303, a content setting unit 304, a content management unit 305, a content setting management table 306, an event reception unit 307, and a content cache management unit 310.

  The external communication unit 301 communicates with the content server 120 and acquires content managed by the content server 120 and a content setting management table. Communication protocols for communicating between the external communication unit 301 and the content server 120 are SMB, WebDAV, and HTTP. SMB is an abbreviation for Server Message Block, and WebDAV is an abbreviation for Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning. HTTP is an abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Other communication protocols such as e-mail and file transfer protocol (FTP) may be used.

  The content display unit 302 reads the content cache generated in the content server 120 or the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and outputs it to the operation unit 209. Content refers to data that can be viewed with a Web browser, such as text data, HTML, image files (JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, etc.), and moving image files.

  The display control unit 303 switches the screen managed for each application and outputs the screen to the operation unit 209.

  The content setting unit 304 sets the content to be displayed. Specifically, the Web server included in the image processing apparatus 100 is accessed using a Web browser included in the client PC 102, and the user is allowed to set content to be displayed when a specific event occurs. When the content setting is completed, the content setting unit 304 transmits a content setting update event to the event reception unit 307.

  FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C are diagrams illustrating examples of screens for setting content. As described above, these screens are displayed by accessing the Web server of the image processing apparatus 100 using the Web browser of the client PC 102.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of an authentication screen for inputting authentication information. When the user inputs a user name and password via this authentication screen and presses the login button, the authentication processing unit 308 performs user authentication and login processing. Here, when a user having administrator authority logs in, the screen of FIG. 5-1 (b) is displayed.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for allowing a user having administrator authority to perform various settings regarding the image processing apparatus 100. When any setting item is selected from the menu located on the left side of the screen, detailed setting items corresponding to the setting item are displayed on the right side of the screen. For example, when the user selects the setting item “license / other” 501, the screen illustrated in FIG. 5A is displayed.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for performing detailed settings regarding license / others. Each setting item including the setting item 502 is a hyperlink, and when selected, a Web page corresponding to the setting item is displayed. When the user selects setting item 502, a setting screen of signage application 300 shown in FIGS. 5-3 (a) to (c) is displayed.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 5A, when a user who does not have administrator authority logs in, the screen in FIG. 5B is displayed.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for allowing a user who does not have administrator authority to perform various settings regarding the image processing apparatus 100. On this screen, the setting item 501 displayed on the screen of FIG. 5-1 (b) is not displayed. Therefore, a user who does not have the administrator authority cannot display the setting screen of the signage application 300. In this way, by displaying the setting screen of the signage application 300 only for users having administrator authority, users who can set content can be limited to administrators. In this embodiment, the users who can set content are limited to users who have administrator authority for the entire image processing apparatus 100, but general users who do not have administrator authority can also be set. good. In addition to the administrator authority of the entire image processing apparatus 100, an administrator authority unique to the signage application 300 may be provided so that only a user having the authority can set content.

  FIGS. 5-3 (a) to (c) are diagrams showing examples of setting screens of the signage application 300. FIG. A check box 503 is a setting item for switching on / off the display of the signage application 300. When the check box 503 is not checked, other setting items are shaded as shown in FIG. When the check box 503 is checked, items that can be set are displayed in a state where they are not shaded as shown in FIGS. 5-3 (b) and (c).

  A radio button 504 is a button for selecting a communication protocol between the external communication unit 301 and the content server 120. When the radio button 504 is selected as SMB, as shown in FIG. 5-3 (b), the setting items related to SMB are not shaded, and each setting item can be input. When the radio button 504 is selected as HTTP / WebDAV, as shown in FIG. 5C, the setting items related to HTTP / WebDAV are removed from the shaded state, and each setting item can be input.

  A text box 505 is an input field for inputting a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. The path is a character string indicating the storage location of the content. In the case of SMB, the computer name, folder name, file name, etc. are delimited by \ (yen symbol) or \ (backslash). A text box 506 is an input field for inputting a user name used when accessing a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB.

  A text box 507 is an input field for inputting a password used to access a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB.

  A text box 508 is an input field for inputting a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. The path in the case of HTTP / WebDAV indicates a computer name, a folder name, a file name, etc., indicating the storage location of content, separated by / (slash).

  A text box 509 is an input field for inputting a user name used when accessing a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV.

  A text box 510 is an input field for inputting a password used to access a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV.

  Check boxes 511 and 512 are setting items for inputting settings when performing encrypted communication when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV.

  An OK button 513 is a button for storing the items set in 503 to 512 in a content setting management table 306 described later. When the OK button 513 is pressed, the settings of 503 to 512 are stored in the content setting management table 306, and the screen returns to the screen of FIG.

  The cancel button 514 is a button for returning to the screen of FIG. 5-2 (b) without storing the items set in 503 to 512 in the content setting management table 306.

  As described above, the user can set and register specific information for specifying the content to be displayed on the signage application 300 via the setting screens illustrated in FIGS. Although an example in which content is set from the client PC 102 has been described here, the content may be set using the operation unit 209 of the image processing apparatus 100.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The content management unit 305 stores the content path and the like in the content setting management table 306 based on the content set by the content setting unit 304. In addition, the content management unit 305 acquires the settings stored from the content setting management table 306 and notifies the content display unit 302 of the settings.

  The content setting management table 306 is a management table for managing the setting values of the signage application 300 set by the content setting unit 304.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content setting management table 306. Here, the content setting management table 306 generated / updated based on the content input via the setting screen shown in FIG. The content setting management table 306 may be stored in the HDD 204 of the image processing apparatus 100 or may be stored in the content server 120.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a key corresponding to each setting item of the signage application 300. Reference numeral 602 denotes a value corresponding to each setting item key of the signage application 300. The content management unit 305 acquires the setting value 602 regarding each setting item by referring to the content setting management table 306 based on the key 601.

  An item 603 indicates ON / OFF of the display of the signage application 300, and 0 indicates OFF and 1 indicates ON. This value is updated when the setting of the check box 503 in FIG. 5C is updated.

  An item 604 indicates a communication protocol between the external communication unit 301 and the content server 120, where 0 indicates SMB and 1 indicates HTTP / WebDAV. When the setting of the radio button 504 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  An item 605 indicates a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. When the setting of the text box 505 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  An item 606 indicates a user name used to access a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. When the setting of the text box 506 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  Reference numeral 607 denotes an item indicating a password used when accessing a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to SMB. When the setting of the text box 507 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  An item 608 indicates a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. When the setting of the text box 508 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  Reference numeral 609 denotes an item indicating a user name used when accessing a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. When the setting of the text box 509 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  Reference numeral 610 denotes an item indicating a password used when accessing a content path displayed when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. When the setting of the text box 510 in FIG. 5C is updated, this value is updated.

  Reference numerals 611 and 612 denote items indicating settings for performing encrypted communication when the communication protocol is set to HTTP / WebDAV. This value is updated when the settings of the check boxes 511 and 512 in FIG. 5C are updated.

  Returning to the description of FIG. The event receiving unit 307 receives various events notified from the content setting unit 304, the authentication processing unit 308, the auto clear processing unit 309, and the like.

  The authentication processing unit 308 displays an authentication screen on the operation unit 209 or the client PC 102, and performs user authentication using authentication information such as a user ID and a password input by the user. If the user authentication is successful, the authentication processing unit 308 performs a login process for logging the user into the image processing apparatus 100. When a logout instruction is given, the authentication processing unit 308 performs logout processing for logging out the logged-in user from the image processing apparatus. The logout instruction is issued when a logout button displayed on the operation unit 209 is pressed by the user or when an auto clear process described later is executed. When the login process and the logout process are performed, the authentication processing unit 308 transmits an event (login event and logout event) indicating that the process has been performed to the event reception unit 307.

  Further, as will be described later, the authentication processing unit 308 controls the display timing of the authentication screen based on the display setting of the authentication screen.

  The auto-clear processing unit 309 executes auto-clear processing when the operation unit 209 is not operated for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as auto-clear transition time). The auto-clear process is a process for clearing the set value / setting state on the displayed screen and returning it to the initial value. For example, when the user leaves the image processing apparatus 100 while making settings via a copy screen for performing various settings related to copying, and the auto-clear transition time has passed, the setting values that have been set halfway Is cleared and the default setting is restored. The auto-clear function will cause the user's settings to be used inadvertently immediately before being copied, and will not be copied, and should not be disclosed to the next user. It is possible to prevent the setting contents from being seen. The auto-clear processing unit 309 transmits an auto-clear event to the event receiving unit 307 when the auto-clear process is performed. In addition, when the auto-clear process is performed, the authentication processing unit 308 executes a logout process for logging out the logged-in user.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an auto clear transition time setting screen 1100 for setting the auto clear transition time. The auto-clear transition time display area 1101 is an area for displaying the currently set auto-clear transition time. The auto clear transition time change buttons 1102 and 1103 are buttons for setting a decrease or an increase in the auto clear transition time. When the auto clear transition time change button 1102 is selected, the auto clear transition time can be reduced to 0 minutes (no setting). When the auto clear transition time change button 1103 is selected, the auto clear transition time can be increased up to 9 minutes.

  It is also possible to set a screen that transits during auto-clear processing via a screen (not shown). When the initial screen is set as a screen to be transitioned at the time of auto clear, the screen of the operation unit 209 is switched from the screen that has been displayed so far to the initial screen. The initial screen is a screen preset by the user as a screen to be displayed at startup. For example, a main menu screen for selecting a function to be used from among a plurality of functions (applications and functions) of the image processing apparatus 100, a screen corresponding to each function, and the like can be set. In the following description, an example will be described in which an initial screen is set as a screen that transits during auto clear, and a main menu screen is set as the initial screen.

  The content cache management unit 310 generates a content cache stored in the content server 120 and stores the content cache in the HDD 204 when the content cache needs to be generated. If no content cache is required, the cache stored in the HDD 204 is deleted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for performing settings related to user authentication. The screen shown in FIG. 7 is a screen that can be displayed only when a user having administrator authority logs in.

  FIG. 7A is a screen for setting whether to use user authentication. A button 701 is a button for validating user authentication. When this button is selected, an authentication screen is displayed, and user authentication is required to use each function of the image processing apparatus 100. A button 702 is a button for invalidating user authentication. When this button is selected, an authentication screen is not displayed, and each function of the image processing apparatus 100 can be used without user authentication. .

  FIGS. 7B and 7C are screens for switching the display setting of the authentication screen, and the timing at which user authentication is performed is determined according to the setting of this screen. FIG. 7B shows a screen when the button 703 is selected, and FIG. 7C shows a screen when the button 704 is selected.

  A button 703 is a button for performing a setting to display an authentication screen when the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 is started. When this button is selected, the authentication screen is displayed when the user starts an operation, and the user Authentication is required. In other words, if an authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation, user authentication is required first regardless of which function is used.

  A button 704 is a button for performing a setting for displaying an authentication screen when each function is selected. When the button 704 is pressed, a screen 705 for selecting a function or the like that requires user authentication is popped up as shown in FIG. 7C. Here, when the button 706 is selected, the screen is switched to the screen of FIG.

  FIG. 7D is a screen for selecting a function that requires user authentication from among a plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus 100. For functions selected as functions that require user authentication via the screen of FIG. 7D, an authentication screen is displayed when the function is used. On the other hand, for a function that is not selected as a function that requires user authentication, the function can be used without performing user authentication. In FIG. 7D, the functions “copy”, “use saved file”, and “print” are selected as functions that require user authentication. On the other hand, the functions “scan and save”, “scan and send”, and “browser” do not require user authentication. As described above, when the button 704 is selected, the authentication screen is not displayed when the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 is started, and depending on the selected function, the authentication screen is displayed when the user uses each function. User authentication is required.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a screen displayed on the operation unit 209 when the screen display of the signage application 300 is set to OFF.

  8A and 8B are diagrams showing screen flows when the button 701 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7A, that is, when the user authentication function is set to ON.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a screen flow when the button 703 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7B, that is, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation. When the user turns on the power of the image processing apparatus 100 and starts an operation, an authentication screen 801 is displayed first, and the user needs to input authentication information. When the user authentication based on the authentication information input by the user via the authentication screen 801 is successful and the login process is completed, the main menu screen 802 for selecting a desired function from a plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus 100. Is displayed. When the user presses any function selection button on the main menu screen 802, a screen corresponding to the function is displayed. For example, when the “Copy” button is selected, a copy application screen 803 for performing various settings relating to copying is displayed. When the “scan and save” button is selected, a “scan and save” application screen 804 for selecting a save destination of the scanned image data is displayed. Note that when the auto-clear transition time has elapsed without the user operating the operation unit 209, auto-clear processing is performed. When the auto-clear process is performed, the user is automatically logged out and the authentication screen 801 is displayed again. For example, when the auto clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 209 while any one of the screens 802, 803, and 804 is displayed, auto clear processing and logout processing are performed, and the authentication screen 801 is displayed. Switch to

  FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a screen flow when the button 704 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7C, that is, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed when the function is selected. Further, as shown in FIG. 7D, it is assumed that “copy”, “use of saved file”, and “print” functions are selected as functions requiring authentication. When the user turns on the power of the image processing apparatus 100 and starts an operation with the operation unit 209, a main menu screen 802 is displayed first. If the function selected by the user on the main menu screen 802 is a function selected as a function that requires authentication, the authentication screen 801 is displayed before the transition to the application screen corresponding to the function. For example, when a “copy” button is selected, an authentication screen 801 is displayed. When the user inputs authentication information and the user authentication is successful, a copy application screen 803 is displayed. On the other hand, if the function selected on the main menu screen is a function that does not require authentication, the screen transitions to an application screen corresponding to the selected function without displaying the authentication screen. For example, when a “scanned save” button is selected, a screen 804 is displayed. Further, when the auto clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 209 and the auto clear process is performed, the user is automatically logged out and returns to the main menu screen 802.

  FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a screen flow when the button 702 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7A, that is, when the user authentication function is set to OFF. When the user turns on the image processing apparatus 100 and starts operation with the operation unit 209, the main menu screen 802 is displayed first. When the user presses one of the function selection buttons on the main menu screen 802, an application screen corresponding to the selected function is displayed. For example, when a “copy” button is selected, a screen 803 is displayed, and when a “scan and save” button is selected, a screen 804 is displayed. Further, when the auto-clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 209, auto-clear processing is performed, and the screen returns to the main menu screen 802 set as the initial screen.

  In this way, whether or not to display the authentication screen can be switched by setting whether or not to perform user authentication via the screen of FIG. In addition, the setting via the screen in FIG. 7B can be used to switch whether the timing for displaying the authentication screen is displayed at the start of operation or when each function is selected. Further, the screen displayed at the time of auto-clearing is switched according to the settings related to user authentication.

  Next, a screen displayed on the operation unit 209 when the screen display of the signage application 300 is set to ON will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen example when preset content is displayed by the signage application 300. The content 901 displays content acquired from the content server 120. Here, an HTML file indicated by “https: //guest_webdav/signage.html” is displayed from the content setting management table 306 of FIG. When the user presses the close button 902, the content 901 is hidden. In addition, in FIG. 9, the notification of disaster prevention training is displayed. In this way, by registering notification items for employees as content and displaying them on the image processing apparatus 100 using the signage application 300, information sharing support for employees, information control of companies, etc. can be utilized. .

  Next, content display timing, which is a feature of the signage application 300, will be described. As described above, the flow of the displayed screen differs depending on the setting related to user authentication via the screen of FIG. In the present embodiment, in order to effectively use the image processing apparatus 100 as signage, the content is displayed at an appropriate timing according to the setting related to user authentication in consideration of the difference in the screen flow.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a screen displayed on the operation unit 209 when the screen display of the signage application 300 is set to ON. The same screen as in FIG. 8 is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the difference from the screen flow shown in FIG. 8 is clearly indicated.

  10A and 10B are diagrams showing screen flows when the button 701 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7A, that is, when the user authentication function is set to ON.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram showing a screen flow when the button 703 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7B, that is, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation. Compared with FIG. 8A, when the user authentication is successful based on the authentication information input by the user via the authentication screen 801 and the login process is completed, the screen 1001 of the signage application 300 is displayed. This screen 1001 is the same as the screen shown in FIG. Here, when the close button is pressed, the screen 1001 is hidden and the main menu screen 802 is displayed.

  As described above, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of the operation, the content is displayed by the signage application 300 at the timing when the user login is completed. Therefore, since the content is displayed when the user starts using the image processing apparatus 100, it is possible to attract the user's attention and effectively inform the user of the notification matters in the company. Become.

  FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a screen flow when the button 704 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7C, that is, the authentication screen is set to be displayed when the function is selected. Further, as shown in FIG. 7D, it is assumed that “copy”, “use of saved file”, and “print” functions are selected as functions requiring authentication.

  In this case, the screen of the signage application 300 is not displayed even if the user authentication and the login process are completed based on the information input via the authentication screen 801. Instead, when the auto clear transition time elapses without the user operating the operation unit 209 and the auto clear process is performed, the screen 1001 of the signage application 300 is displayed. When the close button is pressed, the screen 1001 is hidden and the main menu screen 802 is displayed.

  In this way, when the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the time of selecting a function via FIG. 7B, the content is displayed at the timing when auto-clear occurs without displaying the content at the timing when the user logs in. Is displayed. As with the case where the authentication screen is set to be displayed at the start of operation, even if the content is displayed at the time of login, the content is displayed when a function that requires user authentication is selected by the user. Will be. On the other hand, when a function that does not require user authentication is selected, no login is performed, and thus no content is displayed. For example, a user who frequently uses the “scan and save” function and rarely uses the “copy” function rarely sees the content. On the other hand, by setting the content display timing when auto-clear occurs, the user who uses the image processing apparatus 100 after auto-clearing sees the content when operating the operation unit 209 for the first time. Therefore, it can be used as an advertising terminal while the image processing apparatus 100 is on standby regardless of the function used, and notification items and the like can be effectively notified to the user.

  FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a screen flow when the button 702 is selected on the screen of FIG. 7A, that is, when the user authentication function is set to OFF.

  In this case, as in the case of FIG. 10B, the screen 1001 of the signage application 300 is displayed at the timing when auto-clear occurs.

  As described above, even when the setting for not using the user authentication function is performed, the image processing apparatus 100 can be effectively used as signage by displaying the content at the timing when auto-clear occurs.

  As described above, by registering the content to be displayed, the registered content can be displayed at the timing when a specific event occurs. In particular, by determining the display timing of the signage application 300 according to the settings related to user authentication, information can be shown to the user at an appropriate timing, and information can be more effectively transmitted to the user. . Specifically, in the case of a setting for displaying an authentication screen at the start of operation, that is, in a setting that requires user authentication regardless of which function is used, the content is displayed at the timing when the user login is completed. Thereby, the user who uses the image processing apparatus 100 always sees the content. On the other hand, in the case of setting to display an authentication screen when selecting a function, that is, a setting in which whether or not user authentication is required is determined for each function, and a setting in which user authentication is not performed, auto clear is performed. The content is displayed at the timing when the occurrence occurs. Accordingly, the user who uses the image processing apparatus 100 next after the occurrence of auto clear always sees the content. In this way, if information etc. to be notified to employees etc. is registered in advance as content, the display timing of the content is automatically changed according to the user authentication setting, so it is necessary to set the display timing separately. Therefore, convenience for the user is improved.

  As described above, when the screen display of the signage application 300 is set to ON, the image processing apparatus 100 displays the content stored in the content server 120 when the user logs in or auto-clears. Here, when the size of the content stored in the content server 120 is large, it takes time to acquire the content, and it takes time to display the content. Further, when the network load due to content acquisition is large, processing of other functions such as a “scan and send” function using the network may be hindered. Therefore, in order to solve the above problem, a process of preparing a cache of contents arranged in the external content server 120 in the image processing apparatus 100 in advance and acquiring and displaying the cache at the time of content display will be described. .

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing content cache update processing executed by the CPU 201.

  In the example of FIG. 13, a case where SMB, HTTP, or WebDAV is used as a communication protocol for communicating with the content server 120 on the network will be described. For example, by using SMB, files can be shared among a plurality of computers on the network, and content such as image files and moving image files can be easily managed. However, there is also a problem that a network load is applied by frequently accessing the content server 120 at the time of content acquisition. Therefore, when displaying content stored in the content server 120 using SMB, a cache of the content is generated in advance in a storage area in the image processing apparatus, and this cache is acquired and displayed.

  On the other hand, when HTTP or WebDAV is used, the content stored in the content server 120 is often an HTML file such as a web page. An HTML file may be associated with an image file stored in another location, and content display may not be performed correctly when a content cache is generated. Therefore, when displaying the content stored in the content server 120 using HTTP or WebDAV, the content is directly acquired from the content server 120 and displayed without generating a cache.

  Based on the above, in FIG. 13, the type of communication protocol is identified, and if the communication protocol is SMB, it is determined whether or not content cache updating is necessary, and if necessary, cache generation processing is performed. On the other hand, if the communication protocol is other than SMB, the content cache is not updated.

  The content cache is generated at the time of content setting / registration described with reference to FIG. 5C, and is updated every time the content is reset. As a result, the latest content is displayed when the next content display timing comes. Furthermore, the administrator may replace the content on the content server 120 on the way without changing the content path. In this case, it is assumed that the content is not reset via the screen of FIG. 5-3, but even in such a case, it is necessary to display the latest content. Therefore, it is determined whether or not a cache update is necessary at the time of logout and auto-clear in addition to the content setting, and the update is performed if necessary.

  In step S <b> 1301, the CPU 201 determines whether the event receiving unit 307 has received a content setting update event, a logout event, and an auto clear event from the content setting unit 304, the authentication processing unit 308, and the auto clear processing unit 309. If the CPU 201 determines that any event has been received, the process advances to step S1302. If the CPU 201 determines that no event has been received, the process returns to S1301 and waits for reception of the event.

  In step S1302, the CPU 201 uses the content management unit 305 to acquire a setting value corresponding to the key 603 from the content setting management table 306, and determines whether the screen display of the signage application 300 is ON. If the CPU 201 determines that the display is turned off, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the display is on, the process advances to step S1303.

  In step S1303, the CPU 201 causes the event reception unit 307 to determine whether the event received in step S1301 is a content setting update event. If the CPU 201 determines that the event is a content setting update event, the process advances to step S1308. If the CPU 201 determines that the event is not a content setting update event, the process advances to step S1304.

  In step S1304, the CPU 201 determines whether the event received in step S1301 is a logout event or an auto clear event by the event reception unit 307. If the CPU 201 determines that the event is a logout event, the process advances to step S1305. If the CPU 201 determines that it is an auto-clear event, the process proceeds to S1306.

  In step S <b> 1305, the CPU 201 causes the authentication processing unit 308 to determine whether the authentication screen display setting is a setting for displaying the authentication screen at the start of the operation. When the CPU 201 determines that the authentication screen is not set to be displayed when the operation is started, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the setting is to display an authentication screen at the start of operation, the process advances to step S1308.

  In step S <b> 1306, the CPU 201 uses the authentication processing unit 308 to determine whether the authentication screen display setting is a setting for displaying an authentication screen when a function is selected, or whether user authentication is invalid. If the CPU 201 determines that the user authentication is not invalid, that is, not the setting for displaying the authentication screen when selecting a function, that is, if the setting is for displaying the authentication screen at the start of operation, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the authentication screen is set to be displayed when the function is selected or that the user authentication is invalid, the process advances to step S1307.

  In step S <b> 1307, the CPU 201 refers to the content setting management table 306 by the content management unit 305.

  In S1308, the CPU 201 refers to the setting value corresponding to the key 604 from the content setting management table 306, and determines whether or not the communication protocol with the content server 120 is set to SMB. If it is determined that the communication protocol is SMB, the process proceeds to S1309. On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication protocol is other than SMB, the process ends.

  In step S1309, the CPU 201 performs cache generation determination processing.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a content cache generation determination process executed by the CPU 201.

  In step S <b> 1401, the CPU 201 refers to the setting value corresponding to the key 605 from the content setting management table 306 and determines whether content corresponding to the set path exists on the content server 120. If the content exists, the process proceeds to S1402. If no content exists, the process advances to step S1408, and “cache deletion” is set in the cache generation determination result.

  In step S1402, the CPU 201 determines whether the content size is within 10 MB. If the content size is within 10 MB, the process proceeds to S1403. On the other hand, if the content size exceeds 10 MB, the process proceeds to step S1408. This is because an upper limit is set for the size of the content for convenience of generating a cache.

  In step S <b> 1403, the CPU 201 acquires cache information 1700 related to a cache of content stored in the HDD 204.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the cache information 1700. The cache information 1700 stores a cache update date / time 1701, a content path 1702 referred to when the cache is generated, a cache path 1703 indicating a cache storage destination, and a cache size 1704. The generation / update of the cache information 1700 will be described in the cache generation process of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1404, the CPU 201 refers to the cache path 1703 based on the cache information 1700 acquired in step S <b> 1403 and determines whether a cache file corresponding to the cache path exists in the HDD 204. If a cache file exists, the process advances to step S1405. On the other hand, if no cache file exists, the process advances to step S1410 to set the cache generation determination result to “cache generation”. If the cache information 1700 does not exist, that is, if no cache has been generated, it is determined that no cache exists, and the process advances to step S1410.

  In S1405 to S1407, the content specified in the content path 605 of the content management table 306 is compared with the content path, size, and update date / time of the previously generated cache specified in the cache path 1703 of the cache information 1700. As a result of the comparison, if there is a difference in any one, it means that the content has been updated, and therefore it is determined that cache generation should be performed. On the other hand, if there is no difference in any of them, it is determined that no cache is generated (skip) because there is no content update. Details of S1405 to S1407 will be described.

  In step S <b> 1405, the CPU 201 compares the designated content with the content path of the cache generated last time. If there is a difference in the content path, the process proceeds to S1410. On the other hand, if there is no difference in the content path, the process proceeds to S1406.

  In step S1406, the CPU 201 compares the designated content with the size of the cache generated last time. If there is a difference in size, the process proceeds to S1410. On the other hand, if there is no difference in size, the process proceeds to S1407.

  In step S <b> 1407, the CPU 201 compares the designated content with the update date and time of the previously generated cache. If there is a difference in the update date and time, the process proceeds to S1410. On the other hand, if there is no difference in the update date and time, the process proceeds to S1409.

  In step S1409, the CPU 201 determines that the content has not been updated, and sets the cache generation determination result to “cache generation skip”.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S1310, the CPU 201 receives the result of the cache generation determination process in step S1309 and acquires the cache generation determination result.

  In step S1311, the CPU 201 determines whether or not “cache generation skip” is based on the cache generation determination result acquired in step S1310. If the cache generation determination result is “cache generation skip”, the process ends. On the other hand, if the cache generation determination result is not “cache generation skip”, the process proceeds to S1312.

  In step S1312, the CPU 201 determines whether the cache generation determination result is “cache generation” or “cache deletion” based on the cache generation determination result acquired in step S1310. When the cache generation determination result is “cache generation”, the process proceeds to the cache generation process of S1313. Details of the cache generation processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, when the cache generation determination result is “cache deletion”, the process proceeds to the cache deletion processing of S1314. Details of the cache deletion processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing content cache generation processing executed by the CPU 201. FIG. 15 illustrates a process of generating a cache from the specified content when the cache generation determination result is determined as “cache generation” by the cache generation determination process of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1501, the CPU 201 refers to the content setting management table 306 by the content management unit 305.

  In step S <b> 1502, the CPU 201 determines whether content corresponding to the content path 605 referred to from the content setting management table 306 exists in the content server 120. If content exists, the process advances to step S1503. On the other hand, if no content exists, the process proceeds to the cache deletion process in S1508. Details of the cache deletion processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the cache deletion process in S1508, the process advances to S1509, and the CPU 201 sets the cache generation result to “error”. An error reason may also be set.

  In step S1503, the CPU 201 acquires content from the content server 120, generates a cache file from the acquired content, and stores the cache file in the cache file storage area of the HDD 204.

  In step S1504, the CPU 201 determines whether the cache generation in step S1503 is successful. If the cache generation is successful, the process proceeds to S1505. If cache generation has failed, the process advances to step S1508 to perform cache deletion processing.

  In step S <b> 1505, when the previously generated cache file exists, the CPU 201 deletes the previously generated cache file.

  In step S1506, the CPU 201 generates / updates the cache information 1700 based on the information used when the cache is generated in step S1503. The information to be updated includes an update date and time 1701, a content path 1702 of the content that is the cache generation source, a cache path 1703 that stores the generated cache, and a size 1704 of the generated cache.

  In step S1507, the CPU 201 sets the cache generation result to “success”.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing content cache deletion processing executed by the CPU 201. In the example of FIG. 16, a description will be given of a process of deleting all cache files existing at the time when cache generation cannot be performed due to some cause.

  In step S <b> 1601, the CPU 201 deletes the cache file stored in the cache storage area of the HDD 204.

  In step S1602, the CPU 201 deletes the cache information 1700 stored in the HDD 204.

  In step S1603, the CPU 201 sets the cache generation result to “error”. Note that the reason for the error may also be set.

  As described above, by using the processes of FIGS. 13 to 16, when using SMB, a cache is generated / updated at the time of content setting, and at the time of user logout or auto clear, the cache is updated as necessary. Do. As a result, the cache file of the latest content stored in the content server 120 is stored in the HDD 204.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing content display processing executed by the CPU 201.

  In the example of FIG. 4, processing for acquiring content at the content display timing and displaying it on the screen of the signage application 300 in the same environment as the processing described in FIG. 13 will be described. Specifically, when the communication protocol is SMB, a cache of content stored in the HDD 204 of the image processing apparatus is acquired and displayed on the screen of the signage application 300. On the other hand, when the communication protocol is other than SMB, the content is acquired from the content server 120 and displayed on the screen of the signage application 300. In step S <b> 401, the CPU 201 determines whether the event reception unit 307 has received a login event and an auto clear event from the authentication processing unit 308 and the auto clear processing unit 309. If the CPU 201 determines that any event has been received, the process proceeds to S402. If the CPU 201 determines that neither event has been received, the process returns to S401 and waits for reception of the event.

  In step S <b> 402, the CPU 201 uses the content management unit 305 to acquire a setting value corresponding to the key 603 from the content setting management table 306, and determines whether the screen display of the signage application 300 is ON. If the CPU 201 determines that the display is turned off, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the display is ON, the process proceeds to S403.

  In step S <b> 403, the CPU 201 determines whether the event received in step S <b> 401 is a login event or an auto-clear event by using the event reception unit 307. If the CPU 201 determines that it is a login event, the process proceeds to S404. If the CPU 201 determines that the event is an auto-clear event, the process proceeds to S405.

  In step S <b> 404, the CPU 201 causes the authentication processing unit 308 to determine whether the display setting of the authentication screen is a setting for displaying the authentication screen at the start of the operation. If the CPU 201 determines that the setting is not to display the authentication screen at the start of the operation, that is, if the setting is to display the authentication screen when the function is selected, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the setting is to display an authentication screen at the start of operation, the process proceeds to S406.

  In step S <b> 405, the CPU 201 causes the authentication processing unit 308 to determine whether the authentication screen display setting is a setting for displaying an authentication screen when a function is selected, or whether user authentication is invalid. If the CPU 201 determines that the user authentication is not an invalid setting instead of the setting for displaying the authentication screen at the time of selecting a function, that is, if the setting is to display the authentication screen at the start of the operation, the process ends. If the CPU 201 determines that the authentication screen is set to be displayed when the function is selected or that the user authentication is invalid, the process proceeds to S406.

  In step S <b> 406, the CPU 201 refers to the content setting management table 306 using the content management unit 305.

  In step S407, the CPU 201 determines whether the communication protocol with the content server 120 is set to SMB from the setting value corresponding to the key 604 of the content setting management table 306. If it is determined that the communication protocol is SMB, the process proceeds to S408. On the other hand, if it is determined that the communication protocol is other than SMB, the process proceeds to S413.

  In step S408, the CPU 201 acquires a cache generation result set at the time of cache generation. The cache generation result is set in any one of S1507 and S1509 in FIG. 15 and S1603 in FIG.

  In step S409, the CPU 201 determines whether the cache generation result acquired in step S408 is successful. If the cache generation result is successful, the process proceeds to S410. On the other hand, if the cache generation result is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S414, and an error screen indicating that the content cannot be displayed is displayed.

  FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen displayed on the operation unit 209. When an error occurs in cache generation by the content management unit 305 or when an error occurs during content reading by the content display unit 302, an error type is determined, and a message 1201 suitable for the content of the error is displayed. Here, an example in which a message indicating that the content cannot be displayed and a file to be displayed does not exist or a path to the set file is incorrect is displayed.

  In step S <b> 410, the CPU 201 refers to the cache information stored in the HDD 204.

  In step S <b> 411, the CPU 201 acquires the content cache stored in the HDD 204 based on the content cache path 1703 referred to in step S <b> 410 by the content display unit 302, and loads the content cache into the RAM 203. Then, the process proceeds to S412. In step S <b> 413, the CPU 201 acquires content from the content server 120 based on the path referred to in step S <b> 407 by the content display unit 302 and reads the content into the RAM 203.

  In step S <b> 412, the CPU 201 causes the display control unit 303 to switch to the display of the signage application 300 screen. On the screen of the signage application 300, the cache content acquired in S411 or the content acquired in S413 is output by the content display unit 302, and the content is displayed on the operation unit 209.

  In step S415, the CPU 201 determines whether a close button on the signage application 300 has been pressed by the user via the operation unit 209. If the CPU 201 determines that the close button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S416. If the CPU 201 determines that the close button has not been pressed, the process returns to S415.

  In step S <b> 416, the CPU 201 causes the display control unit 303 to hide the signage application 300 screen.

  As described above, when the communication protocol is SMB, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment generates and updates a cache when setting content, and displays the content using the cache at the content display timing. Therefore, since it is not necessary to newly acquire content from the content server 120, it is possible to reduce the load on the network and reduce the time required until content display.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment updates the content cache not only at the time of content setting but also at an appropriate timing after the content of the content server 120 is replaced. Therefore, the latest content can be displayed even when the content file on the content server 120 is replaced by the administrator. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10A, when content is displayed at the time of user login, the presence / absence of cache update is determined at the previous user logout, and the cache is updated when necessary. Therefore, when the content on the content server 120 is switched, the cache file of the latest content is stored in the HDD 104 and displayed at the time of user login. Thus, since the latest content is displayed immediately upon completion of the user login, a highly convenient signage system can be provided without causing the user to wait until the content is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the communication protocol is HTTP / WebDAV, content is acquired from the content server 120 and displayed at the content display timing without generating a cache. As a result, even if the content stored in the content server 120 is an HTML file associated with an image file stored in another location, the content can be reliably displayed.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, when the setting is made to display an authentication screen when selecting a function, or when user authentication is disabled, it is determined whether or not a cache update is necessary when an auto-clear event is received. (S1306 to S1309 in FIG. 13). Here, if the auto-clear transition time is set to be short, the frequency of accessing the content server 120 increases, and the network load may increase. Therefore, when the auto-clear transition time setting value set in advance on the auto-clear transition time setting screen 1100 is less than a predetermined threshold, the process may be terminated without performing the cache update process. Note that if the process is terminated without updating the cache in the process of FIG. 13, the latest content may not be properly displayed when the auto-clear event is received. Therefore, when the preset value of the auto-clear transition time is less than a predetermined threshold, the content may not be displayed. For example, when the auto clear transition time is set to less than 1 minute, the cache update process may not be performed and the content display may not be performed. Specifically, after it is determined Yes in S1306 in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the auto-clear transition time is 1 minute or longer, and the process proceeds to S1307 only when it is 1 minute or longer. finish. Further, after it is determined Yes in S405 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the auto clear transition time is 1 minute or longer. If it is 1 minute or longer, the process proceeds to S406. If it is less than 1 minute, the process proceeds to S414 and an error occurs. Display. FIG. 12B shows an example of an error screen displayed at this time. Here, since the auto-clear transition time is less than 1 minute, a message 1202 indicating that the content cannot be displayed is displayed. By displaying the message, the user who wants to use the signage application 300 can notice that the auto clear transition time needs to be set to 1 minute or more.

  In the above embodiment, the cache is generated only when the communication protocol with the content server 120 is SMB, and the cache is not generated when the communication protocol is other than SMB. However, the cache is generated even when the communication protocol is not SMB. May be. As a result, the same processing can be performed regardless of the type of communication protocol, and thus a highly convenient signage system can be constructed with a simpler configuration.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example in which user authentication is performed based on the user ID and password which were input by the user, the authentication information for authenticating a user is not restricted to these. Moreover, although the case where the user inputs these authentication information manually was demonstrated in the said embodiment, you may enable it to input authentication information using another method. For example, by holding a contactless communication card storing authentication information over the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus may read the authentication information and perform user authentication. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the authentication processing unit 308 performs user authentication processing and performs login processing when authentication is successful has been described. However, the image processing apparatus itself may not perform user authentication processing. In this case, an authentication server is provided outside, and the image processing apparatus transmits authentication information input from the user to the authentication server, and the authentication server performs user authentication. Then, the image processing apparatus receives the authentication result from the authentication server, and if the authentication is successful, performs a user login process.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the content stored in the content server 120 connected via the network is displayed has been described. However, a part of the HDD 104 in the image processing apparatus 100 is operated as the content server. May be. Then, depending on the use environment of the image processing apparatus 100, both the content on the external content server 120 and the content in the HDD 104 may be registered. In this case, when content on the external content server 120 is registered, a cache is generated as described above. On the other hand, when the content in the HDD 104 is registered, the content file may be acquired and displayed directly from the HDD 104 without generating the cache, or the cache is generated and the generated cache is acquired and displayed. You may do it. By controlling whether to generate a cache according to the storage location of the content file as in the former, unnecessary cache generation can be reduced. On the other hand, by generating the cache regardless of the storage location of the content file as in the latter case, it is not necessary to identify the storage location of the content file.

  In the above embodiment, cache generation and content display may also be performed at other events occurring in the image processing apparatus 100. For example, the signage application 300 may be displayed at the time of printing, at the start of copy execution, at the start of execution of a function for transmitting image data generated by a scanner to the outside (scan and send function), or at the start of execution of use of a saved file good. Also, the signage application 300 may be displayed when the state of the image processing apparatus 100 changes, such as when a maintenance event such as no toner occurs.

  In the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a scanner function has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to an image processing apparatus having only a part of these functions. . Further, the present invention may be applied to other information processing apparatuses such as a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a FAX, a camera, a video camera, and other image viewers.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention.

201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 HDD
208 Network I / F
209 Operation unit 210 Printer 211 Scanner

Claims (18)

Registration means for registering content stored in a content server connected via a network as content to be displayed;
Receiving means for receiving events;
Display control means for displaying content registered by the registration means on an operation unit in accordance with reception of a specific event by the receiving means,
Generating means for generating a cache of the content registered by the registration means;
The display control unit displays the cache generated by the generation unit on the operation unit according to the reception of the specific event by the reception unit. Determination means for determining whether or not to generate a cache of the content registered by the registration means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a cache based on a determination that the determination unit determines to generate a cache.   The determination means determines whether or not to generate a cache by determining whether or not there is a difference between the content registered by the registration means and the cache generated last time by the generation means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the generation unit generates a cache of the content when the registration unit registers the content. A login process for logging a user into the image processing apparatus, and an authentication processing means for performing a logout process for logging out a user logged into the image processing apparatus,
The display control means displays the content registered by the registration means on the operation unit in response to receiving a login event notified from the authentication processing means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the generation unit generates a cache of the content registered by the registration unit in response to receiving a logout event notified from the authentication processing unit. According to the fact that the operation on the operation unit has not been performed for a predetermined time, an auto-clear processing means for performing an auto-clear process for returning the setting value on the screen displayed on the operation unit to the initial value,
The display control means displays the content registered by the registration means on the operation unit in response to receiving an auto-clear event notified from the auto-clear processing means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the generation unit generates a cache of the content registered by the registration unit in response to receiving an auto-clear event notified from the auto-clear processing unit. . Time setting means for setting the predetermined time;
The display control means, when the predetermined time set by the time setting means is less than a predetermined threshold, does not display the content registered by the registration means on the operation unit, and shows an error screen The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: is displayed on the operation unit. When the communication protocol used for communication with the content server is the first communication protocol, the generation unit generates a cache of the content, and the display control unit generates the generation according to receiving the specific event. Displaying the cache generated by the means on the operation unit;
When the communication protocol used for communication with the content server is the second communication protocol, the generation unit does not generate the content cache, and the display control unit receives the specific event according to the reception of the specific event. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the content is acquired from an image, and the acquired content is displayed on the operation unit. Having setting means for performing settings related to user authentication for authenticating the user;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific event that is the display timing of the content is determined according to a setting related to user authentication set by the setting unit.   12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the setting unit can set whether or not to perform user authentication.   The setting means displays an authentication screen for inputting authentication information necessary for user authentication at the start of operation of the image processing apparatus, or one of a plurality of functions of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image processing apparatus can set whether to display at the time of selection.   The registration unit is capable of registering content to be displayed based on information input using a web browser of an information processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via a network. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content that can be registered by the registration unit is content that can be browsed by a Web browser. Reading means for reading an image on a document and generating image data;
Printing means for printing an image on paper based on image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A registration step of registering content stored in a content server connected via a network as content to be displayed;
A generation step of generating a cache of the content registered in the registration step;
A receiving process for receiving a specific event;
A display step of displaying the cache generated in the generation step in accordance with receiving the specific event;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:   A program for operating a computer as the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

Images