JP2022013247A - Information processing unit, control method of information processing unit and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To solve the problem that since a method for registering an icon corresponding to an application program configured to realize a certain function may be different according to a type of the icon, also upon deleting the icon from a screen, a deletion method differs depending on a method at the time when the icon is registered, which causes complicated operation.SOLUTION: When an icon set to be non-display is selected by a user, a type of the icon is determined, and the icon on a screen is accordingly deleted. Thereby, the user is allowed to set an icon to be non-display without being conscious of a type of the icon from the same screen by a similar operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method for the information processing device, and a program.

In an information processing device such as an image forming device, an icon corresponding to an application program that realizes a certain function is displayed on the screen, and when the icon is selected, an application corresponding to the selected icon is started to be specific. The function is being realized.
In addition to the icons registered in advance in the information processing apparatus, such icons can be added and registered by the user by customizing them. However, if the number of registered icons increases too much, the operability of the user may be reduced. Therefore, conventionally, a method of deleting a registered icon or hiding it on the screen has been known.

As such a method, for example, when changing a setting key to hide based on a user operation, if another setting key exists in the lower hierarchy of the setting key, the setting key is not unconditionally changed to be hidden. (For example, Patent Document 1) is known.
Further, there is known a technique of hiding an icon that has been instructed to be deleted by a user without deleting it when it is a pre-installed basic icon (for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-168031 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-55147

By the way, the icons used in the image forming apparatus and the like are not limited to the icons that are initially set, such as the icons for instructing the execution of the basic functions and the icons for performing various settings. For example, an icon that the user can arbitrarily register, such as a shortcut icon for executing a basic function based on an arbitrary setting value set by the user, or an icon for an extended application for executing a specific function. And so on.

Registration of such an icon may differ depending on the type of icon. For example, the shortcut icon is often performed from a touch panel provided in the image forming apparatus. Further, the icon of the extended application is often performed from a host PC or the like connected to the image forming apparatus.
Therefore, when deleting such an icon from the screen, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated because the method of deleting the icon differs depending on the method when the icon is registered.

An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of hiding different types of icons by the same operation.

The present invention is an information processing apparatus having an executing means for executing a specific function, a display means for displaying an icon for instructing the execution of the function, and an operating means capable of selecting the icon. The icon includes a first icon registered from the operating means and a second icon registered from an external device, and the first icon and the first icon based on the operation in the operating means. It is characterized by having a deletion means capable of deleting the icon of 2 from the display means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to hide an icon by the same operation without being aware of the type of icon.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware composition of an image forming apparatus. It is a software block diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram of the software function part related to an extended application. This is an example of a device configuration of an information processing system. This is an example of the home screen. This is an example of the display order setting screen. This is an example of a hidden tab button screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the data structure which manages the display order of an icon. It is a figure for demonstrating the data structure which manages the display order of an icon. It is a flowchart which shows the process when an icon is selected. It is a flowchart which shows the process of generating a display order setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the icon non-display setting process. It is a flowchart which shows the process of displaying the non-display setting of an icon. It is a flowchart which shows the icon non-display setting process. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure of registering a frequently used setting button. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure of registering a frequently used setting button. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure for registering an application button. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure for registering an application button. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure for registering an application button. It is a figure for demonstrating the procedure for registering an application button.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the parts having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplication of description is omitted.
However, the embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to them. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are essential to the means of solving the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100, which is a kind of information processing apparatus. The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is configured by a multifunction device (MFP).

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a display controller 104, a display unit 105, an operation controller 106, and an operation unit 107. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an eMMC host controller 108, an eMMC 109, a reading controller 110, a reading unit 111, a recording controller 112, and a printing unit 113. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a USB host controller 114, a MODEM 115, a network control unit (NCU) 116, and a network interface card (NIC) 117.

The CPU 101 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 118. When power is supplied, the CPU 101 executes a boot program stored in the ROM 102. Normally, the boot program loads the main program stored in the storage into the RAM 103 and jumps to the beginning of the loaded main program. The RAM 103 functions not only as a loading place for the main program but also as a work area for the main program. The CPU 101 executes the processes shown in each flowchart described later.

The display controller 104 controls drawing on the display unit 105. The display unit 105 is composed of a WVGA size full bitmap LCD. Further, the operation controller 106 controls the input from the operation unit 107 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 107 is composed of a touch panel superimposed on and integrated with the display unit 105. In the following, the display unit 105 and the operation unit 107 may be collectively referred to as a display operation unit.

The reading unit 111 reads the original. An auto document feeder (ADF) (not shown) is attached to the reading unit 111 as an option, and a plurality of original documents can be automatically read. The reading unit 111 is connected to the reading controller 110, and exchanges image data with the CPU 101 via the reading controller 110.
Further, the printing unit 113 forms an image on the recording paper by an electrophotographic method. The printing unit 113 is connected to the recording controller 112, and exchanges image data with the CPU 101 via the recording controller 112.

The USB host controller 114 is in charge of USB protocol control and mediates access to a USB device such as a USB memory (not shown).
MODEM 115 modulates and demodulates signals required for facsimile communication. Further, MODEM 115 is connected to NCU 116. The signal modulated by MODEM 115 is transmitted to the PSTN (public switched telephone network) 121 via the NCU 116.
The NIC 117 bidirectionally exchanges mail and file data with an external server (not shown) via the LAN 122. It also exchanges data bidirectionally with a Web server or the like.
Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) 109 as a storage. The CPU 101 accesses the eMMC 109 via the eMMC host controller 108.

FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. Each part shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 is a software module realized by the CPU 101 executing the main program loaded in the RAM 103 by the boot program described above.
In the main program, the execution of each module described later is managed and controlled by the OS (Operating System) 201. The device drive unit 208 is incorporated in the OS 201. The device drive unit 208 mediates communication with hardware devices such as the display controller 104, the operation controller 106, and the read controller 110.

The UI (User Interface) unit 202 provides various information to the user via the display operation unit and receives various instructions from the user. Various settings for switching the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 can also be changed in the UI unit 202. Various settings changed in the UI unit 202 are physically stored in the eMMC 109 via the database unit 213. The display language setting changed by the UI unit 202 is also one of the various settings.
The job control unit 203 accepts jobs such as copy, print, and fax, and controls the execution of the accepted jobs.

The storage unit 206 physically stores and manages data such as images transmitted / received by facsimile and application settings requested from the extended application unit 210 in the eMMC 109.
For example, when the job control unit 203 accepts a fax transmission job, the scanning unit 207 receives the job request and controls the reading unit 111 to scan the document. Then, the scanned facsimile image data is stored in the storage unit 206. The facsimile image data stored in the storage unit 206 is read out by the fax unit 204 and is facsimile-transmitted to the other party via MODEM 115 and NCU 116. Further, the image data facsimile-received from the other party via MODEM 115 and NCU 116 is taken in by the fax unit 204 and stored in the storage unit 206.

Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a VM (Virtual Machine) / FW (Framework) unit 209 and an extended application unit 210. The extended application unit 210 is composed of an arbitrary program or the like written in a script language. For example, a language system such as JAVA (registered trademark) or Lua, which is an interpreter that interprets and executes a byte code, may be used. The VM / FW unit 209 is in charge of installing an arbitrary program written in a script language or a predetermined high-level language into the extended application unit 210, and uninstalling the program from the extended application unit 210. Further, the VM / FW unit 209 is also in charge of arbitration between the function realized by an arbitrary program installed in the extended application unit 210 and the existing function. Then, the VM / FW unit 209 interprets and executes the described script language.

As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can easily realize any function such as, for example, the language switching application 214 while maintaining the detachability of the function. Further, the VM / FW unit 209 refers to or changes various setting values of the database unit 213 in response to a request from an arbitrary program installed in the extended application unit 210. In this configuration, it is possible to generate multiple buttons with different setting values in the same application.
The UI device control unit 211 mediates that the UI unit 202 and the extended application unit 210 output various information to the display unit 105. It also mediates the transmission of user operations in the operation unit 107 to the UI unit 202 and the extended application unit 210.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a software function unit related to an extended application running on the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100.
When the Servlet service 304 is accessed by HTTP, the process is distributed to the application execution control unit 302 or the standard function control unit 301 according to the accessed URL.
The UI control unit 303 displays a screen on the display operation unit, receives an operation from the user, and notifies the operation information to an appropriate function unit (application execution control unit 302 or standard function control unit 301).

The application management unit 305 manages the installation, startup, and the like of the installed extended application.
The application execution control unit 302 controls the execution of the application started by the application management unit 305. Specifically, it controls the VM / FW unit 209 and the extended application unit 210.

The storage control unit 306 records and manages the program and setting information of the extended application unit 210. The application execution control unit 302 accesses the storage control unit 306 and reads out the application program. Further, each functional unit accesses the storage control unit 306 to refer to and set the set value. When a plurality of buttons having different setting values are generated in the same application, the area of the setting values to be accessed differs for each button.

The standard function control unit 301 controls copying and faxing, which are standard functions of the image forming apparatus 100, and other controls necessary for the image forming apparatus 100.
The timer management unit 307 acquires the current time information from an RTC (Real Time Clock) (not shown), detects that the specified time has elapsed, and notifies the application execution control unit 302. The application execution control unit 302 receives a notification from the timer management unit 307 and requests the application management unit 305 to execute the timer processing of the application.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an apparatus configuration of an information processing system 400 including an image forming apparatus 100 in which an extended application is installed. The information processing system 400 includes an image forming apparatus 101, a host PC 401, and an Ethernet 402.
The image forming apparatus 100 provides the host PC 401 with means for installing the extended application via the Ethernet 402. The host PC 401 has the installation data of the extended application, and installs the extended application in the image forming apparatus 100 by using the extended application installing means provided by the image forming apparatus 100.
In FIG. 4, the information processing system 400 in which one host PC 401 is connected to one image forming apparatus 100 has been described, but a plurality of host PCs are connected to one image forming apparatus 100. It may be configured as follows.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 500 displayed on the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100.
The home screen 500 is generated by the CPU 101 executing a program constituting the UI unit 202, and is displayed on the display operation unit via the UI device control unit 211.

In the example of FIG. 5, the home screen 500 includes six tabs from tab 1 to tab 6. Then, on the screen of FIG. 5, eight icons, four basic function buttons 501 to 504 and four frequently used setting buttons or application buttons 505 to 508, which are icons housed in tab 1, are displayed. There is.
Each icon is a button instructed to perform a specific function provided in the image forming apparatus 100. Among them, the basic function button is a button provided in advance in the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the frequently used setting button is a button registered from the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100, and the application button is a button registered from the host PC 401 which is an external device connected to the image forming apparatus 100.
In the example of FIG. 5, the number of tabs and the number of icons in each tab are set to 6 and 8, respectively, but the number is not limited to this.

Next, a procedure for registering frequently used setting buttons on the home screen 500 will be described with reference to FIG. Frequently used buttons are icons registered from the display operation unit, which is the local UI of the image forming apparatus 100. Frequently used setting buttons are used to call up frequently used basic setting values as shortcuts. Here, an example of registering frequently used settings for the copy function will be described.

First, on the home screen 500 of FIG. 5, when the copy button 501, which is a basic function button, is selected, the copy setting screen 1310 as shown in FIG. 13A (1) is displayed.
Next, when the other setting 1311 is selected on the copy setting screen 1310, the other setting screen 1320 as shown in FIG. 13A (2) is displayed.

Next, when the frequently used setting 1321 is selected on the other setting screen 1320, the frequently used setting screen 1330 as shown in FIG. 13B (3) is displayed.
In the example of FIG. 13B (3), the settings 1 and 2 that have already been registered as frequently used settings, and the settings 3 and 4 that have not been registered yet are displayed. Here, if you want to register a new frequently used setting, select an empty setting for which the setting has not been registered yet. Here, it is assumed that "Setting 3 (unregistered)" is selected.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13B (4), a setting screen 1340 for setting a setting value to be registered as a frequently used setting for setting 3 is displayed. On the setting screen 1340, the user selects a setting value that is a setting that is often used for each setting item, and selects the registration button 1341. The initial value of each setting value displayed on the setting screen 1340 may be the default value set in the image forming apparatus 100, or the value displayed on the copy setting screen 1310 of FIG. 13A (1) is inherited. But it may be.

When the registration button 1341 is selected on the setting screen 1340, a pop-up screen (not shown) prompting the user to select whether or not to display the frequently used setting button on the home screen 500 based on the setting information set on the setting screen 1340 is displayed. Will be done. When registration to the home screen 500 is instructed on the pop-up screen, a frequently used button registered for setting 3 is additionally displayed at the end of the icon displayed on the home screen 500. The place where the frequently used setting button to be added is placed is not limited to the end of the icon displayed on the home screen 500, and the user is allowed to select where to add the setting button on the home screen 500 on the setting screen 1340 or the like. It may be configured as follows.
In this way, by operating the display operation unit which is the local UI of the image forming apparatus 100, it is possible to register frequently used settings.

Next, the procedure for registering the application button on the home screen 500 will be described with reference to FIG. The application button is an icon registered from the host PC 401, which is the remote UI of the image forming apparatus 100. The app button is used to save detailed settings and complicated settings.

First, when the remote UI of the image forming apparatus 100 is accessed from the host PC 401, the portal screen 1410 as shown in FIG. 14A is displayed.
Next, when the application library 1411 is selected on the portal screen 1410, the application library screen 1420 as shown in FIG. 14B is displayed. The application library screen 1420 displays a list of applications managed by the application management unit 305. The application managed here is not a native application of the image forming apparatus 100, but an application added to the image forming apparatus 100.

Here, the user selects an application to be registered in the home screen 500 from the applications displayed in the list of the application library screen 1420. Here, it is assumed that an application called preset ID card copy 1421 is selected. This application is an application that scans both sides of an ID card such as a driver's license and prints the front and back sides of the ID card on one side of the paper.

FIG. 14C is an example of the preset ID card copy screen 1430 displayed when the preset ID card copy 1421 is selected on the application library screen 1420. Here, the setting information for the application for which the setting value has already been registered is displayed in a list. Further, the display state 1432 indicates whether or not the application button for the application of the preset ID card copy 1421 is displayed on the home screen 500. In the example of FIG. 14C, it is shown that the application button for the preset ID card copy is not displayed on the home screen 500.

When the new button registration 1431 is selected on the preset ID card copy screen 1430, the new button registration screen 1440 as shown in FIG. 14D is displayed. On the new button registration screen 1440, the user can set the setting value when using this application in the detailed information 1441 of the button in detail. When the user sets the setting value for each setting item in the detailed information 1441 of the button and selects the OK button 1442, the screen returns to the preset ID card copy screen 1430 of FIG. 14C. Then, by selecting the display state 1432 of the preset ID card copy screen 1430, it is possible to switch the display / non-display of the application button, which is a button for this application, on the home screen 500.

Here, as the application button to be displayed on the home screen 500, the application button for the preset ID card copy application has been described as an example, but the application button is not limited to this. For example, an application that sends scan data to a fixed destination or an application that prints document data acquired from a file path (or URL) set by the user can be displayed as an application button by the same operation. ..
As described above, the registration and display of the application button is performed from the host PC 401 which is a remote UI, and cannot be performed from the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100 which is a local UI.

Next, the display order setting screen 600 for setting the display order of the icons displayed on the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A.
The display order setting screen 600 of FIG. 6A shows an example of the display order of the icons for the tab 1 described with reference to FIG. On the display order setting screen 600, in addition to the icons 501 to 508 displayed on the home screen 500 of FIG. 5, a confirmation button 601, a hidden tab button 602, and a back button 603 are also displayed. On the display order setting screen 600, the user can rearrange the icons 501 to 508 by dragging and dropping. In addition, the user can delete the registration itself of the frequently used setting buttons or application buttons 505 to 508, and can also delete (hide) from the home screen 500 while being registered by the non-display setting process described later. ..
When the hidden tab button 602 is pressed or flicked upward on the display order setting screen 600, the screen transitions to the hidden tab button screen.

FIG. 6B is an example of the hidden tab button screen 610.
The hidden tab button screen 610 accommodates an icon that is not displayed on the home screen 500, unlike the tab 1 displayed on the home screen 500 (see FIG. 5A). Each hidden tab has an icon storage area of up to 5 pages, 4 per page. The data structure in the hidden tab will be described later.
The example of FIG. 6B shows an example in which four icons 611 to 614 are housed in the hidden tab 1. The icons 612 and 614 were displayed on the home screen 500 shown in FIG. 5, but were deleted from the home screen 500 by the non-display setting process and stored in the hidden tab button screen 610.
In the example of FIG. 6B, the number of pages of each hidden tab and the number of icons in one page are set to 5 and 4, respectively, but the number is not limited to these.

Next, the data structure for managing the display order of the icons will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Here, FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining a data structure for managing the display order of icons on the home screen 500 of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, FIG. 7B is a diagram for explaining a data structure for managing the display order of icons on the hidden tab button screen 610.
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 manages the display order of each icon on the home screen 500 by a display order array 700 which is a two-dimensional array consisting of tab numbers and position numbers. Further, the display order of the icons on the hidden tab button screen 610 is managed by the display order array 710, which is a one-dimensional array based on the position number.

In FIG. 7A, (1) is an example of the display order setting screen 701 for the tab 1. Similarly, (2) is an example of the display order setting screen 702 for the tab 2. Further, (3) is a display order arrangement of icons on the home screen.
It is assumed that the numbers (button IDs) for specifying the icons are 101 to 104 for the four icons shown in the upper area on the display order setting screen 701 of (1). Similarly, it is assumed that the button IDs are 201, 202, 301, and 302 for the four icons shown in the lower area. In this example, the button ID whose first bit is "1" indicates that it is a basic function button. Similarly, the button IDs whose first 1 bits are "2" and "3" indicate that they are frequently used setting buttons and application buttons, respectively.

Further, it is assumed that the button IDs are 111 to 114 for the four icons shown in the upper area on the display order setting screen 702 of (2). The icon is not displayed in the lower area.

The icon of the button ID 101 is stored in the area [1,1] where the tab number is 1 and the position number is 1 in the display order array 700 of (3). Further, the icon of the button ID 102 is stored in the area [1, 2] in the display order array 700. The same applies to the following icons.
Similarly, the icon of the button ID 111 of (2) is stored in the area [2, 1] in the display order array 700. The same applies to the following icons.
The "000" stored in the areas [2, 5] to [2, 8] of the display order arrangement 700 of (3) is an icon in the position numbers 5 to 8 on the home screen 500 for the tab 2. Means that does not exist.

On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, (1) is an example of the hidden tab button screen 711 for the hidden tab 1. Similarly, (2) is an example of the hidden tab button screen 712 for the hidden tab 2. Further, (3) is an icon display order arrangement 710 on the hidden tab button screen.
The icon of the button ID 211 of (1) is held in the area [1] in the icon display order arrangement 710 of (3). Further, the icon of the button ID 212 is held in the area [2] in the icon display order arrangement 710. The same applies to the following icons.
Similarly, the icon of the button ID 214 of (2) is held in the area [5] in the icon display order array 710. The same applies to the following icons.
The format of the button ID is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process when an icon is selected on the home screen 500. The process shown in FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program constituting the UI unit 202.

First, in step S801, the CPU 101 acquires the button ID corresponding to the icon selected by the user on the home screen 500 from the display order array 700.
Next, in step S802, the CPU 101 determines the icon type based on the button ID acquired in step S801. The determination is made based on the value in the button ID or the like.
As a result of the determination, if the selected icon is a basic function button, the process proceeds to step S803. If it is a frequently used setting button, the process proceeds to step S804, and if it is an application button, the process proceeds to step S806.

In step S803, the CPU 101 acquires the standard set value, which is the set value of the selected basic function button, from the database unit 213, and proceeds to step S805.
In step S804, the CPU 101 acquires the set value set for the selected frequently used button from the database unit 213, and proceeds to step S805.
In step S805, the CPU 101 generates screen data based on the function of the selected button and the acquired set value, and proceeds to step S808.

In step S806, the CPU 101 acquires the application information and the button information from the acquired button ID by using the conversion table on the database unit 213.
Next, in step S807, the CPU 101 generates screen data from the extended application unit 210 via the VM / FW unit 209 using the application information and the button information acquired in step S806, and proceeds to step S808.

In step S808, the CPU 101 displays a screen on the display unit 105 via the UI device control unit 211 based on the generated screen data.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of generating the display order setting screen 600. The process shown in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program constituting the UI unit 202.

First, in step S901 of FIG. 9 (1), the CPU 101 performs an application update check process. The details of the application update check process will be described later using the flowchart of FIG. 9 (2).
Next, in step S902, the CPU 101 acquires the icon display order array 700.

Next, in step S903, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the information (icon information such as icon data and button names) about the icons arranged in the display range of the screen is prepared. The process of proceeding to step S904 is repeated until all the items are prepared. Then, when they are ready, the process proceeds to step S906.
In step S904, the CPU 101 sequentially acquires the button IDs of the icons arranged in the display range of the screen from the display order array 700.
Next, in step S905, the CPU 101 acquires the icon information corresponding to the button ID by using the button ID acquired from the database unit 213.

In step S906, the CPU 101 generates screen data using the acquired icon information. Then, based on the generated screen data, the display unit 105 displays the screen via the UI device control unit 211.

Next, the application update check process in step S901 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 (2). The application update check process is a process for updating the icon information according to the setting change of the application.

First, in step S911, the CPU 101 acquires the application update flag on the database unit 213.
Then, if the application update flag is ON, the process proceeds to step S912. If it is OFF, the application update check process ends as it is. The application update flag is turned ON when the application management unit 305 changes the application settings via the servlet service 304.

In step S912, the CPU 101 acquires icon data such as icon data and button names in order from the extended application unit 210 via the VM / FW unit 209.
Next, in step S913, the CPU 101 determines whether the icon information has been acquired for all the applications. Step S912 is repeated until icon information is acquired for all applications, and when all acquisitions are completed, the process proceeds to step S914.

In step S914, the CPU 101 registers icon data such as icon data and button names for all acquired applications in the database unit 213.
Next, in step S915, the CPU 101 turns off the application update flag. Then, the application update check process is completed, and the process proceeds to step S902 in FIG. 9 (1).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a non-display setting process for hiding the displayed icon. In the present embodiment, the user selects an icon to be deleted (non-display setting) from the home screen 500 on the display order setting screen 600 (see FIG. 6A) displayed on the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The user can select an icon by long-pressing the icon, dragging and dropping the icon to a specific position, and the like. The process shown in FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program constituting the UI unit 202.

First, in step S1001, the CPU 101 acquires the button ID corresponding to the icon selected by the user from the display order array 700.
Next, in step S1002, the CPU 101 determines the icon type based on the button ID acquired in step S1001.
As a result of the determination, if the selected icon is a basic function button, the process proceeds to step S1003. If it is a frequently used setting button, the process proceeds to step S1004, and if it is an application button, the process proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1003, the CPU 101 notifies the user of the non-deleteable action. The non-deleteable action depends on the user's operation of selecting the icon. For example, when the icon selection operation is long-pressed, the non-deletionable action is preferably an error notification by a warning sound or the like, a display of a non-deletable warning screen, or the like. If the icon selection operation is drag and drop to a specific position, in addition to the above means, highlighting that the icon cannot be dropped to the drag destination, displaying the icon back to the original position, etc. are performed. May be good.

In step S1004, the CPU 101 deletes the acquired button ID from the display order array 700. As a result, the selected icon (frequently used setting button) is deleted from the home screen 500.
As for the frequently used setting buttons, the user can set the redisplay from the display operation unit which is the local UI of the image forming apparatus 100. Here, when the non-display setting is made, the setting value itself is not deleted for the frequently used setting button, so that the setting value itself can be displayed again by a simple operation.

In step S1005, the CPU 101 acquires the application information and the button information from the acquired button ID by using the conversion table on the database unit 213.
Next, in step S1006, the CPU 101 accesses the storage control unit 306 of the extended application unit 210 via the VM / FW unit 209 by using the application information and the button information acquired in step S1005. Then, among the setting information about the application corresponding to the selected icon, the display state 1432 is switched to "hidden". As a result, the selected icon (app button) is deleted from the home screen 500.
The user can set the redisplay of the application button from the host PC 401, which is the remote UI of the image forming apparatus 100. Here, when setting the non-display, the application button can be redisplayed by a simple operation because the display state 1432 is only switched to "hidden" in the setting information about the application. can.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the non-display setting process, the user selects an icon of a frequently used setting button or application button displayed on the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100. It can be hidden. Further, at this time, regardless of whether it is a frequently used setting button registered from the local UI or an application button registered from the remote UI, the image forming apparatus 100 can be operated in the same manner without being conscious of the type of icon. It can be hidden by the above operation.

<Second embodiment>
In the first embodiment, in the non-display setting process (see FIG. 10), the icon to be hidden is selected on the display order setting screen 600 displayed on the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100. However, on the display order setting screen 600, the non-displayable icon may be distinguished from the non-displayable icon and displayed so that the user can distinguish it. On the contrary, the icon that cannot be hidden may be distinguished from the icon that cannot be hidden and displayed so that the user can distinguish it. It should be noted that this display may be configured so that it can always be discriminated on the display order setting screen 600, or it may be configured to transition to a discriminable state when the user switches to an arbitrary mode. good.
Since the hardware configuration and software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100, the apparatus configuration of the information processing system 400, and the like are the same as those of the first embodiment in the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying the non-displayable icon according to the second embodiment so that the user can identify it on the display order setting screen 600. The process shown in FIG. 11 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program constituting the UI unit 202.

First, in step S1101, the CPU 101 acquires the icon display order array 700.
Next, in step S1102, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the information (icon information such as icon data and button names) about the icons arranged in the display range of the screen is prepared. The process of proceeding to S1103 is repeated until all the items are prepared. When they are ready, proceed to S1107.

In step S1103, the CPU 101 sequentially acquires the button IDs of the icons arranged in the display range of the screen from the display order array 700.
Next, in step S1104, the CPU 101 determines the icon type based on the button ID acquired in step S1103.
As a result of the determination, if the selected icon is a basic function button, the process proceeds to step S1106 as it is. If it is not a basic function button, the process proceeds to step S1105.
In step S1105, the CPU 101 gives the icon information a display that can be determined by the user to be non-displayable. Then, the process proceeds to step S1106.

Next, in step S1106, the CPU 101 acquires the icon information corresponding to the button ID by using the button ID acquired from the database unit 213. Then, the process returns to step S1102.

When the icon information about the icons arranged in the display range of the screen is gathered in step S1102, the process proceeds to step S1107.
In step S1107, the CPU 101 generates screen data using the acquired icon information in the display range of the screen. Then, based on the generated screen data, the display unit 105 displays the screen via the UI device control unit 211.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a non-display setting process for hiding the displayed icon in the second embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 12 replaces the flowchart showing the non-display setting process shown in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 12 is also realized by the CPU 101 executing the program constituting the UI unit 202.

First, in step S1201, the CPU 101 acquires the button ID corresponding to the icon selected by the user from the display order array 700. Here, since the basic function button is not displayed so that it can be hidden, the icon that can be selected by the user is either a frequently used setting button or an application button.

Next, in step S1202, the CPU 101 determines the icon type based on the button ID acquired in step S1201.
As a result of the determination, if the selected icon is a frequently used setting button, the process proceeds to step S1203. If the selected icon is an application button, the process proceeds to step S1204.

In step S1203, the CPU 101 deletes the acquired button ID from the display order array 700. As a result, the selected icon (frequently used setting button) is deleted from the home screen 500.

On the other hand, in step S1204, the CPU 101 acquires the application information and the button information from the acquired button ID by using the conversion table on the database unit 213.
Next, in step S1205, the CPU 101 accesses the storage control unit 306 of the extended application unit 210 via the VM / FW unit 209 by using the application information and the button information acquired in step S1204. Then, among the setting information about the application corresponding to the selected icon, the display state 1432 is switched to "hidden". As a result, the selected icon (app button) is deleted from the home screen 500.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the user uses the frequently used setting button displayed on the display operation unit of the image forming apparatus 100 in the non-display setting process. Alternatively, the icon of the application button can be selected to hide it. Further, in the second embodiment, at this time, the icon information that the display can be set is given only to the frequently used setting button and the application button, and is not given to the basic function button, so that the user operates erroneously. Can be prevented.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or a device composed of one device.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention. That is, all the configurations in which the above-mentioned configuration example and the modification thereof are combined are included in the present invention.

100 Image forming device 105 Display unit 401 Host PC
500 home screen

Claims (11)

Execution means to perform a specific function and
A display means for displaying an icon for instructing the execution of the function, and
An operating means that can select the icon and
It is an information processing device that has
The icon includes a first icon registered from the operating means and a second icon registered from an external device.
An information processing apparatus comprising: a deleting means capable of deleting the first icon and the second icon from the display means based on an operation in the operating means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deleting means deletes the first icon and the second icon from the display means based on the same operation in the operating means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a determination means for determining whether the icon selected by the operating means is the first icon or the second icon. .. An ID is assigned to each of the icons.
The information according to claim 3, wherein the determination means determines whether the icon selected by the operation means is the first icon or the second icon based on the ID. Processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the icon further includes a third icon registered in advance. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the deletion means cannot delete the third icon from the display means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the operating means, the operation of deleting the third icon from the display means cannot be performed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in the display means, the third icon is displayed separately from the first icon and the second icon. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operating means can instruct the rearrangement of the icons displayed in the display means. Execution means to perform a specific function and
A display means for displaying an icon for instructing the execution of the function, and
An operating means that can select the icon and
It is a control method of an information processing device having
The icon includes a first icon registered from the operating means and a second icon registered from an external device.
A control method for an information processing apparatus, which comprises a deletion step of deleting the first icon and the second icon from the display means based on an operation in the operation means. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 10.

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