U.S. patent application number 13/081623 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for display control device, image processing device and display control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Tsunehiro Motegi, Mahina Nakamura, Yumiko Okuma, Yasutsugu Sasaki, Maki Sato.
Application Number | 20110209225 13/081623 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38620986 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110209225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakamura; Mahina ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND DISPLAY CONTROL
METHOD
Abstract
There is disclosed a technique capable of improving
operatability for registered users and capable of displaying an
interface screen for guest users with security levels
maintained.
Inventors: |
Nakamura; Mahina;
(Musashino-shi, JP) ; Sato; Maki; (Yokohama-shi,
JP) ; Motegi; Tsunehiro; (Shinjuku-ku, JP) ;
Okuma; Yumiko; (Nakano-ku, JP) ; Sasaki;
Yasutsugu; (Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
38620986 |
Appl. No.: |
13/081623 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11736691 |
Apr 18, 2007 |
7945961 |
|
|
13081623 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
726/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/105
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
726/27 |
International
Class: |
G06F 21/00 20060101
G06F021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2006 |
JP |
2006-117756 |
Claims
1. A display control device comprising: an identification
information obtaining unit that obtains identification information
for identifying a user; a determination unit that determines, based
on the identification information obtained by the identification
information obtaining unit, whether the user belongs to a first
group or a second group which is allowed to conduct operation
concerning only processing items of a lower security level than a
security level allowed for the first group; and a control unit that
performs control so as to display, for the user determined as
belonging to the second group by the determination unit, display
objects corresponding to predetermined processing items of a lower
security level than a security level of processing items to be
displayed for the user determined as belonging to the first group.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No.
11/736,691 filed on Apr. 18, 2007, which claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese patent application No. 2006-117756 filed on
Apr. 21, 2006, the entire contents of both of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an interface screen which
displays objects to be displayed such as characters or icons, and
particularly relates to a display control technique for displaying
objects to be displayed, on an interface screen.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] When selecting among processing modes (copy processing mode,
print processing mode, etc.) for performing respectively different
processings in a commonly used image processing device or the like,
an icon corresponding to a desired processing mode is selected from
a main menu screen. This main menu screen displays the same content
regardless of whether the user is a registered user of the image
processing device or the like or one of many unspecified users
other than registered users (see, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln.
Laid-Open Publications Nos. 2004-348085, 2004-185143, 2000-231309,
and 11-288344).
[0006] However, some processing modes selected by an user give rise
to a risk that guest users can be allowed to acquire information
which should not be open to outside. On the other hand, being too
sensitive to setting of a higher security level may undesirably
impair operatability of the interface screen displayed for
registered users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An embodiment of the present invention has been achieved to
address the aforementioned problems and has an object of providing
a technique capable of improving operatability for registered users
and capable of displaying an interface screen for guest users with
security levels maintained.
[0008] According to one aspect of the invention to address the
above problems, there is provided a display control device
including: an identification information obtaining unit that
obtains identification information for identifying a user; a
determination unit that determines, based on the identification
information obtained by the identification information obtaining
unit, whether the user belongs to a first group or a second group
which is allowed to conduct operation concerning only processing
items of a lower security level than a security level allowed for
the first group; and a control unit that performs control so as to
display, for the user determined as belonging to the second group
by the determination unit, display objects corresponding to
predetermined processing items of a lower security level than a
security level of processing items to be displayed for the user
determined as belonging to the first group.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided an image processing device including: the display control
device configured as described above; an operation input unit that
receives operation input from a user, based on content displayed by
the display control device; and an image processing unit that
performs predetermined image processing, based on the input
received by the operation input unit.
[0010] According to still another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a display control method including: obtaining
identification information for identifying a user; determining,
based on the obtained identification information, whether the user
belongs to a first group or a second group which is allowed to
conduct operation concerning only processing items of a lower
security level than a security level allowed for the first group;
and performing control so as to display, for the user determined as
belonging to the second group, display objects corresponding to
predetermined processing items of a lower security level than a
security level of processing items to be displayed for the user
determined as belonging to the first group.
[0011] According to still another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a display control device including: an identification
information obtaining means for obtaining identification
information for identifying a user; a determination means for
determining, based on the identification information obtained by
the identification information obtaining means, whether the user
belongs to a first group or a second group which is allowed to
conduct operation concerning only processing items of a lower
security level than a security level allowed for the first group;
and a control means for performing control so as to display, for
the user determined as belonging to the second group by the
determination means, display objects corresponding to predetermined
processing items of a lower security level than a security level of
processing items to be displayed for the user determined as
belonging to the first group.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network system to which an
image processing device 11 having a display control device 2
according to an embodiment is applied;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for describing outline of the
image processing device 11, showing an outer appearance of the
image processing device 11 which has the display control device 2
according to the embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for describing the
display control device 2 according to the embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a table listing icons (display objects
corresponding to predetermined processing items) which are allowed
to be displayed on a screen to guest users who belong to a second
group;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows an example of an interface screen displayed by
a control unit 205 for guest users who belong to the second
group;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a table which is obtained by a frequency
information obtaining unit 204 and shows selection frequencies of
display objects selected by a user;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a state in which icons 601 to 607 are arranged
such that an icon having the highest selection frequency is
positioned at an upper left part of the screen and an icon having
the lowest selection frequency is positioned at a lower right part
of the screen, based on selection frequencies obtained by the
frequency information obtaining unit;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows an example of an interface screen 101 in which
icons are displayed (emphasized) by the control unit such that the
higher the selection frequency, the greater the size;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a table which is obtained by the frequency
information obtaining unit 204 and shows selection frequencies of
icons in a PC 41 with respect to a user who belongs to the first
group;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows an example of an interface screen displayed on
a display screen 41a of the PC 41, based on the selection
frequencies shown in FIG. 9; and
[0022] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a flow of processing
(display control method) in the display control device according
the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0023] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a
network system to which an image processing device 11 having a
display control device 2 according to the embodiment is applied. In
the network system shown in the figure, image processing devices 11
to 1n, a database 3, PCs (Personal Computers) 41 to 4n, and a
server 5 are connected to be able to communicate mutually via an
electric communication channel such as the Internet 9.
[0024] In this configuration, it is supposed that the Internet is
the means which connects the image processing devices 11 to 1n,
database 3, PCs 41 to 4n, and server 5 to be able to communicate
with one another. However, the means is not limited to the Internet
but can be a LAN, WAN, or the like (whether the means is of a wired
type or wireless type). From the PCs 41 to 4n, various settings
concerning image processing can be carried out and execution
commands for image processing can be issued to the image processing
devices 11 to 1n. Commands and the like from the PCs 41 to 4n to
the image processing devices 11 to 1n are issued by a driver
installed in the PCs 41 to 4n. The database 3 functions as a
storage area for storing various setting information or the like
which is used by the image processing devices 11 to 1n and PCs 41
to 4n.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for describing outline of the
image processing device 11, showing an outer appearance of the
image processing device 11 which has the display control device 2
according to the embodiment. In this case, for example, an MFP
(Multi Function Peripheral) is dealt with as the image processing
device 11.
[0026] The image processing device 11 according to the embodiment
is constituted by an interface screen 101, ADF (Auto Document
Feeder) 102, image reader unit (image reader means) 103, manual
sheet feed unit (manual sheet feed means) 104, sheet feed cassette
105, image forming unit (image forming means) 106, authentication
processing unit (authentication processing means) 107, and display
control device 2.
[0027] Operation of the image processing device 11 according to the
embodiment will now be described in brief. In case of carrying out
a copy processing (a predetermined image processing) by the image
processing device 11, a user authentication processing is performed
at first by the authentication processing unit 107. Subsequently,
an original material set on the ADF 102 is automatically conveyed
to a document read position of the image reader unit (image
processing unit) 103, based on operation input by a user who has
succeeded in the authentication processing. An image is read from
the original material conveyed in this manner. Further, according
to a sheet feed method selected based on operation input through
the interface screen 101, sheet feed operation is carried out by
either the sheet feed cassette 105 or the manual sheet feed unit
104. A fed paper sheet is conveyed to the image forming unit (image
processing unit) 106 and is subjected to an image forming
processing based on the image read by the image reader unit 103.
Thus, the copy processing is completed.
[0028] The interface screen 101 is constituted by, for example, a
touch panel display and functions as an operation input unit which
receives operation input from the user, based on content displayed
on the interface screen 101.
[0029] Details of the display control device 2 will now be
described. The display control device 2 functions to display, on
the interface screen 101, plural display objects such as characters
or icons corresponding to plural processing modes which
respectively perform different predetermined processing, such as
"Send Data", "Call Content of Registered Favorites", "Scan
Preview", "Print", "Save Data", and "Box". The "characters" include
"symbols" and "icons" include "figures". In the display control
device according to this embodiment, either characters or icons can
be displayed as display objects on the screen. For convenience
sake, display objects will be simply referred to as "icons" in the
following description. A target to be processed through the
predetermined processing by the image processing device 11 is, for
example, an original material of a sheet type or a brochure type or
image data.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for describing the
display control device 2 according to the embodiment.
[0031] The display control device 2 according to this embodiment is
constituted by an identification information obtaining unit
(identification information obtaining means) 201, a determination
unit (determination means) 202, a setting information obtaining
unit (setting information obtaining means) 203, a frequency
information obtaining unit (frequency information obtaining means)
204, a control unit (control means) 205, a display setting unit
(display setting means) 206, a CPU 801, and a MEMORY 802.
[0032] The authentication information obtaining unit 201 obtains
identification information such as a user ID for identifying a
user, which is obtained through authentication processing by the
authentication processing unit 107. The authentication processing
by the authentication processing unit 107 is achieved by reading a
user ID recorded in a contactless IC card owned by a user via an
antenna which the authentication processing unit 10 has. Needless
to say, the method in which the authentication processing unit 107
obtains identification information is not limited to reading from a
contactless IC card. For example, identification information can by
obtained upon key input or input of biometric information such as a
fingerprint or voiceprint based on biometric authentication.
[0033] Based on the identification information obtained by the
identification information obtaining unit 201, the determination
unit 202 determines which of a "first group" and a "second group
which is allowed to operate only processing items of a lower
security level than the first group" the user belongs to. Users who
belong to the first group have been registered in advance. Users
who belong to the second group are guest users not registered.
[0034] The setting information obtaining unit 203 obtains setting
information related to the identification information of the user
who has been determined to belong to the first group, from the
database 3 as an external device which can communicate with the
display control device 2.
[0035] The frequency information obtaining unit 204 obtains from
the database 3 information concerning frequency of selecting
display objects in the image processing device 11 having the
display unit (equivalent the interface screen 101) to be displayed
on the screen by the control unit 205, with respect to the user
determined to belong to the first group by the determination unit
202.
[0036] For a user who is determined as belonging to the second
group by the determination unit 202, the control unit 205 displays
only display objects corresponding to predetermined processing
items having a lower security level than a security level of
processing items to be displayed for a user who is determined as
belong to the first group. FIG. 4 is a table listing icons (display
objects corresponding to predetermined processing items) which are
allowed to be displayed on a screen to guest users who belong to
the second group. Selection frequency in this table refers to an
average value of selection frequency per month with respect to all
users who use the image processing device 11. FIG. 5 shows an
example of an interface screen displayed by the control unit 205
for guest users who belong to the second group.
[0037] In the example shown in the figure, icons 601, 603, and 605
corresponding to respective processing modes are displayed in equal
sizes, arranged in line. As a security measure against guest users,
"Save Data", "Box", "Favorite", and "Print" are excluded in advance
from display objects.
[0038] Thus, to users determined as belonging to the second group,
the control unit 205 prevents display of display objects
corresponding to processing items which enable access to
information which is allowed to be accessed from only users
determined as belonging to the first group.
[0039] On the other side, to users determined as belonging to the
first group, the control unit 205 allows display of display objects
corresponding to processing items which enable access to
information which is allowed to be accessed from only users
determined as belonging to the first group, on the basis of setting
information obtained by the setting information obtaining unit 203.
In this case, icons corresponding to all processing modes "Send
Data", "Call Content of Registered Favorites", "Scan Preview",
"Print", "Save Data", and "Box" can be displayed.
[0040] Based on information obtained by the frequency information
obtaining unit 204, the control unit 205 controls display objects
to be displayed such that display objects are arrayed from one of
the left and upper sides on the screen in order from one selected
at the highest frequency by the user. FIG. 6 is a table which is
obtained by the frequency information obtaining unit 204 and shows
selection frequencies of display objects selected by a user. As can
be seen from the table, the icons 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, and
607 are ranked in this order from one selected at the highest
selection frequency. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the icons 601 to
607 are arranged such that an icon having the highest selection
frequency is positioned at an upper left part of the screen and an
icon having the lowest selection frequency is positioned at a lower
right part of the screen, based on selection frequencies obtained
by the frequency information obtaining unit 204. There is a
commonly used principle that, when designing a user interface, the
most important object is located in the left side or upper side
while the least important object is located in the right side or
lower side. Desirably, icons should be arranged on the screen
according to this principle. That is, if the entire display area is
located deviated to the left side, upper side, or upper left side,
icons of higher importance are naturally located deviated to the
left side, upper side, or upper left side from the center position
on the screen. Then, icons of lower importance located in an outer
annular area are positioned deviated to the right side, lower side,
or lower right side from the center position on the screen. In this
manner, icons can be arrayed according to a commonly used design
principle (which users feel natural), contributing to improvement
of operatability for users.
[0041] Based on information obtained by the frequency information
obtaining unit 204, the control unit 205 can further display
objects such that the higher the selection frequencies at which the
display objects are selected by the user are, the more the display
objects are emphasized on the screen. More specifically, the
control unit 205 achieves emphasized display of display objects,
for example, by changing at lest one of content of characters, font
of characters, line weight of characters, inclination of
characters, shape of a figure, thickness of lines, brightness,
size, motion, saturation, and contrast value. FIG. 8 shows an
example of the interface screen 101 in which icons are displayed
(emphasized) by the control unit 205 such that the higher the
selection frequency, the greater the size.
[0042] Thus, in case where a registered user logs in, icons having
a higher selection frequency are displayed emphasized or located at
conspicuous positions which easily attract the user in accordance
with a common design principle concerning a user interface, on the
basis of a past operation log of the user. As a result, the
interface screen can be arranged so that icons which will be
selected more frequently by the user are easier to select,
contributing to improvement of operatability.
[0043] Thus, a group of icons which are allowed to be displayed to
users who belong to the first group are displayed to the users, on
the screen, based on display settings respectively corresponding to
the users. To users who belong to the second group (so-called
guests), a group of icons indicative of limited predetermined
processing items for executing only operations which do not cause
problems concerning security are displayed on the screen. In this
manner, operatability for registered users can be improved, and an
interface screen for guest users can be displayed with security
levels maintained.
[0044] The display setting unit 206 further sets and registers, in
the database 3, at least one of a display position or a degree of
emphasis for an arbitrary display object on the screen. The setting
information obtaining unit 203 obtains as setting information the
information set by the display setting unit 206. That is, users are
allowed to locate desired icons at desired display positions or to
display desired icons emphasized at desired emphasis degrees. With
this configuration, users are capable of customizing freely content
displayed on the interface screen. Accordingly, each user can
rearrange icons in order of use frequencies, and can inhibit
display of icons corresponding to processing modes which the user
does not use. Alternatively, menus having a close relationship with
each other, such as "Scan Preview" and "Print" can be located,
collected together. In this manner, an interface screen which is
easy for each individual user to realize an operation content can
be created. In addition, content of a setting concerning display
positions or emphasized display of icons and the like is stored in
an external device such as the database 3. Therefore, a user who
once has made up a display setting can obtain the same display
setting from the database 3 even when the user uses a different
image processing device to display a main menu screen. Accordingly,
even in such case, the user can carry out operation on a similar
interface screen.
[0045] The CPU 801 functions to perform various processings in the
image processing device 11 and display control device 2. The CPU
801 further functions to execute programs stored in the MEMORY 802
to achieve various functions. The MEMORY 802 is constituted by, for
example, a ROM or RAM, and functions to store various information
and programs used by the image processing device 11 and the display
control device 2.
[0046] The above embodiment refers to an example in which the
interface screen 101 is included in the image processing device 11.
The invention is not limited to this configuration but the
interface screen 101 can be included in the PC 4. In this case, the
frequency information obtaining unit 204 obtains, from the database
3, information concerning selection frequencies of display objects
in the PC 41 with respect to a user who is determined as belonging
to the first group by the determination unit 202. FIG. 9 is a table
which is obtained by the frequency information obtaining unit 204
and shows selection frequencies of icons in the PC 41 with respect
to a user who belongs to the first group (selection frequencies
shown in FIG. 6 also relate to the same user). As can be seen from
the table, the icons 607, 604, 603, 602, 606, 605, and 601 are
selected by the user in this order from the highest selection
frequency. This is because the user has different use purposes
respectively for direct operation of the image processing device 11
and for remote operation through the PC 41. Thus, interface screens
can be displayed respectively based on selection histories of
devices which the user actually operates. Therefore, the user can
work efficiently with the respective devices. FIG. 10 shows an
example of an interface screen displayed on the display screen 41a
of the PC 41, based on the selection frequencies shown in FIG.
9.
[0047] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a flow of processing
(display control method) in the display control device according
this embodiment.
[0048] The display setting unit 206 sets at least one of a display
position or a degree of emphasis for an arbitrary display object on
the screen (display setting step: S101).
[0049] The identification information obtaining unit 201 obtains
identification information for identifying a user (identification
information obtaining step: S102).
[0050] The determination unit 202 determines whether the user
belongs to the first or second group, based on the identification
information obtained by the identification information obtaining
unit (determination step: S103). Users of the second group are
allowed to conduct operation concerning only processing items which
are set at a lower security level than that of the first group.
[0051] The setting information obtaining step 203 obtains, from an
external device, setting information concerning screen display
related to identification information of the user who has been
determined as belonging to the first group (setting information
obtaining step: S104). In the setting information obtaining step,
information set by the display setting step can be obtained as
setting information.
[0052] The frequency information obtaining unit 204 obtains
information concerning selection frequencies of display objects for
the user who has been determined as belonging to the first group by
the determination step (frequency information obtaining step:
S105). The frequency information obtaining step should desirably
obtain information concerning selection frequencies of display
objects in a device on which a screen is to be displayed through a
control step, with respect to the user who has been determined as
belonging to the first group by the determination step.
[0053] By the control unit 205, only display objects corresponding
to predetermined processing items of a lower security level than
that of processing items which are displayed to users determined as
belonging to the first group are displayed to users who are
determined as belonging to the second group by the determination
step (control step: S106). That is, to users determined as
belonging to the second group, the control step inhibits display of
display objects corresponding to processing items which enable
access to information which is allowed to be accessible only from
users determined as belonging to the first group. By the control
step, display objects corresponding to processing items which
should be displayed to users determined as belonging to the first
group are displayed to users who are determined as belonging to the
first group, based on setting information obtained by the setting
information obtaining step.
[0054] In the control step, display objects should desirably
displayed such that display objects are arrayed from one of the
left and upper sides on the screen in order from a display object
selected at the highest selection frequency by a user, based on
information obtained by the frequency information obtaining step.
Alternatively, display objects can be displayed such that the
higher the selection frequencies at which the display objects are
selected by a user are, the more the display objects are emphasized
on the screen.
[0055] Each of the steps of the processing in the above display
control device can be performed by causing the CPU 801 to execute a
display control program stored in the MEMORY 802. The embodiment is
configured such that the display setting step is executed first.
However, the invention is not particularly limited to this
configuration as far as content of a setting set by the display
setting step can be referred to when processing for displaying an
interface screen is performed in the control step. Needless to say,
setting information which was set by the display setting unit 206
in a previous operation can be used in the control step being now
newly executed.
[0056] The above embodiment has been described with reference to a
case that functions which realize the invention have been recorded
in a device. However, the invention is not limited to this case.
For example, similar functions can be downloaded from a network or
a recording medium storing similar functions can be installed in a
device. The recording medium can be of any type such as CD-ROM or
the like as far as the recording medium can store a program and is
readable from a device. Such functions which can be obtained by
installation or download cooperate with an OS (Operating System)
inside a device, to realize the functions.
[0057] Although the above embodiment refers to an example in which
various setting information is obtained from a database 3 by an
image processing device or PC, the invention is not limited to this
example. For example, the setting information can be obtained from
a storage area (MEMORY 802 or the like) included in a device on
which an icons screen is to be displayed according to the display
control method as described above, or can be obtained from another
image processing device or PC.
[0058] The above embodiment refers to an example in which a main
menu screen is displayed on a MFP or PC. Needless to say, however,
the invention is applicable to any device such as a printer,
scanner, and MMK (Multi Media Kiosk) in addition to a MFP and PC as
far as the device performs predetermined image processing such as
image forming processing, image reading processing, image edit
processing, and/or image pickup processing.
[0059] The invention has been described with reference to a
particular embodiment as described above. However, it would be
obvious for a person skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications are available without deviating from the sprit and
scope of the invention.
[0060] As has been specifically described above, according to the
invention, there is provided a technique capable of improving
operatability for registered users and of displaying an interface
screen for guest users with security levels maintained.
* * * * *