IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

An image processing apparatus control method includes receiving, from an information processing apparatus, a request for a web page provided by an image processing apparatus; and transmitting the web page to the information processing apparatus in accordance with receiving the request in the receiving. In response to the request being received in the receiving, a web page including code information to the information processing apparatus is transmitted in the transmitting in accordance with authentication information satisfying a predetermined condition, the authentication information being used for authentication for displaying a web page including information of the image processing apparatus on the information processing apparatus, the code information being to be captured to display, on a mobile terminal, operation required to set the authentication information by using an operation unit of the image processing apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing apparatus control method, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

To date, there is remote user interface (RUI) technology by which an information processing apparatus displays information of an image processing apparatus with a web browser.

For the information processing apparatus to acquire the information of the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus, authentication information is required to be input.

If the authentication information used for authentication is not set correctly in the image processing apparatus, the information of the image processing apparatus or the authentication information set in image processing apparatus may be performed by an unintended user.

Technology exists such that if the authentication information used for the authentication is not set correctly, there is a restriction on both acquiring the information of the image processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus and settings of the image processing apparatus along with display of a brief error message on the information processing apparatus.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-41840 describes technology for displaying a two-dimensional code on the panel of a printer when an error occurs.

To resolve the error, a user needs to correctly set the authentication information in the image processing apparatus by operating an operation unit of the image processing apparatus.

If a resolving method for resolving an error is displayed on the information processing apparatus as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-41840, but if the image processing apparatus is remote from the information processing apparatus, it is not possible for the user to operate the operation unit of the image processing apparatus while looking at a measure against the error.

The method in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-41840 simply provides displaying the two-dimensional code on the operation unit of the image processing apparatus, and thus it is not possible for the user to notice the display while operating the information processing apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an image processing apparatus that includes an operation unit configured to set authentication information used to operate the image processing apparatus; a reception unit configured to receive, from an information processing apparatus, a request for a web page provided by the image processing apparatus; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the web page to the information processing apparatus. In response to receiving the request, transmitting a web page including code information to the information processing apparatus in accordance with authentication information that satisfies a predetermined condition and that is used for authentication for displaying a web page including information of the image processing apparatus on the information processing apparatus. The displayed code information is displayed on a mobile terminal to provide operations required to set the authentication information by the operation unit of the image processing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following exemplary embodiments do not restrict the disclosure according to the scope of the claims, and not all the combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are necessarily essential to the solving means of the disclosure.

FIG.1is a view illustrating the configuration of a system for guiding to an online manual according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

The system includes an online user manual server100, the Internet101, and a local network102.

The local network102includes a smartphone200serving as an example of a mobile terminal, a PC300serving as an example of an information processing apparatus, and a printer400serving as an example of an image processing apparatus.

The printer400has a web server function. A user accesses the web server function of the printer400with a RUI using a web browser by operating the smartphone200or the PC300. The user then operates a web page provided by the web server function and thereby may change the settings of the printer400and refer to the status of the printer400.

The smartphone200and the PC300access the web server function of the printer400via the local network102. The local network102may be a wired network or a wireless network.

The online user manual server100includes a user manual of the printer400, and the user may refer to the user manual by operating the web browser of the smartphone200or the PC300.

The smartphone200and the PC300are allowed to connect to the online user manual server100via the Internet101.

FIG.2is a view illustrating the hardware configuration of the smartphone200, the PC300, and the printer400according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

The smartphone200has a CPU201, a ROM202, a RAM203, a HDD204, a display unit206, an operation unit205, a camera208, and a network I/F207. CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, and I/F respectively stand for central processing unit, read only memory, random access memory, hard disk drive, and interface.

The CPU201is a system control unit, loads various programs stored in the ROM202or the HDD204into the RAM203, and performs overall control of the smartphone200.

The ROM202is a nonvolatile memory and stores the various programs.

The RAM203is a volatile memory and is used as a work memory for the CPU201.

A storage204stores the operating system (OS) as basic software, a web browser, and software modules. The storage204is, for example, an embedded multi media card (eMMC).

The operation unit205is a device for the user to perform an input operation and forms a touch panel sheet or hardware keys.

The display unit206is a display for displaying a screen.

The network I/F207is an interface for connecting the smartphone200to the local network102and the Internet101.

The camera208is a device for reading a QR code (registered trademark) or the like serving as an example of code information. Quick response code is abbreviated as QR code. The code information is not limited to the QR code, and any other code convertible to certain information is usable.

The PC300has a CPU301, a ROM302, a RAM303, a HDD304, a display unit306, an operation unit305, and a network I/F307.

The CPU301is a system control unit, loads various programs stored in the ROM302or the HDD304into the RAM303, and performs overall control of the PC300.

The ROM302is a nonvolatile memory and stores the various programs.

The RAM303is a volatile memory and is used as a work memory for the CPU301.

The HDD304stores the OS serving as basic software, a web browser, and software modules.

The operation unit305is a device for the user to perform an input operation and is a touch panel sheet or a hardware keyboard.

The display unit306is a display for displaying a screen.

The network I/F307is an interface for connecting the PC300to the local network102and the Internet101.

The printer400has a CPU401, a RAM402, a ROM403, a HDD404, a console panel405, a network I/F406, a reading unit407, and a printer unit408.

The printer400does not have to have the reading unit407.

The CPU401of the printer400loads various programs stored in the ROM403or the HDD404into the RAM402and performs overall control of the printer400.

The RAM402is a volatile memory and is used as a work memory for the CPU401.

The ROM403is a nonvolatile memory and stores the various programs. The ROM403also stores programs for the RUI or the like and the initial values of the ID and the password for the RUI.

The HDD404is a nonvolatile storage and stores the ID, the password, and the like for the RUI that are set with the console panel405.

The console panel405has a touch panel and hardware keys, the touch panel having a touch panel sheet attached to a display unit. The console panel405receives operation from the user via the touch panel sheet or the hardware keys and displays information on the display unit.

The network I/F406is an interface for connecting to the local network102and the Internet101.

The reading unit407reads a document and generates image data of the read document.

Based on the image data, the printer unit408controls print operation performed on the sheet. The printer unit408may be an inkjet printer unit or an electrophotographic printer unit.

The printer400as described above executes a copy job and a print job. The copy job is a job for printing by the printer unit408based on image data generated by reading a document image by the reading unit407. The user may cause the printer400to execute the copy job by performing a copying setting operation with the console panel405and giving an execution instruction with the console panel405. The print job is a job for printing by the printer unit408based on printing data received by the printer400. The user operates the operation unit305of the PC300and thereby calls a printer driver in a state where image data being edited by the application of the PC300. The user performs a printing setting operation with the printer driver and gives a printing instruction, and thereby the print job is transmitted from the PC300to the printer400. The printer400having received the print job performs printing of the image data based on the printing settings.

FIG.3is a table illustrating a list of error information regarding the printer400according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

The printer400manages the URLs of online user manuals describing all of pieces of information regarding possible errors and measures that a user may take to correct any errors in the ROM403in relation to the pieces of error information. The URLs of the online user manuals represent the user manuals included in the online user manual server100. The error information list (FIG.3) is stored in the ROM403.

FIG.4is a view illustrating a RUI login screen of the printer400according to Exemplary Embodiment 1. When the user accesses the RUI of the printer400by using the smartphone200or the web browser of the PC300, a RUI login screen (FIG.4) is displayed on the display unit206or the display unit306.

The RUI login screen (FIG.4) has areas for inputting the ID and the password for logging in the RUI and the Log in button that are arranged thereon.

FIG.5is view illustrating a RUI login error screen of the printer400according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

The RUI login error screen (FIG.5) has a Click button501and a QR code502that are arranged thereon. In the Click button501and the QR code502, an online user manual URL related to a RUI login error in the error information list (FIG.3) is embedded.

When the user accesses the RUI of the printer400by using the smartphone200or the web browser of the PC300, the RUI login error screen (FIG.5) is displayed on the display unit206or the display unit306.

In response to the user pressing the Click button501, the user manual describing a way to correct the RUI login error is displayed on the display unit206or the display unit306. In addition, in response to the user capturing the QR code502with the camera208of the smartphone200, the user manual describing the measure against the RUI login error is displayed on the display unit206.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating RUI login control processing according to Exemplary Embodiment 1.

Steps in the flowchart inFIG.6are implemented in such a manner that the CPU401loads a program stored in the ROM403into the RAM402and runs the program.

The flowchart inFIG.6is started when the printer400detects an access to the RUI.

In S601, the CPU401reads out a password (PW) and an identifier (ID) set in the RUI function from the HDD404. The PW and the ID are the information to be compared with the PW and the ID that are input by the user. The CPU401reads out a security policy for the RUI PW and ID from the ROM403. The security policy represents, for example, change of the RUI PW and ID before the elapse of a predetermined period since the previous change or nonconformity of the RUI PW and ID with the initial values.

In S602, the CPU401determines whether the PW and the ID set in the RUI function conform to the security policy. The following are examples of nonconformity to the security policy: the RUI PW and ID have not been changed for the predetermined period since the previous change; the RUI PW and ID are identical to the initial values; or a PW or an ID is not set (the PW or the ID has a null value). If the CPU401determines that the PW and the ID violate the security policy, the CPU401proceeds the processing to S603. In contrast, if the CPU401determines that the PW and the ID conform to the security policy, the CPU401proceeds the processing to S605.

If the CPU401proceeds the processing to S605, the CPU401provides the accessing PC300with information for displaying the RUI login screen illustrated inFIG.4by using the network I/F406and terminates the flow. The CPU301of the PC300causes the RUI login screen illustrated inFIG.4to be displayed on the display unit306based on the received information.

In contrast, if the CPU401continues the processing from S602to S603(if a predetermined condition is satisfied), the CPU401reads out the error information list illustrated inFIG.3from the ROM403in S603. The CPU401acquires the URL of the online user manual (http://111 . . . ) related to the RUI login error. The CPU401then generates a QR code based on the acquired URL. QR codes generated in advance may be stored in the ROM403, and the CPU401may read out one of the QR codes.

In S604, the CPU401provides the accessing PC300with the information for displaying the RUI login error screen illustrated inFIG.5by using the network I/F406and terminates the flow.

FIG.7is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing in the online manual guidance system according to the present disclosure. The sequence illustrated in this sequence diagram is started when the user accesses the URL for the RUI by using the web browser of the PC300.

In S701, the CPU301of the PC300accesses the RUI of the printer400with a network I/F307.

In S702, the CPU401of the printer400performs the RUI login control processing illustrated inFIG.6. A case where the CPU401proceeds the processing to S603inFIG.6will be described.

In S703, the CPU301of the PC300receives the information for displaying the RUI login error screen with QR code illustrated inFIG.5. The CPU301of the PC300then causes a RUI login error screen with QR code to be displayed on the display unit306.

In S704, the CPU201of the smartphone200reads, with the camera208, the QR code on the RUI login error screen inFIG.5displayed on the display unit306of the PC300. The CPU201then analyzes the QR code and acquires the URL of the online user manual.

In S705, the CPU201accesses the acquired URL of the online user manual by using the network I/F207and transmits a request for the online user manual to the online user manual server100. The CPU201receives the online user manual transmitted from the online user manual server100and causes the received online user manual to be displayed on the display unit206.

In S706, the user changes the RUI PW and ID with the console panel405. The CPU401of the printer400stores, in the HDD404, the RUI PW and ID changed with the console panel405. The details thereof are described with reference toFIG.13.

FIG.13is a screen flow chart for setting the password and the ID for the RUI according to the present disclosure. The screen illustrated inFIG.13is displayed on the console panel405by the CPU401.

A screen1301is a home screen displayed on the console panel405when the power on button of the printer400is pressed. In response to the detection of the pressing of the Menu button, a screen1302is displayed.

The screen1302is a menu screen. In response to the detection of the pressing of Management Settings, a screen1303is displayed.

The screen1303is a management settings screen. In response to the detection of the pressing of License/Others, a screen1304is displayed.

The screen1304is a screen for licenses and others. In response to the detection of the pressing of Remote UI Settings, a screen1305is displayed.

The screen1305is a screen for the remote UI settings. In response to the detection of the pressing of Access Restriction, a screen1306is displayed.

The screen1306is a screen for the access restriction. In response to the detection of the pressing of ON, a screen1307is displayed.

The screen1307is a screen for inputting an ID and a PW. An ID input field, a PW input field, and software keyboard are displayed on the input screen. A plurality of keys for inputting figures and alphabets are displayed on the keyboard. In response to the selection of the ID input field and the detection of the pressing of keys, the CPU401stores, in the RAM402, the ID input in the ID input field. In response to the selection of the PW input field and the detection of the pressing of keys, the CPU401stores, in the RAM402, the PW input in the PW input field. Dummy characters are displayed in the ID input field and the PW input field. In response to the detection of the pressing of the Enter button, the CPU401determines whether the ID and the PW stored in the RAM402conform to a predetermined rule. If the ID and the PW do not conform to the rule, a message to that effect is displayed, and the screen1307is displayed again. If the ID and the PW conform to the rule, a screen1308is displayed.

The screen1308is a screen for inputting and verifying the ID and the password. An ID input field, a PW input field, and a software keyboard are displayed on the input screen. A plurality of keys for inputting figures and alphabets are displayed on the keyboard. In response to the selection of the ID input field and the detection of the pressing of keys, the CPU401stores, in the RAM402, the ID input in the ID input field. In response to the selection of the PW input field and the detection of the pressing of keys, the CPU401stores, in the RAM402, the PW input in the PW input field. Dummy characters are displayed in the ID input field and the PW input field. In response to the detection of the pressing of the Enter button, the CPU401determines whether the ID and the PW that are input on the screen1308match the ID and the PW that are input on the screen1307. In the case of matching, a screen1309is displayed. In the case of non-matching, a message to that effect is displayed, and the screen1308is displayed again.

The screen1309is a screen for indicating the completion of the ID/PW setting. The CPU401causes the screen1309to be displayed on the console panel405for two seconds and causes the screen1302to be displayed on the console panel405.

According to this exemplary embodiment as described above, if authentication information used for authentication for displaying, on the PC, a web page including information of a printer is not correctly set in the printer, the authentication information may be set easily.

Specifically, displaying, on the PC, the QR code for acquiring the online user manual enables guidance to the online user manual. Even if the PC and the printer are remote from each other, the user may thereby resolve an error by operating the printer while looking at the user manual describing the measure against the error by using the smartphone.

In Exemplary Embodiment 1, the same configuration is used for both of the cases of displaying the RUI login error screen inFIG.5on the PC and the smartphone. For this exemplary embodiment, an example where different respective RUI login error screens are provided for the smartphone and the PC is described. Detailed description of parts common to Exemplary Embodiment 1 such as the system configuration is omitted.

FIG.8is a view illustrating a RUI login error screen for smartphone in this exemplary embodiment.

The RUI login error screen for smartphone has a Click button801thereon. The Click button801has a link to the URL for displaying a user manual that describes a measure against a RUI login error and that is stored in the online user manual server100.

When the user accesses the RUI of the printer400by using the web browser of the smartphone200, the RUI login error screen illustrated inFIG.8is displayed on the display unit206. In response to the user pressing the Click button801, the user manual describing the measure against the RUI login error is displayed on the display unit206of the smartphone200. The user moves to the printer400with the smartphone200and resolves the error.

As described above, since the device displaying the error screen inFIG.8is assumed to be portable to the printer, a QR code is not disposed on the error screen inFIG.8, unlike the RUI login error screen inFIG.5.

FIG.9is a flowchart illustrating RUI login control processing according to the present disclosure. The flowchart is started when the CPU401detects access to the RUI.

Steps in the flowchart inFIG.9are implemented in such a manner that the CPU401loads a program stored in the ROM403into the RAM402and executes the program.

The description of S901and S902is omitted because of the same steps inFIG.6.

In S903, the CPU401acquires the screen size of a device having accessed the RUI function. The screen size means the size of the display unit206of the smartphone200and the size of the display unit306of the PC300. Each screen size has been defined with a media query and a media type in cascading style sheet (CSS) included in information transmitted from the PC and may be acquired in such a manner that the CPU401refers to the information. If the acquired screen size is larger than or equal to a threshold (larger than or equal to a predetermined size), the CPU401determines that the device having accessed the RUI function is the PC300and proceeds the processing to S904. In contrast, if the acquired screen size is smaller than the threshold (smaller than the predetermined size), the CPU401determines that the device having accessed the RUI function is the smartphone200and proceeds the processing to S906. The threshold is stored in the ROM403or the HDD404and is referred to by the CPU401.

The description of S904, S905, and S907is omitted because of the same steps as S603, S604, and S605inFIG.6.

In S906, the CPU401provides the accessing device with the smartphone RUI login error screen illustrated inFIG.8by using the network I/F406and terminates the flow.

In this exemplary embodiment as described above, an error screen without a QR code is provided to a smartphone. The user who accesses the RUI with the smartphone may thereby be guided to a manual without capturing the QR code. If a printer is remote from a PC, the user moves to the printer with the smartphone and may resolve the error.

In Exemplary Embodiment 2, the configuration in which the different respective error screens for smartphone and PC are provided is used. In this exemplary embodiment, a configuration in which an error screen different depending on whether printer operation is required to resolve an error is used. Detailed description of parts common to Exemplary Embodiment 1 such as the system configuration is omitted.

FIG.10is a table illustrating a list of types of error information of the printer400according to the present disclosure. In the table, information regarding whether to provide a QR code is added to the error information list illustrated inFIG.3. An error associated with YES regarding whether to provide a QR code requires printer operation to resolve the error. In contrast, an error associated with NO regarding whether to provide a QR code does not require printer operation to resolve the error and is resolved by performing a setting change operation or the like with the RUI.

FIG.11is a view illustrating an error screen not requiring printer operation to resolve an error according to the present disclosure. The error screen inFIG.11has a Click button1101thereon. The Click button1101has a link to the URL of a user manual stored in the online user manual server100.

An example of a SMTP server setting error is described. SMTP stands for simple mail transfer protocol. To resolve the SMTP server setting error, the user needs to correctly set values such as a SMTP server name, an account, and a password on the SMTP server setting screen of the RUI.

If a SMTP server setting error occurs while the user is logged in the RUI of the printer400by using the web browser of the smartphone200, the error screen illustrated inFIG.11is displayed on the display unit206. In response to the user pressing the Click button1101, the user manual describing the measure against the error is displayed on the display unit206. The user sets values on the SMTP server setting screen of the RUI while looking at the user manual and resolves the error.

As described above, if an error may be resolved with a device displaying the error screen illustrated inFIG.11without operating the printer, the error screen including a click button without a QR code is displayed.

FIG.12is a flowchart illustrating error control processing according to the present disclosure. Steps in the flowchart inFIG.12are implemented in such a manner that the CPU401loads a program stored in the ROM403into the RAM402and runs the program.

The flowchart is started by the CPU401every predetermined cycle when the power of the printer400is on. Alternatively, the flowchart is started when the CPU401executes a job.

In S1201, the CPU401detects the statuses of the printer400. For example, the CPU401acquires the states of the various components of the printer400, the remaining state of a consumable, the state of a job, and the like and proceeds to S1202.

In S1202, the CPU401determines whether there is a status indicating an error in the statuses acquired in S1201. If the CPU401determines that there is not a status indicating an error, the CPU401terminates this flowchart. If the CPU401determines that there is a status indicating an error, the CPU401proceeds the processing to S1203.

In S1203, the CPU401determines whether to provide a QR code related to the detected error, by referring to the error information list illustrated inFIG.10in the ROM403. If the detected error requires a QR code, the CPU401proceeds the processing to S1204. If the detected error does not require a QR code, the CPU401proceeds the processing to S1206.

In S1204, the CPU401acquires the online user manual URL related to the detected error, by referring to the error information list illustrated inFIG.3in the ROM403. The CPU401then generates the QR code based on the URL.

In S1205, the CPU401provides the device accessing the RUI with the RUI login error screen with QR code, for example, illustrated inFIG.5, by using the network I/F406. The CPU401then terminates the flowchart.

If the CPU401proceeds the processing from S1203to S1206, the CPU401provides the device accessing the RUI with the SMTP server setting error screen with the link to the URL, for example, illustrated inFIG.11, by using the network I/F406. The CPU401then terminates the flowchart.

If an error may be resolved with the device having accessed the RUI without operating the printer, the error screen with a link to the user manual URL and without a QR code is provided in this exemplary embodiment. The user may thereby be guided to the manual without being troubled with a QR code. In contrast, if an error is to be resolved by operating the printer, the error screen with a QR code is provided. The user may be guided to display the user manual to the location of the printer with a portable device such as the smartphone.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-138697, filed Aug. 29, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.