Information processing system, server apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium

A server apparatus is configured to receive, from the one client apparatus, a user identifier and a client identifier, determine whether or not the one client apparatus is a high-probability client apparatus, if it is determined that the one client apparatus is not the high-probability client apparatus, determine a high-probability function, determine whether or not differential operation information is present, the differential operation information being information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in an operation device of the high-probability client apparatus when the high-probability client apparatus executes the high-probability function, out of an operation to be input in an operation device of the one client apparatus when the one client apparatus executes the high-probability function, and if it is determined that the differential operation information is present, send the differential operation information to the one client apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2018-235104 filed Dec. 17 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an information processing system including a plurality of client apparatuses operated by users and a server apparatus communicatively connected to the plurality of client apparatuses. The present disclosure further relates to the server apparatus, and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium that records an information processing program executable by the server apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Where models or the like of a plurality of client apparatuses are different from each other, in some cases, operations to be input in an operation device by a user in order to execute the same function may be different from each other depending on the plurality of client apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

User-friendliness is desirable where operations to be input in an operation device by a user in order to execute the same function are different from each other depending on the plurality of client apparatuses.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system, including:

a plurality of client apparatuses, each of the plurality of client apparatuses including an operation device;

a mobile device communicatively connected to at least one of the plurality of client apparatuses; and

a server apparatus communicatively connected to the plurality of client apparatuses,

the one client apparatus being configured toreceive, from the mobile device within a certain distance from the client apparatus, a user identifier identifying a user who logs in to the mobile device, andsend, to the server apparatus, the received user identifier and a client identifier identifying the client apparatus,

the server apparatus being configured toreceive, from the one client apparatus, the user identifier and the client identifier,determine whether or not the one client apparatus is a high-probability client apparatus, the high-probability client apparatus being a client apparatus whose probability of being used by a user identified by the received user identifier is high,if it is determined that the one client apparatus is not the high-probability client apparatus,determine a high-probability function, the high-probability function being a function whose probability of being used by the user in the high-probability client apparatus is high,determine whether or not differential operation information is present, the differential operation information being information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in an operation device of the high-probability client apparatus when the high-probability client apparatus executes the high-probability function, out of an operation to be input in an operation device of the one client apparatus when the one client apparatus executes the high-probability function, andif it is determined that the differential operation information is present, send the differential operation information to the one client apparatus,

the one client apparatus being configured toreceive, from the server apparatus, the differential operation information, andpresent the received differential operation information.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a server apparatus communicatively connected to a plurality of client apparatuses, the plurality of client apparatuses being communicatively connected to a mobile device, each of the plurality of client apparatuses including an operation device,

the server apparatus being configured toreceive, from the one client apparatus, a user identifier and a client identifier, the user identifier identifying a user who logs in to the mobile device and being received from the mobile device within a certain distance from the client apparatus, the client identifier identifying the client apparatus,determine whether or not the one client apparatus is a high-probability client apparatus, the high-probability client apparatus being a client apparatus whose probability of being used by a user identified by the received user identifier is high,if it is determined that the one client apparatus is not the high-probability client apparatus,determine a high-probability function, the high-probability function being a function whose probability of being used by the user in the high-probability client apparatus is high,determine whether or not differential operation information is present, the differential operation information being information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in an operation device of the high-probability client apparatus when the high-probability client apparatus executes the high-probability function, out of an operation to be input in an operation device of the one client apparatus when the one client apparatus executes the high-probability function, andif it is determined that the differential operation information is present, send the differential operation information to the one client apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable recording medium that records an information processing program executable by a controller circuit of a server apparatus communicatively connected to a plurality of client apparatuses, the plurality of client apparatuses being communicatively connected to a mobile device, each of the plurality of client apparatuses including an operation device,

the information processing program causing the controller circuit of the server apparatus toreceive, from the one client apparatus, a user identifier and a client identifier, the user identifier identifying a user who logs in to the mobile device and being received from the mobile device within a certain distance from the client apparatus, the client identifier identifying the client apparatus,determine whether or not the one client apparatus is a high-probability client apparatus, the high-probability client apparatus being a client apparatus whose probability of being used by a user identified by the received user identifier is high,if it is determined that the one client apparatus is not the high-probability client apparatus,determine a high-probability function, the high-probability function being a function whose probability of being used by the user in the high-probability client apparatus is high,determine whether or not differential operation information is present, the differential operation information being information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in an operation device of the high-probability client apparatus when the high-probability client apparatus executes the high-probability function, out of an operation to be input in an operation device of the one client apparatus when the one client apparatus executes the high-probability function, andif it is determined that the differential operation information is present, send the differential operation information to the one client apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1. Information Processing System

FIG. 1schematically shows an information processing system of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The information processing system1includes the plurality of client apparatuses10, the server apparatus20, and the mobile device30. The plurality of client apparatuses10, the server apparatus20, and the mobile device30are connected to the network N such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

Each of the plurality of client apparatuses10is, for example, an image forming apparatus (Multifunction Peripheral, MFP). Typically, models or the like of the plurality of client apparatuses10are different from each other. So operations to be input by a user in order to execute the same function (copy function, facsimile function, etc.) may be different from each other depending on the plurality of client apparatuses10. Each of the plurality of client apparatuses10outputs a BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) signals periodically (for example, every several seconds). Hereinafter, unless otherwise indicated, one client apparatus10will be described.

The server apparatus20is communicatively connected to the plurality of client apparatuses10via the network N.

A user (for example, office worker), who uses the plurality of client apparatuses10, carries the mobile device30. The mobile device30receives a BLE signal from any one client apparatus10located in a signal receivable area. The mobile device30is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a laptop computer, or the like.

2. Hardware Configuration of Client Apparatus

FIG. 2shows a hardware configuration of a client apparatus.

The client apparatus10(image forming apparatus) includes the controller circuit100. The controller circuit100includes the CPU (Central Processing Unit)11a, the RAM (Random Access Memory)11b, the ROM (Read Only Memory)11c, dedicated hardware circuits, and the like and performs overall operational control of the client apparatus10. The CPU11aloads information processing programs stored in the ROM11cin the RAM11band executes the information processing programs. The ROM11cis a nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU11a, data, and the like. The ROM11cis an example of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium.

The controller circuit100is connected to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) sending/receiving device11, the image scanner12, the image processor14(including GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)), the image memory15, the image forming device16(printer), the operation device17including the display device17a(touch panel), the large volume nonvolatile storage device18such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), the facsimile communication device19, the network communication interface13, and the like. The controller circuit100performs operational control of the respective devices connected thereto and sends/receives signals and data to/from those devices. The operation device17(touch panel) is one mode of an input device. A sound input device including a microphone may be provided as an input device.

3. Hardware Configuration of Server Apparatus

FIG. 3shows a hardware configuration of a server apparatus.

The server apparatus20includes the CPU21, the ROM22, the RAM23, the storage device24, which is a large-volume nonvolatile memory such as an HDD or an SSD, the network communication interface25, the operation device26, and the display device27, and the bus28connecting them to each other.

The controller circuit200includes the CPU21, the ROM22, and the RAM23. The CPU21loads information processing programs stored in the ROM22in the RAM23and executes the information processing programs. The ROM22stores programs executed by the CPU21, data, and the like nonvolatile. The ROM22is an example of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium.

4. Hardware Configuration of Mobile Device

FIG. 4shows a hardware configuration of a mobile device.

The mobile device30includes the CPU31, the ROM32, the RAM33, the storage device34, which is a large-volume nonvolatile memory such as an HDD or an SSD, the network communication interface35, the operation device36, the display device37, and the Bluetooth (registered trademark) sending/receiving device39, and the bus38connecting them to each other. The operation device36is one mode of an input device. A sound input device including a microphone may be provided as an input device.

The controller circuit300includes the CPU31, the ROM32, and the RAM33. The CPU31loads information processing programs stored in the ROM32in the RAM33and executes the information processing programs. The ROM32stores programs executed by the CPU31, data, and the like nonvolatile. The ROM32is an example of a non-transitory computer readable recording medium.

The Bluetooth (registered trademark) sending/receiving device39sends and receives signals allowed in the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

5. Functional Configuration of Information Processing System

FIG. 5shows a functional configuration of the information processing system.

In the controller circuit100of the client apparatus10, the CPU11aloads an information processing program stored in the ROM11cin the RAM11band executes the information processing program to operate as the user identifier obtaining module101, the identifier notifying module102, the differential information obtaining module103, the display controller module104, and the execution information supplying module105.

In the controller circuit200of the server apparatus20, the CPU21loads an information processing program stored in the ROM22in the RAM23and executes the information processing program to operate as the identifier obtaining module201, the client determining module202, the function determining module203, the differential determining module204, the display information supplying module205, the execution information obtaining module206, and the user table manager module207.

6. Structure of User Table

FIG. 6shows an example of a structure of a user table.

The storage device24of the server apparatus20stores the user table210. The user table210registers the user identifier211, the high-probability client identifier212, and the high-probability function identifier213in association with each other.

The user identifier211identifies a user who logs in to the mobile device30.

The high-probability client identifier212identifies a high-probability client apparatus10, the high-probability client apparatus10being the client apparatus10whose probability of being used by the user, who logs in to the mobile device30, is high. The high-probability client apparatus10may be, for example, the client apparatus10which has the largest number of times of use (in other words, highest use frequency) by the user, who is identified by the user identifier211, in a recent certain time period (for example, within several months). This is merely an example. The high-probability client apparatus10may be determined on the basis of a parameter different from the number of times of use (use frequency).

The high-probability function identifier213identifies a high-probability function, the high-probability function being a function (copy function, facsimile function, etc.) whose probability of being used by the user, who logs in to the mobile device30, in the high-probability client apparatus10is high. The high-probability function may be, for example, a function which has a largest number of times of use (in other words, highest use frequency) by the user, who is identified by the user identifier211, in a recent certain time period (for example, within several months) in the high-probability client apparatus10. This is merely an example. The high-probability function may be determined on the basis of a parameter different from the number of times of use (use frequency).

7. Structure of Differential Table

FIG. 7shows an example of a structure of a differential table.

The storage device24of the server apparatus20stores the differential table220. The differential table220registers the main-client identifier221, the sub-client identifier222, the function identifier223, and the differential operation information224in association with each other.

The main-client identifier221identifies a main-client apparatus which is one of the plurality of client apparatuses10.

The sub-client identifier222identifies a sub-client apparatus which is another one of the plurality of client apparatuses10.

In the present embodiment, “main” and “sub” do not mean a hierarchical relation such as master and slave, but are for convenience in writing. All the plurality of client apparatuses10are registered as main-client apparatuses in the differential table220. All the other client apparatuses10are registered as sub-client apparatuses against one main-client apparatus in the differential table220. According to a specific example, the client identifier of the first client apparatus10is registered as the main-client identifier221, and the client identifier of the second client apparatus10is registered as the sub-client identifier222. At the same time, the client identifier of the second client apparatus10is registered as the main-client identifier221, and the client identifier of the first client apparatus10is registered as the sub-client identifier222. Such double-registering is performed because of properties of the differential operation information224.

The function identifier223identifies a function which is executable by the main-client apparatus and the sub-client apparatus. Where a main-client apparatus and a sub-client apparatus have a plurality of executable functions, one function identifier223is registered for each function. In other words, the plurality of different function identifiers223are registered for one main-client apparatus and one sub-client apparatus.

The differential operation information224is information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in the operation device17of the sub-client apparatus by a user when the sub-client apparatus executes the function (function identified by the function identifier223), out of an operation to be input in the operation device17of the main-client apparatus by a user when the main-client apparatus executes the function (function identified by the function identifier223). According to a specific example, the first differential operation information224is registered in association with a combination of the client identifier of the first client apparatus10being the main-client identifier221and the client identifier of the second client apparatus10being the sub-client identifier222. Specifically, the first differential operation information224indicates a different part of the operation of the second client apparatus being the main-client apparatus10, which is different from the operation of the second client apparatus10being the sub-client apparatus. Meanwhile, the second differential operation information224, which is different from the first differential operation information224, is registered in association with a combination of the client identifier of the second client apparatus10being the main-client identifier221and the client identifier of the first client apparatus10being the sub-client identifier222. Specifically, the second differential operation information224indicates a different part of the operation of the second client apparatus being the main-client apparatus10, which is different from the operation of the first client apparatus10being the sub-client apparatus. That is why such double-registering is performed as described above.

8. Operational Flow of Information Processing System

As the presupposition of the operation, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) sending/receiving device11of the client apparatus10outputs BLE signals periodically (for example, every several seconds).

The Bluetooth (registered trademark) sending/receiving device39of the mobile device30receives a BLE signal from the client apparatus10located in a signal receivable area. When the mobile device30receives a BLE signal having a certain intensity or more from any one client apparatus10, then the mobile device30sends the user identifier, which identifies the user who logs in to the mobile device30, to the client apparatus10via the network N or via wireless near field communication (FIG. 5shows wireless near field communication, for example). The “certain intensity” means an intensity of a BLE signal that the mobile device30receives from the client apparatus10where the mobile device30is located within a certain distance (typically, 1 meter or more and several meters or less. Relatively small distance, but not right in front) from the client apparatus10. The “certain intensity” is a relatively high intensity.

FIG. 8shows an operational flow of the client apparatus.

The user identifier obtaining module101of the client apparatus10receives the user identifier identifying the user who logs in to the mobile device30from the mobile device30via the Bluetooth (registered trademark) sending/receiving device11(or the network communication interface13) (Step S101).

The identifier notifying module102of the client apparatus10sends the user identifier identifying the user who logs in to the mobile device30and the client identifier identifying the client apparatus10to the server apparatus20via the network N (Step S102).

FIG. 9shows an operational flow of the server apparatus.

The identifier obtaining module201of the server apparatus20receives the user identifier identifying the user who logs in to the mobile device30and the client identifier identifying the client apparatus10from the client apparatus10via the network N (Step S201).

The client determining module202of the server apparatus20determines whether or not the client apparatus10, which is identified by the received client identifier, is the high-probability client apparatus10(the high-probability client apparatus10is a client apparatus whose probability of being used by a user identified by the received user identifier is high). Specifically, the client determining module202determines, with reference to the user table210, whether or not the high-probability client identifier212in association with the received user identifier211is (i.e., matches) the received client identifier (Step S202).

The client determining module202of the server apparatus20determines that the client apparatus10, which is identified by the received client identifier, is not the high-probability client apparatus10. Specifically, the client determining module202determines, with reference to the user table210, that the high-probability client identifier212in association with the received user identifier211is not (i.e., does not match) the received client identifier (Step S202, NO). It means that the user is relatively close to the client apparatus10whose probability of being used by the user himself is not high (not highest use frequency).

In this case (Step S202, NO), the function determining module203of the server apparatus20determines a high-probability function, the high-probability function being a function whose probability of being used by the user, who is identified by the received user identifier, in the high-probability client apparatus10is high. Specifically, the function determining module203determines, with reference to the user table210, the high-probability client identifier212and the high-probability function identifier213in association with the received user identifier211(Step S203).

The differential determining module204of the server apparatus20determines whether or not differential operation information is present. The “differential operation information” is information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in the operation device17of the high-probability client apparatus10by a user when the high-probability client apparatus10executes the high-probability function, out of an operation to be input in the operation device17of the client apparatus10by a user when the one client apparatus10, which is identified by the received client identifier, executes the high-probability function. For example, where the “high-probability function” is a copy function, the “differential operation information” is information indicating an operation different from an operation to be input in the operation device17by a user when the client apparatus10executes the copy function, out of an operation to be input in the operation device17by a user when the one client apparatus10executes the copy function. Specifically, the differential determining module204determines, with reference to the differential table220, whether or not differential operation information224is present, the differential operation information224being in association with the received client identifier being the main-client identifier221, the high-probability client identifier (the high-probability client identifier212determined in Step S203) being the sub-client identifier222, and the high-probability function identifier (the high-probability function identifier213determined in Step S203) (Step S204).

The “differential operation information” may include, for example, a manual (user guide for operation method) of an operation to be input in the operation device17of the client apparatus10when the client apparatus10executes the high-probability function, and information indicating the different operation, which is different from the operation to be input in the operation device17of the high-probability client apparatus10, out of the operation included in the manual. The “information indicating the different operation” may be, for example, a highlight on a text indicating the different operation in the manual of the client apparatus10.

The differential determining module204of the server apparatus20determines that the differential operation information is present (Step S204, YES). In this case, the display information supplying module205of the server apparatus20sends the differential operation information to the client apparatus10via the network N (Step S205).

Meanwhile, the differential determining module204of the server apparatus20determines that the differential operation information is not present (Step S204, NO). In this case, the display information supplying module205of the server apparatus20sends no-differential information to the client apparatus10via the network N, the no-differential information being information indicating that the differential operation information is not present (Step S206). The “no-differential information” may be, for example, a text message such as “you can use copy function with usual operation”.

The differential information obtaining module103of the client apparatus10receives the differential operation information (Step S205) or the no-differential information (Step S206) from the server apparatus20via the network N (Step S103, YES).

The display controller module104of the client apparatus10displays the differential operation information (in this example, manual with highlight) or the no-differential information (in this example, text message) received from the server apparatus20on the display device17a(Step S104).

By the way, where the server apparatus20determines that the client apparatus10identified by the received client identifier is the high-probability client apparatus10(Step S202, YES), the server apparatus20does not send the differential operation information or the no-differential information. So the high-probability client apparatus10does not receive the differential operation information or the no-differential information from the server apparatus20(Step S103, NO), and does not display the differential operation information or the no-differential information. The reason is as follows. The high-probability client apparatus10is the client apparatus10having the highest use frequency for the user. So the user is used to using the high-probability client apparatus10, and it is not necessary to display such information.

Where the differential operation information (in this example, manual with highlight) or the no-differential information (in this example, text message) is displayed, the user operates the operation device17of the client apparatus10with reference to such information. As a result, the client apparatus10executes any function (which may be high-probability function or may be another function) (Step S105, YES).

The execution information supplying module105of the client apparatus10, after a function is executed, sends, to the server apparatus20via the network N, the client identifier identifying the client apparatus10, a function identifier identifying the executed function, and a user identifier identifying a user who has logged in when the client apparatus10executed the executed function (Step S106).

The execution information obtaining module206of the server apparatus20receives, from the client apparatus10via the network N, the client identifier, the function identifier, and the user identifier (Step S207, YES).

The user table manager module207of the server apparatus20determines, on a basis of the client identifier and the function identifier received from the client apparatus10, the high-probability client identifier212and the high-probability function identifier213to be registered in the user table210in association with the received user identifier211(Step S208).

For example, the server apparatus20may determine as follows. The storage device24of the server apparatus20stores combinations of client identifiers and function identifiers used in a recent certain time period for each user identifier received from the client apparatus10. The execution information obtaining module206stores, in the storage device24, the combination of the client identifier and the function identifier received this time in association with the user identifier received this time. Where the new combination of the client identifier and the function identifier is stored in the storage device24, then the user table manager module207may determine, as the high-probability client identifier212to be registered in the user table210, the client identifier, whose number of registration in association with the user identifier is the largest. Further, the user table manager module207may determine, as the high-probability function identifier213to be registered in the user table210, whose number of registration in association with the user identifier is the largest.

Where the determined high-probability client identifier212and/or the determined high-probability function identifier213are/is different from the high-probability client identifier212and/or the high-probability function identifier213currently registered in the user table210(Step S209, YES), the user table manager module207of the server apparatus20updates the user table210with the determined value(s) (Step S210).

(1) According to the present embodiment, where there is a probability of using a client apparatus10other than the high-probability client apparatus10by a user (Step S202, NO), the server apparatus20sends, to the client apparatus10, differential operation information (Step S204, YES) from the high-probability function (Step S203), the high-probability function being a function whose probability of being used by the user in the high-probability client apparatus10is high (Step S205). As a result, when the user operates the client apparatus10, whose use frequency for the user is low, the user is capable of operating the client apparatus10with reference to the displayed differential operation information.

(2) According to the present embodiment, the server apparatus20sends, to the client apparatus10, the differential operation information based on the client apparatus10(the high-probability client apparatus10), which the user is used to using and operation method of which may be well known by the user. As a result, when the user operates the client apparatus10whose use frequency is low for the user, the user is capable of operating the client apparatus10with reference to the differential operation information based on the client apparatus10(the high-probability client apparatus10), which the user himself is used to using and operation method of which may be well known by the user.

(3) According to the present embodiment, the server apparatus20sends, to the client apparatus10, the differential operation information based on the function (high-probability function), which the user is used to using and operation method of which may be well known by the user in the high-probability client apparatus10. As a result, when the user operates the client apparatus10whose use frequency is low for the user, the user is capable of operating the client apparatus10with reference to the differential operation information based on the function (the high-probability function), which the user himself is used to using and operation method of which may be well known by the user in the high-probability client apparatus10.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the differential operation information includes a manual of an operation to be input in the operation device of the client apparatus10when the client apparatus10executes the high-probability function, and information indicating the different operation out of the operation included in the manual. For example, the differential operation information may be a manual of the client apparatus10(different from the high-probability client apparatus10), and a highlight on a text indicating the different operation. As a result, the user may understand the different operation more easily.

(5) According to the present embodiment, where the differential operation information is not present (Step S204, NO), the server apparatus20sends no-differential information to the client apparatus10, the no-differential information being information indicating that the differential operation information is not present (Step S206). As a result, the user is capable of explicitly understanding that the differential operation information is not present.

(6) According to the present embodiment, the distance between the mobile device30that the user carries and the client apparatus10is, for example, 1 meter or more and several meters or less. As a result, the client apparatus10is capable of displaying (Step S104) the differential operation information (Step S205) or the no-differential information (Step S206) around time just before the user arrives the client apparatus10on foot. It means that the client apparatus10displays the differential operation information or the no-differential information before the timing at which the user should start the operation for the client apparatus10. As a result, the user is capable of starting the operation for the client apparatus10with reference to such information.

(7) According to the present embodiment, after a function is executed by the client apparatus10, the server apparatus20receives, from the client apparatus10, the client identifier, the function identifier identifying the executed function, and the user identifier, determines, on a basis of the received client identifier and the received function identifier, the high-probability client identifier212and the high-probability function identifier213to be registered in the user table210in association with the received user identifier211, and updates the user table210. As a result, every time the client apparatus10executes a function the server apparatus20updates the user table210. So the server apparatus20is always capable of selecting the newest and most appropriate high-probability client apparatus10and high-probability function for the user.