Patent Publication Number: US-2022217243-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus configured to connect to an external apparatus, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, and a storage medium. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     There is known a touch screen device including a touch screen. Examples of the touch screen device include a smartphone and a tablet. The touch screen device detects a touch operation of a finger or a pen via the touch screen. The touch screen device operates based on the detected touch operation. The operation based on the detected touch operation is discussed in WO 2008/086302. Some of the touch screen devices have a function of listing icons corresponding to installed applications on a home screen so that a user can execute the installed applications with a simple operation. Furthermore, some of the touch screen devices have a function capable of moving any of the icons on the home screen with a touch operation. 
     Meanwhile there is a function of displaying the state or setting details of a device connected to a network, on a web browser running on a personal computer (PC) or a smartphone via the network. A user interface (UI) that is displayed on the touch screen of the touch screen device is referred to as a local UI (LUI), whereas a UI that is displayed on the web browser is referred to as a remote UI (RUI). In a case where the RUI is used, the RUI may not enable the display and movement of the icons on the home screen in a similar manner to the LUI, depending on the web browser used. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to enhancing user visibility and operability in using a remote user interface. 
     According to an aspect of some embodiments, an information processing apparatus configured to connect to an external apparatus includes a display control unit configured to control icons to be arranged and displayed in list form on a remote user interface provided to the external apparatus accessing the information processing apparatus, wherein the icons are displayed on a plurality of pages on a local user interface of the information processing apparatus, and a control unit configured to control movement of the icons displayed on the local user interface, in response to an operation on the remote user interface. The display control unit displays a first instruction button in association with an icon included in the icons displayed in list form, the first instruction button being configured to instruct the control unit to move the icon from a page to another page in the plurality of pages. 
     Further features of various embodiments will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION I/F THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an entire configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A to 2C  are diagrams each illustrating an example of a local user interface (LUI) according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating data structures of the LUI according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A to 4C  are diagrams each illustrating an example of a remote user interface (RUI) according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrams each illustrating an example of an icon rearrangement screen according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating display control processing. 
         FIGS. 7A to 7C  are flowcharts illustrating icon movement control processing. 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are flowcharts illustrating details of processing illustrated in  FIG. 7C . 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an LUI according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of an icon rearrangement screen according to the second exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION I/F THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of an information processing apparatus. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an example of an entire configuration of a system including an image forming apparatus  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment. The system includes the image forming apparatus  100  and a personal computer (PC)  114 . The image forming apparatus  100  is connectable to the PC  114  via a network  115 . The PC  114  is used by a user. While the system in  FIG. 1  includes the single image forming apparatus  100  and the single PC  114 , the system may include a plurality of the image forming apparatuses  100  and a plurality of the PCs  114 . While in the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  100  including an image forming unit configured to form an image is described as an example of an information processing apparatus, the present exemplary embodiment is applicable to any information processing apparatus capable of displaying a local user interface. 
     The image forming apparatus  100  provides a remote user interface (hereinafter referred to as an “RUI”) via the network  115 . The RUI can be used from an external apparatus, such as the PC  114 . A web browser  114   a  is installed on the PC  114 . The PC  114  accesses the image forming apparatus  100  using the web browser  114   a  to display the RUI provided by the image forming apparatus  100  on a display. The user can refer to or change settings of the image forming apparatus  100  by using the displayed RUI. 
     The PC  114  is not limited to a personal computer and may be a tablet computer or a smartphone. In addition, the PC  114  may be configured to access the image forming apparatus  100  by using another client program instead of the web browser  114   a.  While in the present exemplary embodiment, the configuration in which the PC  114  accesses the image forming apparatus  100  using the web browser  114   a  is described, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. The PC  114  is an example of the external apparatus. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  100  is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) including a printing unit  102 , a reading unit  103 , an operation panel  104 , and a controller unit  101 . The controller unit  101  controls the printing unit  102 , the reading unit  103 , and the operation panel  104 . The controller unit  101  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  105 , a random access memory (RAM)  106 , a read-only memory (ROM)  107 , a printing unit interface (I/F)  108 , a reading unit I/F  109 , a universal serial bus (USB)-D I/F  110 , a network I/F  111 , and a USB-H I/F  112 . 
     The above-described blocks are connected to one another via a system bus  113 . 
     The CPU  105  performs processing illustrated in flowcharts to be described below and various functions by reading various control programs stored in a program area of the ROM  107 , loading the programs into the RAM  106 , and executing the programs to comprehensively control the above-described blocks. The CPU  105  also performs display control of the RUI and performs control based on an operation on the RUI. Alternatively, the various control programs may be stored in an external memory  116 , and the CPU  105  may read the various control programs from the external memory  116  via the USB-H I/F  112  and execute the programs. While the configuration in which the single image forming apparatus  100  performs the processing illustrated in the flowcharts to be described below is described below, a plurality of the image forming apparatuses  100  connected via the network  115  may share the processing illustrated in the flowcharts. The RAM  106  is used as a temporary storage area, such as a main memory or a work area of the CPU  105 . The ROM  107  includes a program ROM and a data ROM, and stores the various control programs and various kinds of data including setting information. 
     The network I/F  111  performs processing for communicating with the PC  114  via the network  115 . The network I/F  111  connects to the network  115  via a wired or wireless local area network (LAN). The USB-D I/F  110  performs processing for communicating with the external apparatus via a USB cable. The USB-D I/F  110  is connectable to the PC  114  via the USB cable. 
     The operation panel  104  includes a keyboard and a touch screen having a touch panel, for example. The operation panel  104  displays a local user interface (hereinafter referred to as an “LUI”) under control by the CPU  105 , using the setting information stored in the ROM  107 . The operation panel  104  also provides the CPU  105  with operation information corresponding to an operation input from a user who operates the image forming apparatus  100 . The operation panel  104  is an example of a display unit of the image forming apparatus  100 . 
     The printing unit I/F  108  connects the printing unit  102  and the controller unit  101 . Image data to be printed by the printing unit  102  is transferred from the controller unit  101  to the printing unit  102  via the printing unit I/F  108 , and is printed on a recording medium by the printing unit  102 . The reading unit I/F  109  connects the reading unit  103  and the controller unit  101 . The reading unit  103  reads a document placed thereon to generate image data, and inputs the generated image data to the controller unit  101  via the reading unit I/F  109 . In the present exemplary embodiment, an application that provides a copy function using the printing unit  102  and an application that provides a scan function using the reading unit  103  are installed on the image forming apparatus  100 . The applications installed on the image forming apparatus  100  are not limited thereto. 
     Next, an example of the LUI will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2A to 2C .  FIG. 2A  illustrates an example of a home screen  200 . The home screen  200  enables the user to select an application or function to be executed among the applications and functions running on the image forming apparatus  100 . The home screen  200  displays icons on a plurality of pages. Each of the displayed icons is used to issue an instruction to execute the corresponding application or function. The home screen  200  according to the present exemplary embodiment has a tab structure display format, and a tab name is assigned to each tab of the home screen  200 .  FIG. 2A  illustrates a state where a tab with a tab name “α” is displayed as a tab with a tab number 1. Each tab of the home screen  200  lists various icons, such as icons  203   a  to  203   g.  For example, in a case where the icon  203   a  is pressed, the image forming apparatus  100  activates the application that provides the copy function and displays a settings screen on the operation panel  104 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates an example of a copy function settings screen  210 . 
     On the home screen  200  in  FIG. 2A , a tab name  201  of a currently displayed tab is highlighted. In a case where one of tab names  202   a  to  202   e  of tabs that are currently hidden is selected, the selected tab is displayed on the home screen  200 . On each tab of the home screen  200 , zero to eight icons can be arranged starting from the upper left corner. 
     To move an icon using the LUI, an option on an icon settings screen (not illustrated) is selected, or an operation, such as pressing and holding the icon, is performed to enter an icon rearrangement mode.  FIG. 2C  illustrates an example of an icon rearrangement mode screen  220 . In a case where an icon is selected on the icon rearrangement mode screen  220  and the selected icon is moved to another position in the tab or to the position of another tab name by a drag and drop operation, the image forming apparatus  100  performs a display order setting for the icon. 
     In a case where the selected icon is moved to a hidden icon list  221  illustrated in  FIG. 2C  by a drag and drop operation, the image forming apparatus  100  performs a hidden icon setting to hide the selected icon. In the present exemplary embodiment, the hidden icon setting refers to a setting to hide an icon for an undeletable application, such as a basic function application on the home screen  200 . In a case where a confirm button  222  is pressed after the movement operation is completed, the image forming apparatus  100  confirms the setting of the display order of the icons displayed on the icon rearrangement mode screen  220  or the hidden icon setting, and updates the setting information stored in the ROM  107 . The home screen  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A  is a mere example, and the forms and arrangement of the various elements, the number of the home screens  200 , and how to perform various operations on the home screen  200  may be different from those described above. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a data structure that manages the display order of the icons on the home screen  200 , and a data structure that manages the icons to be hidden, according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  100  manages the display order of the icons on the home screen  200  by using a display order array  303 . The display order array  303  is a two-dimensional array having tab numbers and position numbers. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  100  manages the icons to be hidden on the home screen  200  by using a hidden icon list array  304 . The hidden icon list array  304  is a one-dimensional array. An upper limit is set for the number of icons that can be registered in the hidden icon list array  304 . The display order array  303  and the hidden icon list array  304  are stored in the ROM  107 . 
     The image forming apparatus  100  reads the display order array  303  and the hidden icon list array  304  when displaying the LUI (e.g., the home screen  200  in  FIG. 2A ) on the operation panel  104  or when displaying the RUI (e.g., an icon rearrangement screen  520  in  FIG. 5B ). Furthermore, a button identification (button ID) is set in each area of the display order array  303  and in each area of the hidden icon list array  304 . The button ID is a unique value based on the application or function to be executed, and each icon is given the button ID. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the tab numbers are given to the respective tabs of the home screen  200 , and the position numbers are numbers given to the display positions of the icons in each of the tabs starting from the upper left corner. The tab numbers are an example of page numbers of pages displayed on the home screen  200 . In the present exemplary embodiment, a maximum value of the position numbers is eight. The maximum value of the position numbers is an upper limit of the number of icons that can be displayed in each of the tabs. In each area of the display order array  303 , the button ID is set in association with the tab number and the position number of the corresponding icon. Furthermore, the button ID is set at {00} in the area with no corresponding icon. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the image forming apparatus  100  acquires seven button IDs associated with the tab number 1 (the tab name “α”), arranges the icons corresponding to the acquired button IDs in the tab with the tab name “α” starting from the upper left corner in the order of the position numbers, and displays a home screen  301 . Similarly, the image forming apparatus  100  acquires four button IDs associated with a tab number 2 (a tab name “β”), arranges the icons corresponding to the acquired button IDs in the tab with the tab name “β” starting from the upper left corner in the order of the position numbers, and displays a home screen  302 . Hereinafter, an area with a tab number X and a position number Yin the display order array  303  will be referred to as an “element [X][Y]”. The data structures illustrated in  FIG. 3  are a mere example, and details of various settings may be different from those described above. 
       FIGS. 4A to 4C  each illustrate an example of the RUI according to the present exemplary embodiment. When the PC  114  accesses the image forming apparatus  100 , an authentication screen  401  appears on the display of the PC  114  first. 
     In  FIG. 4A , a user  400  of the PC  114  enters an ID in an ID entry field  401   a  and a password in a password entry field  401   b  on the authentication screen  401 . The ID and the password are set in advance by using the image forming apparatus  100 . In a case where a login button  401   c  in  FIG. 4A  is pressed and authentication processing is successfully performed, an RUI top screen  402  appears on the display of the PC  114 . This enables the user  400  to use the RUI provided by the image forming apparatus  100 .  FIG. 4B  illustrates an example of the RUI top screen  402 . In a case where a settings/registration button  402   a  on the RUI top screen  402  is pressed, a settings screen  403  for referring to or changing the settings of the image forming apparatus  100  appears on the display of the PC  114 .  FIG. 4C  illustrates an example of the settings screen  403  for performing the settings of the image forming apparatus  100 . In a case where a setting item to be changed is selected in a setting item area  403   a  of the settings screen  403 , details of the selected setting item are displayed in a details display area  403   b  of the settings screen  403  for reference or change. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  each illustrate an example of an icon rearrangement screen according to the present exemplary embodiment. The icon rearrangement screen is displayed in the details display area  403   b  in a case where the item “HOME SCREEN REARRANGEMENT” is selected in the setting item area  403   a  of the settings screen  403  in  FIG. 4C . 
     An icon rearrangement screen  510  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  is a screen that reproduces the list display on the home screen  200  and a movement operation by a touch operation, using a description language, such as JavaScript. The tabs on which the icons on the home screen  200  are arranged are displayed in an area  512 . While in the example of  FIG. 5A , the tabs on which the icons are arranged are displayed in the area  512 , a tab on which no icon is arranged may also be displayed. The area  512  of the icon rearrangement screen  510  may not be displayed depending on the type, version, or environment of the web browser  114   a  of the PC  114 . In addition, even in a case where the area  512  is displayed, a rearrangement operation by a drag and drop operation may not be able to be received. In this case, the user can switch the icon rearrangement screen  510  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  to the icon rearrangement screen  520  illustrated in  FIG. 5B  by pressing a “BUTTON DISPLAY/LIST DISPLAY” button  511 . 
     In a case where the user selects the “BUTTON DISPLAY/LIST DISPLAY” button  511  on the icon rearrangement screen  520  in  FIG. 5B , the image forming apparatus  100  performs the following processing. The image forming apparatus  100  acquires information about the arrangement of the icons and the names given to the icons in order from the first tab, and generates screen information for reproducing the LUI. After the icon arrangement information and the name information about every tab with an icon arranged thereon or about all tabs are acquired and the screen information is generated, the generated screen information is transmitted to the PC  114 . The PC  114  displays a screen based on the screen information received from the image forming apparatus  100 , so that the icon rearrangement screen  510  illustrated in  FIG. 5A  is displayed. 
     Unlike the display method of the LUI, the icon rearrangement screen  520  in  FIG. 5B  displays the icons on the home screen  200  in list form. The icon rearrangement screen  520  includes a guide table  521  and an icon list  522 . The guide table  521  indicates the display position and position number of each of the icons on the home screen  200 , and the icon list  522  is a list of the icons on the home screen  200 . The image forming apparatus  100  controls the display of the icon rearrangement screen  520  and provides the screen information to the PC  114  via the network I/F  111 . At the top of the icon list  522 , a tab name  523  (“a” in this example) is displayed. The icon list  522  displays icons  525  in list form based on the button IDs associated with each tab number in the display order array  303  in order matching the position numbers in the guide table  521 . Numbers  524  are numbers each corresponding to a position for displaying an icon. The numbers  524  correspond to the numbers of the guide table  521 . Furthermore, a button name  526 , an application name  527 , and an operation button  528  are displayed in association with each of the icons  525 . The operation button  528  includes an up-arrow button  528   a,  a down-arrow button  528   b,  and a tab button  528   c  to be pressed to issue an instruction to move a corresponding one of the icons  525 . When the tab button  528   c  is pressed, a movement destination list  529  that lists tab names appears. 
     For example, when the up-arrow button  528   a  for the second icon in the icon list  522  is pressed, the image forming apparatus  100  transposes the second icon and the first icon that is located above the second icon on the icon list  522 . When the down-arrow button  528   b  for the second icon is pressed, the image forming apparatus  100  transposes the second icon and the third icon that is located below the second icon on the icon list  522 . When the tab button  528   c  for the second icon is pressed, the image forming apparatus  100  displays the movement destination list  529  for the second icon. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating processing for controlling the display of the icon rearrangement screen  520 . The processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIG. 6  is implemented by the CPU  105  loading a control program stored in the ROM  107  into the RAM  106  and executing the program. The processing illustrated in the flowchart is started in a case where, for example, the image forming apparatus  100  determines that the item “HOME SCREEN REARRANGEMENT” is selected in the setting item area  403   a  of the settings screen  403  in  FIG. 4C  based on the operation information received from the PC  114 . The processing illustrated in  FIG. 6  is started also in a case where the “BUTTON DISPLAY/LIST DISPLAY” button  511  is selected in  FIG. 5A . 
     First, in S 601 , the CPU  105  acquires the display order array  303  from the ROM  107  and sets the tab number X of the element [X][Y] to 1. In S 603 , the CPU  105  displays the tab name corresponding to the tab number X on the icon rearrangement screen  520 . In S 604 , the CPU  105  sets the position number Y of the element [X][Y] to 1. In S 606 , the CPU  105  determines whether the element [X][Y] has a button ID. In a case where the CPU  105  determines that the element [X][Y] has a button ID (NO in S 606 ), then in S 608 , the CPU  105  displays the icon and the button name corresponding to the button ID. 
     In S 609 , in a case where the icon corresponding to the button ID in the element [X][Y] is not at the top position in the tab (NO in S 609 ), since the icon is movable to the position before the current position in the tab, then in S 610 , the CPU  105  displays the up-arrow button  528   a  in the area of the operation button  528 . The up-arrow button  528   a  is an example of a movement button configured to issue an instruction to move an icon to the position immediately before the current position in the tab. On the other hand, in a case where the icon corresponding to the button ID in the element [X][Y] is at the top position in the tab (YES in S 609 ), since the icon is not movable to the position before the current position in the tab, the CPU  105  does not display the up-arrow button  528   a.    
     Similarly in S 611 , in a case where the icon corresponding to the button ID in the element [X] [Y] is not at the last position in the tab (NO in S 611 ), since the icon is movable to the position after the current position in the tab, then in S 612 , the CPU  105  displays the down-arrow button  528   b  in the area of the operation button  528 . The down-arrow button  528   b  is an example of a movement button configured to issue an instruction to move an icon to the position immediately after the current position in the tab. On the other hand, in a case where the icon corresponding to the button ID in the element [X][Y] is at the last position in the tab (YES in S 611 ), since the icon is not movable to the position after the current position in the tab, the CPU  105  does not display the down-arrow button  528   b.    
     In S 613 , the CPU  105  displays the tab button  528   c  in the area of the operation button  528 . 
     The tab button  528   c  is an example of an instruction button configured to issue an instruction to move an icon to another tab (page). 
     In S 614 , the CPU  105  increments the position number Y and repeats the processing in S 608  to S 613  as long as the number of icons in the tab does not reach the upper limit (NO in S 605 ) and a button ID is present in the element [X][Y] (NO in S 606 ). In a case where the button IDs of all the icons in the tab are processed (YES in S 605  or YES in S 606 ), then in S 607 , the CPU  105  increments the tab number X, and the processing proceeds to S 603 . In S 603 , the tab name  523  is displayed before the first icon in the tab. As long as the number of tabs does not reach the upper limit (NO in S 602 ), the CPU  105  increments the tab number X in S 607  and repeats the processing in S 603  to S 614 . In a case where the number of tabs reaches the upper limit (YES in S 602 ), the processing illustrated in  FIG. 6  ends. The CPU  105  describes the screen information about the icon rearrangement screen  520 , which has been generated as described above, in a form that can be displayed on the web browser  114   a  of the PC  114 , and provides the screen information to the PC  114 . 
     As described above, the image forming apparatus  100  rearranges the icons displayed on the home screen  200  having a tab structure, in list form and displays the rearranged icons on the RUI. In addition, the icon list  522  is separately provided for each tab. Thus, the icons displayed in each tab of the home screen  200  are easy to recognize with great visibility. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  100  displays the up-arrow button  528   a,  the down-arrow button  528   b,  and the tab button  528   c  in association with each of the icons  525  displayed in list form. This enables the icons to be moved not only to the position before or after the current position in the tab but also to another tab. 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  are flowcharts illustrating processing for controlling the movement of the icons displayed on the LUI, in response to an operation on the buttons displayed in the area of the operation button  528  on the icon rearrangement screen  520  generated by the processing in  FIG. 6 . The processing in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 7A to 7C  is implemented by the CPU  105  loading a control program stored in the ROM  107  into the RAM  106  and executing the program. The processing illustrated in the flowcharts are started in a case where, for example, the image forming apparatus  100  determines that the operation button  528  is pressed on the icon rearrangement screen  520 , based on the operation information received from the PC  114 . An icon associated with the pressed operation button  528  will be referred to as a “target icon”. Hereinafter, a case where the target icon corresponds to a button ID “02” stored in an element [n][m] in the display order array  303  will be described as an example. 
       FIG. 7A  is a flowchart illustrating processing to be performed in response to an operation on the up-arrow button  528   a.  In a case where the CPU  105  determines that the up-arrow button  528   a  is pressed, the CPU  105  acquires a button ID from an element [n][m−1] immediately before the element [n][m]. In S 711 , the CPU  105  stores the acquired button ID in the element [n][m]. In S 712 , the CPU  105  stores the button ID “02” in the element [n][m−1]. Then, the processing illustrated in  FIG. 7A  ends. 
       FIG. 7B  is a flowchart illustrating processing to be performed in response to an operation on the down-arrow button  528   b.  In a case where the CPU  105  determines that the down-arrow button  528   b  is pressed, the CPU  105  acquires a button ID from an element [n][m+1] immediately after the element [n][m]. In S 721 , the CPU  105  stores the acquired button ID in the element [n][m]. In S 722 , the CPU  105  stores the button ID “02” in the element [n][m+1]. Then, the processing illustrated in  FIG. 7B  ends. 
     According to the processing illustrated in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  described above, the image forming apparatus  100  moves the target icon to the position immediately before or after the current position in the tab on the LUI. 
     Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  100  performs the processing illustrated in  FIG. 7A or 7B  and then performs the processing illustrated in  FIG. 6  based on the updated display order array  303 , so that the icons  525  in the icon list  522  on the icon rearrangement screen  520  are transposed vertically and displayed at the transposed positions. 
       FIG. 7C  is a flowchart illustrating processing to be performed in response to an operation on the tab button  528   c.  In a case where the CPU  105  determines that the tab button  528   c  is pressed, then in S 731 , the CPU  105  acquires the movement destination list  529  for the target icon. Next, the CPU  105  provides display information about the movement destination list  529  to the PC  114 . Accordingly, the movement destination list  529  is displayed for the target icon on the RUI. In S 732 , in a case where the image forming apparatus  100  determines that a movement destination is selected via the PC  114 , then in S 733 , the CPU  105  deletes the target icon (the icon corresponding to the button ID “02”) from the movement source tab. In S 734 , the CPU  105  adds the target icon (the icon corresponding to the button ID “02”) to the movement destination tab. Then, the processing illustrated in  FIG. 7C  ends. 
     According to the processing in the flowchart in  FIG. 7C  described above, the image forming apparatus  100  displays the movement destination list  529  in response to the press of the tab button  528   c,  and in a case where a movement destination tab is selected from the movement destination list  529 , the target icon is moved to the selected tab on the LUI. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  100  performs the processing illustrated in  FIG. 7C  and then performs the processing illustrated in  FIG. 6  based on the updated display order array  303 , so that the target icon on the icon rearrangement screen  520  is displayed at the position of the selected tab. 
     Next, details of the processing in  FIG. 7C  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 8A to 8C . A case where the tab with the tab number X=n2 is selected as the movement destination in S 732  will be described as an example. 
       FIG. 8A  is a flowchart illustrating details of the movement destination list acquisition processing in S 731 . First, in S 811 , the tab number X of the element [X][Y] is set to 1. In S 812 , the CPU  105  determines whether the tab number X matches the tab number n of the tab including the target icon. In S 813 , the CPU  105  determines whether the tab with the tab number X has a space therein. As a result of the determinations in S 812  and S 813 , in a case where the tab does not include the target icon (NO in S 812 ) and has a space therein (YES in S 813 ), then in S 814 , the CPU  105  adds the tab name of the tab with the tab number X to the movement destination list  529 . Then, the CPU  105  repeats the processing in S 812  to  5814  until the tab number X reaches the upper limit of the number of tabs in S 815  and S 816 . In S 817 , the CPU  105  determines whether the number of icons registered in the hidden icon list array  304  has reached the upper limit. In a case where the upper limit is not reached (NO in S 817 ), then in S 818 , the CPU  105  adds the option “HIDE” to the movement destination list  529 . Then, the processing returns to the flowchart in  FIG. 7C . 
     According to the processing in the flowchart in  FIG. 8A  described above, in a case where the tab button  528   c  is operated, the image forming apparatus  100  lists tab names as the movement destinations of the icon associated with the operated tab button  528   c.  In other words, the user who uses the RUI of the PC  114  can move an icon to a desired tab simply by selecting the corresponding tab name from the movement destination list  529 . In addition, since the movement destination list  529  is displayed in response to a user&#39;s operation, the visibility of the icons  525  displayed in list form is not degraded. 
     Furthermore, when listing the tab names, the image forming apparatus  100  does not display the tab name of the tab including the target icon or the tab name of a tab having no space therein. In other words, the image forming apparatus  100  displays the tab names of the tabs to which the target icon is movable. This further enhances user operability in selecting a tab name as the movement destination. 
       FIG. 8B  is a flowchart illustrating details of the processing for deleting the target icon (the icon corresponding to the button ID “02”) from the movement source tab in S 733 . First, in S 821 , the position number Y of the element [n][Y] is set to m+1. In S 822 , the CPU  105  acquires a button ID from the element [n][m+1] immediately after the element [n][m] and stores the acquired button ID in the element [n][m]. In S 824 , the CPU  105  increments the position number Y, and repeats the processing in S 822  as long as the element [n][Y] has a button ID (NO in S 823 ) and the upper limit of the number of icons in the tab is not reached (NO in S 825 ). Then, the processing returns to the flowchart in  FIG. 7C . 
       FIG. 8C  is a flowchart illustrating details of the processing for adding the target icon (the icon corresponding to the button ID “02”) to the movement destination tab in S 734 . First, in S 831 , the position number Y of an element [n2][Y] is set to  1 . In S 832  and S 833 , the CPU  105  searches the element [n2][Y] starting from the head position of the tab number X=n2 until a position without a button ID is detected. Then, in S 834 , the CPU  105  stores the button ID “02” of the target icon in the element [n2][Y] having no button ID. Then, the processing returns to the flowchart in  FIG. 7C . 
     According to the processing in the flowcharts in  FIGS. 8B and 8C  described above, in a case where a tab name is selected from the listed tab names, the image forming apparatus  100  deletes the target icon from the movement source tab. Then, the image forming apparatus  100  sequentially moves the icons displayed after the target icon on the movement source tab to the positions immediately above the current positions. Accordingly, the icons remaining on the movement source tab can be top left justified. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  100  moves the target icon to the last position on the tab with the selected tab name. In this way, the image forming apparatus  100  performs processing for moving the target icon to another tab. 
     In a case where the option “HIDE” displayed in the movement destination list  529  is selected, the image forming apparatus  100  performs the hidden icon setting. More specifically, the button ID of the target icon is registered in the hidden icon list array  304 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the option “HIDE” is also displayed in the movement destination list  529 , so that an icon movement operation and an icon hiding operation can be performed as a series of operations. 
     While in the present exemplary embodiment, the configuration where tab names are listed as the movement destinations of the target icon in response to an operation on the tab button  528   c  has been described above, in a case where the number of tab names as the movement destinations is one, the processing for moving the target icon to another tab may be performed without the list display of the tab name as the movement destination. In this case, the processing in S 731  and S 732  in  FIG. 7C  is to be skipped. 
     According to the present exemplary embodiment described above, even in a case where the LUI is not reproducible with high fidelity due to the specifications of the web browser  114   a  of the PC  114 , the RUI that enables the display and movement of the icons in a similar manner to the LUI can be provided. In other words, user visibility and operability in using the RUI can be enhanced. Furthermore, support for web accessibility can be enhanced and, for example, web accessibility for voice reading can also be achieved. 
     The home screen according to the first exemplary embodiment has a tab structure display format, and each tab of the home screen is independently configured. A home screen according to a second exemplary embodiment has a page structure display format, and pages on the home screen are continuously configured. Furthermore, in the second exemplary embodiment, an icon selected on the LUI can be displayed hierarchically in association with another icon. For example, in a case where an icon is selected on the icon rearrangement mode screen  220  on the LUI and the selected icon is superimposed on another icon by a drag and drop operation, the image forming apparatus  100  displays the selected icon at a hierarchical level lower than that of the other icon. Hereinafter, redundant descriptions of components similar to those in the first exemplary embodiment will be omitted. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a data structure that manages the display order of the icons on the home screen according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  100  manages the display order by using a display order array  1003  having the position numbers of the icons on the home screen. The position numbers include a first position number and a second position number. The first position number specifies the display position of an icon on each page, and the second position number specifies the display position of an icon at a hierarchical level below the icon (the folder in this example) at the display position specified by the first position number. For example, the position number of the icon displayed at the sixth display position on a first page  1001  of the home screen is specified as (6, 0), and the position number of the icon in the folder is specified as (6, 1). In the present exemplary embodiment, the first position numbers are sequentially given to the icons starting from the first page  1001  of the home screen. Thus, in a case where the number of first position numbers reaches the upper limit (eight in this example) of the number of icons displayable in each page, one page is delimited, and each time the number of first position numbers reaches the upper limit of the number of icons, another page is delimited. For example, the icon with the first position number (9, 0) is displayed at the top position in a second page  1002  of the home screen. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an icon rearrangement screen  900  of the RUI according to the present exemplary embodiment. The icon rearrangement screen  900  includes guide tables  901  and  903  and an icon list  902 . The guide table  901  specifies the display positions of the icons on the home screen and the first position numbers thereof. The guide table  903  specifies the display positions of the icons in the folder and the second position numbers thereof. The icon list  902  lists the icons on the home screen. The image forming apparatus  100  controls the display of the icon rearrangement screen  900  and provides screen information about the icon rearrangement screen  900  to the PC  114  via the network I/F  111 . A page name  904  (“PAGE 1” in this example) is displayed at the top of the icon list  902 . The icon list  902  displays the icons in list form in order matching the position numbers specified in the guide tables  901  and  903 . Furthermore, a button name, an application name, and an operation button are displayed in association with each of the icons. 
     The operation button includes an up-arrow button  907 , a down-arrow button  908 , a page button  905 , and a folder button  906  to be pressed to issue an instruction to move the corresponding icon. In a case where the page button  905  is pressed, a movement destination list  909  is displayed based on the target icon to be operated and the display order array  1003 . The page button  905  is an example of an instruction button configured to issue an instruction to move an icon to another page. In a case where the folder button  906  is pressed, a folder list  913  is displayed based on the target of the icon to be operated and the display order array  1003 . The folder button  906  is an example of an instruction button configured to issue an instruction to move an icon to another hierarchical level. 
     While in the first exemplary embodiment, the up-arrow button  528   a  is not displayed in a case where the target icon is at the top position in the tab (YES in S 609 ), the up-arrow button  907  is grayed out in the present exemplary embodiment. 
     While in the first exemplary embodiment, the down-arrow button  528   b  is not displayed in a case where the target icon is at the last position in the tab (YES in S 611 ), the down-arrow button  908  is displayed in the present exemplary embodiment because the pages are continuously displayed. 
     While in a case where the tab includes the target icon (YES in S 812 ), the tab name is not displayed in the movement destination list  529  in the first exemplary embodiment, a page name  910  of the page including the target icon is grayed out in the movement destination list  909  in the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the image forming apparatus  100  adds options  911  and  912  to the movement destination list  909 . The option  911  enables the user to issue an instruction to generate a new page as the movement destination of the target icon. The option  912  enables the user to issue an instruction to delete the target icon. As described above, not only the option “HIDE” but also the option  911  for adding a new page and the option  912  for deleting the target icon are displayed in the movement destination list  909 , so that the user can change various settings of the LUI screen with a series of operations. The option  912  for deleting the target icon is grayed out in a case where the target icon is not deletable due to the system. 
     The folder list  913  will be described next. In a case where the folder button  906  is pressed, the image forming apparatus  100  lists details of the processing for moving the target icon to another hierarchical level, using the display order array  1003 . For example, since the icon with the button name “SLIDE SHOW” (No. 5) and the icon with the button name “COPY” (No. 1) can be combined into a folder, an option  914  named “SUPERIMPOSE ON No. 1” is included in the folder list  913  on the icon rearrangement screen  900 . Since the icon with the button name “FAVORITES” (No. 6) is a folder, an option  916  named “ADD TO No. 6” is included in the folder list  913  for the icon with the button name “SLIDE SHOW” (No. 5.). Furthermore, since the icon with the button name “SLIDE SHOW” (No. 5) cannot be combined with the icon with the button name “SLIDE SHOW” (No. 5) into a folder, so that an option  915  named “SUPERIMPOSE ON NO. 5” in the folder list  913  is grayed out. 
     According to the present exemplary embodiment described above, the RUI that enables the display and movement of the icons in a similar manner to the LUI can be provided. In other words, user visibility and operability in using the RUI can be enhanced. Furthermore, support for web accessibility can be enhanced and, for example, web accessibility for voice reading can also be achieved. 
     The above-described exemplary embodiments illustrate specific examples for implementing aspects of the present disclosure, and the technical scope of every embodiment should not be interpreted in a limited manner by the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical concept or main features. 
     Some embodiments can also be implemented by supplying a program for implementing one or more functions according to the above-described exemplary embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a recording medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus to read and execute the program. The exemplary embodiments can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for implementing one or more functions according to the above-described exemplary embodiments. 
     The exemplary embodiments can enhance user visibility and operability in using the RUI. 
     Some embodiments can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)?), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present disclosure has described exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that some embodiments are not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-000837, which was filed on Jan. 6, 2021 and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.