JP6330485B2 - Display system and server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display system and a server.

  Patent Document 1 describes a system that displays on a display unit of a multifunction peripheral that a new function is available. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes a system that creates a shortcut of a scanned document in a folder according to conditions. By executing the created shortcut, the user can access the substance of the scanned document stored in a folder different from the folder in which the shortcut is created.

JP 2008-182295 A JP 2010-251973 A

  However, conventionally, whether or not there is information to be notified in the shortcut route when a shortcut is executed is not considered. Therefore, by using the shortcut, it is possible to access the shortcut destination without trouble, but there is a possibility that the user cannot confirm the “information to be notified” because the shortcut is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display system and a server capable of reporting information to be notified even when a shortcut is used.

  In order to achieve this object, a display system of the present invention includes a display control unit that displays a screen image on a display unit of a display device, and a predetermined screen image among a plurality of hierarchically configured screen images. When a shortcut instruction that is an instruction to display on the display unit a screen image located in a lower hierarchy beyond one or more hierarchies to be received is received, the position is higher in the hierarchy than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction. First display means for determining whether there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified among the screen images to be displayed, wherein the display control means notifies the specific notification by the first determination means. When it is determined that there is a screen image related to the information to be displayed, the information to be notified is displayed on the display unit, while the information to be notified by the first determination unit If it is determined that there is no continuous screen image, the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction is displayed among the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images without displaying the specific information to be notified. Display on the screen.

  The display system of the present invention is configured in various modes such as a control device that controls the display system, one or more devices or servers that configure the display system, a display method, a display program, and a recording medium that records the display program. can do.

  According to the display system of claim 1, among the plurality of screen images configured in a hierarchical manner, a screen image positioned in a lower layer beyond one or a plurality of layers where the predetermined screen image is positioned is displayed. A shortcut instruction that is an instruction to be displayed on the screen can be received. When a shortcut instruction is accepted, if there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified in a screen image located at a higher level than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction, the specific notification Information to be displayed is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, even when a shortcut is used, specific information to be notified can be reported. In particular, since the display of specific information to be notified is based on the condition that the screen image related to the information to be notified is included in a screen image located at a higher level than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction, It is possible to prevent display of specific information to be notified from being displayed in a complicated manner.

  The display system described in the claims includes a display device in which a screen image is displayed by the display control unit and a server connected to the display device, and a screen image by the display control unit. The case where it is comprised from the server connected to the said display apparatus without including the display apparatus by which is displayed is intended.

  According to the display system of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the following effect is obtained. A screen related to specific information to be notified even if there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified among screen images located on a higher level than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction A condition for displaying specific information to be notified is that the image and the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction are menu screen images related to the same function. Therefore, even if it is specific information to be notified, it is possible to suppress the display of information that is not closely related to the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction.

  According to the display system of claim 3, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, the following effect is provided. If there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified in the screen images located on the higher level than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction, the screen image corresponding to the specific information to be notified corresponds to the shortcut instruction. A screen image is displayed. Therefore, specific information to be notified can be confirmed on the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction.

  According to the display system of claim 4, in addition to the effect of claim 3, the following effect is provided. In the case where there is a screen image related to information to be notified in a screen image located at a higher level than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction, the first indicator including the information to be notified is It is displayed in the screen image according to the shortcut instruction. And according to operation with respect to a 1st operation element, the notification screen image different from the several screen image comprised hierarchically including the information which shows the detail of the information which should be notified contained in the 1st indicator is contained. Is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the visibility of other information from being impaired by displaying specific information to be notified on the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction. On the other hand, details of specific information to be notified can be notified.

  According to the display system of claim 5, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, the following effect is obtained. If there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified among the screen images located at a higher level than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction, it is configured in a hierarchy including specific information to be notified. A notification screen image different from the plurality of screen images is displayed. Therefore, specific information to be notified can be confirmed in the notification screen image.

  According to the display system of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the fourth or fifth aspect, the following effect is obtained. The notification screen image includes a second indicator for inputting an instruction for confirming a screen image including information to be notified, and an instruction for not confirming the screen image including information to be notified. And a third indicator. When an instruction input via the second indicator is received, a screen image including specific information to be notified is displayed among a plurality of hierarchically configured screen images. On the other hand, when an instruction input via the third indicator is received, a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to select whether or not to confirm a screen image including specific information to be notified. Further, when a selection not to be confirmed is made, a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction when the shortcut instruction is given is displayed, so that a screen image corresponding to the original intention can be displayed.

  According to the display system of claim 7, in addition to the effect of claim 6, the following effect is obtained. The notification screen image is a fourth indicator for inputting the second indicator, the third indicator, and an instruction for confirming a screen image including specific information to be notified after using the service according to the shortcut instruction. Including an indicator. When an instruction input via the fourth indicator is received, a screen image including information to be notified is displayed after using the service corresponding to the shortcut instruction. Therefore, it is possible to confirm specific information to be notified after using the service according to the original intention.

  According to the display system of Claim 8, in addition to the effect which Claim 6 or 7 has, there exists the following effect. The screen image displayed in response to receiving the instruction input via the third indicator differs depending on whether the notification screen image is displayed when the shortcut instruction is received. Specifically, when the notification screen image is displayed in response to receiving the shortcut instruction, the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction is displayed. On the other hand, when the notification screen image is displayed without accepting the shortcut instruction, the next screen image according to the display order corresponding to the hierarchy is displayed from among the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images. Therefore, a screen image according to the original intention can be displayed.

  According to the display system of the ninth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by any one of the fourth to eighth aspects, the following effect is produced. The notification screen image is an image related to specific information to be notified, depending on whether or not the notification screen image is displayed upon reception of a shortcut instruction, but the display contents thereof are different from each other. Therefore, the display content of the notification screen image can be made suitable for each of whether or not a shortcut instruction has been given.

  According to the display system of the tenth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by any one of the first to ninth aspects, the following effect is obtained. A server connected to the display device via the Internet includes display control means. Therefore, various screen images such as a notification screen image can be displayed on the display unit of the display device in accordance with control from the server.

  According to the server of the eleventh aspect, the same effect as the display system of the first aspect can be obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a system. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition of the multifunction peripheral device controlled by a relay server. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen transition of the multifunction peripheral device controlled by a relay server. It is a flowchart which shows the process according to the instruction information from a relay server. It is a flowchart which shows the main loop process of a relay server. It is a figure for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a modification.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a system 1 including a relay server 100 that is an embodiment of a server of the present invention. The system 1 is a service cooperation system, for example.

  The system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) 10, a relay server 100, and a service providing server 200. The system 1 may include a plurality of MFPs 10. Further, the system 1 may include a plurality of service providing servers 200. In the system 1, the MFP 10, the relay server 100, and the service providing server 200 are connected to be communicable with each other via a network 800. The network 800 is, for example, the Internet. Data communication is performed according to, for example, HTTP / 1.1.

  In the system 1, the MFP 10 as a client can use a service provided by a service provider using the service providing server 200. Examples of services provided by the service providing server 200 include a service for downloading image data from the service providing server 200. Therefore, for example, the MFP 10 can print the image data downloaded from the service providing server 200 using the printing function of the MFP 10.

  In the system 1, the MFP 10 receives various services from the service providing server 200 in cooperation with the relay server 100. At that time, a screen image (hereinafter simply referred to as “screen”) displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10 is managed by the relay server 100 and transitions according to an instruction from the relay server 100. As will be described in detail later, in the relay server 100 according to the present embodiment, one screen belonging to a hierarchically configured screen is displayed by jumping over a screen located on a higher hierarchy than the one screen. Even in such a case, the information to be notified can be reported without omission.

  The MFP 10 is a multifunction peripheral device having various functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. The MFP 10 is mainly provided with a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, NVRAM 14, operation keys 15, LCD 16, touch panel 17, scanner unit 18, printer unit 19, NCU 20, modem 21, and communication unit 23. These units are connected to each other via the input / output port 24.

  The CPU 11 controls each function of the MFP 10 and each unit connected to the input / output port 24 according to programs and data stored in the ROM 12, RAM 13, NVRAM 14, or various signals transmitted / received via the NCU 20. . The ROM 12 is a read-only memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 11 and constants and tables that are referred to when the programs are executed. The ROM 12 stores a control program 12a for controlling the operation of the MFP 10. Each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 to be described later is a process executed by the CPU 11 in accordance with the control program 12a. The RAM 13 is a rewritable volatile memory having a temporary area for temporarily storing various data when the CPU 11 executes the control program 12a. The NVRAM 14 is a nonvolatile RAM.

  The operation key 15 is a mechanical key provided on the casing of the MFP 10 and accepts various setting values and instructions from the user. The LCD 16 is a liquid crystal display device and displays various screens. A touch panel 17 is provided on the LCD 16 so as to overlap the LCD 16. For example, when an indicator such as a finger or a stick touches or approaches the screen of the LCD 16, the touch panel 17 detects the touched or approached position and inputs the detected position to the MFP 10.

  The scanner unit 18 reads a document and converts it into image data. The printer unit 19 prints an image based on the image data on a recording sheet. The modem 21 modulates image data to be transmitted at the time of FAX transmission into a signal that can be transmitted to a telephone line network (not shown) and transmits the signal via the NCU 20 or is input from the telephone line network via the NCU 20. The received signal is demodulated into image data. The NCU 20 connects a telephone line network (not shown) and the MFP 10, and controls the connection state with the telephone line network by closing or disconnecting the line according to an instruction from the modem 21. The communication unit 23 is a device for communicating with other devices connected to the network 800. As the communication unit 23, a known network card can be adopted.

  The relay server 100 is mainly provided with a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a communication unit 103. These units are connected to each other via the input / output port 104. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (not shown) and a ROM and a RAM electrically connected to the CPU, and constitutes a computer. The CPU controls the operation of the relay server 100 according to programs and data stored in the ROM and the storage unit 102.

  The storage unit 102 is a nonvolatile storage device. The storage unit 102 is, for example, a hard disk drive. The storage unit 102 stores a program 102a. The program 102a includes a program for managing a screen when the MFP 10 receives a service provided from the service providing server 200, for example, a program for the control unit 101 to realize each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. . Further, the program 102 a includes a program for communicating with the service providing server 200 in order to provide a service to the MFP 10.

  In addition to the program 102a, the storage unit 102 stores instruction information, tree information, and the like. The instruction information is information regarding an instruction that the relay server 100 issues to the MFP 10. The instruction information includes an identification number and an instruction genre. The identification number is a number for individually identifying the instruction information.

  The instruction genre is information for classifying the instruction content of the instruction information. In the present embodiment, a UI instruction and a function operation instruction are provided as instruction genres. The instruction information whose instruction genre is a UI instruction (hereinafter referred to as “UI instruction information”) is instruction information related to control of a screen displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10. The UI instruction information includes a screen type, remote key information, unique information, and the like.

  The screen type is information for specifying the type of screen to be displayed on the LCD 16, and is, for example, a list, a message, an input box, or the like. The remote key information is information for specifying a remote key to be displayed on the screen. The remote key is a key that serves as a trigger for transmitting various instructions to the relay server 100. As a remote key, for example, a “return key” that is a key for instructing an operation for returning the screen to the previous screen, a “next key” that is a key for instructing an operation for moving the screen to the next screen, and There is a “confirmation key” for confirming transmission of information to the relay server 100. The unique information included in the UI instruction information varies depending on the screen type. For example, when the screen type is a list, the UI instruction information includes a character string indicating each item to be displayed in the list as unique information.

  The instruction information whose instruction genre is a functional operation instruction (hereinafter referred to as “functional operation instruction information”) is instruction information related to control of functions executed by the MFP 10. The functional operation instruction information includes operation information and the like. The operation information includes an operation type that specifies a functional operation. The operation type includes upload, download, and copy.

  Parameters corresponding to the operation type are added to the functional operation instruction information. The MFP 10 executes functions such as a print function, a scan function, and a copy function in accordance with parameters added to the function operation instruction information. For example, when the function operation instruction information whose operation type is download includes information specifying the image data to be downloaded and a value instructing printing as parameters, the MFP 10 determines the image data specified by the parameters. And download the downloaded image data.

  The tree information is information that defines the transition of the screen displayed on the MFP 10. Specifically, the tree information is configured as information in which identification information for specifying the previous screen and / or the next screen for the screen specified by the identification number is associated with each identification number of the UI instruction information. That is, the hierarchical structure of the screen displayed by the MFP 10 according to the UI instruction information is managed by the tree information stored in the data storage area 102 a of the storage unit 102.

  The communication unit 103 is a device for communicating with other devices connected to the network 800. As the communication unit 103, a known network card can be adopted. The relay server 100 may be an apparatus having a known server function. A server owned by the manufacturer of the MFP 10 can be adopted as the relay server 100. In the present embodiment, the relay server 100 will be described as one physically existing server. The relay server 100 may be a virtual machine in which a plurality of physical devices cooperate to function as one server.

  2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transition of the MFP 10 controlled by the relay server 100. FIG. More specifically, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing screen transitions when there is no service (hereinafter referred to as “new service”) newly available to the MFP 10.

  Screen 61 and screen 62 are standby screens displayed on LCD 16 of MFP 10. The screens 61 and 62 are not screens displayed according to the instruction information from the relay server 100 but screens displayed by display control of the MFP 10. Therefore, the screens 61 and 62 can be displayed even in a situation where communication with the relay server 100 is not possible. The screen 61 or the screen 62 can be displayed on the LCD 16 according to a predetermined switching operation.

  The screen 61 includes an icon 61 a that instructs activation of a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “remote UI”) for using a service provided from the service providing server 200. When the tap operation is performed on the icon 61a, the MFP 10 transmits an application activation request for instructing the start of the remote UI and model specifying information for specifying the model of the MFP 10 to the relay server 100. More specifically, the MFP 10 transmits an application activation request based on normal activation that is not a shortcut (hereinafter referred to as “normal application activation request”) to the relay server 100.

  When there is no new arrival service for the MFP 10, the relay server 100 that has received the normal application activation request transmits UI instruction information for displaying the main menu screen 81 of the remote UI to the MFP 10. Receiving this UI instruction information, the MFP 10 displays a main menu screen 81 on the LCD 16 in accordance with the received UI instruction information. Note that the case where there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The main menu screen 81 is a screen whose screen type is a list. Items are displayed in the list item display portion 81a of the main menu screen 81 by the number of functions available as a service. In the example shown in FIG. 2, an item A1 for selecting a copy function, an item A2 for selecting a scan function, and an item A3 for selecting a print function are displayed as items. The main menu screen 81 includes a confirmation key 81b.

  When a tap operation is performed on the confirmation key 81b with one item selected from the items displayed on the list item display unit 81a, the MFP 10 confirms the selected item as operation result information. Information indicating that this has been done is transmitted to the relay server 100. Relay server 100 transmits instruction information corresponding to the received operation result information to MFP 10. Therefore, for example, when the confirm key 81b is operated with the item A3 selected, the MFP 10 causes the relay server 100 to display the print menu screen 82 as the next screen for confirming the print function. UI indication information is received. Then, the MFP 10 displays the print menu screen 82 on the LCD 16 according to the received UI instruction information.

  The print menu screen 82 is also a screen whose screen type is a list. The list item display portion 82a displays as many items of the list as the number of functions available in the print function. In the example shown in FIG. 2, as items, an item B1 for selecting a coloring function, which is a function for downloading and printing a coloring paper mount from the service providing server 200, and a paper craft mounting from the service providing server 200 are downloaded. An item B2 for selecting a function to be printed is displayed. The print menu screen 82 includes a confirmation key 82b.

  For example, when the confirmation key 82b is operated in a state where the item B1 is selected, the MFP 10 instructs the relay server 100 to display a coloring book menu screen 83 as a next screen when the coloring function is confirmed. Receive information. Then, the MFP 10 displays a coloring menu screen 83 on the LCD 16 according to the received UI instruction information. In this way, when the print function is selected on the main menu screen 81, the remote UI screen is displayed on the lower side from the main menu screen 81 to the print menu screen 82, and from the print menu screen 82 to the coloring menu screen 83. Transition to a hierarchical screen (not shown) sequentially.

  Shortcuts can be created for any of the remote UI screens. For example, a shortcut for displaying the coloring picture menu screen 83 can be created by performing a predetermined operation while the coloring picture menu screen 83 is displayed. When a shortcut is created, an icon for executing the shortcut is displayed on the standby screen. In the example shown in FIG. 2, an icon 62 a for executing a shortcut for displaying the coloring book menu screen 83 is displayed on the screen 62.

  When the tap operation is performed on the icon 62a, the MFP 10 transmits an application activation request by shortcut activation (hereinafter referred to as “application activation request by shortcut”) and model specifying information to the relay server 100. The application activation request by the shortcut includes information that can specify the shortcut destination screen. For example, when a tap operation is performed on the icon 62a, the application activation request transmitted to the relay server 100 includes information indicating the icon 62a as information that can specify the shortcut destination screen. The storage unit 102 of the relay server 100 stores information for specifying a shortcut destination screen for the information indicating the icon 62a. Therefore, the relay server 100 can specify the shortcut destination screen when the icon 62a is operated based on the information indicating the icon 62a included in the application activation request by the shortcut.

  When there is no new arrival service for the MFP 10, the relay server 100 that has received the application activation request using the shortcut is based on information that can specify the shortcut destination screen, and a UI for displaying the shortcut destination screen identified from the information. The instruction information is transmitted to the MFP 10. Upon receiving this UI instruction information, the MFP 10 displays a shortcut destination screen on the LCD 16 in accordance with the received UI instruction information. Therefore, when the icon 62 a is operated, unlike the case where the icon 61 a is operated, the coloring menu screen 83 is displayed on the LCD 16 without passing through the main menu screen 81 and the print menu screen 82.

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing screen transition when a new arrival service for the MFP 10 exists. In this example, it is assumed that a New Year's card function, which is a function for creating a New Year's card using the service providing server 200 and downloading and printing the created New Year's card from the service providing server 200, is added as a new arrival service. That is, a case where an item B3 for selecting a New Year's card function is newly added to the list item display portion 82a of the print menu screen 82 in addition to the items B1 and B2, and a new service for the MFP 10 exists. Screen transition will be described.

  When the relay server 100 receives a normal application activation request, if there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10, the relay server 100 transmits UI instruction information for displaying a new arrival notification screen 71 that is a screen for notifying the new arrival service. The MFP 10 displays a new arrival notification screen 71 on the LCD 16 according to the received UI instruction information.

  The new arrival notification screen 71 is a screen whose screen type is a message. In the message display area 71a of the new arrival notification screen 71, a character string of a message included as unique information in the UI instruction information, specifically, a character string related to the new arrival service is displayed. The new arrival notification screen 71 includes a “use” key 71 b and a “not use” key 71 c as keys for instructing an operation on a message. The keys 71a and 71b are classified as the confirmation keys, like the confirmation keys 82b and 83b.

  The “use” key 71b is a key for instructing use of the new arrival service. When the tap operation is performed on the key 71b, the MFP 10 transmits information indicating that the operation on the key 71b on the new arrival notification screen 71 is performed to the relay server 100 as operation result information. The storage unit 102 of the relay server 100 stores information for specifying a screen to be displayed when the key 71b of the new arrival notification screen 71 is operated, specifically, a screen including a new arrival service. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the screen including the new arrival service is the print menu screen 82. Therefore, the relay server 100 receives the UI instruction information for displaying the print menu screen 82 in response to receiving the operation result information indicating that the operation on the “use” key 71 b of the new arrival notification screen 71 is performed. As a result, the MFP 10 displays the print menu screen 82 on the LCD 16.

  The “not use” key 71c is a key for instructing not to use the new arrival service. When the tap operation is performed on the key 71c, the MFP 10 transmits information indicating that the operation on the key 71c on the new arrival notification screen 71 is performed to the relay server 100 as operation result information. The storage unit 102 of the relay server 100 stores information for specifying a screen to be displayed when the key 71c of the new arrival notification screen 71 is operated, specifically, a screen to be displayed when there is no new arrival. . In the example shown in FIG. 3, the screen displayed when there is no new arrival is the main menu screen 81 which is the next screen in the original display order corresponding to the hierarchy. Accordingly, the relay server 100 receives UI result information indicating that an operation on the “not used” key 71 c of the new arrival notification screen 71 has been performed, and UI instruction information for displaying the main menu screen 81. As a result, the MFP 10 displays the main menu screen 81 on the LCD 16.

  On the other hand, when the relay server 100 receives an application activation request by a shortcut, the new arrival notification is provided on the condition that the new arrival service for the MFP 10 is a function included in the shortcut screen, that is, the screen skipped by the shortcut. UI information for displaying the screen 72 is transmitted. The MFP 10 displays a new arrival notification screen 72 on the LCD 16 according to the received UI instruction information.

  Similar to the new arrival notification screen 71, the new arrival notification screen 72 is a screen whose screen type is a message. In the message display area 72a of the new arrival notification screen 72, a character string of a message included as unique information in the UI instruction information is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the same character string as the character string displayed in the message display area 71a is displayed in the message display area 72a. The character strings displayed in the message display areas 71a and 72a may be different from each other.

  Similar to the key 71b, the new arrival notification screen 72 includes a “use” key 72b that is a confirmation key for instructing the use of the new arrival service. When a tap operation is performed on the key 72b, the MFP 10 transmits, as operation result information, information indicating that an operation on the key 72b on the new arrival notification screen 72 has been performed to the relay server 100. The storage unit 102 of the relay server 100 stores information for specifying a screen to be displayed when the key 72b of the new arrival notification screen 72 is operated, specifically, a screen including a new arrival service. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the screen including the new arrival service is the print menu screen 82. Therefore, the MFP 10 displays the print menu screen 82 on the LCD 16 in response to the operation on the “use” key 72 b of the new arrival notification screen 72.

  The new arrival notification screen 72 includes a “not used” key 72c that is a confirmation key for instructing not to use the new arrival service, similar to the key 71c. When the tap operation is performed on the key 72c, the MFP 10 transmits information indicating that the operation on the key 72c of the new arrival notification screen 72 is performed to the relay server 100 as operation result information. The storage unit 102 of the relay server 100 stores information for specifying a screen to be displayed when the key 72c of the new arrival notification screen 72 is operated, specifically, a shortcut destination screen. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the shortcut destination screen is the coloring menu screen 83. Therefore, the MFP 10 displays the coloring menu screen 83 on the LCD 16 in response to an operation on the “not used” key 72 c on the new arrival notification screen 72.

  According to the present embodiment, when an operation is performed on the “use” key 72 b of the new arrival notification screen 72, the same screen as when the operation is performed on the “use” key 71 b of the new arrival notification screen 71 is displayed on the LCD 16. The On the other hand, when an operation is performed on the “not used” key 72c of the new arrival notification screen 72, a screen different from that when an operation is performed on the “not used” key 71c of the new arrival notification screen 71 is displayed.

  That is, in the screen displayed next in response to an operation on the keys 71c and 72c instructing not to use the new arrival service, the application activation request that triggers the display of the remote UI screen is a normal application activation request. Or an application activation request by a shortcut. Even if any application activation request is made, if an operation is performed on the “not used” keys 71c and 72c, the next screen according to the original display order corresponding to the hierarchy, or the shortcut destination Since the screen according to the original intention, such as the screen of, is displayed, convenience is good.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to instruction information from the relay server 100, which is executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 10. This process is started in response to the CPU 11 receiving an operation for instructing the start of the remote UI. The operation for instructing the start of the remote UI is an operation for an icon for instructing use of a service or an icon for executing a shortcut for using the service. Note that the icon instructing use of the service is, for example, the icon 61a. On the other hand, an icon for executing a shortcut using a service provided from the service providing server 200 is, for example, an icon 62a.

  The CPU 11 determines whether the remote UI is started by shortcut activation (S401). That is, the CPU 11 determines whether the operation for instructing the start of the remote UI is an operation for an icon for executing a shortcut.

  When the CPU 11 determines that the remote UI is started by shortcut activation (S401: Yes), the CPU 11 transmits an application activation request by the shortcut to the relay server 100 via the communication unit 23 (S412). On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the remote UI has not been started by the shortcut activation, that is, the normal UI has been started (S401: No), the CPU 11 relays a normal application activation request via the communication unit 23. It transmits to the server 100 (S402).

  After the process of S402 or S412, the CPU 11 waits for the MFP 10 to receive instruction information from the relay server 100 (S403: No). When the MFP 10 receives the instruction information from the relay server 100 (S403: Yes), the CPU 11 stores the received instruction information in the RAM 13 (S404). The CPU 11 determines an instruction genre included in the received instruction information (S405).

  When the CPU 11 determines that the instruction genre is a function operation instruction (S404: function operation instruction), the CPU 11 executes a function operation according to the received instruction information, that is, the function operation instruction information whose instruction genre is a function operation instruction. (S413). Specifically, the CPU 11 performs the printer unit 19, the scanner unit 18, and the communication so that the functional operation corresponding to the operation type included in the functional operation instruction information is executed according to the parameter added to the functional operation instruction information. At least one operation of the unit 23 is controlled.

  For example, when the received functional operation instruction information includes an operation type indicating download, information specifying the image data to be downloaded and a value instructing printing as parameters, the CPU 11 first determines the communication unit 23. And the image data specified by the parameter is downloaded from the service providing server 200. Next, the CPU 11 controls the printer unit 19 to print the downloaded image data.

  After the processing of S413, the CPU 11 transmits functional operation end information indicating that the functional operation in accordance with the received functional operation instruction information has been completed to the relay server 100 via the communication unit 23 (S414), and the process proceeds to S403. To do.

  When the CPU 11 determines that the instruction genre is a UI instruction in S405 (S405: UI instruction), the CPU 11 generates screen information according to the received instruction information, that is, UI instruction information whose instruction genre is a UI instruction. (S406). Specifically, the CPU 11 uses the template information stored in the NVRAM 14 to generate screen information according to the UI instruction information. Template information includes bitmap information indicating the basic screen according to the screen type, bitmap information and arrangement information of remote keys such as the enter key, and bitmaps of operation keys other than the remote keys (hereinafter referred to as “screen-specific keys”). Information, arrangement information of titles, arrangement information of items to be displayed in a list, and the like. The CPU 11 extracts information corresponding to the screen type and unique information included in the received UI instruction information from the template information, and generates screen information of the screen according to the received UI instruction information. Thereby, for example, screen information corresponding to each screen such as the main menu screen 81 and the print menu screen 82 is generated.

  After the process of S406, the CPU 11 displays a screen based on the generated screen information on the LCD 16 (S407). Next, the CPU 11 stands by until either the remote key or the screen unique key is operated on the currently displayed screen (S408: No). The remote keys are, for example, confirmation keys 81b and 82b, "use" keys 71b and 72b, and "do not use" keys 71c and 72c. On the other hand, the screen unique key is a key indicating each item displayed in a list, or an up key or a down key for moving a list item or a character string that does not fit on the screen up or down.

  When the CPU 11 determines that either the remote key or the screen unique key is operated (S408: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether the operated key is a screen unique key (S409). When the CPU 11 determines that the operated key is a screen unique key (S409: Yes), processing corresponding to the operated screen unique key is executed (S415), and the process proceeds to S408. For example, on a list screen such as the main menu screen 81, when a key indicating one item to be selected among the displayed items is operated, the CPU 11 selects an item corresponding to the operated key. As a result, the item number for specifying the item is stored in the RAM 13. The item number is a number assigned individually to each item displayed on the list screen.

  When the operated key is not a screen-specific key, that is, when the CPU 11 determines that the remote key has been operated (S409: No), operation result information is generated (S410). The CPU 11 transmits the generated operation result information to the relay server 100 via the communication unit 23 (S411), and the process proceeds to S403.

  Specifically, in S410, the CPU 11 generates operation result information including information for specifying the operated key, information for specifying the screen being displayed, and fixed information according to the type of the screen being displayed. To do. Note that the information specifying the screen being displayed is identification information included in the instruction information stored in the RAM 13 in S404. The confirmation information corresponding to the type of screen being displayed is, for example, an item number stored in the RAM 13 at the timing when the confirmation key such as the confirmation key 81b is operated on the list screen such as the main menu screen 81. In addition, when a key for instructing the use of a new arrival service such as the key 71b is operated on a new arrival notification screen such as the new arrival notification screen 71, information indicating that is also one of the confirmation information. is there.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating main loop processing executed by the control unit 101 of the relay server 100. The control unit 101 waits to receive information from the MFP 10 (S501: No). When the relay server 100 receives information from the MFP 10 (S501: Yes), the control unit 101 determines the type of the received information (S502). In the present embodiment, the information that the relay server 100 receives from the MFP 10 is any one of an application activation request, operation result information, and functional operation end information. The application activation request is transmitted in either S402 or S412 in FIG. The operation result information is transmitted in S411 of FIG. The completion of the function operation is transmitted in S414 in FIG.

  When the received information is an application activation request (S502: Application activation request), the control unit 101 determines whether the received application activation information is an application activation request by a shortcut (S509). The application activation request by the shortcut is transmitted in S412 of FIG. When the control unit 101 determines that the application activation request is a shortcut (S509: Yes), it is determined whether there is a new service to be notified to the MFP 10 (S510). In the storage unit 102, model information that is a target of the new arrival service is stored in association with UI instruction information corresponding to a new arrival notification screen 71, for example, a new arrival notification screen 71. Therefore, in step S510, the control unit 101 refers to the storage unit 102, and if the UI instruction information corresponding to the screen for notifying the new arrival service is associated with the model information received together with the application activation request, the control unit 101 Determine that there is a new service to be notified.

  When the control unit 101 determines that there is no new service to be notified (S510: No), the control unit 101 reads UI instruction information corresponding to the shortcut destination screen from the storage unit 102 (S514). The control unit 101 acquires UI instruction information corresponding to the shortcut destination screen based on information included in the application activation request by the shortcut that can specify the shortcut destination screen. The control unit 101 transmits the UI instruction information read in S514 to the MFP 10 via the communication unit 103 (S507), and the process proceeds to S501. As a result of the processing of S514 and S507, the shortcut destination screen is displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the coloring menu screen 83 is displayed.

  In S510, when the control unit 101 determines that there is a new service to be notified (S510: Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether the type of the new service matches the shortcut type (S511). The control unit 101 makes the determination in S511 based on the type information stored in the storage unit 102. The type information is information for specifying the function type to which the screen belongs, and includes, for example, information indicating that the screen belongs to the printing function, information indicating that the screen belongs to the scan function, and the like. The type information is stored in association with the UI instruction information. On the other hand, the UI instruction information corresponding to the screen for notifying the new service includes information for specifying the screen including the new service. The control unit 101 can specify the UI instruction information corresponding to the screen including the new arrival service based on the information specifying the screen including the new arrival service, and can acquire the type information associated with the specified UI instruction information.

  Therefore, in step S511, the control unit 101 compares the type information associated with the UI instruction information corresponding to the screen including the new arrival service with the type information associated with the UI instruction information corresponding to the shortcut destination screen. If the two match, the new service type matches the shortcut type, and the determination in S511 is affirmed. For example, the information to be notified is information related to the new arrival service of the print function, and the shortcut destination screen is one screen in the screen group related to the print function (for example, the coloring menu screen 83 and the print menu screen 82). In this case, the control unit 101 affirms the determination in S511.

  On the other hand, if the two do not match, the control unit 101 denies the determination of S511. Therefore, when the shortcut destination screen is one screen in the screen group related to the print function, even if there is information to be notified, if the information is information related to the new arrival service of the scan function, the control unit 101. Negates the determination of S511.

  When the control unit 101 denies the determination of S511 (S511: No), the control unit 101 moves the process to S514. On the other hand, when the control unit 101 affirms the determination of S511 (S511: Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether the screen including the new arrival service is a screen located in a higher hierarchy than the shortcut destination screen. (S512). The control unit 101 makes the determination in S512 based on the tree information stored in the storage unit 102. When the control unit 101 determines that the screen including the new arrival service is not a screen located in a higher hierarchy than the shortcut destination screen (S512: No), the control unit 101 shifts the processing to S514.

  In S512, when the control unit 101 determines that the screen including the new arrival service is a screen located on a higher hierarchy than the shortcut destination screen (S512: Yes), the control unit 101 notifies the new arrival service. UI instruction information corresponding to is read from the storage unit 102 (S513). The control unit 101 transmits the UI instruction information read in S513 to the MFP 10 via the communication unit 103 (S507), and the process proceeds to S501. As a result of the processing in S513 and S507, a screen for notifying the new arrival service is displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a new arrival notification screen 72 is displayed.

  In S509, when the control unit 101 determines that the received application activation request is not an application activation request by a shortcut, that is, a normal application activation request (S509: No), the control unit 101 performs the same as in S510. Then, it is determined whether there is a new service to be notified to the MFP 10 (S515). When the control unit 101 determines that there is a new service to be notified (S515: Yes), the control unit 101 moves the process to S513. As a result, a screen for notifying the new arrival service is displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a new arrival notification screen 71 is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that there is no new service to be notified (S515: No), the control unit 101 displays the UI instruction information located in the highest layer, that is, the main menu that is the top screen of the remote UI. UI instruction information for displaying the screen 81 is read from the storage unit 102 (S516). The control unit 101 transmits the UI instruction information read in S516 to the MFP 10 via the communication unit 103 (S507), and the process proceeds to S501. As a result of the processing of S516 and S507, the main menu screen 81 is displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10.

  When the information received by the relay server 100 is operation result information (S502: operation result information), the control unit 101 determines the type of the operated remote key (S503). The control unit 101 performs the determination in S503 based on information specifying the operated key included in the operation result information.

  When the control unit 101 determines that the type of the operated remote key is a confirmation key (S503: Confirmation), the control unit 101 stores the confirmation information included in the operation result information in the RAM configuring the control unit 101. Store (S504). The control unit 101 executes processing for reading the next instruction information from the storage unit 102 (S505). Specifically, in step S <b> 505, the control unit 101 refers to the tree information, and when there is a next screen corresponding to the identification information included in the operation result information, reads the UI instruction information corresponding to the next screen from the storage unit 102. . On the other hand, when there is no next screen corresponding to the identification information included in the operation result information, the control unit 101 performs the identification included in the operation result information according to the regulation information that defines the identification information to be read next to the identification information without the next screen. Identification information to be read next to the information is specified. The regulation information is stored in the storage unit 102. Then, the control unit 101 reads out instruction information corresponding to the identified identification information from the storage unit 102.

  The identification information included in the operation result information indicates a screen for notifying the new arrival service such as the new arrival notification screen 71, and the confirmation information included in the operation result information is operated by a key for instructing the use of the new arrival service. If it is information indicating that it has been done, the UI instruction information corresponding to the screen including the new arrival service is read as the next instruction information.

  The control unit 101 adds a parameter to the instruction information read in S505 (S506). The parameter to be added is determined according to the identification information and the confirmation information included in the operation result information with reference to the table stored in the storage unit 102. After the process of S506, the control unit 101 transmits the instruction information to which the parameter is added to the MFP 10 via the communication unit 103 (S507), and the process proceeds to S501. Depending on the combination of the identification information and the confirmation information, there may be no parameter to be added. In such a case, in S506, no parameter is added to the instruction information, and the read instruction information is transmitted to the MFP 10.

  When the control unit 101 determines that the operated remote key type is a key other than the confirmation key (S503: other), the control unit 101 stores instruction information corresponding to the operated key type in the storage unit 102. (S508). The keys other than the confirmation key are, for example, a return key and a next key. When the operated key is a return key, the control unit 101 refers to the tree information, and reads UI instruction information corresponding to the previous screen from the storage unit 102 based on the identification information included in the operation result information. When the operated key is the next key, the control unit 101 refers to the tree information and reads UI instruction information corresponding to the next screen from the storage unit 102. After the process of S508, the control unit 101 moves the process to S506.

  When the information received by the relay server 100 is the function operation end information (S502: function operation end information), the control unit 101 reads the next instruction information from the storage unit 102 (S517) as in S505, and performs the processing. The process moves to S506.

  According to the first embodiment, when the relay server 100 receives an application activation request by a shortcut, the screen including the new arrival service for the requesting MFP 10 is located on a higher hierarchy than the shortcut destination screen. That is, on the condition that it is one of the screens skipped by the shortcut, UI instruction information corresponding to the screen for notifying the new arrival service is transmitted. Therefore, even when a shortcut is used, if a new arrival service exists, the new arrival notification screen 72 can be displayed, and the new arrival service can be confirmed without omission. In particular, since the new arrival notification screen 72 is displayed on the condition that the screen including the new arrival service is a screen located in a higher hierarchy than the shortcut destination screen, the new arrival notification screen 72 is displayed in a complicated manner. Can be prevented.

  In addition, even if the screen containing the new arrival service exists on a screen located in a higher hierarchy than the shortcut destination screen, the type of the new arrival service to be notified matches the type of the shortcut. The display condition of the notification screen 72 is set. Therefore, it is possible to prevent notification about a new arrival service that is not related to the shortcut destination screen.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, when there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10 in the relay server 100 to which the MFP 10 has made an application activation request using a shortcut, the new arrival notification screen 72 is displayed on the LCD 16 instead of the shortcut destination screen. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a new arrival notification key 91 for reporting a new arrival service is displayed on the shortcut destination screen (in this example, the coloring menu screen 83). Specifically, when there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10, as shown in FIG. 6, a new arrival notification key 91 in which a character string “There is a new arrival” indicating that a new arrival service exists is displayed as a shortcut destination. Is displayed in a coloring menu screen 83 which is an example of the screen. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The new arrival notification key 91 is one of the confirmation keys. Therefore, when an operation is performed on the new arrival notification key 91, the MFP 10 transmits operation result information indicating that to the relay server 100. The relay server 100 transmits UI instruction information corresponding to the new arrival notification screen 72 to the MFP 10. As a result, the MFP 10 displays a new arrival notification screen 72 on the LCD 16.

  According to the second embodiment, when there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10, a character string indicating that there is a new arrival service such as “There is a new arrival” is displayed on the new arrival notification key 91. Therefore, the new arrival service can be confirmed on the shortcut destination screen. However, there is a limit to the number of character strings that can be displayed on the new arrival notification key 91 displayed on the shortcut destination screen. That is, if the number of characters is increased, it is necessary to enlarge the new arrival notification key 91 accordingly, so that the visibility of other information may be impaired. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, the character string displayed on the new arrival notification key 91 is minimized such as “There is a new arrival”, and the new arrival notification screen 72 is displayed in response to the operation of the new arrival notification key 91. To display more details about new services. This makes it possible to report the presence of a new service without impairing the visibility of information originally displayed on the shortcut destination screen.

  In the second embodiment, “new arrival” is illustrated as a character string indicating that there is a new arrival service displayed on the new arrival notification key 91, but the number of new arrival services such as “one new arrival” is displayed. It is good also as composition to do.

  In the above embodiment, the relay server 100 is an example of a display system or server. The MFP 10 is an example of a display device. The LCD 16 is an example of a display unit. The control unit 101 is an example of a control unit. Network 800 is an example of the Internet. Screens 81 to 83 are an example of a plurality of screen images configured in a hierarchical manner. The main menu screen 81 is an example of a predetermined screen image. The coloring picture menu screen 83 is an example of a screen image corresponding to a shortcut instruction. The print menu screen 82 including the item B3 and the coloring menu screen 83 including the new arrival notification key 91 are examples of screen images related to specific information to be notified. The character strings displayed in the message display areas 71 a and 72 a and the “new arrival” character string displayed in the new arrival notification key 91 are examples of specific information to be notified. The coloring menu screen 83 including the new arrival notification key 91 is an example of a screen image corresponding to a shortcut instruction including specific information to be notified. The print menu screen 82 including the item B3 is an example of a screen image including specific information to be notified. The main menu screen 81 is an example of the next screen image that follows the display order corresponding to the hierarchy. The new arrival notification key 91 is an example of a first indicator. “Use” keys 71b and 72b are examples of the second indicator. “Not used” keys 71c and 72c are examples of the third indicator. The control unit 101 that executes the processes of S505, S507, S508, S513, S514, S516, and S517 is an example of a display control unit. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S512 is an example of a first determination unit. The control unit 101 that executes the process of S515 is an example of a second determination unit.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the LCD 16 included in the MFP 10 is illustrated as a display device that displays a screen. However, the LCD 16 connected to a device that executes a printing function may be used. In the above embodiment, the relay server 100 configured separately from the service providing server 200 is configured to control the screen displayed on the LCD 16 of the MFP 10. Instead of this, a server having the function of the relay server 100 and the function of the service providing server 200 may be configured to control the screen displayed on the LCD 16.

  In the above embodiment, the relay server 100 controls the screen displayed on the LCD 16 by transmitting UI instruction information to the MFP 10. However, the MFP 10 executes control related to the screen displayed on the LCD 16. It may be. That is, the MFP 10 that is a display device may include a display control unit. In such a configuration, image data of a screen such as the main menu screen 81 is prepared in advance in the MFP 10. Whenever a new arrival service occurs, the relay server 100 transmits image data corresponding to a screen including the new arrival service to the MFP 10 and updates the content of the screen to be displayed. The relay server 100 transmits information indicating the result of each determination process of S510 to S512 and S515 to the MFP 10. Receiving such information, the MFP 10 displays a screen corresponding to the new arrival notification screen 72 on the LCD 16.

  In this modification, the screen corresponding to the new arrival notification screen 72 may be a screen prepared in the MFP 10. Alternatively, a screen corresponding to the new arrival notification screen 72 may be obtained by acquiring the content of the new arrival service from the character string relay server 100 and displaying the acquired character string on the screen prepared in the MFP 10. Further, the MFP 10 may execute control related to display of a hierarchically configured screen such as the main menu screen 81, and the relay server 100 may execute control related to the new arrival notification screen 72.

  In the above embodiment, the new arrival service is exemplified as the information to be notified, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not only information related to new arrival services, but also information other than information related to new arrival services such as information indicating that existing services have changed and information indicating that existing services are suspended due to maintenance, etc. Even in this case, the present invention can be applied. In such a case, information other than information related to the new arrival service such as information indicating that the existing service is changed is also an example of specific information to be notified.

  In the first embodiment, the display contents of the new arrival notification screen 71 and the new arrival notification screen 72 are the same. On the other hand, the display contents of the new arrival notification screens 71 and 72 are changed depending on whether the application activation request that triggers the display of the remote UI screen is a normal application activation request or an application activation request by a shortcut. You may make it differ. However, it is a condition that the new arrival notification screens 71 and 72 are screens for notifying the same new arrival service.

  For example, the “not used” key 72c displays a character string indicating a screen that is displayed when the key 72c is operated, that is, a shortcut destination screen. On the other hand, the “not used” key 71c displays a character string indicating a screen displayed when the key 71c is operated, that is, a next screen in the original display order corresponding to the hierarchy. Alternatively, the character string displayed in the message display area 71a may be different from the character string displayed in the message display area 72a. According to this modification, the new arrival notification screens 71a and 72a can notify contents suitable for whether an application activation request by a shortcut has been made or not.

  In the second embodiment, when there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10, the new arrival notification key 91 displaying the character string “There is a new arrival” is displayed. When there is no new service for the MFP 10, a key displaying a character string such as “No New Arrival” or “No New Arrival” indicating that there is no new service may be displayed. However, since the shortcut destination screen on which the key labeled “No New Arrival” is displayed is not a screen for notifying of new arrival, it is excluded from the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction including the information to be notified.

  In the second embodiment, when there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10, the new arrival notification key 91 on which a character string indicating that a new arrival service exists is displayed. Instead, the content displayed on the new arrival notification screen 72 may be displayed on the shortcut destination screen.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining this modification. In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 7A, a message display area 92a, a “use” key 92b, and a “not use” key 92c are displayed on the shortcut destination screen (in this example, the coloring menu screen 83). Is displayed. In the message display area 92a, as in the message display area 72a, a character string related to the new arrival service is displayed. The “use” key 92b is a confirmation key similar to the “use” key 72b. The “not used” key 92c is a confirmation key similar to the “not used” key 72c. In the present modification, when the key 92b is operated, a screen including a new arrival service is displayed as in the case where the key 72b is operated. On the other hand, when the key 92c is operated, the shortcut destination screen remains displayed. Therefore, according to the present modification, the new arrival service can be confirmed on the shortcut destination screen as in the second embodiment.

  In the embodiment described above, the new arrival notification screen 72 includes the “use” key 72b and the “not use” key 72c as confirmation keys. Instead, as shown in FIG. 7B, in addition to the keys 72b and 72c, after using a service available on the shortcut destination screen, an “use later” key 72d for instructing the use of a new arrival service. May be displayed as a confirmation key.

  In this modification, when an operation is performed on the “use later” key 72d, the relay server 100 performs a UI instruction corresponding to the shortcut destination screen, as in the case where an operation is performed on the “not use” key 72c. Information is transmitted to the MFP 10. As a result, the MFP 10 displays the shortcut destination screen on the LCD 16. On the other hand, the relay server 100 stores that the “use later” key 72d has been operated. The relay server 100 corresponds to a screen including a new service in response to a function that is a service provided by the service providing server 200 that can be used on the shortcut destination screen, for example, a print function is executed in the MFP 10. The UI instruction information is transmitted to the MFP 10. As a result, after using the service available on the shortcut destination screen, a screen including the new arrival service is displayed on the LCD 16. According to this modification, a new service can be confirmed after using a service according to the intention of the initial shortcut.

  In the above embodiment, the data communication between the MFP 10, the relay server 100, and the service providing server 200 has been described as being performed according to HTTP / 1.1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, data communication between the MFP 10 and the relay server 100 is performed using a connection establishment type protocol, more specifically, an XMPP over BOSH (Extensible Messaging and Presentation Protocol Over Bidirectional-Stream Over Synchronous HTTP configuration). There may be.

  In the above embodiment, when a normal application activation request is made, if there is a new service for the MFP 10, the new arrival notification screen 71 is displayed before the main menu screen 81 is displayed. The timing for displaying the new arrival notification screen 71 when a normal application activation request is made is not limited to the time before the main menu screen 81 is displayed, and other timings can also be adopted. For example, the new arrival notification screen 71 may be displayed before the top-level menu screen related to the function related to the new arrival service is displayed. That is, for example, when the new arrival service is a service related to the print function, the new arrival notification screen 71 may be displayed before the display of the print menu screen 82 which is the highest menu screen related to the print function.

  Alternatively, the new arrival notification screen 71 may be displayed before displaying the menu screen most relevant to the new arrival service. That is, for example, when there is an item added to the coloring book menu 83, the new arrival notification screen 71 may be displayed before the coloring book menu screen 83 is displayed. Even when the timing for displaying the new arrival notification screen 71 when a normal application activation request is made is as described above, if the screen of the upper layer is skipped by a shortcut, the confirmation of the new arrival notification screen 71 is performed. There is a risk that it will not be possible. Therefore, by applying the present invention, it is possible to check the new arrival service without omission even when a shortcut is used.

  In the above embodiment, when a normal application activation request is made and there is a new service for the MFP 10, the new arrival notification screen 71 is displayed on the LCD 16. However, as in the second embodiment, The screen on which the key similar to the new arrival notification key 91 is displayed may be displayed. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, instead of the new arrival notification screen 71, a key including a character string “new arrival” may be displayed on the main menu screen 81. Note that when there is a new arrival service for the MFP 10, the screen for displaying the key including the character string “with new arrival” is not limited to the main menu screen 81.

  When this modification is applied, a key similar to the new arrival notification key 91 is displayed in S512 instead of determining whether the screen including the new arrival service is a screen before the shortcut destination screen. It may be configured to determine whether the displayed screen is displayed on a screen before the shortcut destination screen.

  Among the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, some of the processes may be omitted or changed without departing from the independent claims. For example, the process of S511 may be omitted.

10: MFP, 100: Relay server

Claims (11)

Display control means for displaying a screen image on the display unit of the display device;
A shortcut instruction which is an instruction to display on the display unit a screen image located in a lower layer beyond one or more layers where a predetermined screen image is located among a plurality of screen images configured in a hierarchical manner. A first determination means for determining whether there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified among screen images located in a higher hierarchy than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction,
With
The display control means includes
When it is determined by the first determination means that there is a screen image related to the information to be notified, the information to be notified is displayed on the display unit, while the first determination means displays the information If it is determined that there is no screen image related to the specific information to be notified, the shortcut instruction is selected from the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images without displaying the specific information to be notified. A display system that displays a corresponding screen image on the display unit. The display device is configured to execute a plurality of functions,
The plurality of hierarchically configured screen images are provided for each function that can be executed by the display device, and are a plurality of menu screen images configured hierarchically to use each function,
The display control means includes
When the first determination unit determines that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified, a screen image related to the specific information to be notified and a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction are 2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the specific information to be notified is displayed on the display unit on condition that the menu screen images are related to the same function.   When the first determination unit determines that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified, the display control unit displays a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction including the specific information to be notified. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the display is displayed on the display unit. The display control means includes
When it is determined by the first determination means that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified, a first indicator including the specific information to be notified is included in the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction. Displayed on the
When an operation for the first indicator is accepted, the notification is different from the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images including information indicating details of the specific information to be notified included in the first indicator. The display system according to claim 3, wherein a screen image is displayed on the display unit. The display control means includes
When the first determining means determines that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified, the screen image is different from the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images including the specific information to be notified. The display system according to claim 1, wherein a notification screen image is displayed on the display unit. The notification screen image is inputted with a second indicator for inputting an instruction for confirming the screen image including the specific information to be notified and an instruction for not confirming the screen image including the specific information to be notified. A third indicator different from the second indicator for
The display control means includes
When receiving an instruction input via the second indicator, the display unit displays a screen image including the specific information to be notified among the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images. The display system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when an instruction input via the third indicator is received, a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction is displayed on the display unit. The plurality of screen images configured hierarchically are a plurality of menu screen images configured hierarchically in order to use the functions executable by the display device,
The notification screen image displayed in response to the determination by the first determination means that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified includes the second indicator, the third indicator, A fourth indicator for inputting an instruction for confirming a screen image including the specific information to be notified after using the service according to the shortcut instruction,
The display control means includes
When an instruction input via the fourth indicator is received, a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction is displayed on the display unit, and after using the service corresponding to the shortcut instruction, the specific notification is performed. The display system according to claim 6, wherein a screen image including power information is displayed on the display unit. A second determination unit configured to determine whether there is information to be notified when the plurality of screen images configured hierarchically are moved to a lower side without receiving the shortcut instruction;
The display control means includes
In the first case where it is determined by the first determining means that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified, or it is determined by the second determining means that there is information to be notified. In the second case, the notification screen image is displayed,
The display control means includes
When an instruction input via the second indicator included in the notification screen image displayed in the first case is received, the specific screen among the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images When a screen image including information to be notified is displayed on the display unit, while an instruction input via the third indicator included in the notification screen image displayed in the first case is received , Display a screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction on the display unit,
When an instruction input via the second indicator included in the notification screen image displayed in the second case is received, the specific screen among the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images When a screen image including information to be notified is displayed on the display unit, while an instruction input via the third indicator included in the notification screen image displayed in the second case is received The display system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a next screen image according to a display order corresponding to a hierarchy is displayed among the plurality of screen images configured in a hierarchical manner. A second determination unit configured to determine whether there is information to be notified when the plurality of screen images configured hierarchically are moved to a lower side without receiving the shortcut instruction;
The display control means includes
In the first case where it is determined by the first determining means that there is a screen image related to the specific information to be notified, or it is determined by the second determining means that there is information to be notified. In the second case, the notification screen image is displayed,
The notification screen image displayed in the first case and the notification screen image displayed in the second case are both notification screen images related to the specific information to be notified. The display system according to claim 4, wherein the screen images are different from each other. A server connected to the display device via the Internet,
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the server includes the display control unit. A server connected to a display device via the Internet,
With a control unit,
The controller is
Display control means for displaying a screen image on the display unit of the display device;
A shortcut instruction which is an instruction to display on the display unit a screen image located in a lower layer beyond one or more layers where a predetermined screen image is located among a plurality of screen images configured in a hierarchical manner. A first determination means for determining whether there is a screen image related to specific information to be notified among screen images located in a higher hierarchy than the screen image corresponding to the shortcut instruction,
With
With
The display control means includes
When it is determined by the first determination means that there is a screen image related to the information to be notified, the information to be notified is displayed on the display unit, while the first determination means displays the information If it is determined that there is no screen image related to the specific information to be notified, the shortcut instruction is selected from the plurality of hierarchically configured screen images without displaying the specific information to be notified. A server that displays a corresponding screen image on the display unit.

Images