Administration device for image processing device uses plug-in application

• US 8,336,062 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2008
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies Incorporated (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Murakawa, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VAN H
• Application Number:
  US12/277,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20090144758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,484 Days
• Field of Search: 719/310, 719/328
• US Class Current: 719/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

When a plug-in application “HDD Backup Utility” is designated by the user from the start menu, an administration program is started. The administration program receives information as to which plug-in application was designated, and based on the received information, places a function button for the designated plug-in application (here, “backup” and “restore” buttons corresponding to HDD Backup Utility) in a “HOME” display area. The user can readily find and select the button in the HOME display area. In this manner, the function button for the designated plug-in application is displayed in the position easily accessible by the user.

Claims

1. An administration device for a plurality of image processing devices, the administration device comprising:

an acquiring unit to acquire information for specifying a plug-in application designated by a user from among a plurality of installed plug-in applications;

an administration program starting unit to start an administration program when a plug-in application of said administration program is designated by the user;

a display unit to display a user interface for selecting the designated plug-in application such that said plug-in application designated by the user can be selected by the user;

an accepting unit to accept, from the user, selection of one of said plurality of image processing devices as a target of operation;

an application starting unit to start the selected plug-in application when the plug-in application is selected by said user; and

a providing unit to provide, at the time of startup of said plug-in application, information of said selected device to the plug-in application being started,

wherein when the user designates the plug-in application, the display unit displays buttons related to the designated plug-in application in a home display area, and

wherein the buttons displayed in the home display area represent less than all of the plug-in applications.

2. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said administration program starting unit starts said administration program when a plug-in application to be operated with said administration program is designated from a start menu.

3. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said display unit causes a function button associated with said plug-in application designated by the user to be displayed in a location readily accessible by the user.

4. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said display unit sets said plug-in application designated by the user to a default plug-in application.

5. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said display unit changes the order in which said plug-in application designated by the user is selected by a Tab key.

6. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein said display unit changes a display manner such that a function button associated with said plug-in application designated by the user is conspicuous.

7. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when another plug-in application other than said plug- in application designated by the user is started, a button for starting said plug-in application designated by the user is displayed on a screen for the other plug-in application.

8. The administration device for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when another plug-in application other than said plug- in application designated by the user is started, a button for displaying a screen in which said plug-in application designated by the user can be started is displayed on a screen for the other plug-in application.

9. A method for administrating a plurality of image processing devices, comprising:

an administration program starting step of starting an administration program when a plug-in application of said administration program is designated by a user;

an acquiring step of acquiring information for specifying said plug-in application designated by the user;

a display step of displaying a user interface for selecting the designated plug-in application such that said plug-in application designated by the user can be selected by the user;

an accepting step to accept, from the user, selection of one of said plurality of image processing devices as a target of operation;

an application starting step to start the selected plug-in application when the plug-in application is selected by said user; and

a providing step to provide, at the time of startup of said plug-in application, information of said selected device to the plug-in application being started,

wherein when the user designates the plug-in application, the display step displays buttons related to the designated plug-in application in a home display area, and

wherein the buttons displayed in the home display area represent less than all of the plug-in applications.

10. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein said administration program starting step includes the step of starting said administration program when a plug-in application to be operated together with said administration program is designated from a start menu.

11. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein said display step includes the step of displaying a function button associated with said plug-in application designated by the user in a location readily accessible by the user.

12. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein said display step includes the step of setting said plug-in application designated by said user to a default plug-in application.

13. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein said display step includes the step of changing the order in which said plug-in application designated by the user is selected by a Tab key.

14. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein said display step includes the step of changing a display manner such that a function button associated with said plug-in application designated by the user is conspicuous.

15. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein when another plug-in application other than said plug- in application designated by the user is started, a button for starting said plug-in application designated by the user is displayed on a screen for the other plug-in application.

16. The method for administrating an image processing device according to claim 9, wherein when another plug-in application other than said plug- in application designated by the user is started, a button for displaying a screen in which said plug-in application designated by the user can be started is displayed on a screen for the other plug-in application.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with an administration program for a plurality of image processing devices, the administration program being started when a plug-in application of said administration program is designated by a user, to cause a computer to execute processing comprising the steps of:

acquiring information for specifying said plug-in application designated by the user;

displaying a user interface for selecting the designated plug-in application such that said plug-in application designated by the user can be selected by the user;

accepting, from the user, selection of one of said plurality of image processing devices as a target of operation;

starting the selected plug-in application when the plug-in application is selected by said user; and

providing, at the time of startup of said plug-in application, information of said selected device to the plug-in application being started,

wherein when the user designates the plug-in application, the displaying step displays buttons related to the designated plug-in application in a home display area, and

wherein the buttons displayed in the home display area represent less than all of the plug-in applications.