JP2003162351A - Device controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a user interface good to use for a user in the case of receiving and delivering data between optional devices with respect to the user. <P>SOLUTION: When the device icon of an objective device is selected (S102), an application part 112 obtains the function matching condition of the objective device (S108) and successively compares and judges the condition with the function information of a device belonging to an objective category obtained separately (S116). When the function of the device belonging to the objective category does not meet the function matching condition of the objective device, gray-out information of the device icon is added to the information of the device (S118) and the device icon of the device is displayed by gray-out in the case of updating display (S122). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for operating a device.
To display a user interface for
It is about art. [0002] Conventionally, for example, an OS manufactured by Microsoft Corporation has been used.
In certain Windows95 and WindowsNT, computer
Printer folder on the screen of the monitor connected to the
When the icon is displayed, the user
Use the mouse to hover over the printer folder icon
Move the cursor and double-click the mouse button
And a new window for that printer folder on the screen
To the computer, and in that window,
Access connected via network or network
Display icons representing multiple possible printers
Was possible. Then, the user uses the mouse to
Mark the icon of the image data displayed separately on the screen.
Mouse cursor, drag the icon,
Of the displayed icons of multiple printers,
If you drop it on the linter icon,
To the computer to start printing image data
Was possible. [0003] However, in the prior art
For devices other than printers,
Most user interfaces are provided
For example, if the user
And try to transfer the data,
Data through application software
It was very inconvenient. On the screen, a printer folder is displayed.
Window to display multiple printer icons.
To display accessible printer icons.
Since they are simply displayed in a row,
It was not easy to use. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide
To solve the problem of the operation,
If you want to transfer data at
User interface that is easy for users to use
Device control device and user interface that can be provided
To provide a face display method and a recording medium.
You. Means for Solving the Problems and Their Functions and Effects
To achieve at least some of the stated objectives, the first
The device and one or more second devices belonging to a particular category
Device control device that can control
Display means having a screen and inputting external instructions
Input means for performing the first device or the second device.
A first device corresponding to data held in one device
Displaying a symbol on the screen of the display means,
Each second device belonging to said specific category
And a corresponding second symbol is displayed in a predetermined area on the screen.
User interface display control means for displaying
The user interface display control means includes an external
Through the input unit from the first synth displayed.
When an instruction to select a vol is input, each second
For each device, the second device is the
Transfers data between the first device and both
To determine whether they are functionally consistent with each other
Based on the result, the displayed second symbol is displayed.
That is, the device corresponding to the second device determined to be inconsistent
The second symbol in the predetermined area on the screen.
Or a second determined to be consistent
Must match the second symbol corresponding to the device
A second symbol corresponding to the determined second device;
The gist is to display it so that it can be identified. Further, a first user interface according to the present invention is provided.
The device display method belongs to the first device and a specific category.
User to operate with one or more second devices
The interface is displayed on the screen of the display means.
A user interface display method for:
The first device or held by the first device
Displaying the first symbol corresponding to the data
On the screen, and belong to the specific category.
Second symbol corresponding to each second device
Displaying a file in a predetermined area on the screen; (b)
An instruction to select the displayed first symbol is received.
The second device,
A second device communicates with the first device between the two.
Is functionally consistent in the delivery of data
And (c) based on the determination result.
Of the displayed second symbols,
Second symbol corresponding to the second device determined not to exist
Deletes the file from the predetermined area on the screen, or
Corresponds to the second device determined to be consistent
The second device that is determined not to match the second symbol
The table is displayed so that it can be identified from the second symbol corresponding to the chair.
And a step of indicating As described above, the first device control device and
Is the first device in the user interface display method.
Or the first corresponding to the data held in it
When instructed to select a symbol, each second
For each device, its second device is the first
Device and the exchange of data between them
To determine if they are functionally consistent, and the result of the determination
Device that is determined not to be consistent based on
Erases the second symbol corresponding to from the specified area on the screen
Or a second device determined to be consistent.
Determined that they do not match the second symbol corresponding to the
A second symbol corresponding to the second device
It is displayed to get it. Therefore, the first device control unit or the
According to the user interface display method, the user
One device and a second device belonging to a specific category
Between, for example, passing data
In this case, as described above, the first device is displayed on the screen.
Select the symbol for the chair or the data held in it.
Just select the second device
The second component is functionally aligned with the first device.
Users are narrowed down to the device symbols
Appropriate among second devices belonging to a specific category
Only devices that can transfer data to
Can be grasped immediately and the second data to be transmitted
Device is easy to select
It becomes [0010] In this specification, the device
Is a physical device such as a digital camera or printer
Not only that, but also some of the functions
Software has the same function as a physical device
(For example, e-mail and image processing).
Also, it corresponds to the device and data and the category described later.
Symbols correspond to devices, data and categories
In addition to icons representing designs, characters corresponding to them
, Graphics, symbols, symbols, colors, etc. on the screen
Are possible and include those that can be identified by the user. A second device control device according to the present invention comprises:
Device and one or more second devices belonging to a particular category
With a device control device that can control the device
Display means having a screen and input of external instructions.
Input means for applying force, said first device or said
A first device corresponding to the data held in the first device;
Symbol and a second symbol corresponding to the specific category.
A user icon for displaying the symbol on the screen of the display means.
Interface display control means, wherein the user interface
Interface display control means, the input means
Via the displayed first symbol and the second symbol
When an instruction to associate with a symbol is input,
In each case, for each second device, its second
The device is the first device and data is exchanged between the first device and the first device
It is determined whether the delivery is functionally consistent.
And based on the result of the determination,
Only the third symbol corresponding to the second device
Display in a predetermined area on the screen, or
The third device corresponding to the second device determined to be
The second device that is determined not to match the symbol
The predetermined symbol so as to be distinguishable from the corresponding third symbol.
The gist is to display in the area. Also, the second user interface of the present invention
The device display method belongs to the first device and a specific category.
User to operate with one or more second devices
The interface is displayed on the screen of the display means.
A user interface display method for:
The first device or held by the first device
A first symbol corresponding to the data
And a second symbol corresponding to the category.
Displaying on the screen; and (b) displaying the displayed first
The second symbol with the second symbol
To each of the second devices.
Wherein the second device is the first device;
Functionally consistent in passing data between the two
(C) determining the result of the determination
Based on the second device determined to be consistent
Only the corresponding third symbol is placed in a predetermined area on the screen.
To be displayed, or the
Consistent with the third symbol corresponding to the second device
A third device corresponding to the second device determined not to exist.
Display in the predetermined area so as to be distinguished from the bolt.
The point is to provide As described above, the second device control device and
Is the first device in the user interface display method.
Or the first corresponding to the data held in it
A symbol and a second symbol corresponding to a particular category,
When there is an instruction to perform the association of
For each device, its second device is the first
Device and the exchange of data between them
To determine if they are functionally consistent, and the result of the determination
Based on the second device determined to be consistent
Only the corresponding third symbol is displayed in the specified area on the screen
Or a second device determined to be consistent.
Determined not to match third symbol corresponding to chair
And a third symbol corresponding to the second device
It is displayed in a predetermined area so that it can be performed. Therefore, the second device control unit or the
According to the user interface display method, the user
One device and a second device belonging to a specific category
Between, for example, passing data
In this case, as described above, the first category is displayed on the screen.
Gol or the symbol of the data held in it
Just associate a symbol of a certain category with
The predetermined area has a functional match with the first device.
The symbol of the second device is narrowed down and displayed
Therefore, the user can select the second device belonging to the specific category.
Data can be transferred properly
Immediately understand which devices
Very useful in selecting a second device to transmit
It will be selfish. Also, the first or second device of the present invention
The control device displays the first symbol.
Is a symbol corresponding to the first device.
In some cases, the user interface display control means
When the instruction is input from outside, the first data
Device to determine if data is
If the data is held, the
Preferably, a bolt is displayed on the screen. With such a configuration, the first
If data is stored on the device,
A second device functionally consistent with the first device.
Not only is the chair symbol narrowed down and displayed,
The data symbol held in the first device is also
Displayed on the first device,
To know immediately if such data is retained.
Select the data you want to transfer
Promptly deliver to the desired second device
can do. A first or second device control device of the present invention
In one of the first and second devices.
Is at least an input device that allows you to enter information.
And at least the other can output information
It is preferable that the output device is simple. Data transmission is output from the input device
This is because it is performed on the device. Also, in this specification
A device that can at least enter information.
Use the chair as an input device and output at least information.
A device that can perform the following operations is set as an output device. Follow
For example, to perform intermediate processing such as intermediate processing
Even if it is a device, at least information can be entered.
Can be considered as an input device, and at least
Can be regarded as an output device if it can output information.
So even with such a device,
It can be either a device or an output device. The first recording medium of the present invention comprises a first device.
And one or more second devices belonging to a particular category
User interface for operating the
Connected to a computer capable of controlling the device
Computer screen for displaying on the screen of the display means
Computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded
A body, the first device or the first device;
The first symbol corresponding to the data held in the
While displaying on the screen of the display means, the specific
Corresponding to each second device belonging to the category
A device for displaying a second symbol in a predetermined area on the screen
Function and the second displayed on the computer from outside.
When an instruction to select one symbol is input,
For each second device, its second device
Transfer data between the first device and the first device
To determine if they are functionally consistent
Based on the function and the determination result, the displayed second
Of the symbols that are determined not to match
The second symbol corresponding to the device is displayed on the screen.
Erased from the predetermined area or aligned
A second symbol corresponding to the determined second device and an integer.
The second device corresponding to the second device determined not to be compatible.
And a function of displaying the symbols so that they can be distinguished from each other.
A computer program for realizing the computer
The gist is that the gram was recorded. A computer recorded on such a recording medium
When the data program is executed by the computer,
The user interface in the first device control device described above.
-Since the same operation as the face display control means occurs,
The same effects as those of the first device control device can be obtained.
it can. [0021] The second recording medium of the present invention comprises a first device.
And one or more second devices belonging to a particular category
User interface for operating the
Connected to a computer capable of controlling the device
Computer screen for displaying on the screen of the display means
Computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded
A body, the first device or the first device;
Symbol corresponding to the data held in the
And a second symbol corresponding to the specific category
A function to display on the screen of the display means,
The computer displays the first symbol and the previous symbol.
Instruction to associate with second symbol is input
If so, for each second device,
Of the first device and between the first device
Are they functionally consistent in the transfer of data?
Function based on the result of the judgment
The third system corresponding to the second device determined to be
Only the symbols are displayed in a predetermined area on the screen, or
Or the second device determined to be consistent
Determined not to match the corresponding third symbol
Identifying a third symbol corresponding to the second device.
And a function of displaying in the predetermined area so that the
A computer program to be implemented on a computer
It shall be a gist that it was recorded. The computer recorded on such a recording medium
When the data program is executed by the computer,
The user interface in the second device control device described above.
-Since the same operation as the face display control means occurs,
The same effect as the second device control device can be obtained.
it can. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described based on an example. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows the device control apparatus of FIG. The computer which is the device control device of this embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1, an input device
Computer 200 connected to a certain digital camera A
Etc., and the connected printer A printer
Computer 300 and the shared database unit 410
Server 400 and the like provided via the network 500
Connected. Note that the computer has a personala
Computer, mobile computer, information processing end
Various types of computers, such as
In addition to the
Peripheral devices such as copiers and printers and computers
Set Top Box with functions
x; For example, represented by a Web TV receiving terminal
Information terminal). Also, network
Internet 500, Intranet
Or local area network (LAN) or wide
Various networks such as area network (WAN)
Can be applied. As shown in FIG.
Performs various processes and controls according to computer programs.
CPU 110 for performing
Gram and save data obtained during processing.
Memory 120 for temporal storage and various peripherals
I / O for exchanging data etc. with the device
O unit 130 and a hard disk for storing various data.
Disk device 140 and a modem, terminal adapter or network
Network card, etc.
Communication device 150 for performing communication with the device
ROM drive device 160 and user instructions
A mouse 170 for inputting, a CRT or a liquid crystal display;
Ray, etc., and various types of user interface etc.
And a monitor 180 capable of displaying an image.
I have. The CPU 11 in the computer 100
0 is the desired computer stored in the memory 120.
By reading and executing the program,
It functions as the application unit 112. In this embodiment, the data stored in the memory 120 is
Computer program is a recording medium CD-
Provided in the form recorded in the ROM 162, the CD-RO
By being read by the M drive device 160,
Then, it is taken into the computer 100. Captured
Computer program is stored in the hard disk drive 14
0, and then transferred to the memory 120 at startup.
Sent. Alternatively, the computer program
The RAM is directly sent to the
The data may be transferred to the memory 120. As described above, in this embodiment, the computer
Record the program in a computer readable format.
To use CD-ROM as "recording medium"
However, there are also flexible disks and magneto-optical disks.
Card, IC card, ROM cartridge, punch card,
Printed materials on which codes such as barcodes are printed,
Internal storage device (memory such as RAM and ROM) and
Computer-readable devices such as
Media are available. Also, the computer program is
In addition to providing it in a form recorded on a recording medium such as
Supply the computer program via the network 500
Access a program server (not shown)
From the RAM server to the computer 100
You may. A part of the computer program
Consists of operating system programs
You may do it. Further, in this embodiment, the application
Application section 112 is realized by software.
However, this is realized by hardware
Is also good. On the other hand, a shared database in the server 400
The unit 410 includes a number of devices existing on the network 500.
Device (for example, digital camera A or printer A
Etc.) is registered. Specifically, each data
Device name and category to which each device belongs
Device class) and the functions of each device
And the function matching conditions of each device with other devices,
To use each device via the network 500
Required information is registered. Note that the function matching conditions
This will be described later in detail. [0033] These pieces of information are stored in the network of each device.
When connected to each computer on the client 500
Predetermined by the combined computer
Data in the server 400 according to the format
It is registered in the base unit 410. The server 400 includes a shared database unit 41
All information about devices registered in
Publish on network 500. This allows the network
Computer 100 on network 500
From any computer that does
Information can be freely acquired and used.
You. However, by limiting its disclosure,
For example, from a specific computer on the network 500
It is possible to make them inaccessible. As described above, the network 500
Can be accessed from any computer in
For example, to publish information on the network 500,
For example, Windows N, a network OS manufactured by Microsoft,
Use directory services used in T, etc.
It can be realized by using Sandals
That is, the server 400 functions as a domain controller.
Is stored in the shared database unit 410
The information provided is provided by the directory service
Can be referenced from any computer on the work 500
Swell. Further, in this embodiment, information on a device is described.
Information to the server 400 which is a specific computer
However, the present invention is not limited to this.
And information can be disclosed on the network 500.
If the computer exists on the network 500
Register to 100, 200, 300 and other computers
You may do it. It is also a device control device
The purpose of the computer 100 itself is to improve the operation speed.
Or for the purpose of temporarily narrowing down devices,
From the shared database unit 410 of the server 400,
All or part of the information on
Copy it to your hard disk drive 140, etc.
Then, it may be referred to. Then, the first user in the present embodiment
About interface display processing, FIGS.
Will be explained. For example, now the user of the computer 100
Is the desired digital data present on the network 500
From the camera, and also exists on the network 500
Trying to transmit image data to the desired printer
Consider the case where FIG. 2 shows the application section 112 of FIG.
Procedure of the first user interface display process according to
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the first user input.
Monitor before and after performing interface display processing
FIG. 180 is an explanatory view showing a screen display of 180. Now, the application unit 1 of the CPU 110
Reference numeral 12 denotes a screen of the monitor 180 via the I / O unit 130
As shown in FIG. 3A, a digital camera
Digital camera category window corresponding to category
Printer category corresponding to 802 and printer category
Windows 804 are opened. And de
Digital camera category window 802 includes digital
Network as a device belonging to the camera category
Of digital cameras A and B existing on the 500
Display the chair icons 806 and 808, and
The Gori window 804 belongs to the printer category.
Also exists on the network 500 as a device
Device icons 810 to 81 of the printers A to E
8 is displayed. That is, the application unit 112
Network via the I / O unit 130 and the communication device 150.
Access the server 400 connected to the
Registered in the shared database unit 410 in the server 400
From the information about the device
Digital camera and printer names that exist in
Each of them is acquired and transmitted to the hard disk via the I / O unit 130.
Stored in the device 140 and based on the acquired name.
3 (a) on the screen 182 of the monitor 180.
Such device icons are displayed. The eye
The data of the computer itself is
May be stored in the hard disk drive 140,
When accessing the server 400, the shared database unit 41
It may be obtained from 0. Therefore, the user of the computer 100
Of the digital camera existing on the network 500
From inside, as a desired digital camera, for example, digital
Operate mouse 170 to select camera A
As shown in FIG. 3B, the digital camera category
The data of the digital camera A displayed in the window 802
Place the mouse cursor 820 on the vice icon 806
Then, the application unit 112 that was in a standby state in advance
Is the device of the digital camera A via the I / O unit 130.
It is detected that the chair icon 806 has been selected (step
Step S102). Then, the application unit 112
Is the digital device corresponding to the selected device icon 806.
While recognizing the camera A as the target device,
Of the two categories opened by Indiana,
This category does not belong to the device (digital camera A).
Recognizes the printer category as the target category,
Elephant device name (“Digital camera A”) and target category
Enter the name of Gori (“Printer”) in the hard disk drive 1
40 (step S1).
04). Next, the application unit 112
Network 5 via the O unit 130 and the communication device 150
00 shared database unit 4 of server 400 connected to
10 (step S106) and the target device
Based on the name (“Digital Camera A”)
From information about the device in the database unit 410,
Acquisition of function matching condition of digital camera A as device
(Step S108), and
In the disk drive 140. FIG. 4 shows the shared database unit 410 of FIG.
Description showing an example of information about the stored device
FIG. As described above, the shared database unit 410
To each device that exists on the network 500
The information about the information is, for example, a tree structure as shown in FIG.
Is stored. The first layer of this tree structure
Is the category to which each device belongs (ie, device
Information such as the name of the class is stored. Specifically
Is the device of each device existing on the network 500.
Categories are digital cameras, printers, scanners,
Facsimile etc., their names are
Will be stored. In the second layer, the net
Names of individual devices existing on the work 500
Which information is stored. Specifically, as described above
Digital camera A, digital camera
Called camera B, printer A, printer B, etc.
If there are individual devices to be
Will be delivered. In the third layer, each device is held.
Function and conditions for matching each device with other devices
Which information is stored. First, for the function,
Physically, for example, digital camera A is "color compatible"
However, if the digital camera B is "black and white only"
In such a case, the function information is stored as shown in FIG.
And In addition, printer A is “text only”,
Printer B "and" A3 ".
Compatible "," color compatible "," only for A4 "
Tab C is for "image", "only for black and white", "A3"
Printer D is “image compatible”, “color compatible”, “A
3 compatible "and the printer E is" image compatible "," color compatible "
If "support" or "only for A3", each function information
Is stored similarly. On the other hand, the function matching condition means that the device
When exchanging data with other devices,
Condition to determine whether
In other words, the device can communicate with other devices.
In order to transfer appropriate data at
This is the condition of the function required for the device. In other words, the opponent
If the functions of the device meet the conditions,
If the device and the other device are functionally consistent
Can judge, appropriate between that device and the other device
Data can be exchanged. Specifically, for example
For example, digital camera A handles images and
Because it is "color compatible", the function of the other device
Are compatible with images and color.
Is required. Therefore, the function matching of the digital camera A
The conditions are “image compatible” and “color compatible”
The condition is stored. Also, the digital camera B is
As described above, since it is "black and white only",
The function is to support images and at least black and white
, So that the digital camera B
The function matching conditions are “image compatible” and “black and white only”,
Or, the conditions of "image support" and "color support"
Is stored. Therefore, in step S108 described above,
The application unit 112 includes a digital
As the function matching condition of the digital camera A, the “image pair
Compliant and color compliant conditions in a shared database.
From the information of the third layer stored in the
And Subsequently, the application unit 112
Based on the name of the elephant category (“Printer”),
From the device information in the
All devices that belong to the printer category
Of the I / O unit 1 (step S110).
30 and stored in the hard disk device 140. Ingredient
Specifically, the application unit 112
Printer A belonging to Gori (that is, printer class)
To the function information of the shared database unit 41, respectively.
0 from the information of the third layer stored in
You. Thus, the function matching condition of the target device and
Function information of all devices belonging to the target category
Once acquired, the application unit 112
Devices belonging to the category (printer category)
One device to be determined from
(Step S112), and the function information of the device is
From the information stored in the hard disk device 140
Is obtained (step S114). For example, the device to be determined
If printer A is extracted as a chair, printer A
As shown in FIG.
",""Colorcompatible","A3compatible" information
Will do. Subsequently, the application unit 112
The hard disk that stores the function matching conditions of the target device first
Function of the device read from the
Determine whether the target device meets the function matching conditions
(Step S116). If the result of the judgment is correct
In this case, the application unit 112 does nothing
Then, the process proceeds to the determination processing in step S120,
If it is stored in the hard disk device 140,
The extracted device information has a device icon gray
Out information is added (step S118). For example,
As described above, the extracted device is the printer A
Then, the functions are "text only" and "color
Response, and A3 response.
The function matching condition of digital camera A
Compliant ”and“ color compliant ”. Therefore, "Text only
The "for use" part does not match the "for image" part
Then, the application unit 112 determines that the function of the printer A is
Judgment that the function matching condition of digital camera A is not met
Then, in the information of the printer A in the hard disk device 140,
The grayout information will be added. Next, the application section 112
All devices belonging to the category (printer category)
It is determined whether or not the determination in step S116 has been performed for
If there are still devices that have not been judged and judged,
Returning to step S112, the next device to be determined is
One is extracted, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. Therefore, the remaining
Printers B, D, and E among other devices (printers)
As can be seen from FIG.
Image support ”and“ color support ”.
The function unit 112 has functions of the printers B, D, and E.
Is judged to meet the function matching condition of digital camera A
And do nothing, but for printer C,
The “black and white only” part matches the “image compatible” part.
Since there is no printer, the application unit 112
Function does not meet the function matching condition of digital camera A
And the printer C in the hard disk device 140
Grayout information will be added to the information. Thus, the target category (printer category)
Step S116 for all devices belonging to (i)
Is determined, the application unit 112
Target category stored in the hard disk drive 140
Of the monitor 180 based on the information of the device belonging to the
The window of the target category on the screen 182 (sun
That is, the device in the printer category window 804)
The display of the icon is updated (step S122). Ingredient
Specifically, the application unit 112
Printers A to A displayed in the Gori window 804
E among the device icons 810 to 818, the printer
Regarding the device icons 810 and 814 of A and C,
In step S118, the information is added to the information of the printers A and C.
Based on the gray-out information, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed in gray out, and other printers B and
D, E device icons 812, 816, 818
And leave it as is. Therefore, as a result,
In the category window 804,
Transfer data to and from digital camera A
Device icons for printers that are functionally consistent above
Will be displayed as is, but the printer
The device icon is grayed out and displayed digitally
Only printers that are functionally compatible with camera A are narrowed down
It is rarely displayed. Therefore, the user of the computer 100
From multiple printers belonging to the printer category,
Properly exchange data with Digital Camera A
Visually grasp only those printers that can
Makes it easy to select the desired printer to which data is to be transmitted.
Can improve user-friendliness.
You. In this embodiment, the digital camera
Printer displayed in the category window 802
Of the device icons, the digital device that is the target device
Printer device that is not functionally compatible with camera A
Icons are now grayed out
However, instead of this gray-out display, functionally
Erase the device icon of the mismatched printer
You may do it. In that case, the application section
Reference numeral 112 denotes device information in step S118.
Is added to the device icon erasure information in step S1.
At 22, the device eye is identified based on the erase information.
What is necessary is just to erase a computer. Also, it is functionally compatible with the digital camera A.
Grayed out device icons for printers that are not
Instead of showing, it is functionally consistent with digital camera A.
Highlight the device icon of the printer you are using
It may be displayed or blinked. That is, the machine
Device icons and functions of functionally matched printers
Printer device icons that are not consistent
On the screen 182 of the monitor 180, the user
What kind of display can be identified as long as
The display form may be used. The above description is based on the first user interface.
In addition to the chair display process, the second user interface
The same applies to the interface display processing
Can be. Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 5 and FIG.
6 will be described. FIG. 5 is the application section of FIG.
112 of the second user interface display processing
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure, and FIG.
Before and after user interface display processing
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display of a monitor 180 of FIG. Now, as shown in FIG.
The application unit 112 operates on the screen 182 of the monitor 180.
On the left side of the digital camera, as in the case of FIG.
Digital camera category window corresponding to category
802 is open, the right side of the screen 182 is a so-called
The desktop 822 is displayed. And digital
Digital camera category window 802
Network 50 as a device belonging to the
0 Digital camera A and B devices
Icons 806 and 808 are displayed.
The category corresponding to the printer category is displayed on the
Re-icon 824 and A3 printer category
Category icon 826 and A4 printer category
Category icon 828 and facsimile category
And the category icon 830 corresponding to the
I have. Of these, printer category and facsimile category
Gori exists on the network 500, respectively.
All printers or all facsimile machines
Category. A3 printer category and A4
Each printer category is on the network 500
Paper size of A3 among printers
Or, a printer that can print on A4 paper
Category. A3 printer category
For the A4 printer category and A4 printer category,
Application section 112, along with the names of the categories,
Each category condition (for example, A3 printer category
For details, see "A3 compatible or A3 dedicated printer"
Is stored in the hard disk device 140. Therefore, the user of the computer 100
As a desired digital camera, for example, a digital camera
To select A and on the network 500
Among existing printers, for example, A3 paper size
Of printers that can print
Perform the following operation to find. That is,
By operating the mouse 170, as shown in FIG.
Mouse cursor 820 to the digital camera category
Device icon of digital camera A in window 802
Button 806, and then press the mouse 170 button.
While the device icon 806 of the digital camera A
As indicated by a dashed-dotted arrow on the desktop 822.
Category icon corresponding to the above A3 printer category
Drag and drop to 826. Then,
The application unit 112 in the standby state waits for I / O
Via the O unit 130, the device eye of the digital camera A
Con 806 is the category icon for the A3 printer category
Detected drag and drop to 826
(Step S202). And the application
Section 112 is subject to drag and drop
Camera A corresponding to the device icon 806
As a target device, and also drag
・ Category icon 8 targeted for AND drop
Printer category corresponding to A26
And the name of the target device (“Digital camera”
A3) and the target category (A3 printer category)
Category conditions ("A3 compatible or A3 exclusive pudding
") Is stored in the hard disk device 140.
It is obtained from the information (step S204). Next, the application unit 112
Network 5 via the O unit 130 and the communication device 150
00 shared database unit 4 of server 400 connected to
10 (step S206) and the target category
(A3 printer category) category conditions ("A3 compatible
Or A3 dedicated printer ")
From the information about the device in the base unit 410,
Rebuild the category database (step S20)
8). Specifically, devices that meet the above category conditions
A reference table for the application, and via the I / O unit 130
In the hard disk drive 140. That is, the target category
The category conditions for the A3 printer category
"A3 compatible or A3 dedicated printer"
Therefore, the data in the shared database unit 410 shown in FIG.
Belongs to the printer class in the device information
From the printers A to E, select “A3 compatible” or “A3
Search for printers that store function information
And creates a reference table for these printers.
As is apparent from FIG. 4, the corresponding printer is a printer.
A, C to D, and finally printers A, C to D
To create a reference table containing the names and function information of
Become. Next, the application section 112
Based on the name of the device (“Digital Camera A”),
Information about the device in the shared database unit 410
Et al., The function matching condition of the digital camera A as the target device.
The case is acquired (step S210), and the I / O unit 130
And store it in the hard disk device 140. Specifically
Is the function matching of the digital camera A as shown in FIG.
The conditions are “image correspondence” and “color correspondence”.
Will be obtained. Next, the application unit 112
Stored in the hard disk device 140 in step S208.
From the reference table, select the device
The function information is acquired (step S214). In particular,
To get the names and function information of printers A, C-D
Become. Thus, the target device (digital camera)
A) Function matching condition and target category (A3 printer category)
Function information of all devices belonging to
Then, based on the information, the application unit 1
12 performs the processing of steps S216 to S224.
The processing contents of steps S216 to S224 are described in FIG.
Same as the processing contents of steps S112 to S120 shown in
Therefore, the description is omitted. As described above, the target device digital
The functional matching condition of the camera A is “image compatible” and “
Compliant, but the target category A3
Of the printers A, C to E belonging to the linter category,
As for the linters D and E, as is apparent from FIG.
The features include "image support" and "color support"
In step S220, the application unit 1
12, the functions of the printers D and E are digital cameras
Judge that the function matching condition of A is met,
No, but for printer A, "text only"
Does not match the “color compatible” part.
For the printer C, the "black and white only" part is "image compatible"
Since it does not match the part, the application unit 11
2. The functions of printers A and C are the functions of digital camera A
It is determined that the matching condition is not met, and the process proceeds to step S222.
The printers A and C in the hard disk device 140
Gray-out information is added to this information. In this way, the target category (A3 printer
All devices (printers A, C,
If the determination in step S220 is made for E),
The application unit 112 newly adds a c
Open the window and store it in the hard disk drive 140.
Devices that belong to the target category
And display the device icon in that window.
(Step S226). Specifically, the application
As shown in FIG. 6B, the monitor unit
On the right side of the screen 182, a new target category is displayed.
Open the A3 printer category window 805 and
In the A3 printer category,
Device icons 810, 814, 8
16 and 818 are displayed.
Regarding the device icons 810 and 814 of A and C,
In step S222, the information is added to the information of the printers A and C.
Displayed in grayout based on grayout information
And device icons 81 of other printers D and E
6,818 are displayed as usual. Yo
As a result, newly opened A3 printer category
In window 805, it belongs to A3 printer category
Only the device icon for the printer is displayed, and
Data transfer between the target device and digital camera A
For a printer that is functionally compatible with
Device icons are displayed normally,
Not gray for device icons for printers
Out display, only printers that are functionally compatible
Will be narrowed down and displayed. Therefore, the user of the computer 100
From multiple printers that can print on A3 paper size,
Transfer data properly with digital camera A
Only those printers that can
Select the desired printer to which the data should be transmitted.
It is easier to use,
Wear. In the above example, the target category is A
Because it was in 3 printer category, application
The unit 112 determines, based on the category condition of the target category,
From the information on the device shown in FIG.
Search for devices belonging to
For example, if the target category is simply a printer category,
In the device information shown in FIG.
Just extract all the printers belonging to the printer class
No. In the above example, the power of the target category is
Rebuild the target category database based on the categorization conditions
As a method, refer to the reference
Table, but instead of shared
From the device information in the database
Copy all device information that satisfies
Target category database (digital camera, pudding
Data, scanner, facsimile, etc.)
Even if you rebuild on the hard disk device 140
good. Now, in the example shown in FIG.
Desired data displayed in category window 802
Digital camera (digital camera A) device icon
806 was dragged and dropped.
Shortcuts instead of device icons like
Drag and drop device icons
You may do it. FIG. 7 shows a shortcut device icon.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of drag and drop.
You. For example, as shown in FIG.
12 displays the desktop 8 on the screen 182 of the monitor 180.
22 on the desktop 822 and print
Category icon 824 and A3 printer category
Icon 826 and A4 printer category icon 828
And a facsimile category icon 830 are displayed.
In addition, the shortcut device of digital camera A
Icon 832 is displayed. Digital camera A
As shown in FIG. 6, the device icon 806 of
Is displayed in the digital camera category window 802
However, in the display state shown in FIG.
Shortcut device that is the alter ego of the chair icon 806
Icon 832 on the desktop 822
I have. In such a display state, the computer
The user of the data 100 operates the mouse 170 to display the screen 18.
2 with the mouse cursor 820 displayed on the digital
To the shortcut device icon 832 of the camera A
Hold down the mouse 170 button and
Shortcut device icon 832 with a dashed-dotted arrow
As shown, the A3 printer category icon 826
When you drag and drop, application part 1
12 indicates that the drag and drop
Detected and subject to drag and drop
The digital device corresponding to the shortcut device icon 832
5 is recognized as the target device, and the camera shown in FIG.
Step S204 and subsequent steps are executed. As described above, instead of the device icon,
To the shortcut device icon
Even if it is used, similar display processing can be performed. What
This is the same as the category icon described above or
The same applies to data icons.
You. Next, the first or second user
FIGS. 8 to 1 show modifications of the interface display processing.
1 will be described. Figure 8 shows the user interface table
Icon display added in the modification of the display process
It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of a process. First, the first user interface display
A modified example of the processing will be described. In this modification, FIG.
The first user interface display processing shown in FIG.
8 between the steps S120 and S122.
Data icon display processing is added. That is, the application section 112
All devices belonging to the category (printer category)
After making the determination in step S116 for
The data icon display processing shown in FIG.
130, the network 500 via the communication device 150
A digital camera A, which is the target device
Access (step S302), the digital camera
A to determine whether data is held (step
S304). And if the data is kept
Reads out the data from digital camera A and receives it
(Step S306), and
Store. Here, the application unit 112
Access the digital camera A, which is a chair, and
The procedure for performing the acquisition will be described with reference to FIG.
You. FIG. 9 shows that the application unit 112 of FIG.
Access the device via network 500 to
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration for acquiring data. As described above, the digital
When the device icon 806 of the camera A is selected
First, the digital camera is installed in the computer 100.
The interface unit 114 corresponding to the line A is generated.
Also, a proxy that also supports digital camera A
(Proxy) 116 is generated. This allows the proxy
116, the connected camera of digital camera A
In the computer 200, a stub (Stub) 202 is generated.
It is. The CPU 110 of the computer 100
Is connected to the computer 200 via the network 500.
, The device control unit 2 corresponding to the digital camera A
04 is generated. This allows the computer
Device corresponding to digital camera A
The control unit 204 is generated. The computer 200 stores in advance
When the digital camera A is connected to the computer 200
Device driver 20 corresponding to the digital camera A
6 has been generated. In this embodiment, the interface unit
114, the device control unit 204 and the proxy 116,
The stub 202 is implemented using the technology of COM. Here, COM (Compornent Object Mode)
l) is an object advocated and promoted by Microsoft
Is an infrastructure that works
Define how to build dynamically replaceable components
And set standards for component architecture.
These are the specifications. In COM, a service provided by software
Each service is implemented as a COM object.
Is mentioned. Each COM object has 1
Implements more than one interface. In this embodiment
Are the interface unit 114 and the device control unit 2
04 is configured as a COM object. On the other hand, the proxy 116 and the stub 202
Is based on the COM / DCOM (DistributedCOM) mechanism
Have been built. COM / DCOM is a Windows platform
It is a mechanism that is standardly supported on homes and the like. Note that the IN implemented by the COM object
The surface is usually some relevant
Method. Each interface
Each is identified by an interface ID.
You. A method is a function call that performs a specific function.
The method included in a particular interface.
To invoke the code, point to the interface
Required. The interface pointer is
Interface ID that identifies the interface of the
And a COM object that implements the interface
COM live
Can be obtained by calling Lari's service.
Wear. As described above, the computer 100
Interface 114 and proxy 116
In the computer 200 to which the camera A is connected.
The device 202 and the device control unit 204
When they are activated, they are activated automatically. This allows
As shown in FIG.
Section 112, interface section 114, proxy 1
16, the network 500,
Tab 202, device control unit 204, device driver
206 as well as a digital
Camera A is connected to each other,
112 is a device via the network 500
A communication path to digital camera A is established,
The communication unit 112 is connected to the digital
It is possible to control the camera A and use it freely.
You. At this time, the proxy 116 and the stub 202
Means that the application unit 112 communicates with the digital camera A.
Exchange of various control information between networks 500
When exchanging data and data,
Application section 112 and interface section 114
On the other hand, a network between the computers 100 and 200
Abstraction of the communication path connected via the network 500. one
On the other hand, the device control unit 204
In this case, the device class (device
Applications) to absorb the differences between
For the application section 112 and the interface section 114,
Performs device abstraction (hardware abstraction). FIG. 10 shows a first user interface table.
Display on the screen of the monitor 180 in FIG.
Description showing the data icon and device icon shown
FIG. As described above, the application unit 1
12 is a digital camera via the network 500
Get the data stored in A
When stored in the device 140, the application unit 1
12 reads out the stored data and performs a thinning process, etc.
To create thumbnail image data,
As shown in FIG. 10, the left side of the screen 182 of the monitor 180
In addition, the data of digital camera A, which is the target device, is newly
Open the vice window 834, and in that window,
Based on the created thumbnail image data, digital
Data icons of all data held in camera A
Each is displayed (step S308). On the other hand, in step S304, the target
The digital camera A, which is a vice, holds all data
If not, the application unit 112
End the data icon display process without doing anything
You. Thus, the data icon display shown in FIG.
When the processing is completed, the display returns to the display processing shown in FIG.
The application unit 112 determines in step S122
Category win for the printer category that is the target category
Of the device icon of the printer displayed in window 804
Update the display. As a result, the screen 182 of the monitor 180
The above display is as shown in FIG. As described above, the device of the digital camera A
Window 834 opens, and the digital camera
Data icons of all data held in A are displayed.
By doing so, the user can see
At a glance whether such image data is retained
The image data you want to transmit to the printer.
You can choose to sit. Next, the second user interface display
A modified example of the processing will be described. In this modification, FIG.
The second user interface display processing shown in FIG.
8 between steps S224 and S226.
Data icon display processing is added. The processing procedure is
Since it is almost the same as the above-mentioned modification, only the display result
explain about. FIG. 11 shows a second user interface table.
Display on the screen of the monitor 180 in FIG.
Description showing the data icon and device icon shown
FIG. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 112 denotes a target data on the left side of the screen 182 of the monitor 180.
Device window 8 of digital camera A as vice
34 is newly opened, and on the right side, the target category A3
New category window 805 for Linter category
The device window 834 has a digital camera
A data icon of all data held in A is displayed.
A3 printer category is displayed in the category window 805.
Display the device icon of the printer belonging to Gori
You. Thus, by displaying the data icon,
Therefore, the same effect as that of the above-described modification can be obtained. Now, the first user interface described above will be described.
In the chair display process, as shown in FIG.
A digital camera camera is displayed on the left side of the screen 182 of the monitor 180.
Digital camera category window 8 corresponding to category
02 and open the digital camera category window 8
02, the digital data existing on the network 500
Display the device icons 806 and 808 of the camera
And the user of the computer 100
To select a digital camera device icon
Was. However, the digital camera category UI
In place of window, pre-determined digital camera device
Open the device window and in the device window,
The data address of the data held in the digital camera
The icon is displayed, and the user of the computer 100
Data icon of the desired data from among the data icons
A con may be selected. In that case,
The first user interface display process performed is as follows.
become. FIG. 12 shows a case where a data icon is displayed.
The first user interface display process
The screen display of the monitor 180 before and after the execution is shown.
FIG. The application unit 112
As shown in FIG. 12A, on the screen 182 of the
The digital camera A, which is the desired digital camera, is
Device window 834 and the printer category
Printer category window 804
Have been. And the device win of digital camera A
The dough 834 includes the 4 held by the digital camera A.
Display the data icon of one image data, and
In the category window 804, the same data as in FIG.
Vice icons 810 to 818 are displayed. Therefore, the user of the computer 100
Held by digital camera A, which is the desired digital camera
Select desired image data from image data
In order to do this, the user operates the mouse 170 to
As shown in the device window 834
For example, the mouse cursor 8
When 20 is combined, the application
The operation unit 112 is a data item via the I / O unit 130.
It detects that the controller 836 has been selected. And Ap
The application unit 112 selects the selected data icon 8
Digital camera holding image data corresponding to 36
A is recognized as a target device. Subsequent processing
Is the same as the processing shown in FIG. So the final
The display on the screen 182 of the monitor 180 is shown in FIG.
The result is as shown in FIG. As described above, a desired device is held in advance.
Display the data icon of the data being
Selects the data icon of the desired data from among them
The first user interface described above
Processing equivalent to display processing can be performed, and similar effects can be obtained.
Can be played. The above description is based on the second user interface.
The same applies to face display processing. Immediately
The digital camera category window shown in FIG.
In place of the dough, the device of the desired digital camera
Open the device window, and in the device window,
Of the data stored in the digital camera
And the user of the computer 100
Click the data icon of the desired data on the desktop
Drag and drop to the predetermined category icon
May be used. In that case, the second
The user interface display processing is as follows. FIG. 13 shows a case where a data icon is displayed.
The second user interface display process
The screen display of the monitor 180 before and after the execution is shown.
FIG. The application unit 112
The left side of the screen 182 of the monitor 180 is shown in FIG.
A digital camera A which is a desired digital camera
Open the device window 834 on the right side of the screen 182.
Is displaying the desktop 822. And desi
The digital camera A device window 834 includes a digital
Of the four image data held in the camera A
The icon is displayed and on the desktop 822, FIG.
Display the same category icons 824 to 830 as in (a)
Let me. Therefore, the user of the computer 100
Held by digital camera A, which is the desired digital camera
Select desired image data from image data
To be and to be on the network 500
Printer, for example, a mark with A3 paper size
Find the desired printer from printers that can print
Perform the following operation to get it out. That is, mouse 1
The user operates the mouse cursor 70 as shown in FIG.
820, the device window of digital camera A
For example, a data icon displayed in window 834
836 to the A3 printer category on the desktop 822
Drag and drop to the category icon 826 corresponding to
Do drop. Then, the application that was in standby
The application unit 112 receives an image via the I / O unit 130.
The data icon 836 of the image data is the A3 printer category.
Drag and drop to the category icon 826
Detected that And the application
Section 112 is subject to drag and drop
Image data corresponding to the data icon 836
Digital camera A is recognized as a target device.
You. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG.
Therefore, finally, the display on the screen 182 of the monitor 180
Is as shown in FIG. As described above, a desired device is held in advance.
Display the data icon of the data being
The data icon of the desired data from the
Drag and drop to categorical icons
In any case, the above-mentioned second user interface display
Processing equivalent to the processing can be performed, and the same effect can be obtained.
can do. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and embodiments.
It is not limited to
It is possible to implement in various modes. In the above embodiment, the target device is input.
Set the digital camera as the device and specify the target category.
Printer device category,
The invention is not limited to this, but the target device
Is the output device, and the target category is
As a category of digital cameras that are input devices
good. Specifically, for example, the first user interface
In the chair display process, the user
From the device icons of the printers in Dow 804,
Select the device icon of the desired printer (target device)
Digital camera category win by choosing
The device icon of the digital camera in the window 802
That is, it is functionally compatible with the printer that is the target device.
No digital camera device icon greyed out
To be displayed. Also, the target device is a digital camera.
It is not limited to cameras and printers.
Various input and output devices such as facsimile
Is targeted. In the above embodiment, the monitor 180
The icons are arranged in a window on the screen 182 of
Has been described, but in the window
It is good to display each icon in a tree structure
No. Also, instead of displaying an icon,
Display only characters of category name, device name and data name.
It is also possible to use
The number, code, color, etc. may be displayed. In the above embodiment, the interface
Interface 114, the device controller 204, and the
The xy 116 and the stub 202 are implemented using the technology of COM.
However, in addition to COM, similar distributed objects
JAVA (registered trademark) or CORBA as the environment to build
And so on to realize a similar mechanism using these.
You may do it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a device control apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a first user interface display processing by an application unit 112 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing screen displays on a monitor 180 before and after a first user interface display process is performed. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information about a device stored in a shared database unit 410 of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a second user interface display process by an application unit 112 in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing screen displays on a monitor 180 before and after a second user interface display process is performed. FIG. 7 Drag the shortcut device icon
It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that it drops. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a data icon display process added in a modification of the user interface display process. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration when the application unit 112 in FIG. 1 accesses a device via a network 500 to acquire data. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing data icons and device icons displayed on the screen of the monitor 180 in FIG. 1 by a modification of the first user interface display processing. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing data icons and device icons displayed on the screen of the monitor 180 in FIG. 1 by a modification of the second user interface display processing. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display on the monitor 180 before and after performing a first user interface display process when a data icon is displayed. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing screen displays on the monitor 180 before and after performing a second user interface display process when a data icon is displayed. [Description of Signs] 100 computer 110 CPU 112 application unit 114 interface unit 116 proxy 120 memory 130 I / O unit 140 hard disk device 150 communication device 160 CD-ROM drive device 162 CD- ROM 170 mouse 180 monitor 182 screen 200 computer 202 stub 204 device driver 300 device driver 300 computer 400 server 410 shared database 500 network 802 digital camera category window 804 printer category window 805: A3 printer category window 820: mouse cursor 822: desktop 834: digital camera A device window

Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Toshiharu Katada             3-5, Yamato 3-chome, Suwa-shi, Nagano Seiko             ー Epson Corporation F term (reference) 5B021 AA01 BB01 EE02                 5E501 AA02 AA06 BA05 CB02 CB09                       EA11 EB05 FA04 FA23 FA42                       FB28

Claims (1)

Claims 1. A device control device capable of controlling a first device and one or more second devices belonging to a specific category, comprising: a display unit having a screen; Input means for inputting an external instruction; and displaying, on a screen of the display means, a first symbol corresponding to the first device or data held in the first device; User interface display control means for displaying a second symbol corresponding to each of the second devices belonging to the specific category in a predetermined area on the screen, wherein the user interface display control means When an instruction to select the displayed first symbol is input via the input means, for each of the second devices, The second device is the first device
A device control device for determining whether the device is functionally compatible with data transfer between the device and the device.