JP2007220047A - Display processor, display processing method and display processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize a position of a printer arranged in the real world, to easily understand icons of individual printers and to exactly operate the icons of the printer. <P>SOLUTION: The display processor has: a transmitting/receiving part 107 which receives a map image, icons of the printers 401-40n and coordinates of the printers 401-40n; a display control part 103 which displays the icons of the printers 401-40n at positions represented by the coordinates on the map image with the map image and an overlap determination part 105 which determines overlap of the icons of the printers 401-40n by determining whether or not distance of the coordinates in the printers 401-40n is within a predetermined range, wherein the display control part 103 changes at least either of the map image or display modes in the icons of the printers 401-40n to perform display on a monitor 101 when it is determined that the icons of the printers 401-40n are overlapped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display processing apparatus, a display processing method, and a display processing program for displaying information related to an image forming apparatus that outputs data.

  In recent years, many printing devices such as printers are arranged in offices, and they exist on a network and can be accessed from various places. In order to use these printers and the like through a network, a file drag-and-drop operation is often used in initial settings and printing of the printers. For example, printing is started when a file is dragged and dropped onto a printer icon.

  In addition, by dragging a file icon on a display screen on which a print icon for which print conditions are set in advance and an icon of a file to be printed are displayed and dropping it on the print icon, the setting of the printer is set. A print control operation system in which a file print process is executed under the print conditions displayed and set in the print icon is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this method, setting confirmation can be performed from a print instruction by an intuitive operation of dragging and dropping a file.

JP 2001-337765 A

  However, when the file icon is dragged and dropped onto the printer icon in Patent Document 1, it is considered difficult to distinguish the position where the printer icon corresponds to the printer. For this reason, the area where the printer is actually arranged is displayed by a map image or the like, and the icon of the printer is displayed at a position corresponding to the actual arrangement location on the display of the map image or the like. It can be intuitively recognized which printer is located at which position.

  However, when creating a map image or the like of the actually arranged area and displaying the printer icon on a display such as a PC (Personal Computer), dragging and dropping the icon on the printer icon when the scale is reduced to the scale of the map image. Dropping becomes difficult. For this reason, if the printer icon displayed on the map image is displayed in a large size so that it can be easily dragged and dropped, it may not be recognized by the user because it may be displayed overlapping other printer icons. There has been a problem that it is sometimes difficult to specify a printer by dragging and dropping a data icon to a desired printer icon.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in changing the display mode of a map image or a printer icon so that the printer icon does not overlap, by designating the printer when performing output , A display processing device that can recognize the position of a printer arranged in the real world, can easily grasp the icon of each printer, and can accurately perform operations such as drag and drop on the printer icon It is an object to obtain a method and a display processing program.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention can arrange a display unit capable of displaying information and the image forming apparatus in a display processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network. A transmission / reception means for receiving a map image that is an image of an arrangement area, icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and position information indicating positions on the arrangement areas of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the transmission / reception Display control means for displaying icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the display unit at positions indicated by the position information on the map image received by the means, and the display in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. Overlap determination means for determining whether icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses overlap by determining whether the distance of the position information is within a predetermined range. The display control means, when the overlap determination means determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped, at least either a map image or a display mode on the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses One of them is changed and displayed on the display unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, the display control unit moves the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to a predetermined interval when the overlap determining unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped. Display.

  According to the present invention, the designation of the image forming apparatus can be performed by dragging and dropping the icon of the file output by the image forming apparatus to any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed by the display control means. At least two or more pieces of position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses exist within a predetermined distance from an input receiving unit that receives an input and a position where an icon of the file received by the input receiving unit is dragged. A region determining unit that determines whether or not the plurality of image forming units are within a predetermined distance from a position where the file icon is dragged by the region determining unit. If it is determined that at least two or more of the position information of the apparatus exists, the plurality of image formations When the overlap determination unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped, the display control unit determines the plurality of image formations of the displayed map image. It is characterized in that the peripheral area of the apparatus is enlarged and displayed.

  According to the present invention, the designation of the image forming apparatus can be performed by dragging and dropping the icon of the file output by the image forming apparatus to any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed by the display control means. At least two or more pieces of the position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are within a predetermined distance from a position where the icon of the file received by the input receiving means and the icon of the file received by the input receiving means are dragged and dropped. An area determination unit that determines whether or not the file exists, the overlap determination unit within a predetermined distance from a position where the icon of the file is dragged and dropped by the area determination unit. It is determined that at least two or more pieces of the position information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses exist. If the overlap determination unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses overlap, the display control unit determines whether the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses overlap. A selection screen for requesting selection of which image forming apparatus to input the designation of the forming apparatuses is displayed, and the input receiving unit uses the image forming apparatus selected from the selection screen as the designation of the image forming apparatus. It is characterized by accepting.

  Further, the present invention provides a storage unit that stores function information in which the models of the plurality of image forming apparatuses and the functions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are associated with each other, and an icon of a file output by the image forming apparatus, In an input receiving unit that receives an input of designation of an image forming apparatus by dragging and dropping to any icon in the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed by the display control unit, and in a drag received by the input receiving unit, Region determination means for determining whether or not the icon of the file exists within the range of the map image displayed by the display control means, and the transmission / reception means further includes the region determination means by the region determination means. If it is determined that the file icon exists within the range of the map image, the dragged file An output condition indicating the function of the image forming apparatus that can be output corresponding to the file attribute of the file icon, and the output received by the transmitting / receiving means from the function information stored in the storage means The image processing apparatus further includes search means for searching for an image forming apparatus of a model having a function of conditions, and the display control means highlights and displays an icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the search means.

  According to the present invention, the display control unit highlights and displays the icon of the searched image forming apparatus by changing the density of the icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching unit. It is characterized by doing.

  Further, in the present invention, the display control means highlights and displays the searched icon of the image forming apparatus by displaying an animation of the icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching means. Features.

  In the present invention, the display control means displays text information indicating that the icon is the icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching means, thereby displaying the icon of the searched image forming apparatus. It is characterized by being highlighted.

  According to the present invention, the display control means displays the icon of the image forming apparatus searched for by the search means in an enlarged manner, thereby highlighting the icon of the searched image forming apparatus. It is characterized by.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display processing method executed by a display processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network, a map image which is an image of an arrangement area where the image forming apparatus can be arranged, and the plurality of images A transmission / reception step for receiving an icon of the forming apparatus and position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the arrangement area, and a position indicated by the position information on the map image received by the transmission / reception step And a display control step of displaying icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses as the map image on a display unit capable of displaying information,
An overlap determination step of determining whether or not the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by determining whether or not the distance of the position information in the plurality of image forming apparatuses is within a predetermined range. The display control step includes at least one of a map image and a display mode in the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses when the overlap determining step determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped. One of them is changed and displayed on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, in a display processing program executed by a display processing device connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network, a map image that is an image of an arrangement area where the image forming apparatus can be arranged, and the plurality of images A transmission / reception step for receiving an icon of the forming apparatus and position information indicating the position of each of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the arrangement area, and a position indicated by the position information on the map image received by the transmission / reception step A display control step of displaying the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses on the display unit capable of displaying information on the map image, and a distance between the position information in the plurality of image forming apparatuses is a predetermined predetermined value. An overlap determination step of determining whether or not the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by determining whether or not they are within a range. In the display control step, when it is determined in the overlap determination step that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped, at least one of the display modes in the map image or the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is displayed. The computer is caused to execute the change and display on the display unit.

  According to the present invention, the map image, the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are received by the transmission / reception unit, and the position indicated by the position information on the map image is displayed by the display control unit. In addition, the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are displayed as map images on the display unit, and the overlap determination unit determines whether or not the distance of the position information in the plurality of image forming apparatuses is within a predetermined range. When the overlap of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined and the display control unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by the display control unit, at least a map image or a plurality of images Either one of the display modes in the icon of the forming apparatus is changed and displayed on the display unit. Therefore, even when the icons of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are displayed in an overlapping manner, the display can be performed by changing the display mode of the map image or the icon of the image forming apparatus so that the icons of the image forming apparatuses do not overlap. In the designation of the image forming apparatus when performing, the position of the image forming apparatus arranged in the real world can be recognized, the icon of each image forming apparatus can be easily grasped, and drag and drop to the icon of the image forming apparatus etc. There is an effect that the operation can be performed accurately.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the display control unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by the overlap determining unit, the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are moved to a predetermined interval and displayed. To do. Therefore, even when icons of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are displayed in an overlapping manner, an area for dragging and dropping the icon of the image forming apparatus is secured by moving and displaying the icon of the image forming apparatus, In the designation of the image forming apparatus at the time of output, the position of the image forming apparatus arranged in the real world can be recognized, the icon of each image forming apparatus can be easily grasped, and the icon of the image forming apparatus can be dragged and dragged. There is an effect that operations such as dropping can be performed accurately.

  Further, according to the present invention, the input accepting unit accepts an input of designation of the image forming apparatus by dragging and dropping the icon of the file output by the image forming apparatus to any of the icons in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The area determination unit determines whether there is at least two pieces of position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses within a predetermined distance from the position where the file icon is dragged, and the overlap determination unit When it is determined that at least two or more pieces of position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses exist within a predetermined distance from the position where the file icon is dragged, the overlap of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined and displayed. If it is determined by the control means that the icons of a plurality of image forming apparatuses overlap, the map image An enlarged peripheral region of the number of the image forming apparatus to display. Accordingly, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed overlapping by dragging are specified, the map image is enlarged and displayed so that the icon of the image forming apparatus is displayed in the same manner as the actual position. An area for drag and drop is secured for the icon, and in the designation of the image forming apparatus at the time of output, the position of the image forming apparatus arranged in the real world can be recognized, and each image forming apparatus There is an effect that the icon can be easily grasped, and an operation such as drag and drop on the icon of the image forming apparatus can be accurately performed.

  Further, according to the present invention, the input accepting unit accepts an input of designation of the image forming apparatus by dragging and dropping the icon of the file output by the image forming apparatus to any of the icons in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. The area determination means determines whether or not there is at least two pieces of position information of a plurality of image forming apparatuses within a predetermined distance from the position where the file icon is dragged and dropped, and overlap determination means If it is determined that at least two or more pieces of position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses exist within a predetermined distance from the position where the file icon is dragged and dropped, the overlapping of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses And the icons of a plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by the display control means. Is selected, a selection screen for requesting selection of which image forming apparatus is to be input from among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is displayed, and the image forming apparatus selected from the selection screen is selected by the input receiving unit. Accepted as designation of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, even when a plurality of image forming apparatuses that are displayed by drag and drop are specified, a selection screen for selecting which image forming apparatus to specify is displayed. There is an effect that the designation of the image forming apparatus can be performed accurately.

  According to the present invention, the function information is stored by the storage unit, and the icon of the file output by the image forming apparatus is dragged and dropped by the input receiving unit to any one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses. When an input of designation of the image forming apparatus is received, it is determined whether or not the file icon exists within the range of the map image by the area determination unit, and if the file icon exists within the range of the map image by the transmission / reception unit If determined, the output condition of the dragged file is received, the search means searches for the image forming apparatus of the model having the function of the output condition received from the function information stored in the storage means, and the display control means The icon of the image forming apparatus searched by is highlighted and displayed. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus having the function of the image forming apparatus that can output in accordance with the attribute of the file of the dragged icon is displayed in an emphasized manner, so that the image forming apparatus suitable for the output file can be easily grasped. There is an effect that can be done.

  Further, according to the present invention, the icon of the searched image forming apparatus is highlighted and displayed by changing the density of the searched icon of the image forming apparatus by the display control means. Therefore, an image suitable for a file to be output is displayed with emphasis by changing the icon density of the image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus function that can be output in accordance with the attribute of the dragged icon file. There is an effect that the forming apparatus can be easily grasped.

  Further, according to the present invention, the searched image forming apparatus icon is displayed in an animated manner by the display control means, so that the searched image forming apparatus icon is highlighted. Therefore, an image of an image forming apparatus having an image forming apparatus function that can be output corresponding to the attribute of the dragged icon file is displayed as an animation, and an image is displayed that is emphasized and suitable for the output file. There is an effect that the device can be easily grasped.

  According to the present invention, the display control means displays the text information indicating that the icon of the searched image forming apparatus is a character, so that the icon of the searched image forming apparatus is highlighted. . Accordingly, the text information indicating that the image forming apparatus has the function of the image forming apparatus that can be output corresponding to the attribute of the file of the dragged icon is displayed, and is highlighted and output. There is an effect that an image forming apparatus suitable for a file can be easily grasped.

  Further, according to the present invention, the searched image forming apparatus icon is displayed in an enlarged manner by enlarging and displaying the searched image forming apparatus icon by the display control means. Therefore, by enlarging and displaying the icon of the image forming apparatus having the function of the image forming apparatus that can be output corresponding to the attribute of the dragged icon file, the icon is emphasized and suitable for the file to be output. There is an effect that the image forming apparatus can be easily grasped.

  Exemplary embodiments of a display processing device, a display processing method, and a display processing program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment mode, an example in which the display processing device according to the present invention is applied to a PC is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to any device that can display icons and the like. In this embodiment, an example in which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a printer is shown. However, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or a plurality of functions such as a copy, a facsimile, and a printer that print data are provided in a single housing. The present invention can be applied to any multi-function machine that has a printing function.

(First embodiment)
When the PC according to the first embodiment receives a request for displaying a map image and a printer icon by a user, if the plurality of printer icons are displayed in a superimposed manner, the PC moves to a position where they do not overlap. Is displayed on the monitor. As a result, the icons of the printers are not displayed overlapping each other on the monitor, and the icons of the individual printers can be easily grasped. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a PC, a position management server, and a printer according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 100 according to the first embodiment is connected to a position management server 200 and printers 401 to 40n via a network 300.

  A network 300 is a telephone line, a wireless network, the Internet, and the like, and connects the PC 100, the position management server 200, and printers 401 to 40n.

  The printers 401 to 40n are arranged in various places, receive print data and print requests for printing from the PC 100, and print the print data on recording paper or the like according to the received print requests. Note that the number of printers may be increased or decreased.

  Next, details of the location management server 200 will be described. The position management server 200 manages information related to the arrangement positions of the printers 401 to 40n and transmits necessary information in response to a request from the PC 100. The file management unit 200 transmits / receives information to / from the file storage unit 210, the position management database 211, The unit 201 is mainly provided.

  The location management database 211 mainly stores a map information management table and a printer information management table, and is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory.

  The map information management table includes a map ID that is identification information unique to each of the map images indicating arrangement areas where the printers 401 to 40n can be arranged, a building floor indicated by the map image, and a map image indicating the range of the area in the map image. The coordinate range and the file name of the map image are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the map information management table in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the map information management table includes a map ID such as “Map8”, a floor of a building indicated by a map image such as “8F” (8th floor), and an area range in the map image in the X-coordinate. (For example, 0-500) is associated with a map image coordinate range indicated by a Y coordinate (for example, 0-300) in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction, and a map image file name such as “8F.jpg”. I remember it.

  The printer information management table includes a printer ID which is identification information unique to each of the printers 401 to 40n, a floor of a building where the printers 401 to 40n are disposed, a place name where the printers 401 to 40n are disposed, and each of the printers 401 to 40n. Position information indicating the position on the arrangement area in the coordinate range of the map image, the IP address or SIP address which is the transmission destination of the printers 401 to 40n, the model of the printer 401 to 40n, and the icon file of the printer 401 to 40n Names are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the printer information management table in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer information management table includes the printer IDs of printers 401 to 40n such as “Printer1”, the floor of the building where the printers 401 to 40n such as “8F” (8th floor) are arranged, The name of the place where the printers 401 to 40n such as “1 conference room” and “group room” are arranged, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n such as “(240, 200)”, “xxx.yyy.yyy.zzzz” ( (IP address) and the like, the destinations of the printers 401 to 40n, the printers 401 to 40n such as "Printer001", and the icon file names of the printers 401 to 40n such as "icon1.jpg" are stored in association with each other. . The printer icon in the present embodiment uses a gif file, but is not limited to this and may be any image file.

  The file storage unit 210 mainly stores a map image file and a printer icon file.

  The transmission / reception unit 201 receives a data transmission request in the location management database 211 from the PC 100 and a transmission request for an image file stored in the file storage unit 210, and transmits the data, the image file, and the like to the PC 100. Specifically, the coordinate range of the map image stored in the map information management table is transmitted to the PC 100. Similarly, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n, the transmission destinations of the printers 401 to 40n, the model of the printers 401 to 40n, and the file names of the icons of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table are similarly transmitted to the PC 100. Further, the map image file and the printer icon file stored in the file storage unit 210 are transmitted.

  Next, details of the PC 100 will be described. The PC 100 outputs information on the arrangement positions of the printers 401 to 40n, and the like. The data storage unit 110, the printer driver 111, the monitor 101 (display unit), the input device 102, the display control unit 103, It mainly includes an input receiving unit 104, an overlap determination unit 105, a control unit 106, and a transmission / reception unit 107.

  The data storage unit 110 stores files such as documents and images printed by the printers 401 to 40n, and is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory.

  The printer driver 111 stores a table in which a printer driver corresponding to each of the printers 401 to 40n, a printer driver name corresponding to each of the printers 401 to 40n, and a printer ID of the printer 401 to 40n are associated with each other. It is stored in a storage medium such as a drive device (HDD) or a memory.

  The monitor 101 is a display device that displays characters and images.

  The input device 102 is a pointing device such as a mouse, a trackball, or a trackpad, a keyboard, and the like, and a user performs an operation by drag and drop or an operation on a screen displayed on the monitor 101. Here, the drag and drop is an operation of continuously performing drag and drop by an operation method using a mouse or the like. In addition, moving the pointer while pressing a button such as a mouse is referred to as “drag”, and an operation of releasing the button such as a mouse at the dragging destination is referred to as “drop”.

  The display control unit 103 refers to the coordinate range of the map image stored in the map information management table received from the position management server 200 by the transmission / reception unit 107 described later, and the map image file stored in the file storage unit 210. Thus, control is performed to display on the monitor 101 a map image showing an area where the printers 401 to 40n can be arranged. Similarly, referring to the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table received from the position management server 200 and the printer icon files stored in the file storage unit 210, the printers 401 to 40n are referred to. The icon is superimposed on the map image and displayed on the monitor 101. As a result, which printer is placed at which position on the map image is displayed on the monitor 101.

  The display control unit 103 performs control to display icons of the printers 401 to 40n on the monitor 101 with a predetermined size. As a result, the printers 401 to 40n on the map image can be displayed in an easily viewable size. When the overlap determination unit 105 described later determines that the icons of the plurality of printers 401 to 40n are displayed in an overlapping manner, the overlapping icons of the printers 401 to 40n are moved to a predetermined interval and are displayed on the monitor 101. Control the display. Thereby, drag and drop can be performed easily. This will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when a plurality of printer icons are displayed in an overlapping state. As shown in FIG. 4, the monitor 101 displays a map image displaying a simple layout that can be arranged by the printer, a file such as a document, and a pointer. On the map image, a printer 1 (Printer 1) and a printer 2 (Printer 2) of a predetermined size are displayed in an overlapping manner, and a printer 3 (Printer 3), a printer 4 (Printer 4), and a printer 5 (Printer 5) are displayed. Are displayed overlapping. This is a case where the printer icon is displayed in a size that is easy to see when the printer and another printer are actually arranged adjacent to each other, for example. Accordingly, in order to display the printer icon in a size that is easy to see, the scale ratio of the printer icon is made smaller than the scale ratio of the map image. The size is displayed large, and it does not fit within the range of the arrangement position and is displayed overlapping.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which icons of a plurality of printers are displayed by being moved to a predetermined interval. As shown in FIG. 5, as in FIG. 4, a map image, a file such as a document, and a pointer are displayed on the monitor 101. On the map image, the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 2 (Printer 2) are displayed so as to move to predetermined positions in the direction of the arrows in FIG. Further, similarly, the printer 3 (Printer 3), the printer 4 (Printer 4), and the printer 5 (Printer 5) are moved to predetermined positions in the arrow direction of FIG. It is displayed.

  The input receiving unit 104 receives an input to the screen displayed on the monitor 101 when the user operates the input device 102. The input receiving unit 104 operates the input device 102 so that the file icon such as a document is dragged and dropped on any one of the icons of the printers 401 to 40n. Accepts the specified input. The designation input may be accepted as an input of a print request for printing a document or the like of the dragged file at the same time, and whether or not to print the document or the like of the dragged file is selected. A print screen display request may be accepted. In the present embodiment, it is configured to accept a print request.

  The overlap determination unit 105 performs overlap determination to determine from the coordinates whether or not the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed on the monitor 101. That is, it is determined whether or not the distance between the coordinates of one printer and the coordinates of another printer is within a predetermined range. If the distance is within the predetermined range, the icons of those printers overlap. It is determined that

  When the printer is specified by the input received by the input receiving unit 104, the control unit 106 acquires the printer ID of the specified printer, and acquires the printer driver corresponding to the acquired printer ID from the printer driver 111. Is. Further, print data for printing is generated from a file such as a document designated by the user's drag and drop by the acquired printer driver.

  The transmission / reception unit 107 transmits a request for data to the location management server 200 or a request for an image file stored in the file storage unit 210 and receives the data and the image file from the location management server 200. is there. Specifically, the coordinate range of the map image of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the map information management table in the position management server 200 is received. Also, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n, the transmission destinations of the printers 401 to 40n, the models of the printers 401 to 40n, and the file names of the icons of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table in the position management server 200 Are similarly received. Further, the map image file and the printer icon file stored in the file storage unit 210 are received. Also, when a printer is designated by the user, an address or the like corresponding to the printer ID of the designated printer is acquired from the transmission destinations of the received printers 401 to 40n, and printing is performed on the acquired transmission destination. Send data.

  Next, display processing in the PC according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of display processing by the PC in the first embodiment.

  First, when the user receives a request for displaying a map image of a building of a map image to be displayed on the monitor 101 from the input device 102, for example, a map image of the eighth floor, the transmission / reception unit 107 displays the map image and map of the eighth floor. An image coordinate range, printer information (printer ID of printer, coordinates, transmission destination, model, printer icon file name), and transmission request of the printer icon file are sent to the position management server 200. Next, the location management server 200 searches for “8th floor” as a key, refers to the map information management table, the printer information management table, and the file storage unit 210 in the location management database 211 to map the 8th floor map image. The coordinate range of the map image, printer information, and icon files of the printers 401 to 405 are acquired. A specific acquisition method is omitted because it is performed by a known method.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 107 receives the map image of the eighth floor, the coordinate range of the map image, the printer information of the printers 401 to 405, and the icon file of the printers 401 to 405 from the position management server 200 (step S601).

  Next, the overlap determination unit 105 performs overlap determination that determines from the coordinates whether or not the received icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are displayed overlapping the monitor 101 (step S602).

  Details of the overlap determination will be described here. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of overlap determination processing by the overlap determination unit. First, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 405 received by the transmission / reception unit 107 are compared (step S701). Next, whether or not the distance between the coordinates of the printers 401 to 405 is within a predetermined range, that is, whether or not the distance between the coordinates of one printer and the coordinates of another printer is within a predetermined range. Is determined (step S702). If it is determined that the coordinate distance between the printers 401 to 405 is within a predetermined range (step S702: Yes), it is determined that the icons of these printers are overlapped (step S703). On the other hand, when it is determined that the coordinate distance of the printers 401 to 405 does not exist within the predetermined range (step S702: No), it is determined that the icons of these printers do not overlap (step S704).

  Specifically, for example, when one printer is displayed on the monitor 101 at 60 × 60 dots, if the vicinity of the center of the printer is the coordinates of the printer, the distance from the coordinates to the end of the printer is 30 dots. The distance between the coordinates when the two are arranged side by side is 60 dots. Therefore, if the coordinate distance between the two printers is 60 dots or less, it is determined that the printer icons overlap.

  Returning to step S603 in FIG. 6, the display control unit 103 determines whether or not the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are overlapped by the overlap determination unit 105 (step S603). When the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are overlapped (step S603: Yes), the display control unit 103 displays the icons of the printers 401 to 405 as shown in FIG. As described above, the map image of the eighth floor and the icons of the printers 401 to 405 are displayed on the monitor 101 by moving to a predetermined interval (step S604). As a result, the icons of the printers are not displayed overlapping each other on the monitor, and the icons of the individual printers can be easily grasped.

  Specifically, in the example described above, if there are overlapping printer icons, it is considered that the distance between the coordinates of the printer icon is 60 dots, so that a plurality of printer icons are displayed. Are moved in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction up to an interval of 70 dots including a margin of 10 dots so as to display a little apart. At this time, if the distance of the coordinates of the icons of the two overlapping printers is 30 dots, the remaining 40 dots (70-30 dots) up to the non-overlapping interval of 70 dots are divided into two, and the two overlapping printers The icon is moved in the reverse direction by 20 dots and displayed.

  On the other hand, when the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are not overlapped (step S603: No), the display control unit 103 does not move the icons of the printers 401 to 405 as they are. The map image of the eighth floor and the icons of the printers 401 to 405 are displayed on the monitor 101 (step S605). Then, the input receiving unit 104 operates the input device 102 to drag and drop a file icon such as a document onto any one of the printers 401 to 405, thereby inputting a printer designation. Is received (step S606).

  As described above, when the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed in an overlapping manner, the PC 100 moves the icons of the printers 401 to 40n to a predetermined interval and displays them, so that the user is placed in the real world. The positions of the printers 401 to 40n can be recognized, and the icons of the individual printers 401 to 40n can be easily grasped.

  Next, print processing in the PC according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process by the PC in the first embodiment.

  First, as performed in step S606 of FIG. 6, when the input receiving unit 104 receives an input for specifying a printer from the user, a print request is input, and the printing process is started. Then, the control unit 106 acquires the printer ID of the printer that has received the designation (step S801).

  Next, in step S <b> 601, the control unit 106 searches for the printer driver corresponding to the printer ID of the designated printer from the printer ID and the printer model received by the transmission / reception unit 107, and acquires the acquired printer from the printer driver 111. A printer driver corresponding to the ID is acquired (step S802).

  Then, the control unit 106 generates print data for printing from a file such as a document dragged by the user with the acquired printer driver (step S803).

  Next, in step S601, the transmission / reception unit 107 searches for the transmission destination corresponding to the printer ID of the designated printer from the printer ID and the printer transmission destination received in step S606 of FIG. The generated print data is transmitted to (step S804). Then, the printer that has received the print data starts printing.

  As described above, the PC 100 according to the first embodiment receives the map image, the icons of the printers 401 to 40n, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n, and the like from the transmission / reception unit 107, and the display control unit 103. The icons of the printers 401 to 40n are superimposed on the map image and displayed on the monitor 101. At this time, if the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are overlapping, the display control unit 103 moves the icons of the printers 401 to 40n to a predetermined interval and displays them. Therefore, even when the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed in an overlapping manner, by moving and displaying the printer icons, an area for dragging and dropping the icons of the printers 401 to 40n is secured, and printing is performed. In the designation of the printers 401 to 40n at the time of execution, the positions of the printers 401 to 40n arranged in the real world can be recognized, the icons of the individual printers 401 to 40n can be easily grasped, and the icons of the printers 401 to 40n can be identified. Operations such as drag and drop can be performed accurately.

  In the PC according to the present embodiment, when a request for displaying a map image and a printer icon is received by a user, if a plurality of printer icons are displayed in an overlapping manner, the PC moves to a position where they do not overlap and then is displayed on the monitor. Although displayed, the icons of a plurality of printers may be displayed once overlapped, and then moved to a position where they do not overlap and displayed on the monitor.

(Second Embodiment)
When the PC according to the first embodiment receives a request for displaying a map image and a printer icon by a user, if the plurality of printer icons are displayed in a superimposed manner, the PC moves to a position where they do not overlap. To be displayed on the monitor. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when a request for displaying a map image and a printer icon is received by the user, it is displayed as it is even if a plurality of printer icons overlap. When the designation is received, the map image is enlarged and displayed, so that the printer icon is displayed on the monitor without overlapping.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a PC, a location management server, and a printer according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, a PC 900 according to the second embodiment is connected to a position management server 200 and printers 401 to 40n via a network 300. Here, the description of the printers 401 to 40n, the network 300, and the configuration and functions of the location management server 200 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus are omitted.

  Next, details of the PC 900 will be described. The PC 900 outputs information on the arrangement positions of the printers 401 to 40n, and the like. The data storage unit 110, the printer driver 111, the monitor 101 (display unit), the input device 102, the display control unit 903, It mainly includes an input receiving unit 104, an overlap determination unit 105, a control unit 106, a transmission / reception unit 107, and an area determination unit 908.

  Here, the configuration of the data storage unit 110, the printer driver 111, the monitor 101 (display unit), the input device 102, the input reception unit 104, the overlap determination unit 105, the control unit 106, and the transmission / reception unit 107 and Since the function is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  When a predetermined time, for example, 1 second elapses after the user has dragged and stopped the icon of the document or image file, the area determination unit 908 is within a predetermined distance range from the dragged file. It is determined whether or not there are two or more coordinates of neighboring printers. That is, when the user operates the input device 102 and the input reception unit 104 receives a drag of an icon of a file such as a document and stops, the region determination unit 908 is dragged. The printer which has received by the transmission / reception unit 107 whether or not there are two or more printer coordinates within a predetermined distance centered on the position coordinates of a file such as a document, for example, within a radius of 30 dots from the center. The determination is made with reference to the coordinates of 401 to 40n.

  The display control unit 903 refers to the coordinate range of the map image stored in the map information management table received from the position management server 200 by the transmission / reception unit 107, and the map image file stored in the file storage unit 210. Control for displaying on the monitor 101 a map image showing an area where the printers 401 to 40n can be arranged is performed. Similarly, referring to the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table received from the position management server 200 and the printer icon files stored in the file storage unit 210, the printers 401 to 40n are referred to. The icon is superimposed on the map image and displayed on the monitor 101. As a result, which printer is placed at which position on the map image is displayed on the monitor 101. The display control unit 903 performs control to display icons of the printers 401 to 40n on the monitor 101 with a predetermined size. As a result, the printers 401 to 40n on the map image can be displayed in an easily viewable size.

  The display control unit 903 determines that the region determination unit 908 determines that there are two or more coordinates of a nearby printer within a predetermined distance from a file such as a document dragged by the user. When the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed in an overlapping manner, control is performed to enlarge the dragged peripheral map image and display it on the monitor 101. Thus, by enlarging and displaying the map image, the area of the printer arrangement position in the map image is also enlarged and displayed. Therefore, the display control unit 903 does not overlap the icons of the printers 401 to 40n, It can be displayed easily by drag and drop.

  Next, display processing in the PC according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of display processing by the PC according to the second embodiment.

  First, when the user receives a request for displaying a map image of a building of a map image to be displayed on the monitor 101 from the input device 102, for example, a map image of the eighth floor, the transmission / reception unit 107 displays the map image and map of the eighth floor. An image coordinate range, printer information (printer ID of printer, coordinates, transmission destination, model, printer icon file name), and transmission request for a printer icon file are sent to the position management server 200. Next, the location management server 200 searches for “8th floor” as a key, refers to the map information management table, the printer information management table, and the file storage unit 210 in the location management database 211 to map the 8th floor map image. The coordinate range of the map image, printer information, and icon files of the printers 401 to 405 are acquired. Since a specific acquisition method is performed by a known method, it is omitted as in the first embodiment.

  The transmission / reception unit 107 receives the map image of the eighth floor, the coordinate range of the map image, the printer information of the printers 401 to 405, and the icon file of the printers 401 to 405 from the position management server 200 (step S1001). . The display control unit 903 displays the map image of the eighth floor and the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the monitor 101 (step S1002). At this time, even when the icons of the printers 401 to 405 are displayed in an overlapping manner, they are displayed as they are. When the icons of the printers 401 to 405 are displayed in an overlapping manner, the icons of the printers are displayed after being moved in advance. This is different from the PC in the first embodiment. For example, in the case of the eighth floor, as shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, if there are overlapping printer icons, they are displayed as they are overlapped.

  Next, the input receiving unit 104 receives an input of dragging an icon of a file such as a document by the user operating the input device 102 (step S1003). Then, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where the input reception unit 104 receives the drag of the icon of the file such as the document and stops, the area determination unit 908 centers on the position coordinates of the dragged file such as the document. It is determined whether or not there are two or more printer coordinates on the eighth floor within a predetermined distance, for example, within a radius of 30 dots from the center (step S1004).

  When the area determination unit 908 determines that the coordinates of the printer on the eighth floor do not exist within a predetermined distance from the position coordinates of the file such as the dragged document (step S1004: 0), the input is accepted again. Wait until the unit 104 accepts a drag.

  If the area determination unit 908 determines that there are two or more 8th-floor printer coordinates within a predetermined distance from the position coordinates of a file such as a dragged document (step S1004: two or more). ) The overlap determination unit 105 performs overlap determination for a plurality of printers that are determined to exist in two or more (step S1005). Note that overlap determination is omitted because it is the same as the processing in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7).

  Next, the display control unit 903 determines whether or not the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are overlapped (step S1006). When it is determined by the overlap determination unit 105 that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are overlapped (step S1006: Yes), the display control unit 903 enlarges the dragged peripheral map image to a predetermined magnification. Is displayed on the monitor 101 (step S1007).

  Here, a case where the map image is enlarged and displayed by the display control unit 903 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when a map image is enlarged and displayed. In FIG. 4, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 2 (Printer 2) are displayed in an overlapping manner and a file such as a document is dragged and stopped, as shown in FIG. A map image obtained by enlarging the periphery of the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 2 (Printer 2) at a predetermined magnification, a file such as a document, and a pointer are displayed. Thus, by enlarging the map image, the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 2 (Printer 2) are displayed apart from each other, so that the user can easily perform the operation.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the overlap determination unit 105 that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are not overlapped (step S1006: No), and a predetermined distance from the position coordinates of the file such as the dragged document in step S1004 When it is determined that there is one printer coordinate within the range (step S1004: 1), the display control unit 903 maintains the display in step S1002.

  Next, the input receiving unit 104 operates the input device 102 to drop the icon of a file such as a document onto any one of the icons of the printers 401 to 405, thereby inputting a printer designation. Accept (step S1008). Then, printing processing is performed by the designated printer. Since the printing process is the same as the printing process in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, in the PC 900 according to the second embodiment, the input receiving unit 104 receives a printer designation input by dragging and dropping an icon of a file such as a document to any one of the printers 401 to 40n. . When the region determination unit 908 determines that there are at least two coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n within a predetermined distance from the position where the icon of the file such as a document is dragged, the overlap determination unit 908 When it is determined that the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are overlapped, the display control unit 903 enlarges and displays the peripheral area of the printers 401 to 40n of the map image. Accordingly, even when the printers 401 to 40n displayed by overlapping are specified by dragging, by displaying the map image in an enlarged manner, the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed in the same manner as the actual positions, and the printers 401 to 40n are displayed. An area for dragging and dropping the 40n icon is secured, and in specifying the printers 401 to 40n when performing printing, the positions of the printers 401 to 40n arranged in the real world can be recognized, and individual printers can be recognized. The icons 401 to 40n can be easily grasped, and operations such as drag and drop on the icons of the printers 401 to 40n can be accurately performed.

  In the present embodiment, when a file such as a document is dragged from a plurality of overlapping printers within a predetermined range, the map image is enlarged and displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a map image may be configured to be enlarged and displayed when a file such as a document is moved within a predetermined range from a plurality of printers that overlap only a pointer without dragging a file such as a document. .

  In addition, when icons of a plurality of printers are displayed in advance at a scale ratio similar to that of a map image, and a user drags a file such as a document within a predetermined range from a plurality of printers, You may comprise so that the icon of a printer may be expanded and displayed by the same ratio.

(Third embodiment)
In the second embodiment, when a request for displaying a map image and a printer icon is received by the user, the request is displayed as it is even if the icons of a plurality of printers are overlapped, and the user has specified printing. In this case, the map image is enlarged and displayed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when a request for displaying a map image or the like is received by the user, it is displayed as it is even if the icons of a plurality of printers are overlapped. Is received, a selection screen for selecting which of the overlapping printers is designated is displayed on a pop-up screen, and the designation of the printer by the user is accepted.

  Since the configurations of the PC, the location management server, and the printer according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment, only the configurations different from those of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. It will be described and the same configuration will be omitted.

  When the user drags and drops an icon of a document or image file, the area determination unit 908 has two or more coordinates of neighboring printers within a predetermined distance from the position where the file of the document or the like is dropped. It is determined whether or not it exists. That is, when the user operates the input device 102 and the input reception unit 104 receives a drag and drop of a file icon such as a document, the area determination unit 908 displays the position coordinates where the file such as the document is dropped. Refer to the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n received by the transmission / reception unit 104 to determine whether or not there are two or more printer coordinates within a predetermined distance range from the center, for example, within a radius of 30 dots from the center. Judgment.

  The display control unit 903 refers to the coordinate range of the map image stored in the map information management table received from the position management server 200 by the transmission / reception unit 107, and the map image file stored in the file storage unit 210. Control for displaying on the monitor 101 a map image showing an area where the printers 401 to 40n can be arranged is performed. Similarly, referring to the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table received from the position management server 200 and the printer icon files stored in the file storage unit 210, the printers 401 to 40n are referred to. The icon is superimposed on the map image and displayed on the monitor 101. As a result, which printer is placed at which position on the map image is displayed on the monitor 101. The display control unit 903 performs control to display icons of the printers 401 to 40n on the monitor 101 with a predetermined size. As a result, the printers 401 to 40n on the map image can be displayed in an easily viewable size.

  The display control unit 903 determines that the area determination unit 908 determines that there are two or more coordinates of a nearby printer within a predetermined distance from the position where a file such as a document is dropped by the user. When it is determined by the overlap determination unit 105 that the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed in an overlapping manner, the user is requested to select which of the plurality of neighboring printers is to be designated. Control to display a selection screen to be displayed on the monitor 101 is performed. In this way, by displaying the selection screen, even when a plurality of printers are displayed in an overlapping manner, the user can select the printer that he / she wants to print.

  In addition to the functions in the first embodiment, the input receiving unit 104 receives a user's selection of a printer from the selection screen displayed on the monitor 101 by the display control unit 903.

  Next, display processing in the PC according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of display processing by the PC in the third embodiment.

  First, the processing (steps S1201 and 1202) from the reception of the coordinate range of the map image by the transmission / reception unit 107 to the display of the printer icon by the display control unit 903 is the same as the processing of the second embodiment. Omitted (steps S1001, 1002).

  Next, the input receiving unit 104 receives a drag-and-drop input of an icon of a file such as a document when the user operates the input device 102 (step S1203). When the input reception unit 104 receives a drop of a file icon such as a document, the area determination unit 908 has a predetermined distance centered on the position coordinates where the file such as a document is dragged and dropped, for example, Then, it is determined whether or not there are two or more 8th-floor printer coordinates within a radius of 30 dots from the center (step S1204).

  When the area determination unit 908 determines that the coordinates of the printer on the eighth floor do not exist within a predetermined distance from the position coordinates where the file such as the document is dragged and dropped (step S1204: 0), again. It waits until the input reception unit 104 receives a drag.

  If the area determination unit 908 determines that there are two or more eighth-floor printer coordinates within a predetermined distance from the position coordinates where a file such as a document is dragged and dropped (step S1204: 2). The overlap determination unit 105 performs overlap determination for the plurality of printers determined to be present (step S1205). Note that overlap determination is omitted because it is the same as the processing in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7).

  Next, the display control unit 903 determines whether or not the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are overlapped by the overlap determination unit 105 (step S1206). When it is determined by the overlap determination unit 105 that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are overlapped (step S1206: Yes), the display control unit 903 designates any of the overlapping printers. A selection screen for requesting the user to select is displayed on the monitor 101 (step S1207).

  Here, the selection screen displayed by the display control unit 903 will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example when a selection screen is displayed on a map image. In FIG. 4, when a file such as a document is dropped on the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 2 (Printer 2) displayed in an overlapping manner, as shown in FIG. 13, the printer 1 (the printer in the first conference room) ) And the printer 2 (the printer in the second conference room) is displayed. In this way, by displaying the selection screen and requesting the user to select a printer, even if the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 2 (Printer 2) are displayed overlappingly, the printer that the user wants to print is displayed. You can choose.

  Then, the input receiving unit 104 determines whether or not the selection of the printer by the user has been received from the selection screen displayed on the monitor 101 by the display control unit 903 (step S1208). If the selection of the printer by the user is not accepted (step S1208: No), the process waits until the selection of the printer is accepted. On the other hand, when the selection of the printer by the user is received (step S1208: Yes), the input reception unit 104 receives the selected printer as the designation of the printer (step S1209).

  Further, when the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 405 on the eighth floor are not overlapped (step S1206: No), and a predetermined distance from the position coordinates where the file such as a document is dropped in step S1204 If it is determined that there is one printer coordinate within the range (step S1204: 1), the input receiving unit 104 designates the printer at the position where the file such as the document is dropped and dragged as the printer. (Step S1210). Then, printing processing is performed by the designated printer. Since the printing process is the same as the printing process in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, the PC 900 according to the third embodiment receives a printer designation input by dragging and dropping an icon of a file such as a document from the input receiving unit 104 to any of the icons in the printers 401 to 40n. Accept. When the area determination unit 908 determines that there are at least two coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n and the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are overlapped, display control is performed. The unit 903 displays a selection screen requesting selection of which printer designation is input from among the printers 401 to 40n, and accepts the printer selected from the selection screen by the input reception unit 104 as the printer designation. Accordingly, even when a plurality of printers 401 to 40n displayed in an overlapping manner by drag and drop are specified, a selection screen requesting selection of which printer 401 to 40n is specified is displayed by a pop-up screen. Any one of the printers 401 to 40n at the time of printing can be designated accurately.

  In this embodiment, a selection screen for selecting a printer by displaying a location name is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user can select which printer name, printer icon, etc. If it is possible to recognize whether the printer can be selected, the display may be performed by another method.

(Fourth embodiment)
When the PC according to the first embodiment receives a request for displaying a map image and a printer icon by a user, if the plurality of printer icons are displayed in a superimposed manner, the PC moves to a position where they do not overlap. However, in the present embodiment, a printer suitable for a file to be printed is emphasized and displayed.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a PC, a position management server, and a printer according to the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a PC 1400 according to the fourth embodiment is connected to a position management server 2000 and printers 401 to 40 n via a network 300. Here, since the printers 401 to 40n and the network 300 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, details of the location management server 2000 will be described. The position management server 2000 manages information related to the arrangement positions of the printers 401 to 40n and transmits necessary information in response to a request from the PC 1400. The file management unit 2000 includes a file storage unit 2100, a position management database 2110, a printer, A specific condition database 2111 and a transmission / reception unit 201 are mainly provided.

  The location management database 2110 mainly stores a map information management table and a printer information management table, and is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory. Here, since the map information management table is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The printer information management table stores a file name of a recommended printer icon in association with the printer information management table in the first embodiment. Here, the recommended printer is a printer having a function suitable for the attribute of a file such as a document to be printed. The file attribute is a file data format or the like. In this embodiment, the data type such as whether the data format is text data or image data is handled as the file attribute. The file attributes are not limited to such data types, and any attributes are included as long as the recommended printer can be determined.

  FIG. 15 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of a printer information management table according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the printer information management table includes the printer IDs of printers 401 to 40n such as “Printer1”, the floors of buildings where the printers 401 to 40n such as “8F” (8th floor) are arranged, The name of the place where the printers 401 to 40n such as “1 conference room” and “group room” are arranged, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n such as “(240, 200)”, “xxx.yyy.yyy.zzzz” ( IP address) and other printers 401 to 40n, printers 401 to 40n such as "Printer 001", recommended printer icon file names such as "icon4.jpg", and printer 401 such as "icon1.jpg" ˜40n icon file names are stored in association with each other. The printer icon in the present embodiment uses a gif file, but is not limited to this and may be any image file.

  The file storage unit 2100 mainly stores a map image file, a printer icon file, and a recommended printer icon file.

  The printer specific condition database 2111 mainly stores a printer specific condition management table, and is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory.

  The printer specific condition management table includes attributes of a file such as a document to be printed, an extension of the file such as a document, and printer conditions indicating a printer function suitable for the attribute of the file such as a document when printing. It is stored in association. FIG. 16 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of a printer specific condition management table according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the printer specific condition management table includes attributes of files such as “text file”, “document data for application”, and files such as documents such as “.txt” and “.doc”. The printer conditions indicating the functions of the printer such as the extension, “monochrome”, and “color” are stored in association with each other. As described above, the text file is printed in monochrome, and in the case of a file that may contain an image, printing is performed in color, and the printer conditions indicating the printer function suitable for the file attribute are associated with each other. . In the present embodiment, specifically, the attribute of a file is determined based on the extension of a file such as a document, and the printer condition corresponding to the attribute of the file is determined.

  The transmission / reception unit 201 receives a transmission request for data in the position management database 2110 and the printer specific condition database 2111 from the PC 1400 and a transmission request for an image file stored in the file storage unit 2100, and sends the data, image file, and the like to the PC 1400. To be sent. Specifically, the coordinate range of the map image stored in the map information management table is transmitted to the PC 1400. Also, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table, the transmission destinations of the printers 401 to 40n, the models of the printers 401 to 40n, the file names of the recommended printer icons, and the file names of the icons of the printers 401 to 40n Are transmitted to the PC 1400 in the same manner. Further, the file attributes, file extensions, and printer conditions stored in the printer specifying condition database are similarly transmitted to the PC 1400. Also, the map image file, the printer icon file, and the recommended printer icon file stored in the file storage unit 2100 are transmitted.

  Next, details of the PC 1400 will be described. The PC 1400 outputs information relating to the arrangement positions of the printers 401 to 40n, and the like. The data storage unit 110, the printer driver 111, the printer function database 1412, the monitor 101 (display unit), the input device 102, It mainly includes a display control unit 1403, an input reception unit 104, an overlap determination unit 105, a control unit 106, a transmission / reception unit 107, an area determination unit 1408, and a search unit 1409. Here, the configurations and functions of the data storage unit 110, the printer driver 111, the monitor 101, the input device 102, the input reception unit 104, the overlap determination unit 105, and the control unit 106 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Since it is the same as that of FIG.

  The printer function database 1412 mainly stores a printer function management table and is stored in a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory.

  The printer function management table stores the models of the printers 401 to 40n and the functions of the printers 401 to 40n in association with each other. FIG. 17 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of a printer function management table according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the printer function management table stores the models of the printers 401 to 40n such as “Printer001” and the functions of the printers 401 to 40n such as “color / high image quality / high speed” in association with each other. Yes.

  The transmission / reception unit 107 transmits a request for data to the location management server 2000 or a request for an image file stored in the file storage unit 2100 and receives the data and the image file from the location management server 2000. is there. Specifically, the coordinate range of the map image stored in the map information management table in the position management server 2000 is received. Also, the coordinates of the printers 401 to 40n stored in the printer information management table in the position management server 2000, the transmission destinations of the printers 401 to 40n, the models of the printers 401 to 40n, the icon names of recommended printer files, Similarly, the icon names of the files of the printers 401 to 40n are received. Further, the file attribute, file extension, and printer condition stored in the printer specifying condition database in the position management server 2000 are received. Also, a map image file, a printer icon file, and a recommended printer icon file stored in the file storage unit 210 are received.

  When the user drags a document or image file icon, the region determination unit 1408 determines whether or not the dragged document file exists in the map image region. That is, when the user operates the input device 102 and the input receiving unit 104 receives a drag of an icon of a file such as a document, the region determination unit 1408 indicates that the position coordinates of the dragged file or the like are a map image. Is determined by referring to the coordinate range of the map image received by the transmission / reception unit 104.

  When the user drags a document or image file icon, the search unit 1409 searches for a printer suitable for the file such as the document. Specifically, when the area determination unit 1408 determines that a file such as a document dragged by the user exists in the area of the map image, the extension of the file such as the dragged document is acquired. Then, referring to the printer condition received by the transmission / reception unit 107, the attribute of the file is determined from the acquired file extension, and the printer function that is the printer condition corresponding to the attribute of the file is acquired. Then, referring to the printer function database 1412, the printer model corresponding to the acquired printer function is acquired. Then, referring to the printer information management table, a printer ID corresponding to the acquired printer model is acquired, and a printer suitable for a file such as a dragged document is searched. The file attribute is acquired by using a function call such as an extension provided by an OS (Operating System) API (Application Program Interface). Alternatively, it may be determined by reading the contents of a file such as a document.

  In addition to the functions of the first embodiment, the display control unit 1403 displays the printer icon searched by the search unit 1409 in place of the recommended printer icon, thereby emphasizing the icon of other printers. The display is controlled. That is, for example, when the recommended printer icon received by the transmitting / receiving unit 107 is a darkened printer icon and the recommended printer is searched by the search unit 1409, the display control unit 1403 searches for the recommended printer. Control to display on the monitor 101 instead of the icon of the recommended printer is performed. As a result, the icon of the other printer is emphasized and displayed.

  Next, display processing in the PC according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of display processing by the PC according to the fourth embodiment.

  First, when the user receives a request for displaying a map image of a building of a map image to be displayed on the monitor 101 from the input device 102, for example, a map image of the eighth floor, the transmission / reception unit 107 displays the map image and map of the eighth floor. Image coordinate range, printer information (printer ID, coordinates, destination, model, printer icon file name, recommended printer icon file name), printer icon file, recommended printer A request for transmission of an icon file, a file attribute such as a document, an extension of the file such as a document, and a printer condition is sent to the position management server 2000. Next, the position management server 2000 searches for “8th floor” as a key, and refers to the map information management table, printer information management table, file storage unit 2100, and printer specific condition database 2111 in the position management database 2110. 8th floor map image, coordinate range of map image, printer information of printers 401 to 405, icon file of printers 401 to 405, file of recommended printer icon, file attribute such as document, file of document etc. Get the extension and printer conditions. Since a specific acquisition method is performed by a known method, it is omitted as in the first embodiment.

  Then, the transmission / reception unit 107 receives, from the position management server 2000, a map image of the eighth floor, a coordinate range of the map image, printer information of the printers 401 to 405, an icon file of the printers 401 to 405, an icon file of a recommended printer, An attribute of a file such as a document, an extension of a file such as a document, and a printer condition are received (step S1801).

  Here, the processing from the overlap determination by the overlap determination unit 105 to the display of the printer icon by the display control unit 1403 (steps S1802 to 1805) is the same as the processing of the first embodiment, and is therefore omitted ( Steps S602 to 605).

  Next, the input receiving unit 104 receives an input of dragging an icon of a file such as a document by the user operating the input device 102 (step S1806). When the input accepting unit 104 accepts dragging of an icon of a file such as a document, the region determination unit 1408 determines whether the position coordinates of the dragged file such as a document exist within the region of the map image on the eighth floor. Is determined (step S1807). Specifically, the area determination unit 1408 determines whether or not the position coordinates of the dragged file or the like exist within the map image area, based on the coordinate range (X coordinate, The determination is made with reference to the Y coordinate.

  If it is determined that the position coordinates of the file such as the document dragged by the area determination unit 1408 do not exist in the area of the map image on the 8th floor (step S1807: No), the input reception unit 104 waits until the drag is received again. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined by the area determination unit 1408 that the position coordinates of the file such as the dragged document are within the area of the map image on the 8th floor (step S1807: Yes), the attribute of the file such as the dragged document is determined. The recommended printer suitable for the file is searched (step S1808). Specifically, the extension of the file such as the dragged document is acquired, the printer condition received by the transmission / reception unit 107 is referred to, and the file attribute is determined from the extension of the acquired file such as the document. The printer function that is the printer condition corresponding to the attribute of the file is acquired. Then, referring to the printer function database 1412, the printer model corresponding to the acquired printer function is acquired. Then, referring to the printer information management table, a printer ID corresponding to the acquired printer model is acquired, and a printer suitable for a file such as a dragged document is searched. For example, if a file such as a document is “image” and its extension is “.jpg”, the attribute of the file such as “document” is determined by the extension “.jpg” “Color / high image quality” of the printer function corresponding to the file attribute is acquired (see FIG. 16). Then, “Printer001” and “Printer002”, which are printer models corresponding to the “color / high image quality” function, are acquired (see FIG. 17). Then, the printer IDs “Printer 1” and “Printer 3” corresponding to the printer models “Printer001” and “Printer002” are acquired (see FIG. 15), and the recommended printer is searched.

  Next, when the recommended printer is searched by the search unit 1409, the display control unit 1403 displays the icon of the searched printer instead of the recommended printer icon received by the transmission / reception unit 107, so that the user can The recommended printer is highlighted and displayed so that it can be easily recognized (step S1809).

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example when a recommended printer icon is displayed. If the printer 1 (Printer 1) and the printer 3 (Printer 3) are recommended printers, as shown in FIG. 19, the icons of the two printers are displayed in place of the icons of the recommended printers with increased density. The icon is highlighted from the other printer icons.

  Next, the input receiving unit 104 operates the input device 102 to drag and drop an icon of a file such as a document onto any one of the icons of the printers 401 to 405, thereby specifying a printer. An input is accepted (step S1810). Then, printing processing is performed by the designated printer. Since the printing process is the same as the printing process in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, in the PC 1400 according to the fourth embodiment, when the overlap determination unit 105 determines that the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are overlapped, the display control unit 1403 displays the icons of the printers 401 to 40n as predetermined. Move to the interval and display. Then, a printer designation input by dragging and dropping a file icon such as a document or the like to any of the icons in the printers 401 to 40n from the input receiving unit 104 is received, and the region determining unit 1408 converts the file icon into a map image. If it is determined that it is within the range, the printer condition of the file dragged from the transmission / reception unit 107 is received. The search unit 1409 searches for a printer of a model having the function of the printer condition received from the function information stored in the printer function database 1412, and the display control unit 1403 changes the density of the searched printer icon. By displaying them, the searched printer icon is highlighted.

  Therefore, even when the icons of the printers 401 to 40n are displayed in an overlapping manner, by moving and displaying the printer icons, an area for dragging and dropping the icons of the printers 401 to 40n is secured, and printing is performed. In the designation of the printers 401 to 40n at the time of execution, the positions of the printers 401 to 40n arranged in the real world can be recognized, the icons of the individual printers 401 to 40n can be easily grasped, and the icons of the printers 401 to 40n can be identified. Operations such as drag and drop can be performed accurately. Also, by changing the density of the icon of a printer having a printer function that can be printed according to the attribute of the dragged icon file, the recommended printer icon is highlighted to display a file such as a document to be printed. It is possible to easily grasp a recommended printer suitable for the printer, and to easily designate the recommended printer.

(Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the icon of the recommended printer is highlighted from other printers by displaying the density dark, but the icon of the recommended printer may be highlighted by animation.

  Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the PC 1400 according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment is connected to the position management server 2000 and the printers 401 to 40n via the network 300. Here, only the configuration different from that of the fourth embodiment will be described for the configuration and function of the first modification of the fourth embodiment.

  In addition to the functions of the first embodiment, the display control unit 1403 in the PC 1400 emphasizes the icons of other printers by displaying the printer icon searched by the search unit 1409 instead of the recommended printer icon. Display control. That is, for example, when the recommended printer icon received by the transmission / reception unit 107 is an animated printer icon, and the search unit 1409 searches for the recommended printer, the display control unit 1403 searches for the recommended printer icon. Control to display on the monitor 101 instead of the icon of the recommended printer is performed. In addition, although the icon of the printer displayed in animation is assumed to be created by animation GIF or the like, it is not limited to this.

  Next, display processing by the PC in this modification will be described. Since the display process by the PC in the present modification is the same as the procedure of the display process by the PC in the fourth embodiment, it will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, processing from reception of a map image or the like by the transmission / reception unit 107 to search for a recommended printer by the search unit 1408 is the same as that in the fourth embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted (steps S1801 to 1808).

  Next, when the recommended printer is searched by the search unit 1409, the display control unit 1403 displays the icon of the searched printer instead of the recommended printer icon received by the transmission / reception unit 107, so that the user can The recommended printer is highlighted and displayed so that it can be easily recognized (step S1809). For example, the display control unit 1403 displays the recommended printer icon searched by the search unit 1409 in place of the recommended printer icon that is displayed as an animation in which paper is ejected from the printer as an image being printed. By doing so, the icon of the recommended printer is highlighted.

  Since the input of the printer designation by the input receiving unit 104 is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted (step S1810). Then, printing processing is performed by the designated printer. Since the printing process is the same as the printing process in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, the PC 1400 according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment displays the searched printer icon in an animated manner by using the display control unit 1403 to display the searched printer icon in an animated manner. . Therefore, a recommended printer suitable for a file such as a document to be printed is highlighted by displaying an animation of a printer icon having a printer function corresponding to the attribute of the dragged icon file. Can be easily grasped, and the recommended printer can be easily designated.

  In this modification, the icon of the recommended printer is highlighted by changing and displaying the icon of the printer searched by the search unit. However, a printer other than the printer searched by the search unit (other than the recommended printer) is displayed. The recommended printer icon may be displayed in an emphasized manner by replacing the printer icon with an animated printer icon. For example, the display control unit 1403 displays an icon of a printer that displays an animated image that escapes on the screen when attempting to drag and drop a file such as a document with respect to a printer icon other than the recommended printer. By displaying in place of the printer icon, the recommended printer icon that does not escape is highlighted.

(Modification 2 of the fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the recommended printer icon is highlighted from the other printers by displaying the density darker. However, the recommended printer icon is indicated by a letter indicating that it is a recommended printer. The text information shown may be displayed and emphasized.

  Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the PC 1400 according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment is also connected to the position management server 2000 and the printers 401 to 40n via the network 300. Here, only the configuration different from that of the fourth embodiment will be described for the configuration and function of the second modification of the fourth embodiment.

  In addition to the function of the first embodiment, the display control unit 1403 in the PC 1400 displays other text information indicating that the printer is a recommended printer when the search unit 1409 searches for a recommended printer. Is controlled to be emphasized from the printer icon.

  Next, display processing by the PC in this modification will be described. Since the display process by the PC in the present modification is the same as the procedure of the display process by the PC in the fourth embodiment, it will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, processing from reception of a map image or the like by the transmission / reception unit 107 to search for a recommended printer by the search unit 1409 is the same as that in the fourth embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted (steps S1801 to 1808).

  Next, when the search unit 1409 searches for a recommended printer, the display control unit 1403 displays text information indicating that the printer is a recommended printer so that the icon of the searched printer is indicated, thereby displaying the text information. The recommended printer is highlighted and displayed so that the user can easily recognize the recommended printer (step S1809). For example, the display control unit 1403 displays text information of “recommended” characters indicating that the printer is a recommended printer at a position indicating the searched recommended printer icon, and highlights the recommended printer. .

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example when a recommended printer icon and text information are displayed. When the printer 1 (Printer 1) is a recommended printer, as shown in FIG. 20, the text information “recommended” is displayed so that the icon of the printer is pointed out, so that it is emphasized from the icons of other printers. is doing.

  Since the input of the printer designation by the input receiving unit 104 is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted (step S1810). Then, printing processing is performed by the designated printer. Since the printing process is the same as the printing process in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, the PC 1400 according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment causes the display control unit 1403 to display the text information indicating that the icon of the searched printer is displayed, thereby displaying the searched printer. The icon is highlighted. Accordingly, by displaying text information indicating that the printer has a printer function capable of printing corresponding to the attribute of the dragged icon file, it is highlighted and displayed on a file such as a document to be printed. A suitable recommended printer can be easily grasped, and the recommended printer can be easily specified.

(Modification 3 of the fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the icon of the recommended printer is highlighted from other printers by displaying the density darker, but the icon of the enlarged printer may be displayed and highlighted.

  Similarly to the fourth embodiment, the PC 1400 according to the third modification of the fourth embodiment is also connected to the position management server 2000 and the printers 401 to 40n via the network 300. Here, only the configuration different from that of the fourth embodiment will be described with respect to the configuration and function of the third modification of the fourth embodiment.

  In addition to the functions of the first embodiment, the display control unit 1403 in the PC 1400 emphasizes the icons of other printers by displaying the printer icon searched by the search unit 1409 instead of the recommended printer icon. Display control. That is, for example, when the recommended printer icon received by the transmission / reception unit 107 is an enlarged printer icon and the recommended printer is searched by the search unit 1409, the display control unit 1403 displays the printer of the searched printer. Control to display the icon on the monitor 101 instead of the icon of the recommended printer is performed.

  Next, display processing by the PC in this modification will be described. Since the display process by the PC in the present modification is the same as the procedure of the display process by the PC in the fourth embodiment, it will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, processing from reception of a map image or the like by the transmission / reception unit 107 to search for a recommended printer by the search unit 1408 is the same as that in the fourth embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted (steps S1801 to 1808).

  Next, when the recommended printer is searched by the search unit 1409, the display control unit 1403 displays the icon of the searched printer instead of the recommended printer icon received by the transmission / reception unit 107, so that the user can The recommended printer is highlighted and displayed so that it can be easily recognized (step S1809). For example, the display control unit 1403 highlights the recommended printer icon by displaying the recommended printer icon searched by the search unit 1409 instead of the enlarged printer icon.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a recommended printer icon is displayed. When the printer 1 (Printer 1) is a recommended printer, as shown in FIG. 21, the icon of the printer is replaced with the icon of the recommended printer displayed in an enlarged manner, so that the icons of other printers are displayed. It is highlighted more.

  Since the input of the printer designation by the input receiving unit 104 is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted (step S1810). Then, printing processing is performed by the designated printer. Since the printing process is the same as the printing process in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 8).

  As described above, the PC 1400 according to the third modification of the fourth embodiment emphasizes the searched printer icon by causing the display control unit 1403 to enlarge and display the searched printer icon. indicate. Therefore, by enlarging and displaying the icon of a printer having a printer function capable of printing corresponding to the attribute of the dragged icon file, the icon is emphasized and suitable for a file such as a document to be printed. The recommended printer can be easily grasped, and the recommended printer can be easily specified.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the location management server stores map images, information on printers, and the like, and transmits them to the PC in response to a transmission request from the PC. You may memorize | store in PC side. Also, information regarding the printer may be acquired and stored in advance by some method, or may be configured to be downloaded from a service connected via a network.

  The display processing devices according to the first to fourth embodiments include a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM, an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device, a display device, and the like. The display device and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse are provided, and a hardware configuration using a normal computer is employed.

  The display processing program executed by the display processing apparatuses of the first to fourth embodiments is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Versatile Disk).

  The display processing program executed by the display processing apparatus according to the first to fourth embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. May be. Further, the display processing program executed by the display processing devices of the first to fourth embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The display processing programs of the first to fourth embodiments may be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The display processing program executed by the display processing devices of the first to fourth embodiments includes the above-described units (display control unit, input reception unit, overlap determination unit, control unit, transmission / reception unit, region determination unit, search unit). As the actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads the display processing program from the storage medium and executes it to load the above-described units onto the main storage device, the display control unit, and the input A reception unit, an overlap determination unit, a control unit, a transmission / reception unit, an area determination unit, and a search unit are generated on the main storage device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a PC, a location management server, and a printer according to a first embodiment. FIG. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the map information management table in 1st Embodiment. 6 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of a printer information management table according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of displaying in the state which the icon of the some printer has overlapped. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example when the icon of a some printer is moved and displayed to the predetermined space | interval. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display process by PC in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the overlap determination process by an overlap determination part. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print processing by a PC according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC concerning 2nd Embodiment, a position management server, and a printer. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display process by PC in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of displaying a map image enlarged. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display process by PC in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of displaying a selection screen on a map image. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC concerning 4th Embodiment, a position management server, and a printer. FIG. 20 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of a printer information management table according to a fourth embodiment. It is a data structure figure which shows an example of the printer specific condition management table in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a data structure diagram illustrating an example of a printer function management table according to a fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the display process by PC in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example when a recommended printer icon is displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example at the time of displaying the icon and text information of a recommended printer. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example when a recommended printer icon is displayed.

Explanation of symbols

100, 900, 1400 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Monitor 102 Input device 103,903,1403 Display control part 104 Input reception part 105 Overlap | determination determination part 106 Control part 107 Transmission / reception part 908,1408, Area | region determination part 1409 Search part 110 Data storage part 111 Printer driver 1412 Printer function database 200, 2000 Location management server 201 Transmission / reception unit 210 File storage unit 211,2110 Location management database 2111 Printer specific condition database 300 Network 401 Printer 1
402 Printer 2
403 Printer 3
404 Printer 4
405 Printer 5
40n Printer n

Claims (11)

In a display processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network,
A display unit capable of displaying information;
A map image which is an image of an arrangement area where the image forming apparatus can be arranged, an icon of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and position information indicating positions on the arrangement areas of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are received. Transmitting and receiving means,
Display control means for displaying the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses at the position indicated by the position information on the map image received by the transmitting / receiving means as the map image on the display unit;
An overlap determination unit that determines whether or not the distances of the position information in the plurality of image forming apparatuses are within a predetermined range, thereby determining whether icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses overlap. With
The display control unit changes at least one of a map image and a display mode of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses when the overlap determination unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped. And displaying on the display unit,
A display processing device. The display control unit moves and displays the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses to a predetermined interval when the overlap determining unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped.
The display processing apparatus according to claim 1. Input accepting means for accepting an input of designation of an image forming apparatus by dragging and dropping an icon of a file output by the image forming apparatus to any icon in the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed by the display control means When,
Region determination for determining whether or not there are at least two pieces of the position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses within a predetermined distance from a position where the icon of the file received by the input receiving unit is dragged Means further comprising:
The overlap determining unit has determined that the region determining unit determines that at least two or more pieces of the position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses exist within a predetermined distance from a position where the file icon is dragged. And determining an overlap of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses,
The display control unit enlarges and displays a peripheral area of the plurality of image forming apparatuses of the displayed map image when the overlap determining unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped. To do,
The display processing apparatus according to claim 1. Input accepting means for accepting an input of designation of an image forming apparatus by dragging and dropping an icon of a file output by the image forming apparatus to any icon in the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed by the display control means When,
It is determined whether or not there is at least two or more pieces of the position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses within a predetermined distance from a position where the icon of the file received by the input receiving unit is dragged and dropped. An area determination means,
The overlap determining unit determines that at least two or more pieces of the position information of the plurality of image forming apparatuses exist within a predetermined distance from a position where the file icon is dragged and dropped by the region determining unit. If determined, the overlapping of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is determined,
The display control unit selects which one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is designated to be input when the overlap determining unit determines that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped. Display a selection screen requesting
The input receiving unit receives an image forming apparatus selected from the selection screen as a designation of the image forming apparatus;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 1. Storage means for storing function information in which the models of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are associated with the functions of the plurality of image forming apparatuses;
Input accepting means for accepting an input of designation of an image forming apparatus by dragging and dropping an icon of a file output by the image forming apparatus to any icon in the plurality of image forming apparatuses displayed by the display control means When,
In the drag received by the input receiving means, an area determination means for determining whether or not the icon of the file exists within the range of the map image displayed by the display control means,
The transmission / reception means can further output corresponding to the attribute of the file of the dragged file icon when the area determination means determines that the icon of the file exists within the range of the map image. Receiving an output condition indicating the function of the image forming apparatus;
The apparatus further comprises search means for searching for an image forming apparatus of a model having the function of the output condition received by the transmission / reception means from the function information stored in the storage means,
The display control unit highlights and displays an icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the search unit;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The display control unit highlights and displays the icon of the searched image forming apparatus by changing and displaying the icon density of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching unit;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 5. The display control means displays the icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching means in an animated manner so as to emphasize and display the icon of the searched image forming apparatus;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 5. The display control means highlights the icon of the searched image forming apparatus by displaying text information indicating that the icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching means is a character. ,
The display processing apparatus according to claim 5. The display control means enlarges and displays the icon of the image forming apparatus searched by the searching means, thereby highlighting and displaying the icon of the searched image forming apparatus;
The display processing apparatus according to claim 5. In a display processing method executed by a display processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network,
A map image which is an image of an arrangement area where the image forming apparatus can be arranged, an icon of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and position information indicating positions on the arrangement areas of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are received. Sending and receiving steps,
A display control step of displaying the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses at the position indicated by the position information on the map image received by the transmission / reception step and the map image on a display unit capable of displaying the information;
An overlap determination step of determining whether or not the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by determining whether or not the distance of the position information in the plurality of image forming apparatuses is within a predetermined range. Including
In the display control step, when it is determined in the overlap determination step that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped, at least one of a map image and a display mode of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is changed. And displaying on the display unit,
A display processing method characterized by the above. In a display processing program executed by a display processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network,
A map image which is an image of an arrangement area where the image forming apparatus can be arranged, an icon of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, and position information indicating positions on the arrangement areas of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are received. Sending and receiving steps,
A display control step of displaying the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses at the position indicated by the position information on the map image received by the transmission / reception step and the map image on a display unit capable of displaying the information;
An overlap determination step of determining whether or not the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped by determining whether or not the distance of the position information in the plurality of image forming apparatuses is within a predetermined range. Including
In the display control step, when it is determined in the overlap determination step that the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses are overlapped, at least one of a map image and a display mode of the icons of the plurality of image forming apparatuses is changed. And displaying on the display unit,
A display processing program that causes a computer to execute.

Images