JP2012216060A - Information processing program, information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method capable of reducing a user's workload for changing devices.SOLUTION: When a first device (default device) corresponding to one of photo print processing, web print processing, and scan processing that is instructed by a user cannot be used, all alternate devices (second device) can be extracted from first devices corresponding to other processing. When a plurality of first devices are extracted, the list can be displayed on an LCD 18. Therefore, a user does not need to find a second device corresponding to one processing by confirming devices connected on a network one by one or visually confirming devices installed around the user one by one. As a result, the user's workload can be reduced.

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method.

  In Patent Document 1, printing conditions are registered in advance for each printing purpose such as a photograph or a memo so that the user can easily set a printer in the information processing apparatus. Is selected by the information processing apparatus, and a technique for changing the printing condition of the printer to one corresponding to the selected printing application is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 4232507

  Devices such as printers are connected to a network and used together with the information processing apparatuses so that the information processing apparatuses can share and use the devices. When multiple printers are connected on the network and an arbitrary printer can be used from the information processing apparatus, each information processing apparatus is registered as a printer that is normally used by one printer (so-called default printer). The

  The prior art described above merely sets the printing conditions of the printer selected by the user, and the printer cannot be changed. Therefore, when the default printer cannot be used for some reason in the information processing apparatus, the user must find a replacement printer from among the printers connected on the network and select it again. The work burden on the user was heavy.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing method that can reduce a user's work burden required for changing a device. .

  In order to achieve this object, an information processing program of the present invention is executed in a computer provided in an information processing apparatus that instructs a predetermined device to perform any one of a plurality of processes. Corresponding to each of the plurality of processes, the first storage control means for storing the first type specifying information for specifying the device in the storage unit, the information received by the receiving unit, and the processing information for specifying the process Device specifying control means for causing the specifying section to specify a device specified by the first type specifying information stored in the storage unit in association with the one process specified by the device, and specified by the device specifying control means. Specified by the first type identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the process other than the one process. And extraction control means for extracting the device to the extractor, and the first notification control means for notifying the device to be extracted by the extraction control means to the notification unit, thereby to function.

  The present invention can be realized in various modes such as a control device that controls an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium that records an information processing program.

  According to the information processing program of claim 1, when the device specified by the first type identification information associated with one process cannot be used, the information is associated with a process other than the one process in a plurality of processes. The device specified by the specified first type specifying information can be notified. Therefore, since the user does not have to search for a device for instructing the one process, there is an effect that the work burden on the user can be reduced.

  According to the information processing program of the second aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the information processing program of the first aspect, the second type specific information can be stored in advance in association with one process. When the associated device cannot be used, there is an effect that it is possible to easily notify a device that may be able to instruct the one process.

  According to the information processing program of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the information processing program of the second aspect, when the second type specific information is stored in association with one process, the second There is an effect that a device specified by the species specifying information can be notified.

  According to the information processing program of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the information processing program of claim 2 or 3, extraction is performed when the second type specific information is not stored in association with one process. The control means extracts a device specified by the first type specifying information associated with a process other than the one process in the plurality of processes. Therefore, when the second type identification information is stored in association with one process, the extraction of the device by the extraction control unit can be suppressed, so that the burden on the information processing apparatus can be reduced.

  According to the information processing program of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the information processing program according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, when a device that instructs one process cannot be used more than a predetermined number of times, The second type identification information associated with one process can be set as the first type identification information corresponding to the one process. Therefore, it is possible to set the first type identification information that identifies a device that is more likely to be instructed to process. Therefore, a device having a higher possibility of instructing the processing can be notified. Therefore, since the user can easily select the device, there is an effect that the work burden on the user can be further reduced.

  According to the information processing program of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the information processing program according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first associated with a process other than the one process in the plurality of processes. From the devices specified by the species specifying information, a device capable of executing a process according to a set value set for the one process is extracted. Therefore, an appropriate device corresponding to the set value set for one process can be notified to the user, so that the user can easily select the device and the user's work load can be reduced.

  According to the information processing program of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the information processing program according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first associated with a process other than the one process in the plurality of processes. From the devices specified by the species specifying information, a device capable of executing a process according to the set value set this time for the one process is extracted. Therefore, since an appropriate device according to the set value set this time for one process can be notified to the user, the user can easily select the device, and the user's work load can be reduced.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, the same effect as that of the information processing apparatus that executes the information processing program of the first aspect is obtained.

  According to the information processing method of the ninth aspect, the same effect as that of the information processing apparatus that executes the information processing program according to the first aspect is obtained.

It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of the portable terminal carrying the device control application of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of a setting information management table. It is a flowchart which shows the instruction | indication execution process performed in a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the process execution device confirmation process performed in a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd device extraction process performed in a portable terminal. It is a figure which shows the setting screen of the process displayed on LCD of a portable terminal. (A) is a flowchart which shows the instruction | indication execution process performed in the portable terminal of 2nd Embodiment, (b) is a figure which shows the setting input screen displayed on LCD of a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the instruction | indication execution process performed in the portable terminal of 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a portable terminal 10 equipped with a device control application (hereinafter referred to as “this application”) 14b, which is a first embodiment of the information processing program of the present invention, and a multifunction peripheral device (example of a device). FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of 60a and 60b and a scanner 70 (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”). The MFPs 60a and 60b are devices having a printing function, a scanner function, a FAX function, a copy function, and the like.

  In FIG. 1, each of the mobile terminal 10 and the MFP 60a is connected to the access point 50 by the wireless communication 200, and each of the MFP 60b and the scanner 70 is also connected to the access point 50 via the LAN 40. As a result, The various devices 10, 60a, 60b, and 70 are in a state where they can communicate with each other.

  The application 14b installed in the mobile terminal 10 can perform photo printing processing or the like directly from the mobile terminal 10 using devices such as the MFPs 60a and 60b and the scanner 70 without using other devices such as a personal computer (not shown). This is an application for executing web printing processing and scanning processing.

  In particular, the application 14b stores a default device (hereinafter referred to as “first device”) in association with each process of the photo print process, the web print process, and the scan process. When a user instructs one process, if the first device corresponding to the one process cannot be used for some reason, there is a device that may be used instead (hereinafter referred to as “second device”). Are extracted from the stored first device and notified to the user.

  The mobile terminal 10 is a mobile phone that performs a voice call with another call device via a radio base station (not shown). In addition, the mobile terminal 10 performs wireless communication 200 with another apparatus such as the MFP 60a in an infrastructure mode that is a communication method for communicating via the access point 50. The mobile terminal 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a flash memory 14, a wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 15, operation keys 16, a touch panel 17, a liquid crystal display device (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 18, and a memory card interface (hereinafter referred to as “ 19), a voice input / output unit 21, and a telephone network communication unit 22 are provided. These are connected via a bus line 23 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The CPU 11 controls each unit connected to the bus line 23 according to fixed values and programs stored in the ROM 12 or the like, or various signals transmitted / received via the wireless communication 200. The ROM 12 is a non-rewritable memory and stores various fixed values. The RAM 13 is a rewritable volatile memory, and is provided with a first device communication enable flag 13a and a second device communication enable flag 13b.

  The first device communicable flag 13a can communicate with the first device associated with one process designated by the user among the photo print process, the web print process, and the scan process. It is a flag indicating whether or not. When the first device communicable flag 13a is on, it indicates that communication is possible with the first device corresponding to one process instructed by the user. When the first device communication enable flag 13a is off, it has not been confirmed whether communication with the first device is possible or communication with the first device is possible. Indicates no.

  The second device communicable flag 13b is a flag indicating whether or not communication with the second device associated with one process instructed by the user is possible. When the second device communication enable flag 13b is on, it indicates that communication is possible with the second device corresponding to one process instructed by the user. When the second device communication enable flag 13b is off, it has not been confirmed whether communication with the second device is possible or communication with the second device is possible. Indicates no.

  The flash memory 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”) 14a and the application 14b. The OS 14a is basic software installed in the mobile terminal 10, and in the present embodiment, is assumed to be an Android (registered trademark) OS. The application 14b is provided by, for example, a vendor of the MFPs 60a and 60b, and is installed on the mobile terminal 10 by the user of the mobile terminal 10. Hereinafter, the CPU 11 that executes a program such as an application (including the application 14b) or the OS 14a may be simply described by a program name. For example, the description “application” may mean “CPU 11 that executes the application”.

  Each application (including the application 14b) installed in the mobile terminal 10 calls an application program interface (hereinafter referred to as “API”) of the OS 14a, and the wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 15, operation keys 16, and touch panel 17 are called. , The LCD 18, the memory card I / F 19, the voice input / output unit 21, the telephone network communication unit 22, etc., data to be transferred to each component of the mobile terminal 10 is output to the OS 14 a. That is, each application controls each component of the mobile terminal 10 by calling an API of the OS 14a. Each application calls the API of the OS 14a to acquire data output from each component of the mobile terminal 10 and data indicating the state of each component from the OS 14a. That is, by calling the API of the OS 14a, data indicating the state of each component of the mobile terminal 10 (including the state of operation input to the mobile terminal 10) is acquired from the OS 14a. In addition, the OS 14a may notify each application of data output from each component of the mobile terminal 10 or data indicating the state of each component periodically or whenever the state of each component changes. That is, each application acquires data indicating the state of each component of the mobile terminal 10 (including the state of operation input to the mobile terminal 10) from the OS 14a by receiving a notification from the OS 14a.

  The application 14b is provided with a device specification table 14b1. The device specification table 14b1 is a table in which specifications for various existing devices including devices provided by other vendors in addition to devices provided by the vendors of the MFPs 60a and 60b are stored in units of devices.

  For example, the specifications of the MFPs 60a and 60b include paper sizes that can be printed by a printer (not shown), printing resolutions that can be selected by the printer, printing colors that can be selected by the printer (monochrome, color, etc.), and not shown. Each paper size that can be read by the scanner, each reading resolution that can be selected by the scanner, each reading color that can be selected by the scanner (monochrome, color, etc.), and the like are stored.

  The wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 15 is a circuit that connects the mobile terminal 10 and another device via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) using a wireless LAN that conforms to the IEEE802.11b / g standard. The wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 15 enables wireless communication 200 between the mobile terminal 10 and the access point 50.

  The operation key 16 is a hard key provided on the housing of the mobile terminal 10, and inputs setting information and instructions to the mobile terminal 10. The touch panel 17 is provided over the LCD 18 and inputs setting information and instructions to the mobile terminal 10. The LCD 18 displays a list of icons indicating applications installed in the mobile terminal 10 and a screen of the activated application.

  The memory card I / F 19 is an interface to which the nonvolatile memory card 20 is mounted, and controls writing or reading of data with respect to the memory card 20. The memory card 20 is provided with a setting information management table 20a. The setting information management table 20a will be described later with reference to FIG. The memory card 20 is an SD card (registered trademark) as an example. The voice input / output unit 21 is a voice input / output device including a microphone and a speaker, and the telephone network communication unit 22 is a circuit for performing telephone communication with other telephone devices.

  The access point 50 is a repeater that relays communication between Wi-Fi terminals. The mobile terminal 10 detects an access point 50 that exists in a range where the wireless communication 200 is possible, and performs a photo print process on the MFPs 60 a and 60 b and the scanner 70 that are connected to the detected access point 50 so as to communicate with each other. Instructs execution of web printing processing or scanning processing. A device that can be used via the access point 50 may exist in addition to the MFPs 60 a and 60 b and the scanner 70.

  The setting information management table 20a shown in FIG. 2 is a table for storing the first device and the second device in association with each of the photo printing process, the web printing process, and the scanning process. The setting information management table 20a is created by the application 14b and stored in the memory card 20.

  The setting information management table 20a includes a process type 30, model information 31 of the first device, setting information 32 of the first device, communication failure counter 33 of the first device, and model information 34 of the second device. . The process type 30 is a process type that can be instructed to the device from the application 14b. In the present embodiment, at least a photo print process, a web print process, and a scan process are provided.

  The model information 31 of the first device is information for specifying the first device, and includes the model name of the first device and the IP address of the first device. Even when a plurality of devices having the same model name are connected on the network, these devices can be individually identified by the IP address.

  The first device setting information 32 is information indicating the setting contents most recently set for each process in the mobile terminal 10. For example, the paper print size when performing photo printing with the first device, the print resolution at the time of printing, and the print color at the time of printing (for example, one of color and monochrome) are set as photo print setting information 32. Is remembered as Further, for example, the paper setting size when scanning with the first device, the reading resolution at the time of scanning, and the reading color at the time of scanning (for example, one of color and monochrome) are set as scan setting information 32. Is remembered as

  The communication failure counter 33 of the first device is a counter for counting the number of times that it is determined that communication with the first device is impossible. The model information 34 of the second device is information for specifying the second device, and includes the model name of the second device and the IP address of the second device, like the model information 31 of the first device.

  The model information 31 of the first device corresponding to one process type 30 is set or overwritten when the user newly determines one first device corresponding to the one process type 30 in the mobile terminal 10. The In addition, the value of the communication failure counter 33 of the first device corresponding to one process type 30 is a predetermined number (for example, 5) or more, and the model information 34 of the second device corresponding to the one process type 30 is obtained. If there is, the model information 34 of the second device is set as the model information 31 of the first device. When the first device is newly set or overwritten, the communication failure counter 33 of the first device is cleared to zero.

  In addition, in the model information 34 of the second device corresponding to one processing type 30, all the first devices corresponding to each processing type 30 other than the one processing type 30 are extracted, and further, the extracted first information When one device is determined by the user or the application 14b from among the devices (that is, when the second device is determined), the device is set or overwritten.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an instruction execution process executed in the mobile terminal 10 according to the application 14b. This process is executed in the portable terminal 10 when the user instructs activation of the application 14b.

  Each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5 and FIG. 7 described below is executed by the application 11b by the CPU 11 or executed by the application 11b using the function such as the OS 14a. It will be explained as something to be done. However, the steps included in each flowchart may be partially replaced with steps that the OS 11a and other applications cause the CPU 11 to execute. Moreover, a part realized by the operation of the hardware provided in the mobile terminal 10 regardless of the CPU 11 may be replaced.

  First, the CPU 11 causes the LCD 18 to display icons indicating photo printing processing, web printing processing, and scanning processing. A touch panel 17 is disposed on the display screen of the LCD 18. When an icon is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 specifies the display area touched by the user among the display areas of the LCD 18 based on the input electrical signal. Then, one process corresponding to the icon displayed in the display area is specified (S1), and when the specified one process is a scan process (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to S5. On the other hand, when the process is other than the scan process (S2: No), the CPU 11 displays on the LCD 18 a data selection screen for the user to select a document file or image file to be printed or a web page to be printed. (S3). When a user touches a document file, an image file, or a file corresponding to a web page on the data selection screen, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 specifies the file touched by the user based on the input electric signal. Then, the specified file is specified as a file for instructing the device to print (S4), and the process execution device confirmation process is executed (S5).

  Here, the process execution device confirmation process (S5) executed in the mobile terminal 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this process, the presence or absence of the first device or the second device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is confirmed, and it is confirmed whether or not communication with the first device or the second device is possible. It is a process to do.

  The CPU 11 first sets both the first device communicable flag 13a and the second device communicable flag 13b to OFF (S21), and is currently instructed among the photo print process, web print process, and scan process. It is specified what the one process is (S22).

  Next, when the first device corresponding to the currently instructed process is not stored in the setting information management table 20a (S23: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S27. When the first device corresponding to one process is stored (S23: Yes) and communication with the first device corresponding to the one process is possible (S24: Yes), the CPU 11 performs S35. Move on to processing. When the first device corresponding to one process is stored (S23: Yes) and communication with the first device is not possible (S24: No), the CPU 11 stores the first device in the setting information management table 20a. 1 is added to the communication failure counter 33 associated with the device (S25).

  Here, a method for confirming whether or not communication with the first device is possible will be described. In this case, the CPU 11 first causes the wireless LAN transmission / reception unit 15 to transmit a request to return the status of the own device to the first device corresponding to the currently instructed process. If the first device exists and is in operation, the first device returns a response to the request to the mobile terminal 10 that is the transmission source of the request. On the other hand, if the first device does not exist or does not operate even if it exists, a reply to the request is not made. Therefore, the CPU 11 can communicate with the first device when a reply from the first device is received before a predetermined time (timeout time) elapses after the request is transmitted to the first device. If the reply is not received, it is determined that communication with the first device is impossible.

  When the second device corresponding to the currently instructed process is stored in the setting information management table 20a (S26: Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S29. On the other hand, when the second device corresponding to the one process is not stored (S26: No), the second device extraction process is executed (S27).

  Here, the second device extraction processing executed in the mobile terminal 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is a process for setting the second device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user.

  The CPU 11 first identifies what one of the currently instructed processes is the photo printing process, the web printing process, and the scanning process (S41), and is stored in the setting information management table 20a. Of the one device, all of the first devices associated with processing other than the currently instructed processing (hereinafter simply referred to as “first device of other processing”) are read (S42).

  If the CPU 11 cannot read the first device for other processing (S43: No), the CPU 11 ends this processing and returns to the processing execution device confirmation processing in FIG. On the other hand, when the first device for other processing can be read (S43: Yes), it corresponds to the currently instructed processing among the setting information 32 of the first device stored in the setting information management table 20a. The setting information 32 of the first device is read (S44). If the first device setting information 32 is not stored, the CPU 11 is caused to acquire setting information 32 indicating no setting.

  Next, the CPU 11 extracts all the devices that can be set in the same manner as the setting contents indicated by the setting information 32 read out in the process of S44 from the first devices of other processes extracted in the process of S42. (S45). Specifically, the specifications of the first devices of all other processes read in the process of S42 are read from the device specification table 14b1, and the specifications of the read first device of the other processes and the process of S44 are read. The setting content indicated by the read setting information 32 is compared for each first device of each other process. Then, it is determined that the same setting as the setting content indicated by the setting information 32 is possible for the first device in the other process including all the setting content indicated by the setting information 32.

  Next, when there is no first device of another process that can be communicated among the first devices of other processes extracted in the process of S45 (S46: No), the CPU 11 ends this process, and FIG. Return to the process execution device confirmation process. Note that this processing is also terminated when there is no first device for other processing in the processing of S45. On the other hand, when there is a first device for other processing that can communicate (S46: Yes) and there is only one first device for other processing that can communicate (S47: No), the CPU 11 The first device of processing is stored in the setting information management table 20a as the second device of one processing currently instructed (S48). Specifically, the model information 31 of the first device of other processes that can communicate is acquired from the setting information management table 20a, and the acquired model information 31 corresponds to the first process that is currently instructed. The information is stored in the setting information management table 20a as the model information 34 of the two devices. Then, when the process of S48 is completed, this process is terminated, and the process returns to the process execution device confirmation process of FIG.

  On the other hand, when there is a first device that can communicate with another process (S46: Yes) and there are a plurality of first devices that can communicate with each other (S47: Yes), the CPU 11 A list of first devices is displayed on the LCD 18 (S49). In the process of S49, the first devices of the other processes extracted in the process of S45 are arranged and displayed one by one in order from the top to the bottom in the display area of the LCD 18. If the first devices for all other processes cannot be displayed in the display area at a time, a scroll bar or the like is displayed so that the user can confirm the first devices for all other processes.

  Next, the CPU 11 stands by until one device is selected by the user from the list of first devices of other processes displayed on the LCD 18 (S50: No). That is, one of the first devices of other processes displayed on the LCD 18 is touched by the user, and an electric signal corresponding to the touched area is input to the CPU 11. Wait until. On the other hand, when one device is selected, that is, when an electrical signal corresponding to the first device of another process touched by the user is input from the touch panel 17 (S50: Yes), the selected other process is performed. The first device is stored in the setting information management table 20a as the second device of the one process currently instructed (S51). In the process of S51, settings are made in the same manner as in the process of S48. Then, when the process of S51 is completed, this process is terminated, and the process returns to the process execution device confirmation process of FIG.

  According to the second device extraction process shown in FIG. 5, among the photo printing process, the web printing process, and the scanning process, the second device extraction process is associated with the other process device designated by the user, that is, each process other than the one process. All the first devices can be read out. When a plurality of first devices for other processing are read out, a list of first devices for other processing can be displayed on the LCD 18 as candidates for the second device. Therefore, the user can check all devices connected to the network or some devices one by one, visually check each device installed around the user, etc. Thus, since it is not necessary to search for the second device corresponding to one process, the work load on the user can be reduced. Even when only one first device for other processing is read, the first device for other processing may be displayed on the LCD 18. Also in this case, it is not necessary to search for a second device corresponding to one process from devices on the network or around the user, so that the user's work load can be reduced.

  Among the read first devices of other processes, those that can be set in the same manner as the setting contents indicated by the setting information 32 of the first device corresponding to one process are determined as candidates for the second device. Can be extracted. As described above, the first device setting information 32 corresponding to one process indicates the setting contents most recently set by the user for the one process. Therefore, when extracting the candidates for the second device, it is possible to narrow down to devices that can be set in the same manner as the previously set content, and the narrowed-down device can be displayed on the LCD 18. In other words, an appropriate device corresponding to the setting content set last time can be displayed on the LCD 18. Therefore, if the user wants to execute one process again with the same process contents as the previous process, or the user executes the one process this time with a slight change to the previous process. When it is desired to do so, the user can easily select the second device, and the work burden on the user can be further reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second device extraction process described above is performed when the second device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is not stored in the process execution device confirmation process (S5) of FIG. (S26: No), and when the second device corresponding to one process is stored (S26: Yes), it is configured not to execute. Thereby, the burden of the process concerning the portable terminal 10 can be reduced.

  Further, the second device corresponding to one process instructed by the user can be stored in the setting information management table 20a. Therefore, when it is not possible to communicate with the first device corresponding to one process designated by the user, it is possible to easily obtain a device that is likely to be able to instruct the one process by referring to the setting information management table 20a. it can. Therefore, the process setting screen can be easily displayed on the assumption that the second device executes one process instructed by the user in S7 of FIG. 3 to be described later.

  Returning to the description of FIG. When the second device cannot be extracted by the second device extraction process (S27) (S28: No), the CPU 11 ends the process and returns to the instruction execution process of FIG. On the other hand, if the second device can be extracted (S28: Yes) but cannot communicate with the second device (S29: No), the CPU 11 ends this processing and returns to the instruction execution processing of FIG. On the other hand, when the second device can be extracted (S28: Yes) and can communicate with the second device (S29: Yes), the CPU 11 fails to communicate with the first device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user. It is confirmed whether the value of the counter 33 is 5 or more. The determination value is not limited to 5 and may be determined as appropriate. The method for confirming whether or not communication with the second device is possible is performed in the same manner as in the case of the first device.

  When the value of the communication failure counter 33 of the first device is less than 5 (S30: No), the CPU 11 sets the second device communication enable flag 13b to on (S31), ends this processing, Return to the instruction execution process. On the other hand, when the value of the communication failure counter 33 of the first device is 5 or more (S30: Yes), the second device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is changed to the first device of the one process. (S32).

  Specifically, the model information 34 of the second device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is read from the setting information management table 20a, and the acquired model information 34 is obtained from the first device in the same process. The model information 31 is stored in the setting information management table 20a.

  Next, the CPU 11 clears the communication failure counter 33 of the first device corresponding to one process instructed by the user in the setting information management table 20a to 0 (S33), and further corresponds to the one process. The model information 34 of the second device to be cleared is cleared (S34). Then, the CPU 11 sets the first device communicable flag 13a to ON, ends this processing, and returns to the instruction execution processing of FIG.

  When the value of the communication failure counter 33 of the first device is large, there is a possibility that the first device has failed, the first device has been removed or discarded, and the first device may not be used in the future. high. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the value of the communication failure counter 33 of the first device is 5 or more, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the first device corresponding to one process instructed by the user cannot be used in the future. However, the second device corresponding to the one process is changed to the first device. Thereby, the first device that is highly likely not to be used in the future can be excluded from the setting information management table 20a.

  As a result, in the above-described second device extraction process, when a second device candidate corresponding to one process instructed by the user is extracted, a device that is more likely to be used can be extracted. Therefore, since a device that is more likely to execute one process can be displayed on the LCD 18, the user can easily select the second device, and the work burden on the user can be further reduced.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After the process execution device confirmation process (S5), when both the first device communicable flag 13a and the second device communicable flag 13b are off (S6: Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S9. On the other hand, when one of the first device communication enable flag 13a and the second device communication enable flag 13b is on (S6: No), the first device communication enable flag 13a and the second device communication enable flag 13b. Among these, the process setting screen for the device whose flag is on is displayed on the LCD 18 (S7).

  Specifically, when the first device communicable flag 13a is on, the process for the first device corresponding to the one process specified in the process of S1 is performed regardless of the state of the second device communicable flag 13b. Display the setting screen. In the process of S7, when the first device communicable flag 13a is off and the second device communicable flag 13b is on, the second device corresponding to the one process specified in the process of S1. Display the setting screen for the process.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, when the user activates the application 14b on the mobile terminal 10 and the user instructs one process, the process setting screen displayed on the LCD 18 in the process of S7 will be described. To do. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a setting screen for processing displayed on the LCD 18 of the mobile terminal 10.

  First, a setting screen for processing displayed on the LCD 18 in the processing of S7 when the user designates “scan” as one processing in the state where the setting information management table 20a is shown in FIG. It is assumed that communication with the first device (Scan 343) corresponding to “scan” is not possible, but communication with the second device (Ink-MFP 231) corresponding to “scan” is possible.

  In the conventional application, as shown in FIG. 6A, when “scan” is instructed as one process by the user, it is not confirmed whether communication with the first device corresponding to the “scan” is possible. The first device is instructed to perform the one process, and a process setting screen for the first device is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the type of one process instructed by the user is displayed at the upper end of the setting screen. Further, the model name and its IP address are displayed as device setting items, and a device change icon 18a for individually changing the setting contents of the item is displayed on the right side of each setting item. When the device change icon 18a is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 changes the setting content (model name or IP address) of the item corresponding to the touched device change icon 18a to another settable item or displays a list of selectable items. .

  In addition, items such as paper size, reading resolution, and reading color are displayed on the setting screen as processing setting items. On the right side of each item, a setting change icon for individually changing the setting contents of the item is displayed. 18b is displayed. When the setting change icon 18 b is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 changes the setting content of the item corresponding to the touched setting change icon 18b to a different settable item or displays a list of selectable items. In addition, an instruction icon 18c is displayed on the upper right side of the setting screen. When the instruction icon 18 c is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 instructs the device to start execution of one process with the setting contents of the setting screen currently displayed on the LCD 18.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, when communication with the first device corresponding to “scan” is not possible, the second device (Ink-MFP 231) corresponding to “scan” is displayed in the process of S7 as shown in FIG. ), “Scan” is executed, and a processing setting screen is displayed. In the present embodiment, when the first device communication enable flag 13a is on, the model name of the first device and its IP address are displayed on the processing setting screen as the device setting items. On the other hand, when the first device communicable flag 13a is off and the second device communicable flag 13b is on, the model name of the second device and its IP address are displayed. For the setting items of the process, the setting contents for the first device (setting contents of the setting information 32) are displayed regardless of the states of the first device communication enable flag 13a and the second device communication enable flag 13b. For items other than the setting items indicated by the setting information 32, default values of the first device are displayed.

  Next, a setting screen for processing displayed on the LCD 18 in the processing of S7 when the user designates “web printing” as one processing in the state where the setting information management table 20a is shown in FIG. . It is assumed that communication with the first device (Laser-MFP 123) corresponding to “web printing” is not possible.

  In the conventional application, as shown in FIG. 6C, a processing setting screen for the first device is displayed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when communication with the first device corresponding to “web printing” is not possible, the second device corresponding to “web printing” is not stored in the setting information management table 20a. (S27) is executed.

  Then, it corresponds to “web printing” from the first devices (“Ink-MFP 231” and “Scan 343”) associated with “photo printing” and “scan” which are processes other than “web printing”. The setting contents indicated by the setting information 32 of the first device and those that can be set similarly are extracted. Here, when “Scan 343” has only a scanner function, and “Ink-MFP 231” has a printer function, “Ink-MFP 231” is set as the second device corresponding to “Web printing”. The Then, the second device communication enable flag 13b is set to ON.

  As a result, in the process of S7, as shown in FIG. 6D, it is assumed that “web printing” is executed by the second device (Ink-MFP 231) corresponding to “web printing”. Is displayed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. Next, when the change of the device for executing one process is not instructed by the user (S8: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S15. On the other hand, when the user instructs to change the device that executes one process (S8: Yes), a list of devices that can communicate among the devices connected to the network is displayed on the LCD 18 (S9). . In the process of S9, a list of devices is displayed as in the process of S49 described above. Further, since it is known to find a communicable device from devices connected on the network, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the CPU 11 stands by until one device is selected by the user (S10: No). That is, it waits until an electrical signal corresponding to an area where any device is displayed in the list of communicable devices displayed on the LCD 18 is input from the touch panel 17. On the other hand, when one device is selected (S10: Yes), the selected one device is stored in the setting information management table 20a as the first device of the one process currently instructed (S11). . Specifically, the model name of the device selected by the user and its IP address are acquired, and the setting information management table 20a is used as the model information 31 of the first device corresponding to one process designated by the user. Remember me. In the process of S10, it is determined whether any of the devices displayed in the list is touched by the user. However, in the process of S9, the list of devices is not displayed and the setting screen displayed on the LCD 18 is displayed. The device change icon 18a may be touched by the user so that the user can select one device.

  Next, the CPU 11 clears the communication failure counter 33 of the first device corresponding to one process instructed by the user in the setting information management table 20a to 0 (S12), and the first device communication enable flag 13a. Is set to ON (S13). Then, a process setting screen for displaying the first device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is displayed (S14).

  For example, when the first device is selected by the user in the process of S10 and then the process setting screen for the first device is displayed in the process of S14, the setting contents indicated by the setting information 32 of the first device are displayed. There may be a case where all cannot be set by the first device selected in the process of S10. For example, the paper size indicated by the setting information 32 of the first device is A3, but the first device selected in the process of S10 may only be able to set up to a maximum of A4. In such a case, for example, for an item that cannot be set, the default value of the first device selected in the process of S10 is displayed. Further, the fact that the default value has been changed is also displayed. On the other hand, items that can be set are displayed according to the setting contents of the setting information 32. An example of the setting screen for the process for the first device in such a case is shown in FIG. In the setting screen, the value originally set (A3 in this case) may also be written. As a result, the user can easily understand how the set value has changed.

  Next, when the setting for one process is not changed by the user on the process setting screen displayed in the process of S14 (S15: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to the process of S17. Note that the setting here indicates settings such as paper size, printing resolution, printing color, reading resolution, reading color, and the like. On the other hand, when the setting for one process is changed by the user (S15: Yes), the setting information 32 indicating the setting content after the change is stored in the first device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user. The setting information 32 is stored in the setting information management table 20a (S16).

  For example, when changing the setting for one process, the user first touches the setting change icon 18b. When the setting change icon 18 b is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 superimposes the candidates for the setting contents (any of paper size, resolution, printing color, reading color, etc.) corresponding to the touched setting change icon 18a on the processing setting screen. To display. Here, when one option from the displayed candidates is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 sets the setting information 32 of the first device corresponding to one process so that the setting content of the item corresponding to the touched setting change icon 18b becomes one option selected by the user. It is updated and stored in the setting information management table 20a. Then, the candidates for the setting contents displayed on the setting screen are deleted from the LCD 18.

  Next, when the execution start of one process instructed by the user is not instructed by the user (S17: No), the CPU 11 returns to the process of S8. That is, if the user touches the instruction icon 18c in the setting screen displayed on the LCD 18 and the electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is not input to the CPU 11, the process returns to S8. On the other hand, when the start of execution of one process is instructed by the user, that is, when an electric signal corresponding to the instruction icon 18c touched by the user is input from the touch panel 17 (S17: Yes), the first device communication is possible. Based on the state of the flag 13a and the second device communication enable flag 13b, the first process corresponding to the one process or the second device corresponding to the one process Execution is instructed (S18), and this process is terminated. When instructing the start of execution of one process, the user touches the instruction icon 18 c in the setting screen displayed on the LCD 18. When the instruction icon 18 c is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 determines that the user has instructed the start of execution of one process, and the execution of one process is started.

  More specifically, when the first device communicable flag 13a is on, the first device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is instructed to execute the one process. Further, when the first device communication enable flag 13a is off and the second device communication enable flag 13b is on, the second device corresponding to the one process instructed by the user is set to the one Instructs execution of processing.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, since the electrical configurations of the mobile terminal 10, the access point 50, the MFPs 60a and 60b, and the scanner 70 are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used. The description is omitted.

  In the first embodiment described above, in the second device extraction process (see FIG. 5), when a second device candidate corresponding to one process is extracted, the settings set in the past for that one process Devices that can be set in the same manner as the setting contents of the information 32 are extracted. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the setting contents to be set this time for one process are first instructed by the user, and in the second device extraction process, the second device corresponding to the one process is selected. When extracting candidates, devices that can be set in the same manner as the current setting contents designated by the user are extracted.

  FIG. 7A is a flowchart showing an instruction execution process executed in the mobile terminal 10 in accordance with the application 14b of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same processes as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. This process is executed in the portable terminal 10 when the user instructs activation of the application 14b.

  The CPU 11 first executes the process of S1, and then displays a setting input screen (S61). For example, when web printing is instructed as one process, as shown in FIG. 7B, the type of one process is displayed at the upper end of the setting screen. In the setting screen, items such as paper size, print resolution, and print color are displayed as process setting items. On the right side of each item, a setting change icon for individually changing the setting contents of the item is displayed. 18b is displayed. Here, the setting content (setting content of the setting information 32) about the first device is displayed. For items other than the setting items indicated by the setting information 32, default values of the first device are displayed. When the setting change icon 18b is touched by the user, as described above, the setting content of the item corresponding to the touched setting change icon 18b is changed to another settable item or a selectable list is displayed. Is displayed. A setting completion icon 18d is displayed on the upper right side of the setting screen. When the setting completion icon 18d is touched by the user, an electrical signal corresponding to the touched area is input from the touch panel 17 to the CPU 11. As a result, the CPU 11 determines the setting content of the setting screen currently displayed on the LCD 18 as the setting content to be set this time for one process. Note that the purpose of the process of S61 is to accept the setting contents to be set this time for one process before the extraction of the second device, so that the device setting items (model name and IP address) are displayed in the setting input screen. It is not necessary to provide a column for displaying (address).

  The setting input screen displayed in the process of S61 can accept a change in the setting contents of each setting item (paper size, resolution, print color, read color, etc.) in the same manner as in S15 of FIG. . If the end of setting for one process is not instructed (S62: No), the CPU 11 waits until the end of setting is instructed by the user. In other words, the setting completion icon 18d in the input setting screen displayed on the LCD 18 is touched by the user, and the apparatus waits until an electric signal corresponding to the touched area is input to the CPU 11. On the other hand, when the end of setting for one process is instructed by the user, that is, when an electrical signal corresponding to the setting completion icon 18d touched by the user is input from the touch panel 17 (S62: Yes), the setting is made. The setting information 32 indicating the contents is stored in the setting information management table 20a as the setting information 32 of the first device corresponding to the one process specified in the process of S1 (S63). Next, the CPU 11 causes the processes of S2 to S18 to be executed, and when the process of S18 is finished, this process is finished.

  According to the instruction execution process shown in FIG. 7, before executing the process execution device confirmation process (see FIG. 4), the user is instructed about the current setting contents for one process, and the instructed current time Can be stored in the setting information management table 20a as setting information 32 corresponding to the first device. Therefore, when the second device extraction process (see S5) is subsequently executed in the process execution device confirmation process (see FIG. 4), it is based on the setting information 32 indicating the current setting contents instructed by the user. Thus, candidates for the second device can be extracted.

  That is, when extracting the candidates for the second device, it is possible to narrow down to devices that can be set in the same manner as the setting contents set this time. That is, it is possible to narrow down to devices that are highly likely to be able to execute one process with the setting contents set this time. Therefore, an appropriate second device candidate corresponding to the current setting content can be displayed on the LCD 18. Therefore, it is easy to select the second device, and the work burden on the user can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the memory card I / F 19 that operates under the control of the CPU 11 is an example of a storage unit, and the LCD 18 that operates under the control of the CPU 11 is an example of a notification unit.

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

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 is an example of an information processing apparatus, but various apparatuses such as a personal computer and a digital camera can be examples of an image processing apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, “photo printing process”, “web printing process”, and “scan process” are examples of processes that can be instructed from the application 14b to a device (MFP 60a, 60b, scanner 70, etc.). However, the application 14b may be configured so that other processing such as PDF printing processing, document scanning processing, and image scanning processing can be instructed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, when the user started this application 14b in the portable terminal 10, it demonstrated as what performs an instruction | indication execution process (refer FIG. 3, FIG. 7). However, when the OS 14a is an Android OS, the instruction execution process may be executed even when the application 14b is selected and the application 14b is activated as a shared output destination of the Android sharing function.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, it demonstrated that the setting information management table 20a was memorize | stored in the memory card 20 which can be attached or detached to the portable terminal 10. FIG. However, for example, the setting information management table 20 a may be stored in the flash memory 14 built in the mobile terminal 10. In addition, the model information 31 of the first device, the setting information 32 of the first device, the communication failure counter 33 of the first device, and the model information 34 of the second device are associated with the processing type 30, and the setting information Although it is stored in the management table 20a, it may be distributed and stored in other tables on condition that it is associated with the processing type 30. Further, it may be distributed and stored in different memories such as the memory card 20 and the flash memory 14.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the device cannot be used is defined as the case where the device cannot be used, and the case where the device can be used is defined as the case where the device can be used. However, even if communication with the device is possible, if an error occurs in the device, the device may not be usable.

  Each unit such as the specifying unit, the extracting unit, the counting unit, and the setting unit is hardware alone or hardware that operates by executing a program other than the present invention such as the program of the present invention or the operating system. Also good. Each unit may be hardware that operates by combining a plurality of programs.

10 Mobile terminal (an example of information processing device)
11 CPU (example of computer, example of specifying unit, example of extracting unit, example of counting unit, example of setting unit, example of accepting unit, example of device specifying unit, example of extracting unit)
14b Device control application (an example of an information processing program)
16 Operation keys (an example of a reception unit)
17 Touch panel (an example of a reception unit)
18 LCD (an example of a notification unit)
20 Memory card (an example of a storage unit)
31 Model information of first device (an example of first type identification information)
34 Model information of second device (an example of second type identification information)
60a, 60b MFP (an example of a device)
70 Scanner (Example of device)
S7 (an example of second notification control means)
S11, S32 (an example of the first storage control means, an example of the first storage control step)
S22, S23 (an example of device identification control means, an example of device identification control step)
S25 (an example of counting control means)
S32 (an example of information setting control means)
S42 to S45 (an example of an extraction control means, an example of an extraction control step)
S49 (an example of first notification control means, an example of a first notification control step)
S48, S51 (an example of second storage control means)
S63 (an example of reception control means)

Claims (9)

An information processing program executed in a computer provided in an information processing apparatus that instructs a predetermined device to perform any of a plurality of processes,
The computer,
First storage control means for storing, in the storage unit, first type specifying information for specifying a device in association with each of the plurality of processes;
A device that is information accepted by the accepting unit and that causes the identifying unit to identify the device based on the first type identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the one process designated by the process information designating the process Specific control means;
When the device specified by the device specifying control unit cannot be used, the device specified by the first type specifying information stored in the storage unit in association with the process other than the one process is extracted to the extraction unit. Extraction control means for causing
An information processing program that functions as first notification control means for notifying a notification unit of a device extracted by the extraction control means. The computer,
Second storage control means for storing, in the storage unit, first type specifying information for specifying the device extracted by the extraction control means in association with the one process as second type specifying information;
When the device specified by the device specifying control unit cannot be used, it functions as a second notification control unit that notifies the notification unit of the device specified by the second type specifying information stored in the storage unit The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein: The second notification control means includes
When the device specified by the device specifying control means cannot be used, if the second type specifying information associated with the one process is stored in the storage unit, the second type specifying information is specified by the second type specifying information. The information processing program according to claim 2, wherein the notification unit notifies the device to be notified. The extraction control means includes
When the device specified by the device specifying control unit cannot be used, if the second type specifying information associated with the one process is not stored in the storage unit, the process other than the one process is performed. The information processing program according to claim 2 or 3, which causes the extraction unit to extract a device specified by the first type identification information associated with and stored in the storage unit. The computer,
The number of times that the device specified by the first type specifying information stored in the storage unit associated with the one process cannot be used is counted for each device associated with the one process. Counting control means for causing
When the number of times counted by the counting control means is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the second type specific information associated with the one process and stored in the storage unit is stored in the second type corresponding to the one process. 5. The information processing program according to claim 2, wherein the information processing program functions as information setting control means for causing the setting unit to set as one type of specific information. The first storage control means
In association with each of the plurality of processes, the first type specifying information for specifying the device and the setting value set for the process are stored in the storage unit,
The extraction control means includes
When the device specified by the device specifying control unit cannot be used, the setting associated with the one process among the devices associated with the process other than the one process in the plurality of processes. The information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which causes the extraction unit to extract a device capable of executing processing according to a value. The computer,
Function as reception control means for causing the reception unit to receive a set value set for the one process,
The extraction control means includes
When the device specified by the device specifying control unit cannot be used, the setting value received by the receiving control unit is selected from the devices associated with the process other than the one process in the plurality of processes. The information processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which causes the extraction unit to extract a device capable of executing a corresponding process. An information processing apparatus that instructs a predetermined device of any of a plurality of processes,
Storage means for storing first type specifying information for specifying a device in association with each of the plurality of processes;
Device specifying means for specifying a device by the first type specifying information stored in the storage means in association with one process specified by the processing information specifying the process, which is information received by the receiving means When,
Extracting means for extracting a device specified by the first type specifying information stored in the storage means in association with a process other than the one process when the device specified by the device specifying means cannot be used. When,
An information processing apparatus comprising: an informing means for informing a device extracted by the extracting means. An information processing method executed in an information processing apparatus that instructs a predetermined device to perform any one of a plurality of processes,
A first storage control step of storing in the storage unit first type specifying information for specifying a device in association with each of the plurality of processes;
A device that is information accepted by the accepting unit and that causes the identifying unit to identify the device based on the first type identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the one process designated by the process information designating the process Specific control steps;
When the device specified by the device specifying control step cannot be used, the device specified by the first type specifying information stored in the storage unit associated with the process other than the one process is extracted to the extraction unit. An extraction control step,
An information processing method comprising: a first notification control step for causing a notification unit to notify a device extracted in the extraction control step.

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