JP2013218405A - Portable terminal device, program and print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable terminal device having improved convenience in print setting.SOLUTION: A portable terminal device includes a sensor for detecting a state of the own device and a print setting determination unit for determining print setting to be applied to printing of print target data in accordance with the state of the device detected by the sensor. The print setting is re-determined in accordance with change in the state of the device detected by the sensor. When the print setting determination unit re-determines the print setting, a print data generation unit re-generates print data. A print data output unit outputs the print data re-generated by the print data generation unit to an output device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device, a program, and a printing system.

  A mobile terminal device such as a multi-function mobile phone (for example, also referred to as a “smart phone”) includes an acceleration sensor. The acceleration sensor is used to detect the tilt of the mobile terminal device body, and the orientation of the display screen is determined according to the tilt. A technique for switching (for example, vertical display, horizontal display) is known. Patent Document 1 is a document relating to display screen control according to the inclination of the mobile terminal device body.

  In addition, a technique is known in which data to be printed (for example, a document file, an image file, etc.) in a mobile terminal device is transmitted to an external printing device and printed.

JP-A-9-81305

  By the way, in the conventional portable terminal device, the print setting such as the print direction of the data to be printed (the direction of the print content with respect to the print paper) needs to be set by operating a button or menu displayed on the screen, for example. There is. Such setting work is troublesome for the user. In particular, since the area of the display of the mobile terminal device is small, visibility and operability are low, and such setting work is troublesome for the user.

  In addition, in the conventional portable terminal device, there is a case where consistency is not achieved between the content that appears when the print target data is displayed and the content that appears when the print target data is printed on the print medium. . For this reason, a print result desired by the user may not be obtained, which is not convenient for the user.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of print settings and the convenience and accuracy of print preview in a mobile terminal device.

  The present application includes a plurality of means for solving at least a part of the above-described problems. Examples of such means are as follows.

  A first aspect of the present invention is a portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself, and print settings applied to printing of print target data according to the state of the device detected by the sensor A print setting determining unit that determines

  According to said structure, the convenience of print setting can be improved by determining print setting automatically according to the state (for example, attitude | position) of a portable terminal.

  Here, the portable terminal device includes: an output device; a print data generation unit that generates print data based on the print setting determined by the print setting determination unit; and the print target data; and the print A print data output unit that outputs the print data generated by the data generation unit to the output device.

  According to the above configuration, since the print data (for example, print image) is generated and output based on the determined print setting, the consistency between the print preview and the content printed on the print paper is improved. The convenience and accuracy of the print preview can be improved.

  The print setting determination unit re-determines the print setting according to a change in the state of the apparatus detected by the sensor, and the print data generation unit re-determines the print setting by the print setting determination unit. If determined, the print data may be regenerated, and the print data output unit may output the print data regenerated by the print data generation unit to the output device.

  According to the above configuration, the print data is regenerated each time according to the change in the state of the mobile terminal, so that a more accurate print preview can be provided in real time and the convenience of the print preview can be improved.

  The sensor detects the orientation of the mobile terminal device as the state of the device, the print setting includes a print direction of the print target data, and the print setting determination unit determines the orientation of the device. The printing direction may be determined accordingly.

  According to said structure, the convenience of the setting of a printing direction and the convenience of a print preview can be improved.

  The print setting includes a plurality of print setting items, and the print setting determination unit uses the predetermined correspondence relationship between the print setting items and the state change pattern of the apparatus, The print setting item corresponding to the change pattern of the state of the apparatus detected by the sensor may be determined.

  According to the above configuration, the convenience of setting various print setting items and the convenience of print preview can be improved.

  Further, the print target data and the print data are composed of a plurality of pages, the print settings are print settings applied to all of the plurality of pages, and the print data output unit includes the print data It is also possible to output a plurality of pages constituting the as a list.

  According to said structure, the convenience of the print setting with respect to several pages and the convenience of the print preview with respect to several pages can be improved.

  A second aspect of the present invention is a program for a portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself, and is applied to printing of print target data according to the state of the device detected by the sensor. The portable terminal device is caused to function as a print setting determining unit that determines print settings.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system having a portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting a state of the device itself and a printing device, wherein the portable terminal device is detected by the sensor. A print setting determining unit that determines a print setting to be applied to the printing of the print target data according to the state of the print data, and the print data determined based on the print setting determined by the print setting determination unit and the print target data. A print data generation unit that generates the print data, and a transmission unit that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus receives the print data from the portable terminal device And a printing unit that executes printing based on the print data received by the receiving unit.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal device that is connected to a server device that generates print data and has a sensor that detects the state of the device itself, the state of the device detected by the sensor, and printing Receives from the server device print data generated based on the data transmission unit that transmits the target data to the server device, the print settings determined according to the state of the device, and the print target data And a print data receiving unit.

  According to the above configuration, the convenience of the print setting can be improved by automatically determining the print setting by the server according to the state (for example, posture) of the mobile terminal. Furthermore, the processing load on the mobile terminal can be reduced by generating print data in the server.

  Here, the portable terminal device may include an output device and a print data output unit that outputs the print data received by the print data receiving unit to the output device.

  According to the above configuration, since the print data (for example, print image) is generated and output based on the determined print setting, the consistency between the print preview and the content printed on the print paper is improved. The convenience and accuracy of the print preview can be improved.

  Further, the data transmission unit retransmits the state of the device according to a change in the state of the device detected by the sensor, and the print data reception unit re-transmits according to the state of the retransmitted device. Print data generated based on the re-determined print settings and the print target data may be received from the server device.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a more accurate print preview in real time by regenerating the print data each time on the server according to the change in the state of the mobile terminal, and to improve the convenience of the print preview. .

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is a server device connected to a mobile terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself, the state of the device detected by the sensor, and print target data, A data receiving unit received from the portable terminal device and a print setting to be applied to printing of the print target data received by the data receiving unit is determined according to the state of the device received by the data receiving unit. Based on the print setting determination unit, the print setting determined by the print setting determination unit, and the print target data, the print data generation unit that generates print data, and the print generated by the print data generation unit And a print data transmission unit that transmits data to the portable terminal device.

  According to the above configuration, the convenience of the print setting can be improved by automatically determining the print setting by the server according to the state (for example, posture) of the mobile terminal. Furthermore, the processing load on the mobile terminal can be reduced by generating print data in the server.

  Here, the print setting includes a plurality of print setting items, and the print setting determination unit uses a predetermined correspondence relationship between the print setting items and the state change pattern of the apparatus, A print setting item corresponding to the received change pattern of the state of the apparatus may be determined.

  According to the above configuration, the convenience of setting various print setting items and the convenience of print preview can be improved. Furthermore, when changing the correspondence between the print setting item, the change pattern of the state of the apparatus, and the print setting item, it is only necessary to change the setting on the server, and there is no need to change the setting on the portable terminal side.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for a portable terminal device connected to a server device that generates print data and having a sensor that detects the state of the device itself, the state of the device detected by the sensor A data transmission unit that transmits the print target data to the server device, a print setting determined according to the state of the device, and print data generated based on the print target data. The mobile terminal device is caused to function as a print data receiving unit that receives the data from the mobile phone.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is a server device program connected to a portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself, the state of the device detected by the sensor, print target data, Print settings to be applied to the printing of the data to be printed received by the data receiving unit according to the state of the device received by the data receiving unit and the data receiving unit received from the portable terminal device Based on the print setting determination unit to be determined, the print settings determined by the print setting determination unit, and the print target data, the print data generation unit that generates print data, and the print data generation unit The server device is caused to function as a print data transmitting unit that transmits the print data to the portable terminal device.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention is a printing system having a portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself, a server device for generating print data, and a printing device, which is detected by the sensor. A data transmission unit that transmits the status of the device and print target data to the server device, and a print data relay unit that receives print data from the server device and transmits the print data to the printing device. The server device receives the data according to the status of the device and the data to be printed from the mobile terminal device according to the status of the device received by the data receiving unit and the data receiving unit. A print setting determination unit that determines a print setting to be applied to printing of the print target data received by the copy unit, and the print setting determined by the print setting determination unit. A print data generation unit that generates the print data based on the print target data; and a print data transmission unit that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the portable terminal device. The printing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives the print data from the portable terminal device, and a printing unit that executes printing based on the print data received by the receiving unit.

  Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments.

1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal 100 and a printer 200. FIG. The figure explaining the correspondence of sensor information and a printing direction. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer 900. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print setting and print preview processing in the mobile terminal 100. The figure explaining the transition of the screen (1 page display) displayed on the portable terminal. The figure explaining the transition of the screen (multiple page display) displayed on the portable terminal. Schematic of the printing system 1A which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal 100A, a printer 200, and a server 300. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of print setting and print preview processing in the mobile terminal 100A. 5 is a flowchart of print setting and print data generation processing in the server 300. The figure explaining the correspondence of the change pattern of sensor information, and a print setting item.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, an example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the printing system 1 includes a mobile terminal 100 and a printer 200.

  The mobile terminal 100 and the printer 200 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a communication network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  Although details will be described later, the mobile terminal 100 specifies a print direction based on sensor information indicating the state (for example, posture) of the mobile terminal 100, and generates print data based on the print direction and print target data. , The printer 200 is sent to execute printing.

  The configuration of the printing system 1 in FIG. 1 is not limited to the above-described configuration because the main configuration has been described in describing the features of the present invention. Further, the configuration of a general printing system is not excluded. For example, the printing system 1 may include a plurality of mobile terminals 100 and printers 200, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the mobile terminal 100 and the printer 200. As illustrated, the mobile terminal 100 includes a storage unit 110, a control unit 120, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, a communication unit 150, and an acceleration sensor unit 160. The printer 200 includes a print data receiving unit 210, a print control unit 220, and a print execution unit 230.

  The storage unit 110 stores one or more print target data 111. The print target data 111 is, for example, a file such as a document file or an image file.

  The control unit 120 includes a print setting unit 121, a print data generation unit 122, a print preview unit 123, and a print data transmission unit 124.

  The print setting unit 121 outputs a user interface screen that accepts designation of the print target data 111 via the output unit 140 described later. The print setting unit 121 receives designation of the print target data 111 from the user via the input unit 130 described later.

  In addition, the print setting unit 121 acquires sensor information (for example, acceleration values in three axes of XYZ directions) indicating the attitude of the mobile terminal 100 from an acceleration sensor unit 160 described below, and based on this information, print data A printing direction (direction of printing content with respect to the printing paper, for example, vertical or horizontal) to be applied to printing is determined.

  The method for determining the print direction according to the sensor information is not particularly limited. For example, the print setting unit 121 has a predetermined setting as illustrated in FIG. 3 (a diagram illustrating the correspondence between the sensor information and the print direction). The print direction is determined using the table information that specifies the correspondence between the sensor information range (for example, the range of acceleration values in the XYZ triaxial directions) 1211 and the print direction 1212. In other words, the print setting unit 121 identifies the range 1211 that includes the acquired sensor information, and identifies the print direction 1212 associated with the identified range 1211.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the print data generation unit 122 acquires the print target data 111 designated via the print setting unit 121 from the storage unit 110. Further, the print direction determined by the print setting unit 121 is acquired. Then, print data for printing the acquired print target data 111 on the printing paper according to the acquired print direction, which is interpreted by the printer 200 and can be printed, is generated.

  In the present embodiment, the print data generation unit 122 generates print image format data as print data. Note that print image format data is closer to the actual print result than files such as normal document files and image files that can be edited by the user.

  The print preview unit 123 outputs a preview screen including the print data generated by the print data generation unit 122 via the output unit 140 described later.

  The print data transmission unit 124 transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 122 to the printer 200 via the communication unit 150 described later.

  The input unit 130 receives input of information.

  The output unit 140 outputs (for example, displays) information.

  The communication unit 150 transmits and receives information via the communication network 2.

  The acceleration sensor unit 160 detects a sensor value indicating the attitude of the mobile terminal 100 (for example, an acceleration value in the three-axis directions of XYZ) and outputs it as sensor information.

  The print data receiving unit 210 receives print data transmitted from the portable terminal 100 via the communication network 2.

  The print control unit 220 controls the printing process on the print medium by the print execution unit 230 based on the print data received by the print data receiving unit 210. That is, the printing process in the printing direction specified from the print data is controlled.

  The print execution unit 230 prints the contents of the print data on a print medium under the control of the print control unit 220.

  The mobile terminal 100 described above includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a memory 902, an external storage device 903 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), as shown in FIG. 4 (schematic diagram of the computer 900), A wireless communication device 904 for connecting to the communication network 2 wirelessly, an input device 905 such as a touch sensor or a touch panel, an output device 906 such as a liquid crystal display, a voice input / output device 907 such as a microphone or a speaker, and three axes It can be realized by a computer 900 including an acceleration sensor 908 such as an acceleration sensor module. More specifically, the computer 900 is a device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), or a PC (Personal Computer).

  For example, the storage unit 110 can be realized by the CPU 901 using the memory 902 or the external storage device 903. The control unit 120 can be realized by loading a predetermined program stored in the external storage device 903 into the memory 902 and executing it by the CPU 901. The input unit 130 can be realized by the CPU 901 using the input device 905. The output unit 140 can be realized by the CPU 901 using the output device 906. The communication unit 150 can be realized by the CPU 901 using the wireless communication device 904.

  The predetermined program may be downloaded from the network to the external storage device 903 via the wireless communication device 904, and then loaded onto the memory 902 and executed by the CPU 901. Alternatively, it may be loaded directly from the network onto the memory 902 via the wireless communication device 904 and executed by the CPU 901. When the computer 900 includes a communication device such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface, the predetermined program is loaded into the external storage device 903 or the memory 902 from a storage medium connected to the communication device. You may do it.

  The predetermined program can be realized by, for example, an application program or a printer driver program that operates on the OS (Operating System) of the mobile terminal 100. Of course, part or all of it may be realized by another program such as an OS program.

  The printer 200 described above includes, for example, a controller (not shown) including a CPU, a memory, a communication device, an image processing circuit, an interface circuit with a print engine (to be described later), an inkjet method and an electrophotographic method controlled by the controller. It can be realized by a general printer equipped with a print engine such as. You may implement | achieve with the multifunctional device, copier, etc. which have a printer function.

  For example, the print data receiving unit 210 can be realized when the CPU uses a communication device. The print control unit 220 can be realized by a controller. The print execution unit 230 can be realized by a print engine.

  Note that the configurations of the portable terminal 100 and the printer 200 in FIG. 2 are classified according to the main processing contents for easy understanding. The present invention is not limited by the way of classification and names of the constituent elements. The configurations of the mobile terminal 100 and the printer 200 can be classified into more components depending on the processing content. Moreover, it can also classify | categorize so that one component may perform more processes. Further, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware or may be executed by a plurality of hardware. Further, the processing of each component may be realized by one program or may be realized by a plurality of programs.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print setting and print preview processing in the mobile terminal 100. The process of this flowchart starts, for example, when the predetermined program is executed by a user operation.

  First, the print setting unit 121 outputs a user interface screen that accepts designation of the print target data 111 via the output unit 140 and accepts designation of the print target data 111 from the user via the input unit 130 (S10). ).

  For example, the print setting unit 121 displays the transition of the screen (one page display) displayed on the mobile terminal 100 (A) and FIG. 7 (the screen displayed on the mobile terminal 100 (multiple page display). FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the transition of (). As illustrated in (A), a list of names of print files (print target data) stored in the storage unit 110 is displayed in the display area of the output unit 140. Then, the print setting unit 121 receives selection and designation of a print file via the input unit 130.

  Further, for example, when the print setting unit 121 receives designation of a print file, the print setting unit 121 displays information indicating that a print image is being created as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 7B. 6A and 7A, or another screen, a print preview instruction may be received and the process may transition to FIGS. 6B and 7B.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the print setting is accepted in step S <b> 10, the print setting unit 121 acquires sensor information indicating the attitude of the mobile terminal 100 from the acceleration sensor unit 160 (S <b> 11). Further, the print setting unit 121 determines the print direction based on the sensor information acquired in step S11 (S12). The procedure for determining the printing direction is, for example, as described with reference to FIG.

  Then, the print data generation unit 122 acquires the print target data 111 specified in step S10 from the storage unit 110, acquires the print direction determined in step S12, and prints on the printing paper according to the print direction. Print data (print image) is generated (S13). If the contents of the print target data 111 are composed of a plurality of pages, the determined print direction is applied to all pages.

  Then, the print preview unit 123 outputs a preview screen including the print data generated by the print data generation unit 122 via the output unit 140 (S14).

  For example, the print preview unit 123 displays a preview screen as shown in FIG. 6C or 6D in the display area of the output unit 140. FIG. 6C illustrates a case where the printing direction according to the orientation of the mobile terminal 100 is vertical, and printing of print target data to be printed on the vertical printing paper together with the A4 size vertical printing paper image 142. An image 143 is displayed. FIG. 6D illustrates a case where the printing direction according to the orientation of the mobile terminal 100 is horizontal, and printing of print target data to be printed on the horizontal printing paper together with the A4 size horizontal printing paper image 142. An image 143 is displayed. In addition, a print button 141 for receiving an instruction to start printing is displayed on the preview screen.

  Note that FIG. 6C or FIG. 6D shows a case where the print image is displayed in units of one page. When the print image is displayed in units of a plurality of pages, the print preview unit 123 aligns the plurality of print paper images 142 and the print images 143 as shown in FIG. 7C or FIG. 7D, for example. indicate. In addition, a print button 141 for receiving an instruction to start printing is displayed on the preview screen.

  Returning to FIG. 5, while the print preview is displayed in step S14, the print setting unit 121 acquires sensor information indicating the attitude of the mobile terminal 100 from the acceleration sensor unit 160 (S15). The print setting unit 121 compares the acquired sensor information with the sensor information acquired last time (step S11 or step S15) and determines whether there is a change (S16).

  When there is a change in the sensor information (Y in S16), the print setting unit 121 determines the print direction based on the sensor information acquired in step S15 (S17). Then, the print setting unit 121 compares the determined print direction with the previously determined print direction (step S12 or step S17), and determines whether there is a change (S18).

  When there is a change in the print direction (Y in S18), the print setting unit 121 returns the process to step S13 and is creating a print image as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B. To show information. In this case, in step S13, the print data generation unit 122 generates print data based on the print target data 111 specified in step S10 and the print direction determined in step S17.

  On the other hand, if there is no change in the sensor information (N in S16), or if there is no change in the printing direction (N in S18), the print preview unit 123 determines whether an instruction to start printing has been issued (S19). ).

  For example, the print preview unit 123 performs the selection operation of the print button 141 displayed on the preview screen as illustrated in FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, FIG. 7C, or FIG. Monitoring is performed via the input unit 130. If there is an operation for selecting the print button 141, it is determined that an instruction to start printing has been issued.

  Returning to FIG. 5, if the print start instruction has not been given (N in S19), the print preview unit 123 returns the process to S15. In this case, in step S15, the print preview unit 123 continuously outputs the preview screen displayed in step S14.

  When an instruction to start printing is given (Y in S19), the print data transmission unit 124 transmits the print data (print image) generated in step S13 to the printer 200 via the communication unit 150 (S20). .

  After the process of step S20, the control unit 120 ends the process of this flow.

  Note that the processing unit of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the mobile terminal 100. The present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing unit or the name. The processing of the mobile terminal 100 can be divided into more processing units according to the processing content. Moreover, it can also divide | segment so that one process unit may contain many processes. Further, the processing order of each of the flowcharts is not limited to the illustrated example.

  Further, the configuration of the user interface screen and the transition of the screen illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples, and are not limited to those illustrated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of setting the print direction by automatically determining the print direction according to the attitude of the mobile terminal 100. Also, by generating print image format data for print preview, consistency with the content printed on the print paper is improved, so that convenience and accuracy of print preview can be improved. In addition, since print data is regenerated each time according to the change in the attitude of the mobile terminal 100, a more accurate print preview can be provided in real time, so that the convenience of the print preview can be improved. In addition, by generating print data before an instruction to start printing, printing can be executed earlier after an instruction to start printing.
<Second embodiment>
Next, an example of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, it demonstrates centering on a different point from 1st embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a printing system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the printing system 1A includes a mobile terminal 100A, a printer 200, and a server 300.

  The mobile terminal 100 </ b> A and the printer 200 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via the communication network 2. Further, the portable terminal 100A and the server 300 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a communication network 3 such as a LAN or a WAN.

  Although details will be described later, the mobile terminal 100 </ b> A transmits the sensor information and the print target data to the server 300. Further, the server 300 specifies the print direction based on the sensor information, generates print data based on the print direction and print target data, and transmits the print data to the mobile terminal 100A. In addition, the mobile terminal 100A transmits the print data received from the server 300 to the printer 200 to execute printing.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the mobile terminal 100 </ b> A, the printer 200, and the server 300. As illustrated, the mobile terminal 100A includes a storage unit 110, a control unit 120A, an input unit 130, an output unit 140, a communication unit 150, and an acceleration sensor unit 160. The printer 200 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2). The server 300 includes a control unit 320 and a communication unit 330.

  The memory | storage part 110, the input part 130, the output part 140, the communication part 150, and the acceleration sensor part 160 are the same as that of 1st embodiment (FIG. 2).

  The control unit 120A includes a print setting unit 121A, a data transmission unit 125, a print data relay unit 126, and a print preview unit 123A.

  The print setting unit 121A outputs a user interface screen that accepts designation of the print target data 111 via the output unit 140. In addition, the print setting unit 121 </ b> A receives designation of the print target data 111 from the user via the input unit 130.

  Further, the print setting unit 121 </ b> A acquires sensor information indicating the attitude of the mobile terminal 100 from the acceleration sensor unit 160.

  The data transmission unit 125 acquires the print target data 111 designated via the print setting unit 121A from the storage unit 110. In addition, the sensor information acquired by the print setting unit 121A is acquired. Then, the data transmission unit 125 transmits the acquired print target data 111 and sensor information to the server 300 via the communication unit 150.

  The print data relay unit 126 receives print data from the server 300 via the communication unit 150. Further, the print data relay unit 126 transmits print data for which a print instruction has been given by a print preview unit 123A described later to the printer 200 via the communication unit 150.

  The print preview unit 123 </ b> A outputs a preview screen including the print data received by the print data relay unit 126 via the output unit 140.

  The control unit 320 includes a data reception unit 321, a print setting unit 322, a print data generation unit 323, and a print data transmission unit 324.

  The data receiving unit 321 receives the print target data 111 and sensor information transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 </ b> A via the communication unit 330.

  The print setting unit 322 acquires the sensor information received by the data receiving unit 321 and determines the print direction based on this information. The procedure for determining the printing direction is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 3, for example.

  The print data generation unit 323 acquires the print target data 111 received by the data reception unit 321. Further, the print direction determined by the print setting unit 322 is acquired. Then, print data (print image) for printing the acquired print target data 111 on the printing paper in the acquired print direction is generated.

  The print data transmission unit 324 transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit 323 to the mobile terminal 100A that is the transmission source of the print target data via the communication unit 330.

  The communication unit 330 transmits and receives information via the communication network 3.

  The server 300 described above includes, for example, a CPU, a memory, an external storage device such as an HDD, a communication device, an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, an output device such as a display, a CD, a DVD, etc. It can be realized by a general computer equipped with a read / write device for reading / writing information from / to the storage medium.

  For example, the control unit 320 can be realized by loading a predetermined program stored in the external storage device into the memory and executing it by the CPU. The communication unit 330 can be realized by the CPU using a communication device.

  The predetermined program may be downloaded from a storage medium via a read / write device or from a network via a communication device to an external storage device, and then loaded onto a memory and executed by a CPU. Good. Alternatively, the program may be directly loaded on a memory from a storage medium via a read / write device or from a network via a communication device and executed by a CPU. When a communication device such as a USB interface is provided, the predetermined program may be loaded into an external storage device or memory from a storage medium connected to the communication device.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart of print setting and print preview processing in the mobile terminal 100A. The process of this flowchart starts, for example, when the predetermined program is executed by a user operation.

  Steps S110 and S111 performed by the print setting unit 121A are the same as steps S10 and S11 in FIG.

  Then, the data transmission unit 125 acquires the print target data 111 specified in step S110 from the storage unit 110, acquires the sensor information acquired in step S111, and acquires the acquired print target data 111 and sensor information. The data is transmitted to the server 300 via the communication unit 150 (S112).

  Then, the print data relay unit 126 determines whether print data has been received from the server 300 via the communication unit 150 (S113). If not received (N in S113), the determination is continued.

  When print data is received (Y in S113), the print preview unit 123A outputs a preview screen including the print data received by the print data relay unit 126 via the output unit 140 (S14). The preview screen is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 6C, 6D, 7C, or 7D, for example.

  Steps S115 and S116 performed by the print setting unit 121A are the same as steps S15 and S16 in FIG.

  If there is a change in the sensor information (Y in S116), the print setting unit 121A returns the process to step S112 and is creating a print image as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B. To show information. In this case, in step S112, the data transmission unit 125 transmits the print target data 111 specified in step S110 and the sensor information acquired in step S115 to the server 300.

  If there is no change in the sensor information (N in S116), the print preview unit 123A determines whether an instruction to start printing has been issued (S117).

  If an instruction to start printing has not been given (N in S117), the print preview unit 123A returns the process to S115. In this case, the print preview unit 123A continuously outputs the preview screen displayed in step S114.

  When an instruction to start printing is given (Y in S117), the print data relay unit 126 transmits the print data (print image) received in step S113 to the printer 200 via the communication unit 150 (S118). .

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of print setting and print data generation processing in the server 300.

  First, the data receiving unit 321 determines whether the print target data 111 and sensor information are received from the mobile terminal 100A via the communication unit 330 (S210). If not received (N in S210), the determination is continued.

  When the print target data 111 and sensor information are received (Y in S210), the print setting unit 322 determines the print direction based on the sensor information received in step S210 (S211).

  Then, the print data generation unit 323 obtains the print target data 111 received in step S210, obtains the print direction determined in step S211, and print data (for printing on a print sheet according to the print direction ( Print image) is generated (S212).

  Then, the print data transmission unit 324 transmits the print data generated in step S212 to the mobile terminal 100A via the communication unit 330 (S213).

  When the print direction determined in step S211 is not changed from the previously determined print direction for the same print target data, the control unit 320 does not perform the processes in steps S212 and S213 and does not change the print direction. You may make it notify to 100A of portable terminals. Then, the mobile terminal 100A that has received this notification may display a print preview using the print data that has already been received.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the same effects as in the first embodiment, the processing load on the mobile terminal 100 can be reduced by generating print data in the server 300. . Further, since it is the server 300 that determines the print direction based on the sensor information, in order to change the correspondence between the range of the sensor information and the print direction, it is only necessary to change the setting on the server 300. There is no need to change settings on the terminal 100 side.

  The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to illustrate the gist and scope of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the following modifications may be made.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, not only the print direction but also other print settings (for example, the number of copies, monochrome printing / color printing, number of layout printing pages, magnification, etc.) are sensors that indicate the state of the mobile terminal. You may make it determine according to information.

  Specifically, the print setting unit 121, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 (a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the sensor information change pattern and the print setting item), a predetermined sensor information change pattern (for example, Table information for specifying correspondence between 1213 and print setting item 1214 (information specifying posture change, position change, or position and posture change, such as a combination of acceleration values in three axes of XYZ at a plurality of time points) To determine the print setting item.

  That is, the print setting unit 121 changes a change pattern (change in posture, change in position, or change in position and posture) within a predetermined time (for example, within one second) based on the sensor information sent from the acceleration sensor unit 160. , The change pattern 1213 that matches the specified change pattern is specified, and the print setting item associated with the specified change pattern 1213 is specified. The print data generation unit 122 may generate print data using the print setting item specified as described above and the acquired print target data.

  In addition, when applying said modification to 2nd embodiment, the print setting part 322 of the server 300 specifies the change pattern in predetermined time based on the sensor information sent from 100 A of portable terminals, and specified change A change pattern 1213 that matches the pattern may be specified, and a print setting item associated with the specified change pattern 1213 may be specified. In this way, since it is the server 300 that determines the print setting item based on the change pattern of the sensor information, the server 300 can change the correspondence between the change pattern of the sensor information and the print setting item. It is only necessary to change the setting, and it is not necessary to change the setting on the portable terminal 100A side.

  In addition, for example, in the above-described first embodiment, once generated print data is stored in the mobile terminal, and the same print data remains after the print direction is changed, the print data May not be regenerated. In this way, the processing load on the portable terminal is reduced, and the print preview is displayed faster. Of course, also in the second embodiment, once generated print data is stored in the server, and the print data is not regenerated if the same print data remains even if the print direction is changed thereafter. You may do it. In this way, the processing load on the server is reduced, and the display of the print preview on the mobile terminal is accelerated.

  For example, in the second embodiment described above, the server 300 may include a control unit 320 that generates print data corresponding to each of a plurality of types of printers. Then, the mobile terminal 100 </ b> A may accept the designation of the printer to be printed from the user and notify the server 300 of it. In this way, the server 300 can provide the mobile terminal 100A with print data corresponding to the printer designated by the mobile terminal 100A.

  For example, in the second embodiment described above, the function of the server 300 may be included in the printer 200. In this way, in addition to the same effects as in the second embodiment, there is no need to provide the server 300 as an independent device in the printing system 1A.

  Further, for example, in the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above, the mobile terminal is replaced with or in addition to the acceleration sensor, and one or more other sensors (for example, a gyro sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, etc.) ) May be provided. In this case as well, the mobile terminal acquires sensor information (or its change pattern) from each sensor, and the mobile terminal or server determines the correspondence between the predetermined range of sensor information (or its change pattern) and the print settings. Thus, the print setting corresponding to the sensor information may be determined.

  Further, for example, in the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above, the mobile terminal may display the contents of the print target file and accept selection of a target page whose print direction is to be changed among a plurality of pages. In print preview, for the selected page, print data in which the print direction is changed according to the sensor information may be generated and previewed.

  Any one or more of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined.

1: printing system, 2: communication network, 100: portable terminal, 110: storage unit, 111: print target data, 120: control unit, 121: print setting unit, 122: print data generation unit, 123: print preview unit, 124: Print data transmission unit, 130: Input unit, 140: Output unit, 141: Print button, 142: Print paper image, 143: Print image, 150: Communication unit, 160: Acceleration sensor unit, 200: Printer, 210: Print data receiving unit, 220: print control unit, 230: print execution unit,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1A: Printing system, 100A: Portable terminal, 3: Communication network, 120A: Control part, 121A: Print setting part, 123A: Print preview part, 125: Data transmission part, 126: Print data relay part, 300: Server, 320 : Control unit, 321: data receiving unit, 322: print setting unit, 323: print data generating unit, 324: print data transmitting unit, 330: communication unit,
900: computer, 901: CPU, 902: memory, 903: external storage device, 904: wireless communication device, 905: input device, 906: output device, 907: voice input / output device, 908: acceleration sensor,
1211: Range of sensor information, 1212: Print direction, 1213: Change pattern of sensor information, 1214: Print setting item

Claims (16)

A portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device;
A print setting determining unit that determines a print setting to be applied to printing of print target data according to the state of the device detected by the sensor;
A portable terminal device comprising: The mobile terminal device according to claim 1,
An output device;
A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the print settings determined by the print setting determination unit and the print target data;
A print data output unit that outputs the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the output device;
A portable terminal device comprising: The mobile terminal device according to claim 2,
The print setting determination unit re-determines the print setting according to a change in the state of the device detected by the sensor;
The print data generation unit regenerates the print data when the print setting is determined again by the print setting determination unit,
The print data output unit outputs the print data regenerated by the print data generation unit to the output device;
The portable terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. It is a portable terminal device as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The sensor detects the attitude of the mobile terminal device as the state of the device,
The print setting includes a print direction of the print target data,
The print setting determining unit determines the print direction according to an attitude of the device;
The portable terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. It is a portable terminal device as described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The print setting includes a plurality of print setting items,
The print setting determination unit uses a predetermined correspondence relationship between each print setting item and a device state change pattern to set a print setting corresponding to the device state change pattern detected by the sensor. Determine items,
The portable terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. It is a portable terminal device according to claim 2 or 3,
The print target data and the print data are composed of a plurality of pages.
The print setting is a print setting that is applied to all the plurality of pages.
The print data output unit outputs a plurality of pages constituting the print data as a list;
The portable terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. A program for a mobile terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself,
A print setting determining unit that determines a print setting to be applied to printing of print target data according to the state of the device detected by the sensor;
A program for causing the portable terminal device to function as: A printing system comprising a portable terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device itself, and a printing device,
The portable terminal device
A print setting determining unit that determines a print setting to be applied to printing of print target data according to the state of the device detected by the sensor;
A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the print settings determined by the print setting determination unit and the print target data;
A transmission unit that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the printing apparatus;
Have
The printing apparatus includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the print data from the portable terminal device;
A printing unit that executes printing based on the print data received by the receiving unit;
Having
A printing system characterized by that. A portable terminal device connected to a server device that generates print data and having a sensor that detects the state of the device itself,
A data transmission unit that transmits the status of the apparatus detected by the sensor and print target data to the server apparatus;
A print data receiving unit that receives, from the server device, print data generated based on the print settings determined according to the state of the device and the print target data;
A portable terminal device comprising: The mobile terminal device according to claim 9,
An output device;
A print data output unit for outputting the print data received by the print data receiving unit to the output device;
A portable terminal device comprising: It is a portable terminal device according to claim 10,
The data transmission unit retransmits the state of the device according to a change in the state of the device detected by the sensor,
The print data receiving unit receives, from the server device, print data generated based on the print settings redetermined according to the state of the retransmitted device and the print target data;
The portable terminal device characterized by the above-mentioned. A server device connected to a mobile terminal device having a sensor for detecting a state of the device;
A data receiving unit that receives the state of the device detected by the sensor and print target data from the mobile terminal device;
A print setting determining unit that determines print settings to be applied to printing of the print target data received by the data receiving unit according to the state of the device received by the data receiving unit;
A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the print settings determined by the print setting determination unit and the print target data;
A print data transmission unit that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the mobile terminal device;
A server device comprising: The server device according to claim 12, wherein
The print setting includes a plurality of print setting items,
The print setting determination unit determines a print setting item corresponding to the received device state change pattern using a predetermined correspondence relationship between each print setting item and the device state change pattern. To
A server device characterized by that. A program of a mobile terminal device connected to a server device that generates print data and having a sensor that detects the state of the device itself,
A data transmission unit that transmits the status of the apparatus detected by the sensor and print target data to the server apparatus;
A print data receiving unit that receives, from the server device, print data generated based on the print settings determined according to the state of the device and the print target data;
A program for causing the portable terminal device to function as: A server device program connected to a mobile terminal device having a sensor for detecting the state of the device,
A data receiving unit that receives the state of the device detected by the sensor and print target data from the mobile terminal device;
A print setting determining unit that determines print settings to be applied to printing of the print target data received by the data receiving unit according to the state of the device received by the data receiving unit;
A print data generation unit that generates print data based on the print settings determined by the print setting determination unit and the print target data;
A print data transmission unit configured to transmit the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the mobile terminal device;
A program for causing the server device to function as: A printing system having a mobile terminal device having a sensor for detecting a state of the device itself, a server device for generating print data, and a printing device,
A data transmission unit that transmits the status of the apparatus detected by the sensor and print target data to the server apparatus;
A print data relay unit that receives print data from the server device and transmits the print data to the printing device;
Have
The server device is
A data receiving unit that receives the status of the device and the print target data from the mobile terminal device;
A print setting determining unit that determines print settings to be applied to printing of the print target data received by the data receiving unit according to the state of the device received by the data receiving unit;
A print data generation unit that generates the print data based on the print settings determined by the print setting determination unit and the print target data;
A print data transmission unit that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation unit to the mobile terminal device;
Have
The printing apparatus includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the print data from the portable terminal device;
A printing unit that executes printing based on the print data received by the receiving unit;
Having
A printing system characterized by that.

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