JP2016184190A - Information processing device, output program, and external program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an output program that allows content data specified by a user through an external program before installation to be obtained.SOLUTION: An output program causes a computer to execute: first determination processing (S12) for determining in response to the start of the output program whether or not specific information is stored in a storage unit; first reception processing (S20 to S22) for receiving a user operation for specifying content data when it is determined by the first determination processing that the specific information is not stored (S12: No); and first output processing (S19) for outputting a content represented by the content data specified by the first reception processing. The output program also causes the computer to execute: second output processing (S19) for outputting a content represented by content data specified by the specific information when it is determined by the first determination processing that the specific information is stored (S12: Yes).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an output program that outputs content indicated by content data, an external program that accepts designation of content data to be used by the output program, and an information processing apparatus that executes each program.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the user specifies photo data stored in a portable terminal, data stored in a storage server, HTML data constituting a web page, etc., and the content indicated by the specified content data is output. An output program that can be used is disclosed. There is also known an external program that has a specified interface optimized according to the type of content data, and delivers the content data specified by the user through the specified interface to the output program.

JP 2006-163990 A

  The user can operate the external program described in Patent Document 1 on a computer in which no output program is installed. However, even if content data to be delivered to the output program is specified, the external program cannot deliver the content to the output program. Then, after the output program is installed, when the user designates content data again through the external program, the external program can deliver the designated content to the output program. In other words, after the output program is installed, the user is requested to have trouble specifying the content data again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to force the user to re-specify the content data specified by the user through the external program before installing the output program. And an output program that can be obtained.

  (1) The output program described in this specification can be read by a computer including an operation unit, a storage unit, and an output unit that outputs content. The storage unit can store an external program readable by the computer. The external program receives a user operation for specifying content data, generates specific information for specifying the specified content data, and stores the generated specific information in the storage unit. Can be executed. The output program includes a first determination process for determining whether or not the specific information is stored in the storage unit in response to the output program being activated, and if the specific information is not stored, In response to the determination in the first determination process, the user operation for specifying the content data is indicated by the first reception process for receiving via the operation unit and the content data specified in the first reception process. First output processing for causing the output unit to output content is executed by the computer and specified by the specific information in response to determining that the specific information is stored in the first determination processing. And causing the computer to execute a second output process for outputting the content indicated by the content data to the output unit.

  According to the output program configured as described above, content data designated by the user through an external program can be specified based on the specific information, and the content indicated by the content data can be output. That is, the content data specified by the user through the external program before the installation of the output program can be acquired without forcing the user to specify the content data again.

  Note that the specific information may include, for example, the content data itself, may include information indicating the location of the content data, or may include program identification information of an external program that holds the content data. The output unit may include, for example, a display unit that displays an image, may include a recording unit that records an image on a sheet, or may include a FAX unit that transmits image data by FAX.

  (2) For example, the computer includes a display unit that displays an image. The operation unit is a touch panel built in the display unit. The output program performs an object display process for causing the display unit to display a plurality of objects each indicating the different content data in response to the determination in the first determination process that the specific information is not stored. In the first receiving process, a user operation for touching one position of the plurality of objects is received as a user operation for designating the content data through the operation unit, and the specific information is stored. In response to the determination in the first determination process, the second output process is executed by the computer without causing the computer to execute the object display process.

  (3) As an example, the external program generates the specific information including program identification information for identifying a program that uses the content data. Whether or not the output information includes target identification information that is the program identification information for identifying the output program in response to the first determination process determining that the specific information is stored. A second determination process for determining whether or not the target identification information is included, and in response to determining that the second determination process does not include the target identification information, the computer executes the first reception process, and In response to the determination in the second determination process that the identification information is included, the second output process is executed by the computer.

  (4) As another example, the external program generates the specific information including operation information indicating the operation of the output unit in the second output process. The output unit can execute a target operation. The output program determines whether the operation information included in the specific information indicates the target operation in response to determining in the first determination process that the specific information is stored. 3 determination processing is executed by the computer, and in the second output processing when the third determination processing determines that the operation information indicates the target operation, the output unit is caused to execute the target operation.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to appropriately identify the specific information to be used by the output program.

  (5) Preferably, the output program determines whether or not a plurality of the specific information is stored in response to determining that the specific information is stored in the first determination process. A plurality of contents indicated by the content data specified by each specific information in response to the determination process and the determination by the fourth determination process that a plurality of the specific information is stored, the first output In the second output process when the computer executes the fifth determination process for determining whether or not the process can be output in a batch, and the fifth determination process determines that the output can be performed in a batch and the fifth determination process, A plurality of contents are collectively output to the output unit.

  According to the above configuration, the content data specified before the installation of the output program can be efficiently used.

  (6) Preferably, the output program performs a user operation for designating one of the plurality of specific information via the operation unit in response to the determination that the output is collectively impossible in the fifth determination process. Causing the computer to execute a second reception process to be received, and outputting the content indicated by the content data specified by the specific information specified in the second reception process to the output unit in the second output process; Let

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to allow the user to specify desired content data among a plurality of content data specified before the installation of the output program.

  (7) For example, the output unit includes a display unit that displays an image. The content data is image data indicating an image. The specific information includes a setting value used when an image indicated by the image data is recorded on a sheet. In the fifth determination process, the output program compares the setting values included in each of the plurality of specific information, and if the plurality of the specific information includes the common setting value, the output program In the second output process, a plurality of preview images corresponding to different specific information are displayed in a list on the display unit, and the preview image is specified by the corresponding specific information. It is an image which shows the image which recorded on the sheet | seat the image shown by the said image data according to the said setting value contained in the said specific information.

  (8) For example, the operation unit is a touch panel built in the display unit. The output unit includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a recording apparatus that executes a recording process for recording an image on a sheet. In the second output process, the output program displays a plurality of preview images and an object for receiving a user operation instructing execution of the recording process on the display unit, and a position of the object An instruction receiving process for accepting a user operation for touching via the operation unit, and a recording instruction for recording to the recording device through the communication unit in response to accepting a user operation for touching the position of the object in the instruction accepting process And causing the computer to execute recording instruction processing for transmitting information. The recording instruction information is information that instructs to record an image indicated by the image data specified by the specifying information on a sheet according to the set value.

  (9) Preferably, the output program executes the second output process or the first reception process in response to the determination by the first determination process that the specific information is stored. The computer is caused to execute a third reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting the item via the operation unit.

  According to the above configuration, the user can select whether to use the content data specified by the specific information.

  (10) For example, the computer includes a display unit that displays an image. The operation unit is a touch panel built in the display unit. The output program includes a list display process for causing the display unit to display a list of acquisition source objects indicating acquisition sources of the content data in response to the first determination process determining that the specific information is stored. And a selection receiving process for receiving a user operation for touching the position of the acquisition source object displayed in a list via the operation unit. The acquisition source object includes an external program object indicating the external program and a non-external program object indicating an acquisition source other than the external program. The output program causes the computer to execute the first reception process in response to receiving a user operation for touching a position of the non-external program object in the selection reception process. In the first reception process, A user operation that specifies the content data that can be acquired from the acquisition source indicated by the acquisition source object is received via the operation unit, and a user operation that touches the position of the external program object is received in the selection reception process. In response, the computer causes the computer to execute the second output process.

  (11) Preferably, in the list display process, the output program includes a notification object for notifying the external program object indicating the external program having the specific information stored in the storage unit of the presence of the specific information. Append.

  According to the said structure, utilization of the said specific information can be promoted by alert | reporting to a user the presence of specific information.

  (12) For example, the external program generates the specific information including program identification information for identifying the external program. The output program acquires the content data from the external program identified by the program identification information included in the specific information in response to the first determination process determining that the specific information is stored. The acquisition process is executed by the computer, and in the second output process, the content indicated by the content data acquired in the acquisition process is output to the output unit.

  (13) Preferably, the output program causes the computer to repeatedly execute the first determination process at a predetermined timing during activation.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to promote the use of specific information that was not used when the output program was started or specific information that was generated after the output program was installed. The specific information generated after the installation of the output program may be generated, for example, when content data is designated through an external program when the output program is busy.

  (14) Preferably, the external program generates the specific information in which only a predetermined program is permitted to access. In the first determination process, the output program determines whether or not the specific information that the output program is permitted to access is stored in the storage unit, and the output program is permitted to access the specific information In response to determining that information is stored in the first determination process, the second output process is executed by the computer, and the deletion process for deleting the specific information from the storage unit is performed in the second output process. After the processing is executed, the computer is caused to execute it.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress malfunctions due to the specific information being used by other programs and improve security.

  (15) The external program described in this specification can be read by a computer including an operation unit, a storage unit, and an output unit. The storage unit can store an output program readable by the computer. The external program accepts a user operation for instructing the output program to use content data through the operation unit, and receives the user operation through the accepting process. Generation processing for generating specific information for specifying data, first determination processing for determining whether or not the output program is stored in the storage unit, and first determination processing when the output program is stored And starting the output program according to the determination in the computer, and in the startup process, the specific information is passed to the output program, and the output program is not stored. The output program is accessed at startup in response to the determination in the first determination process. A storage control process wherein to store certain information in the area of the part, the causes the computer to perform.

  (16) Preferably, the external program determines whether or not the specific information stored in the storage control process is stored in the storage unit in response to the activation of the external program. In response to the determination process and the determination that the specific information is stored, the first determination process is executed by the computer.

  According to the above configuration, both the content data specified before the installation of the output program and the content data specified after the installation of the output program can be used by the output program.

  (17) An information processing apparatus described in the present specification includes an operation unit, a storage unit, an output unit that outputs content, and a control unit. The storage unit can store an external program readable by the computer. The information processing includes accepting a user operation for specifying content data, generating specific information for specifying the specified content data, and storing the generated specific information in the storage unit. It is possible to have the device execute. The control unit that executes the output program determines in the first determination process that determines whether or not the specific information is stored in the storage unit, and in the first determination process that the specific information is not stored. Accordingly, a first reception process for accepting a user operation for designating the content data via the operation unit, and a content indicated by the content data designated in the first reception process for the output unit And outputting the content indicated by the content data specified by the specific information in response to the first output processing to be output to and the first determination processing determining that the specific information is stored. The second output process to be output to is executed.

  According to the present invention, content data specified by a user through an external program can be specified based on the content information, and the content indicated by the content data can be output. The designated content data can be acquired without forcing the user to designate the content data again.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a recording system 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an example of the specific information stored in the data storage area 62B. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the image recording process. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the search process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the selection process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the map image designation process. FIG. 7 is a display example of the display unit 53, where (A) shows a specific information notification screen and (B) shows a specific information selection screen. FIG. 8 is a display example of a preview screen, where (A) shows an output example of one content, and (B) shows an output example of a plurality of contents. FIG. 9 is a display example of the display unit 53, where (A) shows an acquisition source selection screen and (B) shows a photo data selection screen. 10A and 10B are display examples of the display unit 53, where FIG. 10A shows a map designation screen and FIG. 10B shows a preview screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 in the present embodiment. A recording system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a multifunction device 10 and a portable terminal 50. The multifunction machine 10 and the portable terminal 50 can communicate with each other via the communication network 102. Although the specific example of the communication network 102 is not specifically limited, For example, a wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), wireless LAN, or these combination may be sufficient. The multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50 may be able to communicate with the service providing device 70 on the Internet.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, a communication unit 25, a CPU 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication bus 33. Is mainly provided. Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is connected to each other via a communication bus 33. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of a recording apparatus.

[Printer 11 and Scanner 12]
The printer unit 11 executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet that is an example of a sheet. As a recording method of the printer unit 11, a known method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The scanner unit 12 executes a scan process for reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and generating image data. The multi-function device 10 may further include a FAX function for performing FAX transmission / reception, a copy function for reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and recording it on another recording sheet.

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 includes a display screen that displays various types of information. As the display unit 23, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be adopted.

[Operation unit 24]
The operation unit 24 receives a user operation for selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23. Specifically, the operation unit 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the operation unit 24 may include a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 23. That is, the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel display.

  The “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24. As an example, the object is a character string displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted when the direction key of the operation unit 24 is pressed, and the object is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A light-displayed object may be selected. As another example, an object when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel is an icon, a button, a link, or the like displayed on the display unit 23, and the object displayed at the touch position may be selected.

  The operation unit 24 realized as a touch panel receives a user operation for touching the display screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. The position information can be expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y axis. For the touch sensor, a known method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method can be adopted.

  Note that “touch” in this specification includes all operations for bringing an input medium into contact with a display screen. That is, a tap operation to move the touched input medium away from the display screen within a predetermined time, a long touch operation to make the touched input medium stand still on the display screen, a slide operation to slide the touched input medium on the display screen, a display screen Flick operation where the acceleration of the input medium sliding above the threshold is more than a threshold, pinch-in operation to slide two input media touched at different positions on the display screen toward each other, two touched at different positions on the display screen A pinch-out operation or the like that slides the input medium away from each other is an example of a touch.

  In addition, even if the input medium is not touching the display screen, the concept of “touch” may include bringing the input medium close to a position where the distance from the display screen is very small. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger or a touch pen.

[Communication unit 25]
The communication unit 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device through the communication network 102. That is, the multifunction device 10 outputs various information to the mobile terminal 50 or the service providing apparatus 70 through the communication unit 25 and receives various data or various information from the mobile terminal 50 or the service providing apparatus 70 through the communication unit 25. Although the specific communication procedure of the communication part 25 is not specifically limited, For example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) is employable.

[CPU 31]
A CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit) 31 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The CPU 31 acquires and executes various programs, which will be described later, from the storage unit 32 based on various information output from the operation unit 24 and various information acquired from an external device through the communication unit 25. That is, the CPU 31 and the storage unit 32 constitute an example of a control unit.

[Storage unit 32]
The storage unit 32 includes a program storage area 32A and a data storage area 32B. In the program storage area 32A, an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) 34 and a control program 35 are stored. The control program 35 may be a single program or an aggregate of a plurality of programs. Data or information necessary for execution of the control program 35 is stored in the data storage area 32B.

  Note that “data” and “information” in this specification are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. “Data” refers to data that can be handled by the computer without taking into account the meaning of each bit. On the other hand, “information” refers to information that the operation of the computer branches depending on the semantic content indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the “instruction” is a control signal for prompting the destination apparatus to perform the next operation, and may include information or itself has a property as information. There is also.

  In addition, even if the format (for example, text format, binary format, flag format, etc.) is changed for each computer, “data” and “information” have the same data and information as long as they are recognized as the same meaning content. Are treated as For example, information indicating “two” is stored as text information “0x32” in ASCII code in one computer, and binary format information “10” in binary notation in another computer. May be.

  However, the distinction between the above “data” and “information” is not strict, and exceptional handling is allowed. For example, data may be temporarily treated as information, or information may be temporarily treated as data. Also, what is handled as data in a certain device may be handled as information in another device. Furthermore, information may be extracted from the data, or data may be extracted from the information.

  The storage unit 32 includes, for example, RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), EEPROM (abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (abbreviation of Hard CPU) 31 (HDD). It is configured by a buffer or the like or a combination thereof.

  The storage unit 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM in addition to the above examples. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in the media.

  The program stored in the program storage area 32A is executed by the CPU 31. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the CPU 31 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description that “the program A executes the process A” may indicate that “the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A”. The same applies to the portable terminal 50 described later.

  Further, the program stored in the program storage area 32A determines an event and operates according to the determination result. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the determination. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that “the control program executes process A according to condition A” is “whether or not the control program is condition A. The control program makes an affirmative determination. In response to this, the processing A may be executed.

  The OS 34 provides an API (abbreviation for Application Programming Interface) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, and the like that are hardware constituting the multifunction machine 10. It is a basic program. That is, each of the above programs controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the OS 34 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description “the program B controls the hardware C” may refer to “the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS 34”. The same applies to the portable terminal 50 described later.

[Portable terminal 50]
As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 50 mainly includes a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a communication unit 55, a CPU 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication bus 63. The display unit 53, the operation unit 54, the communication unit 55, the CPU 61, the storage unit 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the portable terminal 50 are the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, the CPU 31, Since it is common with the memory | storage part 32 and the communication bus 33, description for the second time is abbreviate | omitted. The CPU 61 and the storage unit 62 are an example of a control unit. The display unit 53 and the communication unit 55 are examples of an output unit. The portable terminal 50 is an example of an information processing device. However, a specific example of the information processing apparatus is not limited to the mobile terminal 50 such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, and a tablet terminal, and may be a PC (abbreviation of Personal Computer) or the like.

  The program storage area 62A of the storage unit 62 stores an OS 64, a print program 65, and a map program 66. Various information shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the data storage area 62B of the storage unit 62. Furthermore, a photo data folder in which photo data is stored may be provided in the data storage area 62B. Photo data is an example of content data. However, the content data may be image data, moving image data, music data, or the like.

  The OS 64 may be, for example, Android (registered trademark of Google Inc.) OS, iOS (registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc.), Windows Phone (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) Operating System, or the like.

  The print program 65 is a program that causes the multi-function peripheral 10 to execute a recording process for recording an image indicated by image data on a recording sheet. More specifically, the print program 65 transmits recording instruction information for instructing execution of the recording process to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 25. Further, the print program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a preview image before transmitting the recording instruction information. The print program 65 is an example of an output program. Details of the process of transmitting the recording instruction information will be described later.

  A specific example of the output program is not limited to the print program 65, and a display program for displaying an image indicated by image data or a moving image indicated by moving image data on the display unit 53, or an E-mail attached with content data is provided. It may be a mail program that is transmitted to a mail server on the Internet through the communication unit 55, or a music program that outputs music indicated by music data to a speaker (not shown).

  Further, “output content” includes not only that the mobile terminal 50 outputs content but also that the mobile terminal 50 instructs an external device to output content. In other words, the display unit 53 displaying an image indicated by image data or a moving image indicated by moving image data is an example of content output. In addition, the transmission of the recording instruction information to the MFP 10 by the communication unit 55 is another example of content output. Further, the transmission of the E-mail attached with content data to the mail server by the communication unit 55 is another example of content output. Output of music indicated by music data by a speaker (not shown) is another example of content output.

  The map program 66 is a program that allows the user to specify an arbitrary area of the map image and delivers image data indicating the map image of the specified area to the print program 65. The map program 66 is an example of an external program that determines image data to be recorded based on a user operation. More specifically, the external program is a program that accepts a user operation for specifying content data, generates specific information for specifying the specified content data, and stores the generated specific information in the data storage area 62B. The specific example of the external program is not limited to the map program 66, and may be, for example, a paint program that edits an image in accordance with a user operation and delivers image data indicating the edited image to the print program 65.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the data storage area 62B can store a data ID, an external program ID, an output program ID, operation information, and a set value. Each record in FIG. 2 is an example of specific information. The specific information is stored in the data storage area 62B by an external program. The area of the data storage area 62B in which the specific information is stored is a predetermined area that is accessed when the output program is started. The specific information may be stored in an electronic file format, for example.

  The data ID is associated with part or all of the output program ID, operation information, and setting value. However, at least one of the output program ID and the operation information is associated with the data ID. In the example of FIG. 2, the operation information is not associated with the data ID “map.JPEG”, the output program ID and the setting value are not associated with the data ID “music.MP3”, and the data ID “drama” is not associated. .MPG "and data ID" Photo.JPEG "are not associated with an output program ID.

  The data ID is information for specifying content data to be processed by the output program. The data ID may be, for example, a combination of a file path indicating the location of the content data and a file name that is the name of the content data. The external program ID and the output program ID are an example of program identification information for identifying a program stored in the program storage area 62A, in other words, a program installed in the portable terminal 50. The external program ID identifies the external program that generated the corresponding specific information. The output program ID identifies an output program that should use the corresponding specific information.

  In the present embodiment, the program ID of the print program 65 is “001”, and the program ID of the map program 66 is “011”. As an example, the program ID of the printing program 65 and the program ID of the map program 66 may be embedded in the source code of the printing program 65 and the map program 66 in advance. As another example, the above-described program ID may be stored in advance in a setting file that the print program 65 refers to during operation and a setting file that the print program 66 refers to during operation.

  The operation information is information indicating the operation of the output unit. In the example of FIG. 2, the operation information “print” indicates an operation for causing the multi-function peripheral 10 to execute a recording process, that is, an operation for causing the communication unit 55 to transmit recording instruction information. Further, the operation information “print” may indicate an operation for displaying a preview image on the display unit 53 before transmission of the recording instruction information. The operation information “E-mail” indicates an operation for causing the communication unit 55 to transmit the E-mail. Further, the operation information “reproduction” indicates an operation for displaying an image or a moving image on the display unit 53.

  Note that the operation information may be information indicating the format of the content data. The information indicating the format of the content data may be an extension of a file including the content data. Specifically, “.JPEG” indicating a still image format may indicate an operation for causing the multi-function peripheral 10 to perform recording processing, or an operation for displaying a preview image on the display unit 53 before transmission of recording instruction information. . Further, “.MPEG” indicating a moving image format may indicate an operation for displaying a moving image on the display unit 53. Furthermore, “.MP3” indicating an audio format may indicate an operation of outputting audio to a speaker (not shown). The extension of the file name included in the data ID may also serve as operation information.

  Further, the specific information may be intent format data handled by the Android OS. More specifically, ACTION specified in the intent format may be used as the operation information. Specifically, “VIEW”, which is an ACTION indicating display, may be used as operation information indicating an operation for displaying a preview image on the display unit 53. When the content data indicated by the data ID is a still image and the operation information is “VIEW”, the print program 65 may display a preview image on the display unit 53 before transmitting the recording instruction information. Further, “SEND” that is an ACTION indicating transmission may be used as operation information indicating transmission of recording instruction information. When the content data indicated by the data ID is a still image and the operation information is “SEND”, the printing program 65 may cause the communication unit 55 to transmit the recording instruction information without displaying the preview image.

  The set value indicates an execution condition of an operation for outputting content. There may be one set value associated with the data ID, a plurality of set values, or no associated value. Note that when the setting value is not associated with the data ID, for example, an output process to be described later is executed according to a predetermined default setting value.

  As an example, the setting value associated with the operation information “print” indicates the execution condition of the recording process that the printer unit 11 executes. The setting value associated with the operation information “print” includes, for example, a value indicating “paper size” (for example, A4, B4, L plate, etc.) and a value indicating “paper type” (for example, glossy paper, plain paper, etc.) ) And a value indicating the “number of colors” (for example, full color, 256 colors, monochrome, etc.). However, specific examples of the setting value are not limited to these, and may include values indicating the paper orientation, resolution, magnification, number of copies, and the like. Then, the print program 65 causes the multi-function device 10 to execute a recording process according to the set value. As another example, the setting value associated with the operation information “reproduction” indicates an execution condition of the process in which the display unit 53 displays a moving image or a moving image. The setting value “full screen” shown in FIG. 2 indicates that the moving image indicated by the data ID “drama.

[Service Providing Device 70]
The service providing device 70 is a device that provides a service to be used by the mobile terminal 50. The service providing device 70 exists on the Internet and provides various services in response to requests from the portable terminal 50. The service providing apparatus 70 includes, for example, “Evernote (registered trademark of Evernote Corporation)”, “Dropbox (registered trademark of DropBox, Inc.)”, “Google Drive (Google is a registered trademark of Google, Inc.)”, and the like. It is a storage service.

[Operation of Recording System 100]
The operation of the recording system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The recording system 100 includes an image recording process that causes the multifunction peripheral 10 to perform a recording process on image data determined by the portable terminal 50 based on a user operation, and a map image designation process that allows a user to designate a map image through the map program 66. Can be executed.

[Image recording processing]
The print program 65 of the portable terminal 50 executes the image recording process shown in FIG. 3 in response to being activated by the user. First, the activated print program 65 executes search processing (S11). The search process is a process of searching for specific information that can be used by the print program 65 from the specific information stored in the data storage area 62B.

  In the search processing, the print program 65 searches for specific information in which the program ID “001” is set as the output program ID. The print program 65 is a program for instructing the multifunction machine 10 to execute the recording process on the image data, and thus searches for specific information including the operation information “print”. The output program ID “001” is an example of the target identification information, and the operation indicated by the operation information “print” is an example of the target operation. The details of the search process will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the search process, the print program 65 reads the specific information stored in the data storage area 62B one by one, and determines whether or not the read specific information is available. First, the printing program 65 determines whether or not specific information that has not been determined whether or not it can be used is stored in the data storage area 62B (S31). The process of step S31 is an example of a first determination process.

  Then, the print program 65 reads the specific information from the data storage area 62B in response to the presence of specific information that has not been determined whether it can be used (S31: No) (S32). On the other hand, when the print program 65 determines that the specific information is not stored in the data storage area 62B or all the specific information stored in the data storage area 62B is available (S31: Yes), the search is performed. End the process.

  Next, the printing program 65 determines whether or not the output specific program ID is included in the read specific information (S33). Next, the print program 65 determines whether the output program ID matches the program ID “001” of the print program 65 in response to the output program ID being included in the read specific information (S33: Yes). Is determined (S34). On the other hand, according to the fact that the output program ID is not included in the read specific information (S33: No), the print program 65 can execute the operation indicated by the operation information included in the specific information. It is determined whether or not (S35). The process of step S34 is an example of a second determination process, and the process of step S35 is an example of a third determination process.

  Then, the print program 65 extracts the specific information when the output program ID included in the specific information matches the program ID “001” of the print program 65 (S34: Yes) (S36). The print program 65 stores the specific information itself or information for identifying the specific information in advance in the data storage area 62B so that the extracted specific information can be read without executing step S34 again in a later process. Temporary storage in a predetermined area. The information for identifying the specific information may be a file name of the specific information. In addition, temporarily stored information may be referred to as “extraction information”. In this way, preparing the program so that the program can read specific information without having to make a specific determination in a later process may be referred to as “extracting information”.

  Further, the print program 65 extracts the specific information in response to the fact that the print program 65 can execute the operation indicated by the operation information included in the specific information (S35: Yes) (S36). That is, the printing program 65 temporarily stores the specific information as extracted information in the data storage area 62B. Then, the print program 65 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S31 to S36 until it is determined whether all the specific information is available. In the example of FIG. 2, the specific information on the first line including the output program ID “001” and the specific information on the fourth line including the operation information “print” are extracted.

  Although not shown, the print program 65 may attempt to decrypt the specific information with the secret key held by the print program 65 when the encrypted specific information is stored in the data storage area 62B. . Then, the printing program 65 may extract the specific information that can be decoded and exclude the specific information that cannot be decoded. Although not shown, the print program 65 uses the authentication information held by the print program 65 when the specific information to which the access right is set is stored in the data storage area 62B. You may try to cancel. Then, the printing program 65 may extract the specific information whose access right can be canceled and exclude the specific information whose access right cannot be canceled.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the print program 65 determines whether or not the specific information has been extracted by the search process (S12). In other words, the control program 65 determines whether usable specific information is stored in the data storage area 62B. In other words, the printing program 65 determines whether or not the extracted information is stored in the data storage area 62B. The process of step S12 is another example of the first determination process.

  Next, the printing program 65 displays a specific information notification screen on the display unit 53 in response to determining that there is usable specific information (S12: Yes) (S13). FIG. 7A is an example of the specific information notification screen. The specific information notification screen shown in FIG. 7A includes a message “There is specific information. Do you want to use it?”, A [Yes] icon, and a [No] icon. Then, the print program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the position of the [Yes] icon or the [No] icon via the operation unit 54 (S14). The processes in steps S13 and S14 are an example of a third reception process.

  Next, the printing program 65 executes a selection process in response to the tap of the position of the [Yes] icon (S14: Yes) (S15). In other words, the printing program 65 does not execute the processes of steps S20 to S22 described later in response to the position of the [Yes] icon being tapped. The tap of the [Yes] icon is an example of a user operation that selects execution of the second output process among the second output process described later and the first reception process described later. The selection process is a process for causing the user to select specific information to be used by the print program 65 among the specific information extracted by the search process. Details of the selection process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the print program 65 determines whether or not a plurality of specific information has been extracted in the search process, in other words, whether or not extracted information indicating a plurality of usable specific information is stored in the data storage area 62B. (S41). Next, in response to determining that a plurality of pieces of specific information have been extracted (S41: Yes), the print program 65 determines whether the contents specified by the plurality of pieces of specific information can be output in a batch. (S42). The process of step S41 is an example of a fourth determination process, and the process of step S42 is an example of a fifth determination process.

  For example, in step S42, the print program 65 may compare the set values included in each of the plurality of extracted specific information. The print program 65 may determine that the plurality of contents can be output in a batch when a common set value is included in the plurality of specified specific information (S42: Yes). On the other hand, when different setting values are included in the plurality of specified information, the printing program 65 may determine that the plurality of contents cannot be output collectively (S42: No).

  Note that the printing program 65 may determine in step S42 that batch output is possible when the setting values included in each of the plurality of specific information completely match. Alternatively, in step S42, the printing program 65 may determine that batch output is possible when only predetermined setting values match among the setting values included in each of the plurality of specific information. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the print program 65 may determine that batch output is possible regardless of whether the setting values indicating the number of colors match if the setting values indicating the paper size match.

  Next, the printing program 65 displays a specific information selection screen on the display unit 53 in response to determining that batch output is impossible (S42: No) (S43). FIG. 7B is an example of the specific information selection screen. The specific information selection screen shown in FIG. 7B includes a plurality of specific information icons 111 and 112. The specific information icons 111 and 112 correspond to the specific information extracted by the search process. The specific information icons 111 and 112 display data IDs included in the corresponding specific information. Then, the printing program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the position of the specific information icons 111 and 112 via the operation unit 54 (S44). The processes in steps S43 and S44 are an example of a second reception process.

  Then, for example, when the position of the specific information icon 112 is tapped (S44: Yes), the printing program 65 ends the selection process assuming that the specific information corresponding to the specific information icon 112 is selected. . Note that the print program 65 stores the specific information itself or information for identifying the specific information in advance in the data storage area 62B so that the selected specific information can be read without executing step S44 again in a later process. Temporary storage in a predetermined area. The information for identifying the specific information may be a file name of the specific information. In addition, temporarily stored information may be referred to as “selected information”.

  Further, the print program 65 determines that the plurality of pieces of specific information are selected in response to determining that the plurality of pieces of content specified by the plurality of pieces of specific information can be collectively output (S42: Yes). finish. That is, the print program 65 temporarily stores all the specific information as selection information in the data storage area 62B. Further, in response to determining that the extracted specific information is one (S41: No), the print program 65 ends the selection process assuming that the specific information is selected. That is, the printing program 65 temporarily stores the one specific information as selection information in the data storage area 62B.

  Returning to FIG. 3 again, the print program 65 acquires content data specified by the specific information selected in the selection process (S16). That is, the print program 65 extracts the data ID from the specific information stored in the data storage area 62B as selection information. Then, the print program 65 acquires content data indicated by the file name from the location indicated by the file path of the extracted data ID. In the present embodiment, image data with the file name “photograph.JPEG” is acquired. The process of step S16 is an example of an acquisition process.

  Next, the printing program 65 displays a preview screen on the display unit 53 (S17). FIG. 8A shows an example of a preview screen. The preview screen shown in FIG. 8A includes a preview image 113 and a [print] icon. Then, the print program 65 accepts a user operation for tapping the position of the [print] icon via the operation unit 54 (S18). The process of step S17 is an example of a preview process, and the process of step S18 is an example of an instruction reception process.

  The preview image 113 is an image showing an image recorded on the recording paper in accordance with the corresponding set value of the image indicated by the image data acquired in step S16. That is, the preview image 113 represents an image obtained by recording an image represented by the image data “Photo.JPEG” in full color on an L-size recording sheet. The print program 65 generates a preview image 113 from the image data acquired in step S16. The [print] icon is an example of an object for receiving a user operation that instructs execution of a recording process.

  Next, in response to the position of the [print] icon being tapped (S18: Yes), the printing program 65 transmits the recording instruction information to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S19). The recording instruction information is information that instructs to record an image indicated by the image data specified by the specifying information on a sheet according to a set value. That is, the recording instruction information includes image data “Photo.JPEG” and setting values “L version” and “full color” stored in the data storage area 62B in association with the data ID. The process of step S19 is an example of a recording instruction process. The process of steps S17 to S19 executed on the content data acquired in step S16 is an example of a second output process.

  The print program 65 may delete the specific information selected in the selection process from the data storage area 62B in response to the completion of the second output process. The process of deleting the specific information is an example of a deletion process. The deletion process is not limited to physically deleting the specific information from the data storage area 62B, and may include setting “ON” to a used flag included in the specific information. Thereby, it can suppress that the same content is output again.

  On the other hand, although not shown, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 receives the recording instruction information from the portable terminal 50 through the communication unit 25. Then, the control program 35 causes the printer unit 11 to execute a recording process according to the received recording instruction information. That is, the printer unit 11 records the image indicated by the image data “Photo.JPEG” included in the recording instruction information in full color on the L size recording paper.

  FIG. 8B shows an example of a preview screen when image data “map.JPEG” and “photograph.JPEG” can be output collectively. The preview screen shown in FIG. 8B includes a plurality of preview images 114 and 115, check boxes corresponding to the preview images 114 and 115, and a [print] icon. The preview image 114 corresponds to the image data “Map.JPEG”, and the preview image 115 corresponds to “Photo.JPEG”. That is, in the preview process when there are a plurality of pieces of specific information for specifying image data that can be collectively output, the print program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a list of a plurality of preview images generated from the plurality of pieces of image data. . Note that the preview images 114 and 115 may be generated based on setting values common to all the specific information determined to be batch output. For example, when the common setting value is “monochrome”, monochrome preview images may be generated.

  Further, the print program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the position of the check box and a user operation for tapping the position of the [print] icon via the operation unit 54 (S18). Then, in response to the tap of the position of the [Print] icon included in the preview screen in FIG. 8B (S18: Yes), the print program 65 displays the preview images 114 and 115 whose check boxes are checked. The recording instruction information including the corresponding image data is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S19). That is, in the recording instruction process in the case where there are a plurality of pieces of specific information specifying image data that can be collectively output, the print program 65 can transmit recording instruction information including all image data, or a plurality of images. Recording instruction information including only a part of the data can be transmitted.

  On the other hand, the printing program 65 displays the acquisition source selection screen on the display unit 53 in response to determining that there is no specific information that can be used (S12: No) (S20). FIG. 9A is an example of an acquisition source selection screen. The acquisition source selection screen illustrated in FIG. 9A includes a plurality of acquisition source icons 121, 122, 123, and 124 and a notification icon 125. Then, the print program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the positions of the various icons 121 to 125 included in the acquisition source selection screen via the operation unit 54 (S21). The process of step S20 is an example of a list display process, the process of step S21 is an example of a selection reception process, and the processes of steps S20 and S21 are an example of a first reception process.

  In the example of FIG. 9A, the acquisition source icon 121 is associated with the photo data folder in the data storage area 62B that is the acquisition source of the photo data. The acquisition source icon 122 is associated with the service providing apparatus 70 on the Internet. The acquisition source icon 123 is associated with a map program 66 that is an example of an external program. The acquisition source icon 124 is associated with a paint program which is another example of the external program. The acquisition source icons 121 and 122 are non-external program objects, the acquisition source icons 123 and 124 are examples of external program objects,

  The notification icon 125 notifies the presence of specific information. The notification icon 125 is added to the acquisition source icon 123 of the map program 66 that generated the specific information stored in the data storage area 62B. More specifically, the printing program 65 adds a notification icon to the acquisition source icon of the external program identified by the external program ID included in the specific information. The notification icon 125 is an example of a notification object.

  Similarly, the printing program 65 executes the processing after step S20 in response to the tapping of the position of the [No] icon included in the specific information notification screen (S14: No). The tap of the [No] icon is an example of a user operation that selects execution of the first reception process among the second output process and the first reception process described later. That is, even when the position of the [No] icon included in the specific information notification screen is tapped, the notification object is displayed on the acquisition source selection screen, so that the user can recognize the presence of the specific information.

  Next, the printing program 65 acquires content data from the acquisition source indicated by the acquisition source icon in response to the tapping of one position of the acquisition source icons 121 to 124 (S21: acquisition source icon) ( S22). With reference to FIG. 9B, the process of step S22 when the acquisition source icon 121 is selected will be described in detail.

  First, the print program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a photo data selection screen. FIG. 9B is an example of a photo data selection screen. The photo data selection screen shown in FIG. 9B includes a plurality of photo icons 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136. The photo icons 131 to 136 correspond to photo data stored in the photo data folder. The photo icons 131 to 136 may be so-called thumbnail images obtained by reducing the image size and resolution of the corresponding photos. The photo icons 131 to 136 are examples of objects indicating content data. The process of displaying the photo data selection screen is an example of an object display process.

  Further, the print program 65 receives a user operation for tapping the position of the photo icons 131 to 136 via the operation unit 54. Then, for example, when the position of the photo icon 131 is tapped, the print program 65 acquires photo data corresponding to the photo icon 131 from the photo data folder. Then, the printing program 65 performs the processes of steps S17 to S19 on the acquired content data. Since the processing of steps S17 to S19 has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. The process of steps S17 to S19 executed for the content data acquired in step S22 is an example of a first output process.

  Further, in response to the tapping of the position of the notification icon 125 included in the acquisition source selection screen or the position of the acquisition source icon 123 to which the notification icon 125 is added (S21: notification icon), the printing program 65 performs step S15. The subsequent processing is executed. Since the processing of steps S15 to S19 has already been described, the description thereof is omitted.

[Map image specification processing]
The map program 66 of the portable terminal 50 executes the map image designation process shown in FIG. 6 in response to being activated by the user. The activated map program 66 determines whether there is specific information stored in the data storage area 62B by the map program 66 (S51). Specifically, the map program 66 may determine whether or not the specific information in which the program ID “011” of the map program 66 is set as the external program ID is stored in the data storage area 62B. The process of step S51 is an example of a first determination process.

  Next, in response to determining that the specific information stored by the map program 66 does not exist (S51: No), the map program 66 displays a map designation screen on the display unit 53 (S52). FIG. 10A is an example of a map designation screen. The map designation screen shown in FIG. 10A includes a map display area 141 and a [preview] icon. Then, the map program 66 receives user operations for the map display area 141 and the [preview] icon via the operation unit 54 (S53, S54).

  A part of the map image that can be displayed by the map program 66 is displayed in the map display area 141. In the map display area 141 at the time of starting the map program 66, for example, a map image 142 including the current position of the mobile terminal 50 acquired from GPS (abbreviation of Global Positioning System) is displayed. For example, the map program 66 acquires map image data indicating the map image 142 to be displayed from a server (not shown) through the communication unit 55. Specifically, the map program 66 requests the map image data from the server through the communication unit 55, and receives the map image data returned from the server through the communication unit 55.

  The map program 66 changes the map image 142 to be displayed in the map display area 141 in response to receiving a user operation at the position of the map display area 141 via the operation unit 54 (S53: Yes). The map image 142 displayed in the map display area 141 is, for example, slid following the slide operation, reduced following the pinch-in operation, and enlarged following the pinch-out operation.

  Further, the map program 66 receives the user operation for tapping the position of the [Preview] icon via the operation unit 54 (S54: Yes), and displays the map image 142 displayed in the map display area 141. The map image data shown is generated, and the generated map image data is stored in the data storage area 62B (S55). The process of step S54 is an example of a reception process, and the process of step S55 is an example of a generation process.

  Next, the map program 66 determines whether or not the print program 65 is installed in the portable terminal 50 (S56). As an example, the map program 66 may determine whether or not an execution format file of the print program 65 is stored in the program storage area 62A. As another example, the map program 66 may specify the program ID “001” of the print program 65 and inquire of the OS 64 about the presence or absence of installation. The process of step S56 is an example of a first determination process.

  Then, the map program 66 starts the printing program 65 in response to determining that the printing program 65 is installed (S56: Yes) (S57). More specifically, the map program 66 outputs information indicating that the print program 65 has been installed in response to the execution format file of the print program 65 being stored in the program storage area 62A from the OS 64. In response to this, the print program 65 is activated.

  Further, the map program 66 delivers specific information to the printing program 65. The specific information delivered to the printing program includes, for example, the data ID of the map image data generated in step S55 and the setting value used for the recording process for the map image data. The map program 66 may pass the specific information to the print program 65 through the OS 64, for example. The process of step S57 is an example of a startup process.

  Specifically, the map program 66 generates intent format specific information handled by the Android OS. Then, the map program 66 specifies the program ID of the print program 65 and notifies the generated specific information to the OS 64. As a result, specific information is input to the print program 65 through the OS 64. Further, the map program 66 may specify the program ID of the print program 65 and instruct the OS 64 to deliver the specific information generated in the intent format to the print program 65 by the sharing function. The sharing function of the Android OS is an example of a sharing function included in the OS 64.

  In response to being activated by the map program 66, the print program 65 executes the processes of steps S16 to S19 shown in FIG. That is, the printing program 65 acquires map image data specified by the data ID included in the transferred specific information (S16). Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the printing program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a preview screen including a preview image 151 generated from the acquired map image data (S17). Then, in response to the position of the [Print] icon being tapped (S18: Yes), the printing program 65 transmits the recording instruction information including the map image data and the setting value to the multi function device 10 through the communication unit 55 ( S19).

  Note that the print program 65 may determine whether the operation information is “VIEW” or “SEND” in step S19. Then, the print program 65 may display a preview screen on the display unit 53 in response to determining that the operation information is “VIEW” (S17). On the other hand, in response to determining that the operation information is “SEND”, the print program 65 may transmit the recording instruction information to the multi-function device 10 through the communication unit 55 without displaying the preview screen (S19). ).

  Returning to FIG. 6, the map program 66 stores the specific information in the data storage area 62B in response to determining that the print program 65 is not installed (S56: No) (S57). The specific information includes, for example, the data ID “map.JPEG” of the map image data generated in step S55, the external program ID “011” that is the program ID of the map program 66, and the output program that is the program ID of the print program 65. It includes ID “001”, setting values “A4” and “256 colors”. The process of step S58 is an example of a storage control process.

  Note that values specified by the user may be set for each information included in the specific information, or the map program 66 may set default values. Specifically, the map program 66 may cause the user to specify the data ID of the map image data stored in step S55 via the operation unit 54, or may set a default value. For example, the map program 66 may cause the display unit 53 to display a screen (not shown) including options for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of output programs. Then, the map program 66 may accept a user operation for selecting any of the options displayed on the display unit 53 via the operation unit 54. Further, the map program 66 may cause the user to specify a setting value to be included in the specific information via the operation unit 54, or may set a default value.

  Further, in step S56, the map program 66 causes the display unit 53 to display a screen including output program options, and determines whether an output program corresponding to the option selected by the user operation is installed. Good. Alternatively, the map program 66 may determine whether or not a predetermined default output program is installed in step S56. The default output program may be the printing program 65, for example.

  Further, the map program 66 may allow only the print program 65 identified by the output program ID “001” to access the specific information. Specifically, the map program 66 may encrypt the specific information with a secret key shared with the print program 65, or may set the access right to the specific information using the authentication information shared with the print program 65. Good.

  Further, the map program 66 may cause the display unit 53 to display a suggestion screen (not shown) for prompting the user to install the printing program 65 identified by the output program ID “001”. Further, the map program 66 may accept a user operation for instructing installation of the printing program 65 via the operation unit 54. Then, the map program 66 that has received the user operation requests, for example, a browser program (not shown) to display the installation page of the print program 65 on the display unit 53. Then, the browser program requests an installation page of the print program 65 from a WEB server that provides a program that can be installed on the portable terminal 50.

  Further, the map program 66 may display the suggestion screen in response to determining that the output program is not installed in Step S56 or Step S59 (S56: No / S59: No). Further, the map program 66 may display the suggestion screen after storing the specific information in step S58.

  Further, when the map program 66 determines that the specific information stored by the map program 66 is present (S51: Yes), the output program identified by the output program ID included in the specific information (for example, printing) It is determined whether or not the program 65) is installed (S59). The process in step S59 is common to the process in step S56. Then, the map program 66 executes the process of step S57 in response to determining that the print program 65 is installed (S59: Yes). At this time, the map program 66 delivers the specific information found in step S51 to the printing program 65. On the other hand, the map program 66 executes the processing after step S52 in response to determining that the printing program 65 is not installed (S59: No).

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the printing program 65 according to the above embodiment, content data designated by the user through an external program can be specified based on the specific information, and the content indicated by the content data can be output. That is, the content data specified by the user through the external program before the installation of the external program can be acquired without forcing the user to specify the content data again.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the specific information that can be used by the print program 65 can be extracted based on the external program ID or the operation information included in the specific information. As a result, even when a plurality of output programs are installed in the portable terminal 50, the specific information can be used with an appropriate output program. In addition, malfunction of the specific information used by other programs can be suppressed by encryption of the specific information. Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the output process is executed according to the setting value included in the specific information, so that an output result desired by the user can be obtained.

  In step S16 of the above embodiment, the example in which the print program 65 reads the content data identified by the data ID from the data storage area 62B has been described. However, the method for acquiring the content data specified by the specific information is not limited to this. As an example, the content data itself may be included in the specific information. As another example, the print program 65 may acquire content data identified by a data ID from an external program identified by an external program ID. Specifically, information for requesting content data from an external program may be included in the specific information. Then, the print program 65 may request content data from the external program using the information. Further, the printing program 65 may receive output data output by the external program in response to the request.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of specific information that can be used by the print program 65 is stored in the data storage area 62B, a plurality of pieces of content data associated with a common set value are collectively collected. Is output. As a result, a plurality of content data designated before the installation of the printing program 65 can be efficiently used. On the other hand, when a plurality of specific information associated with different setting values is stored in the data storage area 62B, the user can select specific information to be used.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the user can select whether to output the content specified by the specific information or to newly specify the content to be output in the first reception process (S20 to S22). . Further, a notification icon 125 that notifies the presence of the specific information is displayed on the acquisition source selection screen. Furthermore, if there is specific information generated by the external program when the external program is started, the processes in and after step S58 are executed. As a result, the use of specific information can be promoted.

  Even if the specific information exists when the print program 65 is activated, the specific information may not be used. Therefore, the printing program 65 may repeatedly execute the processes after step S11 not only at the time of activation but at a predetermined timing during activation. As a result, it is possible to promote the use of specific information that was not used when the print program 65 was started or specific information that was generated after the print program 65 was installed. Note that the specific information generated after the installation of the print program 65 may be generated when content data is designated through an external program when the print program 65 is busy, for example.

  Further, the map program 66 according to the above embodiment prints using the intent function if the print program 65 is already installed when the print program 65 is to use the map image data designated by the user. The program 65 is notified of the presence of the map image data, and if the print program 65 is not yet installed, the specific information is stored in the data storage area 62B. As a result, both the content data specified before the installation of the printing program 65 and the content data specified after the installation of the printing program 65 can be used by the printing program 65.

  In the image recording process shown in FIG. 3, the display of the specific information notification screen is not essential. That is, the printing program 65 may execute the selection process by skipping the processes of steps S13 and S14 in response to determining that there is usable specific information (S12: Yes) (S15). Similarly, display of the preview screen is not essential. For example, the printing program 65 skips the processes of steps S17 and S18 in response to the selection process determining that the contents specified by the plurality of specific information can be collectively output (S42: Yes). Processing may be executed.

  Moreover, in the search process shown in FIG. 4, the example in which only one of steps S34 and S35 is determined according to whether or not the specific information includes the output program ID has been described. However, the print program 65 may execute both the processes of steps S34 and S35, for example, in response to the specific information including the output program ID (S33: Yes). That is, the print program 65 is output when the output program ID included in the specific information is “001” (S34: Yes) and the print program 65 can execute the operation indicated by the operation information (S35: Yes), the specific information may be extracted (S36).

  Further, in the selection process shown in FIG. 5, the specific information selection screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed in response to determining that the contents specified by the plurality of specific information cannot be collectively output (S42: No). The example to be displayed has been described (S43). However, in step S43, the print program 65 may cause the display unit 53 to display a preview screen shown in FIG. 8B instead of the specific information selection screen shown in FIG. Note that the plurality of preview images included in the preview screen may be generated based on setting values included in the corresponding specific information. That is, for example, a monochrome preview image and a color preview image may be mixed on the preview screen.

  The print program 65 may accept selection of specific information corresponding to a preview image in which the corresponding check box is checked. At this time, in response to selection of one of a plurality of check boxes, the print program 65 and content data corresponding to the check box (hereinafter referred to as “selected content data”) and contents that can be output in a batch. The check box corresponding to the data may be checked, and the check box corresponding to the selected content data and content data that cannot be batch output may be disabled. Then, the print program 65 may execute the process of step S19 on the content data corresponding to the checked check box in response to the tap of the position of the [print] icon.

  In the portable terminal 50 according to the above-described embodiment, each process executed by the control unit of the present invention is realized by the CPU 61 executing various programs stored in the program storage area 62A of the storage unit 62. Explained. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of the configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit)).

  Furthermore, the present invention may be realized not only as the mobile terminal 50 but also as a program that causes the mobile terminal 50 to execute processing. Then, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium may include a storage unit mounted on a server that can be connected to the portable terminal 50 via the communication network 102 in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. And the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the server may be delivered via the communication networks 102, such as the internet, as the information or signal which shows the said program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multifunction machine 11 ... Printer part 12 ... Scanner part 25, 55 ... Communication part 31, 61 ... CPU
35 ... Control program 65 ... Print program 66 ... Map program 50 ... Portable terminal 53 ... Display unit 54 ... Operation unit 62 ... Storage unit

Claims (17)

A computer-readable output program comprising an operation unit, a storage unit, and an output unit for outputting content,
The storage unit can store an external program readable by the computer,
The external program receives a user operation for specifying content data, generates specific information for specifying the specified content data, and stores the generated specific information in the storage unit. Can be executed, and
The output program is
A first determination process for determining whether the specific information is stored in the storage unit in response to the output program being activated;
A first accepting process for accepting a user operation for designating the content data via the operation unit in response to the first judging process determining that the specific information is not stored;
Causing the computer to execute a first output process for causing the output unit to output the content indicated by the content data specified in the first reception process;
A second output process for causing the output unit to output the content indicated by the content data specified by the specific information in response to the first determination process determining that the specific information is stored; An output program for causing the computer to execute. The computer includes a display unit that displays an image,
The operation unit is a touch panel built in the display unit,
The output program is
In response to determining in the first determination process that the specific information is not stored, the computer is caused to execute an object display process that causes the display unit to display a plurality of objects indicating different content data,
In the first reception process, a user operation for touching one position of the plurality of objects is received through the operation unit as a user operation for designating the content data.
2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the second output process is executed by the computer without causing the computer to execute the object display process in response to the determination by the first determination process that the specific information is stored. The described output program. The external program generates the specific information including program identification information for identifying a program that uses the content data,
The output program is
In response to determining in the first determination process that the specific information is stored, a first determination is made as to whether the specific information includes target identification information that is the program identification information for identifying the output program. 2 causing the computer to execute a determination process;
In response to determining in the second determination process that the target identification information is not included, the first reception process is executed by the computer,
The output program according to claim 1 or 2, which causes the computer to execute the second output process in response to the determination by the second determination process that the target identification information is included. The external program generates the specific information including operation information indicating the operation of the output unit in the second output process,
The output unit is capable of executing a target operation,
The output program is
In response to determining that the specific information is stored in the first determination process, a third determination process is performed to determine whether or not the action information included in the specific information indicates the target action. Let the computer run,
4. The output according to claim 1, wherein in the second output process when the third determination process determines that the operation information indicates the target operation, the output unit causes the output unit to execute the target operation. 5. program. The output program is
A fourth determination process for determining whether or not a plurality of the specific information is stored in response to determining that the specific information is stored in the first determination process;
In response to the determination in the fourth determination process that a plurality of the specific information is stored, the plurality of contents indicated by the content data specified by the specific information are collectively processed in the first output process. And a fifth determination process for determining whether or not output is possible.
5. The output program according to claim 1, wherein in the second output process when the fifth determination process determines that batch output is possible, the output unit collectively outputs the plurality of contents. . The output program is
A second reception process for receiving a user operation for designating one of the plurality of specific information via the operation unit in response to the determination in the fifth determination process that batch output is impossible. Let
The output program according to claim 5, wherein in the second output process, the output unit outputs the content indicated by the content data specified by the specific information specified in the second reception process. The output unit includes a display unit for displaying an image,
The content data is image data indicating an image,
The specific information includes a setting value used when recording an image indicated by the image data on a sheet,
The output program is
In the fifth determination process, the setting values included in each of the plurality of specific information are compared, and when the common setting value is included in the plurality of specific information, the plurality of contents can be collectively output. Judging
In the second output process, a plurality of preview images corresponding to the different specific information are displayed in a list on the display unit,
The said preview image is an image which shows the image which recorded on the sheet | seat the image shown with the said image data specified by the said specific information according to the said setting value contained in the said specific information. Output program. The operation unit is a touch panel built in the display unit,
The output unit includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a recording apparatus that executes a recording process for recording an image on a sheet,
In the second output process, the output program includes:
Preview processing for causing the display unit to display a plurality of the preview images and an object for accepting a user operation instructing execution of the recording processing;
An instruction acceptance process for accepting a user operation for touching the position of the object via the operation unit;
In response to receiving a user operation for touching the position of the object in the instruction receiving process, the computer is caused to execute a recording instruction process for transmitting recording instruction information to the recording device through the communication unit,
8. The output program according to claim 7, wherein the recording instruction information is information instructing to record an image indicated by the image data specified by the specifying information on a sheet according to the set value.   The output program performs a user operation for selecting whether to execute the second output process or the first reception process in response to the determination in the first determination process that the specific information is stored. The output program according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which causes the computer to execute a third reception process that is received via the operation unit. The computer includes a display unit that displays an image,
The operation unit is a touch panel built in the display unit,
The output program is
A list display process for causing the display unit to display a list of acquisition source objects indicating acquisition sources of the content data in response to the first determination process determining that the specific information is stored;
A selection acceptance process for accepting a user operation for touching a position of the acquisition source object displayed in a list via the operation unit;
The acquisition source object is
An external program object indicating the external program;
A non-external program object indicating an acquisition source other than the external program,
The output program is
In response to accepting a user operation to touch the position of the non-external program object in the selection accepting process, the first accepting process is executed by the computer,
In the first reception process, a user operation for specifying the content data that can be acquired from the acquisition source indicated by the acquisition source object is received via the operation unit,
The output program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the computer executes the second output process in response to receiving a user operation for touching a position of the external program object in the selection receiving process.   The output program adds a notification object for notifying the presence of the specific information to the external program object indicating the external program having the specific information stored in the storage unit in the list display process. The described output program. The external program generates the specific information including program identification information for identifying the external program,
The output program is
In response to determining in the first determination process that the specific information is stored, an acquisition process for acquiring the content data from the external program identified by the program identification information included in the specific information, Causing the computer to execute,
The output program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in the second output process, the output unit outputs the content indicated by the content data acquired in the acquisition process.   The output program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the output program causes the computer to repeatedly execute the first determination process at a predetermined timing during activation. The external program generates the specific information that only a predetermined program is allowed to access,
The output program is
In the first determination process, it is determined whether or not the specific information permitted to be accessed by the output program is stored in the storage unit;
In response to determining in the first determination process that the specific information permitted to be accessed by the output program is stored, the computer executes the second output process,
The output program according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which causes the computer to execute a deletion process for deleting the specific information from the storage unit after executing the second output process. A computer-readable external program comprising an operation unit, a storage unit, and an output unit,
The storage unit can store an output program readable by the computer,
The external program is
A reception process for accepting a user operation for instructing the output program to use content data via the operation unit;
A generation process for generating specific information for specifying the content data in response to receiving the user operation in the reception process;
First determination processing for determining whether or not the output program is stored in the storage unit;
In response to determining in the first determination process that the output program is stored, the computer is caused to execute a startup process for starting the output program,
In the startup process, the specific information is delivered to the output program,
A storage control process for storing the specific information in an area of the storage unit that is accessed by the output program upon activation in response to determining that the output program is not stored in the first determination process; An external program to be executed. The external program is
A second determination process for determining whether or not the specific information stored in the storage control process is stored in the storage unit in response to the activation of the external program;
16. The external program according to claim 15, which causes the computer to execute the first determination process in response to determining that the specific information is stored. An operation unit;
A storage unit;
An output unit for outputting content;
An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit,
The storage unit can store an external program readable by the computer,
The information processing includes accepting a user operation for specifying content data, generating specific information for specifying the specified content data, and storing the generated specific information in the storage unit. The device can be run,
The control unit that executes the output program includes:
First determination processing for determining whether or not the specific information is stored in the storage unit;
A first accepting process for accepting a user operation for designating the content data via the operation unit in response to the first judging process determining that the specific information is not stored;
A first output process for causing the output unit to output the content indicated by the content data specified in the first reception process;
A second output process for causing the output unit to output the content indicated by the content data specified by the specific information in response to the first determination process determining that the specific information is stored; Information processing apparatus for executing

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