JP7255655B2 - Output program and mobile terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an output program for outputting content data and a mobile terminal that executes the output program.

Conventionally, applications have been known that allow a user to specify content data and cause an output device to execute an output operation for the specified content data. For example, the application described in Patent Document 1 allows a user to specify image data stored in a mobile terminal, and causes a printer to print an image indicated by the image data.

JP 2012-203742 A

In recent years, methods for specifying content data have diversified, and development of interfaces suitable for each method is required. For example, an interface for extracting a desired area from a map image and an interface for editing an image printed on the surface of a CD-ROM or the like are very different. Therefore, there is a tendency to develop a plurality of programs having designation interfaces specialized for specific designation methods.

On the other hand, the processing for causing the output device to perform the output operation may vary greatly depending on the manufacturer or model of the output device. Therefore, in order to execute this process, it is necessary to develop a program suitable for each output device. However, it is extremely difficult to develop a plurality of programs having an optimum specification interface for a specific specification method and to further implement in each program an optimum process for causing the output device to execute the output operation. In particular, if a plurality of output devices with different specifications are to execute an output operation, the burden of implementing optimal processing for each output device increases the possibility of affecting the implementation of the specified interface.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an output program capable of outputting content data specified through a program having a specified interface to an output device suitable for the program. to provide.

(1) The output program described in this specification can be read by a mobile terminal having a communication unit and a storage unit. The communication unit can communicate with a plurality of output devices through a communication network. The output device is capable of executing at least one of a plurality of output operations for outputting content data. The storage unit stores an activation source program readable by the mobile terminal, and is capable of storing a plurality of sets of mutually corresponding program identification information and device identification information. The program identification information is information for identifying the boot source program. The device identification information is information for identifying the output device. The activation source program causes the user to specify the content data, activates the output program, and performs activation processing for providing the output program with specified data information for identifying the specified content data. can be executed by The output program can cause the portable terminal to execute acquisition processing for acquiring information provided from the activation source program in response to being activated by the activation source program. In the obtaining process, at least the specified data information is obtained. The output program includes a first determination process for determining whether or not the program identification information has been acquired in the acquisition process in addition to the specified data information, and a determination that the program identification information has been acquired by the first determination process. a second judgment process for judging whether or not the device identification information associated with the program identification information is stored in the storage unit in response to the above-mentioned processing; A first determination process of determining the device identification information as designated device information according to the determination made in the second determination process, and an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output device identified by the designated device information and are executed by the mobile terminal. The output instruction information is information for outputting the content data identified by the designated data information.

According to the above configuration, the content data identified by the specified data information acquired from the activation source program is output to the output device associated with the program identification information of the activation source program. As a result, it is possible to output the content data specified by the activation source program to an output device suitable for the activation source program.

(2) Preferably, the output program includes: third determination processing for determining whether or not the device identification information has been acquired in the acquisition processing in addition to the specified data information; a fourth determination process of determining whether or not communication is possible with the output device identified by the device identification information through the communication unit according to the determination made in the third determination process; a second determination process of determining the device identification information acquired in the acquisition process as the designated device information according to the determination in 1; and a determination that the device identification information has not been acquired in the third determination process Alternatively, the mobile terminal is caused to execute the first determination process in response to determining that communication is impossible in the fourth determination process.

According to the above configuration, when the boot source program further accepts designation of an output device, the output device can be caused to perform the output operation.

(3) Preferably, in the third determination process, the output program determines whether or not the program identification information and the device identification information have been acquired in the acquisition process in addition to the specified data information; In accordance with the determination in the third determination process that the identification information and the device identification information have been acquired, the portable terminal performs storage processing for storing the program identification information and the device identification information in association with each other in the storage unit. let it run.

According to the above configuration, the device identification information specified by the user through the activation source program is stored in the storage unit in association with the program identification information of the activation source program. As a result, the output device indicated by the device identification information can be caused to perform the output operation at the next activation by the activation source program.

(4) Preferably, the mobile terminal includes an operation unit. The output program performs the fifth determination process for determining whether or not the specified action information is acquired in the acquisition process in response to the determination in the first determination process that the program identification information has not been acquired. Run it on your mobile device. The specified action information is information for identifying the specified action, which is the output action to be executed by the output device. The output program is capable of executing the specified action identified by the specified action information and capable of communicating through the communication unit in response to determining in the fifth determination process that the specified action information has been acquired. a search process for searching for an output device; a first reception process for receiving, through the operation unit, a user operation specifying one of the device identification information of the output device found in the search process; and causing the portable terminal to execute a third determination process of determining the device identification information specified in the process as the specified device information. The output instruction information is information for outputting the content data identified by the specified data information by the specified operation.

According to the above configuration, the user selects one of the output devices capable of executing the specified action identified by the specified action information acquired from the starting program, so that the output is output to the output device suitable for the starting program. can perform an action.

(5) Preferably, the output program designates one of the plurality of output actions as the specified action in response to determining in the fifth determination process that the specified action information has not been obtained. a second receiving process for receiving a user operation through the operating unit; The portable terminal is caused to execute the first reception process and the third determination process.

According to the above configuration, the user is allowed to select the designated operation for outputting the content data and the output device capable of executing the designated operation, so that the designated operation can be executed by the output device suitable for the activation source program.

(6) Preferably, the output program performs storage processing for storing the program identification information acquired in the acquisition processing and the device identification information specified in the first reception processing in association with each other in the storage unit. Run it on your mobile device.

According to the above configuration, the device identification information specified by the user through the output program is associated with the program identification information of the activation source program and stored in the storage unit. As a result, the output device indicated by the device identification information can be caused to perform the output operation at the next activation by the activation source program.

(7) Preferably, the output program causes the portable terminal to execute a providing process of providing the designated device information determined in the first determination process or the third determination process to the activation source program.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to cause the boot source program to recognize the device identification information of the output device suitable for the boot source program.

(8) Preferably, the mobile terminal includes a display. The output program causes the portable terminal to execute preview display processing for displaying the preview screen on the display unit. The preview screen includes the preview image representing the execution result of the output operation according to the output instruction information, a device switching object corresponding to switching of the designated device information, and an output instruction corresponding to execution of the output instruction process. Including objects. The output program performs a third receiving process of receiving a user operation for selecting an object through the operation unit, and receives the selection of the device switching object in the third receiving process. receiving process, and causing the mobile terminal to perform the output instruction process in response to receiving the selection of the output instruction object in the third receiving process.

According to the above configuration, the output device determined in the determination process can be changed to the output device desired by the user. As a result, an output device suitable for the boot source program can be caused to execute the output operation.

(9) Preferably, the output program is activated by the OS of the portable terminal that receives a user operation instructing activation of the output program, regardless of the activation process by the activation program. a fourth determination process of determining the device identification information stored in the storage unit in association with the program identification information of the output program as the designated device information; the output instruction information for causing the portable terminal to execute a fourth reception process received through a unit, and for causing the output instruction process to output the content data identified by the specified data information specified in the fourth reception process; , to the output device identified by the designated device information determined in the fourth determination process, through the communication unit.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to output the content data designated by the output program to an output device suitable for the output program.

(10) The mobile terminal described in this specification includes a communication section, a storage section, and a control section. The communication unit can communicate with a plurality of output devices through a communication network. The output device is capable of executing at least one of a plurality of output operations for outputting content data. The storage unit stores an activation source program readable by the mobile terminal, and is capable of storing a plurality of sets of mutually corresponding program identification information and device identification information. The program identification information is information for identifying the boot source program. The device identification information is information for identifying the output device. The control unit that executes the activation source program causes the user to specify the content data, activates the output program, and provides the output program with specified data information for identifying the specified content data. It is possible to perform start-up processing. The control unit that executes the output program activated by the activation source program can execute acquisition processing for acquiring information provided by the activation source program. In the obtaining process, at least the specified data information is obtained. The control unit that executes the output program includes a first determination process for determining whether or not the program identification information has been acquired in the acquisition process in addition to the specified data information; a second determination process for determining whether or not the device identification information associated with the program identification information is stored in the storage unit according to the determination made in the first determination process; a first determination process for determining the device identification information as designated device information in accordance with the determination in the second determination process that it is stored; and output instruction information to the output device identified by the specified device information. is executed. The output instruction information is information for outputting the content data identified by the designated data information.

According to the present invention, content data identified by specified data information acquired from an activation source program is output to an output device associated with the program identification information of the activation source program. An output device can be caused to output the content data.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording system 100 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 2, (A) is a block diagram of the MFP 10, and (B) is a block diagram of the portable terminal 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an example of information stored in the data storage area 62B, where (A) indicates a device information list, (B) indicates a device change flag, and (C) indicates a registered device ID. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the external activation process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of device determination processing. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of device selection processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of standard start-up processing. 8A and 8B show display examples of the display unit 53, where (A) shows a menu screen and (B) shows a label edit screen before the label image is edited. FIGS. 9A and 9B show display examples of the display unit 53. FIG. 9A shows the label edit screen after the label image has been edited, and FIG. 9B shows the operation selection screen. 10A and 10B show display examples of the display unit 53, where (A) shows a device selection screen and (B) shows a preview screen. 11A and 11B show display examples of the display unit 53, where (A) shows the main screen and (B) shows the acquisition source selection screen. 11A and 11B show display examples of the display unit 53, where (A) shows a data selection screen and (B) shows a preview screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating shared functions realized by shared APIs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 according to this embodiment. A recording system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes multifunction devices 10A and 10B (hereinafter collectively referred to as “multifunction device 10”) and a mobile terminal 50 . The MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50 are configured to be able to communicate with each other through the communication network 101 . The communication network 101 may be, for example, a wired LAN (abbreviation for Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, or a combination thereof.

[MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the MFP 10 includes a printer section 11, a scanner section 12, a FAX section 13, a display section 23, an operation section 24, a communication section 25, and a mounting section 26. , a CPU (abbreviation for Central Processing Unit) 31 , a storage unit 32 , and a communication bus 33 . Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is interconnected through a communication bus 33 . The MFP 10 is an example of an output device.

[Printer unit 11, scanner unit 12, FAX unit 13]
The printer unit 11 executes a print operation for recording an image indicated by image data on recording paper. A recording sheet is an example of a sheet or a recording medium. As a recording method of the printer unit 11, a known method such as an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The scanner unit 12 performs a scanning operation of reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. The FAX unit 13 executes a FAX transmission operation and a FAX reception operation for transmitting and receiving image data in accordance with the FAX protocol.

Among the plurality of operations described above, the print operation and the FAX transmission operation are examples of the output operation for outputting the content indicated by the content data. Note that the operations executed by the MFP 10 are not limited to these. As an example of the output operation, the MFP 10 may perform a media storage operation of storing content data acquired from the portable terminal 50 in a portable storage medium attached to the attachment unit 26 . As another example of the output operation, the multi-function device 10 may cause the display section 23 to display an image represented by image data acquired from the mobile terminal 50 .

The output operation includes a label printing operation for recording a disk-shaped image (hereinafter referred to as a "label image") on the surface of a CD-ROM, an embossing operation for forming unevenness on the surface of a card, etc., and a postcard. A postcard printing operation for recording an image on a fabric, a garment printing operation for recording an image on a fabric, and the like may also be included. These operations can be performed only by an output device having dedicated hardware for recording images on a recording medium different from general recording paper (for example, CD-ROM, card, postcard, cloth). Furthermore, the output operation includes a bookbinding operation that binds a plurality of recording sheets on which images are recorded, a 3D printing operation that creates a three-dimensional structure based on CAD data, and an embroidery operation that creates an image by sewing threads into fabric. may include These operations can also be realized only with an output device having dedicated hardware.

Operations that can be executed by the MFPs 10A and 10B may differ. In this embodiment, the MFP 10A can perform print operation, FAX transmission operation, and label print operation, and MFP 10B can perform print operation, media storage operation, and label print operation. Also, the output device is not limited to one capable of executing a plurality of operations, and may be capable of executing only a single operation. Even if the MIB (abbreviation of Management Information Base) of the MFP 10 defines, for example, a device ID for identifying the MFP 10 and operation information indicating the operations that the MFP 10 can perform. good. Action information may include, for example, action IDs for identifying executable actions. The device ID is an example of device identification information, and the action ID is an example of action identification information.

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 has a display screen for displaying various 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's operation of selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23 . Specifically, the operation unit 24 has buttons and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed buttons to the CPU 31 . Furthermore, the operation unit 24 may have 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.

Note that the “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24 . As an example, the objects are character strings displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted by pressing the direction key of the operation unit 24, and is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A lit object may be selected. As another example, when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel, the object may be an icon, button, 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 implemented as a touch panel receives a user's operation of touching the display screen of the display unit 23 . The operation unit 24 also outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. The positional information can be expressed as coordinates (x, y) on an xy plane, for example, with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the positive x-axis pointing rightward, and the positive y-axis pointing downward. Known systems such as a capacitance system and a resistive film system can be adopted for the touch sensor.

It should be noted that "touch" in this specification includes all operations of bringing an input medium into contact with the display screen. That is, a tap operation for moving the touched input medium away from the display screen within a predetermined time, a long touch operation for stopping the touched input medium on the display screen, a slide operation for sliding the touched input medium on the display screen, and a display screen. A flick operation in which the acceleration of the input medium that slides above is greater than the threshold, a pinch-in operation in which two input media that touch different positions on the display screen are slid toward each other, and two input media that touch different positions on the display screen. A pinch-out operation or the like for sliding input media away from each other is an example of a touch.

Further, even if the input medium does not touch the display screen, the concept of "touch" may include bringing the input medium close to the display screen at a very small distance. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger, a touch pen, or the like. Hereinafter, tapping the position of an icon displayed on the display unit 53 will be described as an example of user operation for selecting the icon.

[Communication unit 25]
The communication unit 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device through the communication network 101 . That is, the MFP 10 outputs various information to the mobile terminal 50 through the communication section 25 and receives various data or information from the mobile terminal 50 through the communication section 25 . A specific communication procedure of the communication unit 25 is not particularly limited, but for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) can be adopted.

[Mounting part 26]
The mounting unit 26 is an interface to which a portable storage medium is attached and detached. The CPU 31 can read data or information from the portable storage medium attached to the attachment section 26 or write data or information to the portable storage medium attached to the attachment section 26 . A specific example of the portable storage medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a USB memory, an SD card, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like.

[CPU31]
The CPU 31 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10 . The CPU 31 acquires various programs 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 and executes them. That is, the CPU 31 and the storage section 32 constitute an example of a control section.

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

In this specification, "data" and "information" are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. "Data" refers to anything that can be handled by a computer without considering the semantic content indicated by each bit. On the other hand, "information" indicates that the operation of the computer branches depending on the meaning indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the "instruction" is a control signal for prompting the destination device to perform the next operation, and may contain information, and itself has the property of information. There is also

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

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

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

Note that the storage unit 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. 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, which is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in media.

The programs stored in the program storage area 32A are executed by the CPU 31. FIG. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the CPU 31 . That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that "the program A executes the process A" may refer to "the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A". The same applies to the mobile terminal 50, which will be described later.

Also, the program stored in the program storage area 32A judges the event and operates according to the judgment result. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the judgment. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that ``the control program executes the process A according to the condition A'' means ``the control program determines whether the condition A is satisfied. It may also refer to "executing the process A according to the fact that The same applies to the mobile terminal 50, which will be described later.

The programs stored in the program storage area 32A specify, acquire, extract, or select data or the like. The program identifies data etc., for example, by identifying data that satisfies a condition from among a plurality of data etc., and storing the data itself or information for identifying the data etc. in a predetermined storage area. It refers to the process of memorizing. The information for identifying the data etc. is, for example, identification information for identifying the data etc., the index of the array in which the data etc. is stored, the pointer of the storage area in which the data etc. is stored, and the like. The same applies to the process by which the program acquires, extracts, or selects data or the like. The same applies to the mobile terminal 50, which will be described later.

The OS 34 is an API (application program) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the FAX unit 13, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, the mounting unit 26, etc., which are hardware constituting the MFP 10. Abbreviation for Programming Interface). That is, each program described above controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34 . However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be explained by omitting the OS 34 . That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that "the program B controls the hardware C" may refer to "the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS34". The same applies to the mobile terminal 50, which will be described later.

[Mobile terminal 50]
The portable terminal 50 mainly includes a display section 53, an operation section 54, a communication section 55, a CPU 61, a storage section 62, and a communication bus 63, as shown in FIG. 2B. 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 mobile terminal 50 are connected to the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, the CPU 31, Since it has the same configuration as the storage unit 32 and the communication bus 33, the description is omitted. The CPU 61 and storage unit 62 are an example of a control unit. The mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

A program storage area 62A of the storage unit 62 stores an OS 64, an output program 65, a content designation program 66, and a program A (not shown). The content designation program 66 and program A are examples of starting programs. Various information shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the data storage area 62B of the storage unit 62 . Furthermore, the data storage area 62B may be provided with a content data folder in which content data is stored. The content data may be, for example, image data, photo data, document data, spreadsheet data, presentation data, video data, music data, or the like.

The display unit 53 of the mobile terminal 50 is divided into a common display area 80 and a program display area 81, as shown in FIGS. A status bar is displayed in the common display area 80 by the OS 64 regardless of what is displayed in the program display area 81 . Various information is displayed on the status bar by the OS 64 . The status bar includes, for example, the title of the screen displayed in the program display area 81, an icon indicating the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal 50, an icon indicating the communication status of the communication unit 55, and push buttons received by the mobile terminal 50 from an external service. An icon or the like indicating notification is displayed. The program display area 81 displays a screen generated by the program being executed in the foreground.

Hereinafter, when it is described that "the program causes the display unit 53 to display a screen", the program screen is displayed in the program display area 81 and the status bar is displayed in the common display area 80. FIG. A program screen is a screen displayed in the program display area 81 according to a program instruction. However, the display unit 53 can be switched between a partial screen mode in which the display area is divided into a common display area 80 and a program display area 81, and a full screen mode in which the entire display area is the program display area 81. good too.

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 OS 64 can concurrently execute multiple programs installed in the mobile terminal 50 . A plurality of programs are virtually executed in parallel by, for example, time-division multiplexing. Also, the OS 64 executes one of a plurality of programs executed in parallel in the foreground and executes the other programs in the background.

The foreground is, for example, a state in which a program screen based on execution of the program is displayed in most of the display area of the display section 53 . "Most of the display area" may refer to the program display area 81, for example. The background is, for example, a state in which a program screen based on execution of a program different from the program concerned is displayed in most of the display area of the display section 53 . That is, the portable terminal 50 can display only the program screen based on the execution of the program being executed in the foreground among the multiple programs executed in parallel on the display unit 53 .

The output program 65 is a program that causes the MFP 10 connected through the communication unit 55 to output content data. The output program 65 transmits, for example, recording instruction information for executing a print operation, FAX instruction information for executing a FAX transmission operation, and the like to the MFP 10 through the communication unit 55 . The recording instruction information and the FAX instruction information are examples of the output instruction information. In addition, the output program 65 can transmit output instruction information for causing the multifunction machine 10 to perform a label printing operation, an embossing operation, a postcard printing operation, a garment printing operation, a bookbinding operation, a 3D printing operation, an embroidery operation, and the like. good too. Furthermore, the output program 65 displays a preview screen on the display unit 53 before transmitting the output instruction information.

The content designation program 66 allows the user to designate at least one of content data, output operation, and output device. Also, the content designation program 66 can designate at least one of a program ID, a designated data ID, a designated action ID, and a designated device ID to activate the output program 65 . These processes executed by the content designation program 66 are examples of start-up processes. Program A is another example of a content designation program that executes activation processing.

Hereinafter, the content data designated by the user will be referred to as "designated data", the output operation designated by the user will be referred to as "designated operation", and the output device designated by the user will be referred to as "designated device". Also, the specified action and the specified device may be specified in advance by the program. The program ID is an example of program identification information for identifying the content designation program 66, the designated data ID is an example of designated data information for identifying designated data, and the designated device ID is an example of designated device identification. The designated device information is an example, and the designated action ID is an example of designated action information for identifying the designated action.

The content designation program 66 according to this embodiment edits a label image according to a user's operation, and provides the output program 65 with label image data representing the label image as designated data. However, the specific example of the content specifying program 66 is not limited to this. As an example, the program A may allow the user to specify one of the plurality of photo data stored in the data storage area 62B and provide the specified photo data to the output program 65. As another example, the program A may allow the user to designate an arbitrary area of the map image and provide the output program 65 with image data representing the map image of the designated area.

The content designation program 66 can activate the output program 65 as a so-called plug-in, for example. In this case, the content designation program 66 may execute the plug-in API for starting the application as a plug-in, using the information specifying the output program 65, the URI, and the designation information as arguments. The argument specified by the plug-in API may be, for example, intent format information used in Android OS. Alternatively, the content designation program 66 may activate the output program 65 by executing an explicit sharing API, which will be described later. Arguments specified in the explicit shared API may be common to the plugin API.

The output program 65 is activated by the content designation program 66, for example. The output program 65 is a program that acquires the program ID, specified data ID, specified device ID, and specified action ID provided from the content specifying program 66 and causes the specified device to execute the specified action for the specified data. The output program 65 can acquire various information provided from the content specifying program 66 by referring to the argument in the intent format, for example. The output program 65 transmits, for example, output instruction information for executing label print operation to the multi-function device 10 through the communication unit 55 .

In addition, the output program 65 operates according to various information acquired from the content designation program 66, and can provide the content designation program 66 with generated information generated by the operation. The generated information may be, for example, image data generated by the output program 65, a URL indicating the location of the generated image data, result information indicating the operation result of the output program 65, and the like.

As an example, the output program 65 may provide the content specifying program 66 with the generation information by appending the generation information to the argument in the intent format. The argument to which the output program 65 added the generation information is provided to the content designation program 66 as a return value. Thereby, the content specifying program 66 can acquire various information included in the return value. As another example, the output program 65 may provide the generated information to the content designation program 66 as a return value of a plug-in API or an explicit shared API executed by the content designation program 66 to activate the output program 65. good.

As another example, the output program 65 may provide the content designation program 66 with the generation information by storing the generation information in an area of the storage unit 62 accessible by the content designation program 66 . In this case, the content designation program 66 acquires the generation information by reading the generation information stored in the storage unit 62 . As another example, the output program 65 provides generation information to the content designation program 66 by executing an API for passing arguments to the application, with information specifying the content designation program 66 and generation information as arguments. may The argument in this case may also be information in the intent format.

The OS 64 provides the programs installed in the portable terminal 50 with a shared function of activating the second program specified by the first program and providing specified information specified by the first program to the second program. The first program can use the shared function by, for example, executing an API provided by the OS 64 (hereinafter referred to as "shared API"). More specifically, the first program executes the shared API using the program ID and the specified information of the second program as arguments. Details of the sharing function will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the sharing source application 41 executes the sharing API of the OS 64 for realizing the sharing function (S1). At least a URI (abbreviation for Uniform Resource Identifier), a type, and an action are required as arguments for execution of the implicit shared API. The argument may be information in intent format, for example. The sharing source application 41 may include other information in the arguments of the implicit sharing API. URI is information indicating the location of shared data. The type is information indicating the data format of shared data. The action is information indicating the type of processing (for example, browsing, editing, sending, printing, etc.) for shared data to be executed by the application of the sharing destination. URI, type, and action are examples of specified information provided from the sharing source application to the requesting application.

On the other hand, the applications 42, 43, 44, . Therefore, the OS 64 identifies (S2) an application capable of executing the processing indicated by the action on the shared data in the data format indicated by the type from among the applications 42, 43, 44, . . . A list of applications is displayed on the display unit 53 (S3). Then, the OS 64 waits in a state in which it is possible to accept a user operation to select one of the listed applications through the operation unit 54 (S4).

Next, in response to receiving a user operation to select one of the listed applications through the operation unit 54 (S4), the OS 64 activates the application using the URI, type, and action as arguments. (S5). In the following embodiments, the content designation program 66 corresponds to the application 41 in FIG. 13, and the output program 65 corresponds to one of the applications 42-44 in FIG.

Note that the processing of steps S2 to S5 may be executed by the sharing source application. In this case, the sharing source application acquires from the OS 64 information specifying an application capable of executing the process indicated by the action on the shared data in the data format indicated by the type in step S2. Then, in step S5, the sharing source application executes the explicit sharing API with the information specifying the application acquired from the OS 64, the URI, the type, and the action as arguments, thereby launching the application selected by the user operation. can be made The sharing source application 41 may include other information in the arguments of the explicit sharing API.

Alternatively, the sharing source application executes an explicit sharing API using predetermined information specifying the application, URI, type, and action as arguments in response to the user's instruction to use the sharing function. may activate a predetermined sharing destination application. In the present embodiment, for example, the output program 65 may be set as a predetermined sharing destination application in the content designation program 66 that is the sharing source application. More specifically, the information specifying the output program 65 should be described in the setting file referred to by the content designation program 66 at startup or in the source code of the content designation program 66 .

The data storage area 62B can store a program ID and a device ID associated with the program ID, as shown in FIG. 3(A). Hereinafter, the information shown in FIG. 3A may be referred to as "apparatus information list", and each record illustrated in FIG. 3A may be referred to as "apparatus information record". That is, the device information list can contain multiple device information records. The device information list is edited by the output program 65. FIG.

In this embodiment, the content designation program 66 is identified by program ID "001", the program A is identified by program ID "002", and the output program 65 is identified by program ID "999". In this embodiment, the device ID of the MFP 10A is "MFP-A", and the device ID of the MFP 10B is "MFP-B". Hereinafter, the device ID associated with the program ID "999" of the output program 65 may be referred to as "default ID". The default ID may be specified by the user through a user interface (not shown), or may be a specified device ID determined by a device determination process to be described later.

The data storage area 62B also stores a device change flag as shown in FIG. 3(B). The device change flag indicates whether or not the designated device has been changed in the device selection process, which will be described later. The device change flag is set to either "ON" indicating that the designated device has been changed or "OFF" indicating that the designated device has not been changed. The initial value of the device change flag is "OFF". The value of the device change flag is set by the output program 65 .

Furthermore, the data storage area 62B can store a registered device ID as shown in FIG. 3(C). The registered device ID is a device ID provided from the output program 65 to the content designation program 66 in step S20, which will be described later. The registered device ID is edited by the content designation program 66 .

[Operation of recording system 100]
The operation of the recording system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. The recording system 100 executes a process of causing the MFP 10A designated based on the user's operation to perform the label print operation for the content data designated by the portable terminal 50 based on the user's operation.

First, the OS 64 of the mobile terminal 50 causes the display unit 53 to display the menu screen and the common display area 80 to display the status bar. FIG. 8A is an example of the menu screen. The menu screen shown in FIG. 8A includes a plurality of program icons 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115. Program icons 111 to 115 correspond to programs installed on mobile terminal 50 . For example, program icon 111 corresponds to program A, program icon 114 corresponds to output program 65 , and program icon 115 corresponds to content designation program 66 .

Then, the OS 64 accepts selection of one of the program icons 111 to 115 through the operation unit 54. FIG. For example, the OS 64 activates the content designation program 66 in response to receiving the selection of the program icon 115 through the operation unit 54, and executes the content designation program 66 in the foreground. Selection of the program icon 115 is an example of a user operation for instructing activation of the content designation program 66 .

The content designation program 66 causes the display unit 53 to display the label edit screen in response to being activated by the OS 64 that has received the selection of the program icon 114 . FIG. 8B is an example of the label edit screen before the label image is edited. FIG. 9A is an example of the label edit screen after the label image has been edited. The label edit screen shown in FIGS. 8B and 9A includes a label image display area 121, a plurality of edit icons 122, 123, 124, a device icon 125, and a label icon 126. FIG. The content designation program 66 then accepts selection of icons included in the label edit screen through the operation unit 54 .

The label image display area 121 is an area for displaying label images edited using the edit icons 122-124. Edit icon 122 corresponds to an instruction to add a character string to the label image. The edit icon 123 corresponds to an instruction to add color to the label image. Edit icon 124 corresponds to an instruction to add a photo to the label image. The device icon 125 corresponds to an instruction to switch the specified device. The label icon 126 corresponds to an instruction to start the output program 65 by designating the label print operation as the designated operation.

Note that the device icon 125 describes the registered device ID “MFP-A” stored in the data storage area 62B. The registered device ID is temporarily stored in the data storage area 62B as a provisional designated device ID at the time the content designation program 66 is activated. On the other hand, if no registered device ID is stored in data storage area 62B, device icon 125 may describe a character string such as "unselected" indicating that there is no registered device ID.

Also, the label icon 126 shown in FIG. 8B is grayed out as an example of an unselectable mode. However, as another example of the non-selectable mode, the label icon 126 may be hidden on the label edit screen shown in FIG. 8B. On the other hand, the label icon 126 shown in FIG. 9A is in a selectable mode. That is, the label icon 126 cannot be selected before the label image is edited, and becomes selectable after the label image is edited.

The content designation program 66 edits the label image according to the user's operation in response to selection of the edit icons 122 to 124 being accepted through the operation unit 54 . Then, the content designation program 66 causes the display unit 53 to display a label edit screen in which the edited label image is arranged in the label image display area 121 . Further, the content designation program 66 uses the label image data indicating the edited label image as the designated data, and the data ID for identifying the label image data (for example, "label image.JPEG") as the designated data ID. Temporarily stored in the data storage area 62B.

The output program 65 and the content designation program 66 can use the API of the OS 64 to read, edit, or delete data stored in the storage unit 62 . A data ID is information in a format used to designate data to an API of OS64. A data ID is, for example, a file path or a URI. If the specified data and specified data ID have already been temporarily stored in the data storage area 62B, they are overwritten with new specified data and specified data ID.

Note that the storage destination of the label image data indicating the edited label image may be, for example, an external server (not shown) such as a cloud server. That is, the content designation program 66 may transmit the label image data representing the edited label image to the external server through the communication section 55 . Then, the content specifying program 66 may temporarily store the data ID of the label image data in the data storage area 62B as the specified data ID. The designated data ID in this case may be, for example, in the form of a URL for downloading label image data from an external server.

As an example, the content designation program 66 displays a software keyboard (not shown) on the display unit 53 in response to the selection of the edit icon 122, and places the character string input through the software keyboard at the position desired by the user. Deploy. As another example, the content designation program 66 causes the display unit 53 to display a list of selectable colors in response to the selection of the edit icon 123, and displays the color selected through the operation unit 54 as the background of the label image. set to color. As still another example, the content designation program 66 displays a list of selectable photos on the display unit 53 in response to the selection of the edit icon 124, and allows the user to select the photo selected through the operation unit 54 as desired. position.

Moreover, the content designation program 66 executes the device selection process shown in FIG. Details of the device selection process will be described later. Note that the content designation program 66 may receive the designation of the designated operation in steps S42 and S43, which will be described later, or the label print operation may be predetermined as the designated operation. The content designation program 66 then temporarily stores the device ID of the MFP 10 selected in the device selection process in the data storage area 62B as a provisional designated device ID. If the provisional designated device ID has already been temporarily stored in the data storage area 62B, it will be overwritten with a new device ID.

Furthermore, in response to receiving the selection of the label icon 126 through the operation unit 54, the content specifying program 66 outputs the program ID, the specified data ID, the device ID which is a provisional specified device ID, and the specified action ID to the program 65. as an argument, the API for starting the output program 65 is executed. The API executed here may be an API for starting the output program 65 as a plug-in, or an explicit shared API. As a result, the OS 64 executes the content designation program 66 in the background and the output program 65 in the foreground. In this embodiment, the program ID "001" and the designated operation ID "label print operation" are fixed, and the designated data ID "label image.JPEG" and device ID "MFP-A" are designated by the user through the above-described processing. It is a thing.

Note that the content designation program 66 only needs to provide at least the designated data ID, and the provision of the program ID, the device ID, and the designated action ID can be omitted. Also, the designated action ID does not have to be fixed. The content program 66 may further include, for example, a print icon corresponding to the print operation, a FAX icon corresponding to the FAX transmission operation, or a media icon corresponding to the media storage operation on the label editing screen. The content specifying program 66 may then provide the output program 65 with the action ID of the output action corresponding to the selected icon as the specified action ID.

[External startup process]
As shown in FIG. 4, the output program 65 acquires information provided by the content designation program 66 in response to being activated by the activation process by the content designation program 66 (S11). The output program 65 acquires at least the specified data ID. The output program 65 according to this embodiment acquires the program ID "001", the designated data ID "label image.JPEG", the device ID "MFP-A", and the designated operation ID "label print operation". Then, the output program 65 temporarily stores various information acquired from the content specifying program 66 in the data storage area 62B. The processing of step S11 is an example of acquisition processing.

Next, the output program 65 executes device determination processing (S12). The device determination process is a process of determining the MFP 10 to execute the specified operation for the specified data. Details of the device determination process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the output program 65 determines whether or not the device ID has been acquired in step S11 (S31). Next, when the output program 65 determines that the device ID “MFP-A” has been acquired (S31: Yes), the MFP 10A identified by the device ID “MFP-A” It is determined whether communication is possible (S32). The process of step S31 is an example of the third determination process, and the process of step S32 is an example of the fourth determination process.

The output program 65 transmits an echo request of ICMP (abbreviation of Internet Control Message Protocol) to the multi-function device 10A through the communication unit 55 in step S32, for example. Upon receiving the echo reply from the multifunction device 10A through the communication unit 55, the output program 65 determines that the multifunction device 10A is ready for communication. On the other hand, the output program 65 determines that the multi-function device 10A is in a communication disabled state in response to the fact that the echo reply cannot be received even after the predetermined time has passed. However, the method of determining whether or not the MFP 10A can communicate is not limited to the above example, and other known methods may be employed.

When the output program 65 determines that the MFP 10A is ready for communication (S32: Yes), the output program 65 determines the device ID "MFP-A" acquired from the content designation program 66 as the designated device ID. (S33). Then, the output program 65 temporarily stores the device ID "MFP-A" acquired from the content designation program 66 in the data storage area 62B as the designated device ID. The process of step S33 is an example of the second determination process.

On the other hand, when the output program 65 determines that the device ID has not been obtained (S31: No), or determines that the MFP 10A is unable to communicate (S32: No). , it is determined whether or not the program ID has been acquired in step S11 (S34). Next, when the output program 65 determines that the program ID "001" has been acquired (S34: Yes), the device ID associated with the program ID "001" is stored in the device information list. It is determined whether or not there is (S35). The process of step S34 is an example of the first determination process, and the process of step S35 is an example of the second determination process.

When the output program 65 determines that the device ID "MFP-A" associated with the program ID "001" is stored in the device information list (S35: Yes), the output program 65 MFP-A” is determined as the designated device ID (S36). That is, the output program 65 temporarily stores the device ID "MFP-A" in the data storage area 62B as the designated device ID. The process of step S36 is an example of the first determination process. The output program 65 also sets the device change flag to "ON" (S37).

On the other hand, the output program 65 determines that the program ID is not acquired (S34: No), or determines that the device ID associated with the program ID is not stored in the device information list. (S35: No), device selection processing is executed (S38). Device selection processing is processing for receiving a user operation for designating a designated device. Details of the device selection process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the output program 65 determines whether or not the specified action ID has been obtained in step S11 (S41). The process of step S41 is an example of the fifth determination process. Next, when the output program 65 determines that the designated action ID has not been acquired (S41: No), it causes the display unit 53 to display an action selection screen (S42). FIG. 9B is an example of an action selection screen. The action selection screen shown in FIG. 9B includes a plurality of action icons 131 , 132 , 133 , and 134 . An action icon 131 corresponds to a print action, an action icon 132 corresponds to a label print action, an action icon 133 corresponds to a FAX transmission action, and an action icon 134 corresponds to a media storage action.

Next, the output program 65 receives a user operation to select one of the action icons 131 to 134 included in the action selection screen through the operation unit 54 (S43). For example, when the selection of the action icon 132 is accepted through the operation unit 54 (S43: Yes), the output program 65 determines the label print action corresponding to the action icon 132 as the specified action. That is, the output program 65 temporarily stores the operation ID of the label print operation in the data storage area 62B as the specified operation ID. The process of step S43 is an example of the second reception process. On the other hand, the output program 65 skips the processes of steps S42 and S43 in response to determining that the designated action ID has been acquired (S41: Yes).

Next, the output program 65 searches for a multifunction device 10 capable of executing the designated operation among the plurality of multifunction devices 10 that can communicate through the communication unit 55 (S44). The processing of step S44 is an example of search processing. The output program 65 uses, for example, SNMP (abbreviation for Simple Network Management Protocol) to transmit transmission request information requesting transmission of the device ID and operation information stored in the MIB to the multifunction device 10 through the communication unit 55. . Next, the output program 65 receives the device ID and operation information returned from the multifunction device 10 through the communication unit 55 . Next, the output program 65 compares the designated action ID with the action ID included in the action information received from the multifunction device 10 . Then, the output program 65 identifies the MFP 10 whose motion information includes the specified motion ID as the target MFP. In this embodiment, the MFPs 10A and 10B whose operation information includes the designated operation ID "label print operation" are specified as the target MFPs.

Note that the operation information may be model information indicating the model of the MFP 10 . In this case, the output program 65 accesses the correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the model information and the action ID corresponding to the model information, and acquires the action ID corresponding to the received model information. In other words, the correspondence information is also information indicating the operations that can be executed by the multifunction machine 10 of the model indicated by the model information. Note that the correspondence information may be stored in the mobile terminal 50 or may be stored in a cloud server (not shown).

As another example, the transmission request information may include a designated action ID. The control program 35 of the MFP 10 may receive the transmission request information from the mobile terminal 50 through the communication unit 25 and determine whether or not the specified action ID included in the transmission request information is stored in the MIB. Then, the control program 35 may transmit the device ID to the mobile terminal 50 through the communication unit 25 in response to determining that the specified action ID is stored in the MIB. On the other hand, the control program 35 does not transmit the device ID to the portable terminal 50 in response to determining that the specified action ID is not stored in the MIB. Then, the output program 65 of the mobile terminal 50 may specify the multifunction device 10 indicated by the device ID received through the communication unit 55 as the target multifunction device.

Next, the output program 65 causes the display section 53 to display a device selection screen (S45). FIG. 10A is an example of the device selection screen. The device selection screen shown in FIG. 10A includes device icons 135 and 136 . The device icons 135 and 136 correspond to the target multifunction machines 10A and 10B identified in step S44. Also, the device icons 135 and 136 describe the device IDs of the corresponding MFPs 10A and 10B. Then, the output program 65 accepts selection of icons included in the device selection screen through the operation unit 54 (S46).

Next, the output program 65, for example, in response to receiving the selection of the device icon 135 through the operation unit 54 (S46: Yes), sets the device ID "MFP-A" of the MFP 10A corresponding to the device icon 135. , is determined as the designated device ID (S47). That is, the output program 65 temporarily stores the device ID "MFP-A" in the data storage area 62B as the designated device ID. The process of step S46 is an example of the first reception process, and the process of step S47 is an example of the third determination process. The output program 65 also sets the device change flag to "ON" (S48).

Returning to FIG. 4, the output program 65 displays the preview screen on the display unit 53 (S13). The output program 65 then accepts selection of an icon included in the preview screen via the operation unit 54 (S14). The process of step S13 is an example of the preview display process, and the process of step S14 is an example of the third acceptance process. FIG. 10B is an example of the preview screen. The preview screen shown in FIG. 10B includes a preview image 141, a device icon 142, and a print icon 143. FIG.

The preview image 141 is an image representing the result of causing the specifying device to execute the specifying operation for the specified data. The preview image according to the present embodiment shows an image of the label image recorded on the surface of the CD-ROM by the multifunction device 10A. The device icon 142 is an example of a device switching object corresponding to an instruction to switch the designated device. The device icon 142 describes the current designated device ID. The print icon 143 is an example of an output instruction object corresponding to an instruction to execute an output instruction process, which will be described later.

For example, in step S13, the output program 65 uses the API of the OS 64 to read the label image data from the data storage area 62B, and uses the label image data to generate the preview image data. On the other hand, if the label image data is stored in the external server, the output program 65 receives the label image data from the external server through the communication unit 55 in step S13, and generates preview image data using the label image data. You may

Next, the output program 65 executes device selection processing in response to receiving selection of the device icon 142 through the operation unit 54 (S14: device icon) (S15). Since the details of the device selection process have already been explained, a repeated explanation will be omitted. Then, the output program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a preview screen in which the designated device ID switched in step S15 is described in the device icon 142 (S13).

Further, in response to receiving the selection of the print icon 143 through the operation unit 54 (S14: print icon), the output program 65 transmits output instruction information to the multifunction device 10A, which is the designated device, through the communication unit 55 (S16 ). The output instruction information is information for causing the designated device to execute the designated operation for the designated data. The output instruction information of this embodiment includes the label image data identified by the designated data ID "label image.JPEG" and the output operation ID "label print operation". Specifically, the output program 65 reads the designated data using the API of the OS 64, generates output instruction information including the read designated data, and transmits the generated output instruction information to the MFP 10A through the communication unit 55. . The process of step S16 is an example of the output instruction process.

When the specified data ID is a URL for downloading specified data from an external server, the output program 65 receives the specified data from the external server through the communication unit 55 and outputs output instruction information including the received specified data. The generated output instruction information may be transmitted to the MFP 10A through the communication unit 55. FIG. Alternatively, the output program 65 may transmit output instruction information including a URL for downloading designated data from an external server to the multifunction device 10A through the communication unit 55. FIG.

On the other hand, although not shown, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives output instruction information from the mobile terminal 50 through the communication unit 25. FIG. Then, the control program 35 causes the printer section 11 to perform an output operation according to the received output instruction information. The printer unit 11 in this embodiment executes a label print operation for recording a label image indicated by the label image data "label image.JPEG" on the surface of the CD-ROM. Alternatively, the multi-function device 10A may download the specified data from the external server using the URL included in the output instruction information, and cause the printer section 11 to execute the label print operation for the specified data.

Next, the output program 65 stores the device information record including the program ID "001" acquired in step S11 and the designated device ID "MFP-A" in the device information list (S17). If a device information record containing the same program ID has already been stored, it will be overwritten with a new device information record. Moreover, when the program ID is not acquired in step S11, the output program 65 skips the processing of step S17. The processing of step S17 is an example of the storage processing. Further, the output program 65 may store the designated device ID “MFP-A” as a default ID in the device information record including the program ID “999” of the output program 65 .

Next, the output program 65 determines the value set in the device change flag (S18). When the output program 65 determines that the device change flag is set to "ON" (S18: Yes), the output program 65 sets the device change flag to "OFF" (S19). Furthermore, the output program 65 provides the specified device ID to the content specifying program 66, which is the program that started it (S20). The process of step S20 is an example of the providing process. On the other hand, when the output program 65 determines that the device change flag is set to "OFF" (S18: No), the output program 65 skips steps S19 and S20.

Also, although illustration is omitted, the content designation program 66 acquires the designated device ID provided by the output program 65 . Then, the content specifying program 66 stores the specified device ID obtained from the output program 65 in the data storage area 62B as a registered device ID. If the registered device ID is already stored in the data storage area 62B, it is overwritten with the specified device ID obtained from the output program 65. FIG. Note that the content designation program 66 that implements these processes may be executed in the foreground or in the background.

[Action and effect of the present embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, the content data identified by the specified data ID provided by the content specifying program 66 can be output to the output device determined by the device determination process. Note that the output device determined in the device determination process is the output device identified by the device ID provided by the content designation program 66, and the output device identified by the device ID associated with the program ID of the content designation program 66. , or an output device specified by the user in the device selection process.

More specifically, the output device identified by the designated device ID determined in steps S33 and S36 is the output device to which the output instruction information has been transmitted by the output program 65 activated by the content designation program 66 in the past. That is, the output device can execute the designated operation. Also, the output device identified by the designated device ID determined in step S47 is an output device capable of executing the designated operation.

As a result, the content data designated by the content designation program 66 can be output to an output device suitable for the content designation program 66 . These processes are particularly advantageous when output devices with dedicated hardware are required, such as label printing operations, embossing operations, postcard printing operations, garment printing operations, 3D printing operations, or embroidery operations. Effective.

Also, the designated device ID determined in the device determination process is associated with the program ID of the content designation program 66 and stored in the device information list (S17), and registered as a registered device ID in the content designation program 66 (S20). . As a result, when the content designation program 66 starts the output program 65 next time, the output device to which the output instruction information was transmitted in the previous output instruction process can be caused to perform the output operation. That is, it is possible to cause an output device suitable for the content designation program 66 to execute the designation operation.

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the content designation program 66 activated through the menu screen activates the output program 65 as a plug-in. However, the content designation program 66 may activate the output program 65 using the sharing function. Alternatively, the output program 65 may activate the content designation program 66 as a plug-in, as shown in the modified example below.

[Modification]
The operation of the recording system 100 according to the modification will be described below with reference to FIG. A detailed description of the common points with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the points of difference. First, the OS 64 activates the output program 65 in response to receiving the selection of the program icon 114 through the operation unit 54, and executes the output program 65 in the foreground. The output program 65 executes standard startup processing shown in FIG.

First, the output program 65 determines the default ID as the specified device ID (S51). That is, the output program 65 reads the device ID "MFP-A" associated with the program ID "999" from the device information list, and temporarily stores the device ID "MFP-A" as the designated device ID in the data storage area 62B. Memorize. The process of step S51 is an example of the fourth determination process.

Next, the output program 65 causes the display section 53 to display the main screen (S52). FIG. 11A is an example of the main screen. The main screen shown in FIG. 11A includes a plurality of action icons 146, 147, 148 and a device icon 149. Then, the output program 65 accepts selection of various icons included in the main screen through the operation unit 54 (S53).

Action icons 146 to 148 correspond to output actions specified by the action information of the multifunction device 10A, which is the designated device. An action icon 146 corresponds to a print action, an action icon 147 corresponds to a FAX transmission action, and an action icon 148 corresponds to a label print action. For example, the operation information of the MFP 10A may be acquired from the MFP 10A in step S52, or the operation information acquired in step S44 may be included in the device information record. The device icon 149 corresponds to an instruction to switch the specified device. The device icon 149 describes the device ID “MFP-A” of the MFP 10A, which is the currently designated device.

Next, the output program 65 executes device selection processing in response to receiving selection of the device icon 149 through the operation unit 54 (S53: device icon) (S54). Since the details of the device selection process have already been explained, a repeated explanation will be omitted. Then, the output program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display the main screen in which the designated device ID switched in step S54 is described in the device icon 149 (S52).

Further, the output program 65 determines the print action corresponding to the action icon 146 as the designated action, for example, in response to receiving the selection of the action icon 146 through the operation unit 54 (S53: action icon). That is, the output program 65 temporarily stores the action ID of the print action in the data storage area 62B as the specified action ID. Next, the output program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display an acquisition source selection screen (S55). Then, the output program 65 receives selection of an icon included in the acquisition source selection screen through the operation unit 54 (S56).

FIG. 11B is an example of an acquisition source selection screen. The acquisition source selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to select the acquisition source of the designated data. The acquisition source selection screen shown in FIG. 11B includes acquisition source icons 151 and 152 and plug-in icons 153 and 154 . An acquisition source icon 151 corresponds to a photo data folder in the data storage area 62B from which photo data is acquired, and an acquisition source icon 152 corresponds to a server (not shown) on the Internet. A plug-in icon 153 corresponds to the content designation program 66, and a plug-in icon 154 corresponds to the program A. FIG.

Next, the output program 65 causes the display unit 53 to display a data selection screen (S57) in response to, for example, accepting selection of the acquisition source icon 151 through the operation unit 54 (S56: Acquisition source icon). Then, the output program 65 accepts selection of icons included in the data selection screen through the operation unit 54 (S58). The process of step S58 is an example of the fourth reception process.

FIG. 12A is an example of the data selection screen. The data selection screen shown in FIG. 12A includes a plurality of data icons 155,156,157,158,159,160. Data icons 155 to 160 correspond to content data that can be specified as specified data. Data icons 155-160 correspond to photo data stored in the photo data folder of data storage area 62B. On the other hand, when acquisition source icon 152 is selected, output program 65 causes display unit 53 to display a data selection screen including data icons corresponding to content data stored in a server on the Internet.

Next, the output program 65 determines the content data corresponding to the data icon 155 as the designated data, for example, in response to receiving the selection of the data icon 155 through the operation unit 54 (S58: Yes). That is, the output program 65 temporarily stores the data ID of the content data corresponding to the data icon 155 in the data storage area 62B as the specified data ID.

Next, the output program 65 displays a preview screen on the display section 53 (S59). Then, the output program 65 receives selection of an icon included in the preview screen through the operation unit 54 (S60). The process of step S59 is an example of the preview display process, and the process of step S60 is an example of the third acceptance process.

FIG. 12B is an example of the preview screen. The preview screen shown in FIG. 12B includes a preview image 161 and a print icon 162. FIG. The preview image 161 is an image representing the result of outputting the specified data specified in step S58 by the specified operation specified in step S53. That is, the preview image 161 shows an image in which the photograph indicated by the photograph data corresponding to the data icon 155 is recorded on recording paper. A print icon 162 corresponds to an instruction to execute the output instruction process.

When the output program 65 accepts the selection of the print icon 162 through the operation unit 54 (S60: Yes), the output program 65 transmits the recording instruction information to the multifunction device 10A, which is the designated device, through the communication unit 55 (S61). . The process of step S61 is an example of the output instruction process. On the other hand, although not shown, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives recording instruction information from the portable terminal 50 through the communication section 25. FIG. Then, the control program 35 causes the printer section 11 to execute the print operation according to the received print instruction information. That is, the printer unit 11 records the photograph indicated by the photograph data included in the recording instruction information on the recording paper.

On the other hand, the output program 65 activates the content designation program 66 corresponding to the plug-in icon 153 (S62) in response to receiving the selection of the plug-in icon 153 through the operation unit 54 (S56: plug-in icon). . For example, in step S62, the output program 65 may execute a function for activating the content designation program 66 as a plug-in, or may designate the program ID of the content designation program 66 and execute the shared API. . The OS 64 then executes the output program 65 in the background and the content designation program 66 in the foreground.

The content designation program 66 executes the processing described with reference to FIGS. 8B and 9A in response to being activated by the output program 65. FIG. Then, the content specifying program 66 provides the specified data ID or the like as, for example, the function executed by the output program 65 in step S62 or the return value of the shared API. These processes are examples of start-up processes. The output program 65 then executes the external activation process shown in FIG. 4 (S63). Since the details of the external activation process have already been explained, a repeated explanation will be omitted.

Further, in the portable terminal 50 of the above-described embodiment, various programs stored in the program storage area 62A of the storage unit 62 are executed by the CPU 61, thereby realizing each process executed by the control unit of the present invention. explained. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of it may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC (abbreviation for Integrated Circuit)).

Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented not only as the mobile terminal 50, but also as a program that causes the mobile terminal 50 to execute processing. The program may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium and provided. The non-transitory recording medium may include a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc., or a storage unit mounted on a server connectable to the mobile terminal 50 via the communication network 101 . Then, the program stored in the storage unit of the server may be distributed through the communication network 101 such as the Internet as information or a signal indicating the program.

10... MFP 11... Printer unit 12... Scanner units 25, 55... Communication units 31, 61... CPU
35... Control program 65... Output program 66... Content designation program 50... Portable terminal 53... Display unit 54... Operation unit 62... Storage unit

Claims (9)

An output program readable by a mobile terminal comprising a communication unit and a storage unit, wherein the communication unit can communicate with a plurality of output devices through a communication network, and the storage unit is readable by the mobile terminal. The activation source program may cause the mobile terminal to execute activation processing for activating the output program and providing specified data information for identifying content data to the output program. possible, the output device is capable of executing at least one of a plurality of output operations for outputting the content data;
The output program is
Acquiring the designated data information and the designated action information provided from the starting source program in response to the start by the starting source program, wherein the designated action information specifies the designated action, which is the output action to be executed by the output device. Acquisition processing, which is identifying information;
a determination process for determining designated device information;
and causing the mobile terminal to execute an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information, wherein the output instruction information instructs execution of the output operation for the content data. Information that directs
In the acquisition process, the output device corresponding to the specified action information acquired in the acquisition process is indicated in the determination process in response to acquiring the specified data information and the specified action information from the activation source program. determining device information as the designated device information ;
In response to the program identification information for identifying the activation source program being obtained from the activation source program in the acquisition processing, the output program mutually exchanges the program identification information acquired in the acquisition processing and the designated device information. an output program to be associated and stored in the storage unit ; An output program readable by a mobile terminal comprising a communication unit, a storage unit, and an operation unit, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices through a communication network, An activation source program readable by a terminal is stored, and the activation source program activates the output program and provides the output program with specified data information for identifying content data. and the output device is capable of executing at least one of a plurality of output operations for outputting the content data,
The output program is
Acquiring the designated data information and the designated action information provided from the starting source program in response to the start by the starting source program, wherein the designated action information specifies the designated action, which is the output action to be executed by the output device. Acquisition processing, which is identifying information;
a determination process for determining designated device information;
and causing the mobile terminal to execute an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information, wherein the output instruction information instructs execution of the output operation for the content data. Information that directs
In the acquisition process, the output device corresponding to the specified action information acquired in the acquisition process is indicated in the determination process in response to acquiring the specified data information and the specified action information from the activation source program. determining device information as the designated device information;
The output program acquires the specified action information from the activation source program in the acquisition process, and is identified by the specified action information in response to failure to acquire program identification information for identifying the activation source program. causing the portable terminal to execute a search process for searching for the output device capable of executing the designated operation and capable of communicating through the communication unit;
In the determination process, in response to receiving an operation to specify one of the device identification information of the output devices searched in the search process through the operation unit, the specified device identification information is specified. Output program determined as device information. The output program performs an operation of designating one of the plurality of output actions as the specified action through the operation unit when the specified action information has not been obtained from the activation source program in the obtaining process. 3. The output program according to claim 2 , wherein, in response to the acceptance, in the search process, the output device capable of executing the specified action specified by the operation and capable of communicating through the communication unit is searched. 4. The output program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the output program causes the portable terminal to execute a providing process of providing the designated device information determined in the determination process to the activation source program. The mobile terminal includes a display unit,
The output program is
causing the portable terminal to execute a preview display process for displaying a preview screen on the display unit, wherein the preview screen displays a preview image representing a result of execution of the output operation according to the output instruction information and switching of the designated device information; and an output instruction object corresponding to execution of the output instruction process,
The output program is
causing the portable terminal to execute the search process in response to receiving an operation to select the device switching object through the operation unit;
4. The output program according to claim 2 or 3 , causing the portable terminal to execute the output instruction process in response to receiving an operation of selecting the output instruction object through the operation unit. An output program readable by a mobile terminal comprising a communication unit and a storage unit, wherein the communication unit can communicate with a plurality of output devices through a communication network, and the storage unit is readable by the mobile terminal. The activation source program may cause the mobile terminal to execute activation processing for activating the output program and providing specified data information for identifying content data to the output program. possible, the output device is capable of executing at least one of a plurality of output operations for outputting the content data;
The output program is
Acquiring the designated data information and the designated action information provided from the starting source program in response to the start by the starting source program, wherein the designated action information specifies the designated action, which is the output action to be executed by the output device. Acquisition processing, which is identifying information;
a determination process for determining designated device information;
and causing the mobile terminal to execute an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information, wherein the output instruction information instructs execution of the output operation for the content data. Information that directs
In the acquisition process, the output device corresponding to the specified action information acquired in the acquisition process is indicated in the determination process in response to acquiring the specified data information and the specified action information from the activation source program. determining device information as the designated device information;
The output program causes the portable terminal to execute a providing process of providing the designated device information determined in the determination process to the activation source program. A mobile terminal comprising a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices through a communication network, and the output device includes a plurality of output devices for outputting content data. At least one of output operations can be executed, the storage unit stores an activation source program and an output program readable by the mobile terminal, and the activation source program activates the output program and providing specified data information for identifying the specified content data to the output program.
The control unit that executes the output program,
Acquiring the designated data information and the designated action information provided from the starting source program in response to being started by the starting source program, wherein the designated action information is the output action to be executed by the output device Acquisition processing, which is information identifying the specified action;
a determination process for determining designated device information;
and an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output device identified by the designated device information determined in the determination process, wherein the output instruction information targets the content data. information for instructing execution of the output operation;
In the acquisition process, the output device corresponding to the specified action information acquired in the acquisition process is indicated in the determination process in response to acquiring the specified data information and the specified action information from the activation source program. determining device information as the designated device information ;
In response to the program identification information for identifying the activation source program being obtained from the activation source program in the acquisition processing, the output program mutually exchanges the program identification information acquired in the acquisition processing and the designated device information. A portable terminal that is associated and stored in the storage unit . A mobile terminal comprising a communication unit, a storage unit, an operation unit, and a control unit, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices through a communication network, and the output devices transmit content data. at least one of a plurality of output operations to be output can be executed; the storage unit stores an activation source program and an output program readable by the mobile terminal; activating an output program and providing specified data information for identifying the specified content data to the output program;
The control unit that executes the output program,
Acquiring the designated data information and the designated action information provided from the starting source program in response to being started by the starting source program, wherein the designated action information is the output action to be executed by the output device Acquisition processing, which is information identifying the specified action;
a determination process for determining designated device information;
and an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output device identified by the designated device information determined in the determination process, wherein the output instruction information targets the content data. information for instructing execution of the output operation;
In the acquisition process, the output device corresponding to the specified action information acquired in the acquisition process is indicated in the determination process in response to acquiring the specified data information and the specified action information from the activation source program. determining device information as the designated device information;
The output program acquires the specified action information from the activation source program in the acquisition process, and is identified by the specified action information in response to failure to acquire program identification information for identifying the activation source program. causing the portable terminal to execute a search process for searching for the output device capable of executing the designated operation and capable of communicating through the communication unit;
In the determination process, in response to receiving an operation to specify one of the device identification information of the output devices searched in the search process through the operation unit, the specified device identification information is specified. Mobile terminal to be determined as device information. A mobile terminal comprising a communication unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, wherein the communication unit is capable of communicating with a plurality of output devices through a communication network, and the output device includes a plurality of output devices for outputting content data. At least one of output operations can be executed, the storage unit stores an activation source program and an output program readable by the mobile terminal, and the activation source program activates the output program and providing specified data information for identifying the specified content data to the output program.
The control unit that executes the output program,
Acquiring the designated data information and the designated action information provided from the starting source program in response to being started by the starting source program, wherein the designated action information is the output action to be executed by the output device Acquisition processing, which is information identifying the specified action;
a determination process for determining designated device information;
and an output instruction process of transmitting output instruction information to the output device identified by the designated device information determined in the determination process, wherein the output instruction information targets the content data. information for instructing execution of the output operation;
In the acquisition process, the output device corresponding to the specified action information acquired in the acquisition process is indicated in the determination process in response to acquiring the specified data information and the specified action information from the activation source program. determining device information as the designated device information;
The output program causes the mobile terminal to execute a providing process of providing the designated device information determined in the determining process to the activation source program.

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