JP7459338B2

JP7459338B2 - Information processing device, control method, and program

Info

Publication number: JP7459338B2
Application number: JP2023051821A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 遼也川合; 充紺地
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2020-09-16
Filing date: 2023-03-28
Publication date: 2024-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-30
Also published as: JP2022082665A; JP2023073362A; JP7254991B2

Description

本発明は、情報処理装置、制御方法、及びプログラムに関する。 The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method, and a program.

外部装置やインターネットとの接続を確立し、通信を行う情報処理装置が知られている。このような情報処理装置は、状況に応じて通信先を変更する必要がある。 2. Description of the Related Art Information processing devices that establish connections with external devices and the Internet and perform communications are known. Such an information processing device needs to change the communication destination depending on the situation.

特許文献１では、所定のアプリケーションを起動した場合に、インターネットとの接続を切断して外部装置との接続の確立を行い、外部装置との通信が終了した場合には外部装置との接続を切断して、インターネットとの接続の確立を行う技術が提案されている。 Patent document 1 proposes a technology in which, when a specific application is launched, the connection to the Internet is disconnected and a connection to an external device is established, and when communication with the external device is terminated, the connection to the external device is disconnected and a connection to the Internet is established.

特開２０１４－２０７６５０号公報JP 2014-207650 A

しかしながら、情報処理装置は、接続の切断・確立によって通信先の切り替えを行うためには、接続設定内容の情報を保存したり、設定情報の登録を行うことを必要とする。そのため、特許文献１では、所定のアプリケーションの起動や外部装置との通信の終了の度に、上記処理を実行するための負荷が生じるという課題がある。 However, in order to switch the communication destination by disconnecting or establishing a connection, the information processing device needs to save information on the contents of the connection settings or register the setting information. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a load is generated to execute the above processing every time a predetermined application is started or communication with an external device is terminated.

本発明は、上述の課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、接続の切断・確立に係る処置の負荷を軽減して、通信先の切り替えを行うことを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to switch communication destinations while reducing the burden of processing related to disconnection and establishment of connections.

上述のような課題を解決するための本発明のプログラムは、所定のアプリケーションプログラムであって、情報処理装置を、第１の通信方式による基地局との第１接続及び第２の通信方式による外部装置との第２接続を並行して確立しており、前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記第２接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない第１状態で動作させるか、前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を並行して確立しており、前記第２接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない第２状態で動作させるかを制御するための指示を、前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず、且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において、前記第２状態より優先して、前記第１状態で前記情報処理装置を動作させるオペレーティングシステムを搭載する情報処理装置のコンピュータに、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態である前記第１状態で、前記情報処理装置が動作している状態で、所定のデータを、前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信によりインターネットを介して取得する取得ステップと、前記所定のデータを選択する選択操作が前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムにおいて受け付けられた後であり、且つ前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記インターネットを介して前記所定のデータが取得された後に、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態とは異なる状態である前記第２状態に前記情報処理装置の状態を切り替えるための切り替え処理を実行する切り替えステップと、前記切り替え処理が実行された場合、前記所定のデータを、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態とは異なる状態である前記第２状態で前記情報処理装置が動作している状態で、前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記外部装置に送信する送信ステップと、を実行させることを特徴とする。
また、本発明のプログラムは、所定のアプリケーションプログラムであって、情報処理装置を、第１の通信方式による基地局との第１接続及び第２の通信方式による外部装置との第２接続を並行して確立しており、前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記第２接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない第１状態で動作させるか、前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を並行して確立しており、前記第２接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない第２状態で動作させるかを制御するための指示を、前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず、且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において、インターネットに接続している通信回線を利用する接続と判定されなかった接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記インターネットに接続している通信回線を利用する接続と判定された接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない状態より優先して、前記インターネットに接続している通信回線を利用する接続と判定された接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記インターネットに接続している通信回線を利用する接続と判定されなかった接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない状態で前記情報処理装置を動作させるオペレーティングシステムを搭載する情報処理装置のコンピュータに、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態である前記第１状態で、前記情報処理装置が動作している状態で、所定のデータを、前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記インターネットを介して取得する取得ステップと、前記所定のデータを選択する選択操作が前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムにおいて受け付けられた後であり、且つ前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記インターネットを介して前記所定のデータが取得された後に、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態とは異なる状態である前記第２状態に前記情報処理装置の状態を切り替えるための切り替え処理を実行する切り替えステップと、前記切り替え処理が実行された場合、前記所定のデータを、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態とは異なる状態である前記第２状態で、前記情報処理装置が動作している状態で、前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記外部装置に送信する送信ステップと、を実行させ、前記第１接続は、前記インターネットに接続している通信回線を利用する接続と判定され、前記第２接続は、前記インターネットに接続している通信回線を利用する接続と判定されないことを特徴とする。
また、本発明のプログラムは、所定のアプリケーションプログラムであって、情報処理装置を、第１の通信方式による基地局との第１接続及び第２の通信方式による外部装置との第２接続を並行して確立しており、前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記第２接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない第１状態で動作させるか、前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を並行して確立しており、前記第２接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能であり、且つ前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信が可能でない第２状態で動作させるかを制御するための指示を、前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず、且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において、前記第１状態及び前記第２状態のうち、予めプログラムされている優先情報に従った状態で、前記情報処理装置を動作させるオペレーティングシステムを搭載する情報処理装置のコンピュータに、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態である前記第１状態で、前記情報処理装置が動作している状態で、所定のデータを、前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信によりインターネットを介して取得する取得ステップと、前記所定のデータを選択する選択操作が前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムにおいて受け付けられた後であり、且つ前記第１接続を用いた前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記インターネットを介して前記所定のデータが取得された後に、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態とは異なる状態である前記第２状態に前記情報処理装置の状態を切り替えるための切り替え処理を実行する切り替えステップと、前記切り替え処理が実行された場合、前記所定のデータを、前記指示を前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムから受け付けておらず且つ前記第１接続及び前記第２接続を前記情報処理装置が並行して確立している状態において前記オペレーティングシステムが優先させる状態とは異なる状態である前記第２状態で、前記情報処理装置が動作している状態で、前記所定のアプリケーションプログラムによる通信により前記外部装置に送信する送信ステップと、を実行させることを特徴とする。 The program of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a predetermined application program, which controls whether an information processing device operates in a first state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, or in a second state in which the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, and in a state in which the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the information processing device does not accept an instruction for controlling whether the information processing device operates in a first state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, in a state in which the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the information processing device does not accept an instruction for controlling whether the information processing device operates in a first state in which the first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, The method includes the steps of: acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating; executing a switching process to switch the state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a state different from the state given priority by the operating system when the instruction is not accepted from the predetermined application program and the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel by the information processing device, after a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data has been accepted in the predetermined application program and after the predetermined data has been acquired via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection; and executing a transmission step to transmit the predetermined data to the external device by communication by the predetermined application program when the switching process has been executed, while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state given priority by the operating system when the instruction is not accepted from the predetermined application program and the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel by the information processing device.
The program of the present invention is a predetermined application program, which does not accept an instruction from the predetermined application program for control as to whether to operate an information processing device in a first state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, or in a second state in which the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, and and in a state where communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that has not been determined to be a connection using a communication line connected to the Internet, and communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that has been determined to be a connection using a communication line connected to the Internet, in preference to a state where communication by the predetermined application program is not possible using a connection that has been determined to be a connection using a communication line connected to the Internet, and communication by the predetermined application program is not possible using a connection that has not been determined to be a connection using a communication line connected to the Internet, the instruction is sent to a computer of the information processing device having an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state where communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that has been determined to be a connection using a communication line connected to the Internet, and communication by the predetermined application program is not possible using a connection that has not been determined to be a connection using a communication line connected to the Internet. an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating in the first state in which the operating system gives priority when the information processing device has not received an instruction from the predetermined application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating in the first state in which the operating system gives priority when the information processing device has not received an instruction from the predetermined application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel after a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data has been received in the predetermined application program and the predetermined data has been acquired via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a switching step of executing a switching process for switching a state of the information processing device to the second state which is a state different from a state prioritized by the operating system when the switching process is executed, and a transmission step of transmitting the specified data to the external device by communication via the specified application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state which is a state different from a state prioritized by the operating system when the instruction is not accepted from the specified application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel, wherein the first connection is determined to be a connection that utilizes a communication line connected to the Internet, and the second connection is not determined to be a connection that utilizes a communication line connected to the Internet.
Further, the program of the present invention is a predetermined application program, which controls whether an information processing device operates in a first state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, or in a second state in which the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, and an instruction for control is not received from the predetermined application program, and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, for controlling whether the information processing device operates in a first state in which the first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, and and a switching step of executing a switching process for switching a state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a state different from a state given by the operating system when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel by the information processing device, after a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data has been accepted in the predetermined application program and after the predetermined data has been acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. When the switching process has been executed, a transmitting step of transmitting the predetermined data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from a state given by the operating system when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel by the information processing device.

本発明によれば、接続の切断・確立に係る処置の負荷を軽減して、通信先の切り替えを行うことができる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to switch communication destinations while reducing the burden of processing related to disconnection and establishment of connections.

本実施形態の情報処理装置の概略構成を示す図である。1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 本実施形態のアプリケーションが実行する処理を示すフローチャートである。3 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by an application according to the present embodiment. 本実施形態のアプリケーションに実行させる機能をユーザに選択させるための画面の一例である。This is an example of a screen for allowing a user to select a function to be executed by an application according to the present embodiment. 本実施形態の外部装置に印刷させる画像をユーザに選択させるための画面の一例である。13 is an example of a screen for allowing a user to select an image to be printed by an external device according to the present embodiment. 本実施形態の外部装置にユーザに選択させた画像を印刷させるための画面の一例である。This is an example of a screen for causing an external device according to the present embodiment to print an image selected by a user. 本実施形態の外部装置に印刷を実行させている場合に表示する画面の一例である。This is an example of a screen displayed when an external device according to the present embodiment executes printing. 本実施形態の通信システムを表す図である。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system according to the present embodiment. 本実施形態のアプリケーションが実行する処理を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the application of this embodiment.

以下に図面を参照して、本発明の好適な実施形態を例示的に説明する。ただし、本発明については、その趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で、当業者の通常の知識に基づいて、以下に記載する実施形態に対して適宜変更、改良が加えられたものについても本発明の範囲に入ることが理解されるべきである。 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, within the scope of the present invention, modifications and improvements made to the embodiments described below based on the common knowledge of those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that entering.

（第１実施形態）
本発明を適用する情報処理装置について説明する。情報処理装置として、本実施形態ではスマートホンを例示している。なお、情報処理装置として適用できる装置はこれに限定されず、複数の通信回線による通信が可能な装置であれば良い。すなわち、情報処理装置は、例えば、携帯端末、ノートＰＣ、タブレット端末、ＰＤＡ（ＰｅｒｓｏｎａｌＤｉｇｉｔａｌＡｓｓｉｓｔａｎｔ）、デジタルカメラ等であっても良い。また、外部装置として、本実施形態ではインクジェット記録方式の複合機（ＭＦＰ）を例示している。なお、外部装置として適用できる装置はこれに限定されず、情報処理装置と通信を行うことが可能な装置であれば良い。すなわち、外部装置は、例えば、フルカラープリンタやモノクロプリンタ、複写機、ファクシミリ、スキャナ、携帯端末、ノートＰＣ、タブレット端末、ＰＤＡ、デジタルカメラ等であっても良い。さらに、外部装置は、ＭＦＰではなく、単機能の装置（ＳＦＰ）であっても良い。また、外部装置がプリンタの機能を有しているならば、外部装置の記録方式はインクジェット方式に限定されず、例えば電子写真方式等、他の記録方式であっても良い。 (First embodiment)
An information processing device to which the present invention is applied will be explained. In this embodiment, a smartphone is exemplified as an information processing device. Note that the device that can be applied as the information processing device is not limited to this, and any device that can communicate via a plurality of communication lines may be used. That is, the information processing device may be, for example, a mobile terminal, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, or the like. Further, in this embodiment, an inkjet recording type multifunction peripheral (MFP) is exemplified as an external device. Note that the device that can be applied as the external device is not limited to this, and any device that can communicate with the information processing device may be used. That is, the external device may be, for example, a full-color printer, a monochrome printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a scanner, a mobile terminal, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, or the like. Furthermore, the external device may be a single-function device (SFP) instead of an MFP. Further, as long as the external device has a printer function, the recording method of the external device is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be another recording method such as an electrophotographic method.

図１は、本実施形態の情報処理装置であるスマートホン１００の概略構成を示す図である。 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a smart phone 100, which is an information processing device of this embodiment.

図１（ａ）は、スマートホン１００のハードウェア構成を示している。スマートホン１００は、ＣＰＵ１０１、操作部１０２、ネットワークＩＦ１０３、ネットワークＩＦ１０４、メモリ１０５、表示部１０６、記憶装置１０７を備え、それぞれがシステムバスを介して接続されている。 FIG. 1(a) shows the hardware configuration of the smartphone 100. The smart phone 100 includes a CPU 101, an operation unit 102, a network IF 103, a network IF 104, a memory 105, a display unit 106, and a storage device 107, each of which is connected via a system bus.

ＣＰＵ１０１は、システム制御部であり、スマートホン１００の全体を制御するプロセッサーである。 CPU 101 is a system control unit, and is a processor that controls the entire smart phone 100.

操作部１０２は、スマートホン１００にユーザが指示を与えるための操作部であり、例えば、ボタンやタッチパネル等で構成される。 The operation unit 102 is an operation unit for the user to give instructions to the smartphone 100, and includes, for example, buttons, a touch panel, and the like.

メモリ１０５は、ＣＰＵ１０１の作業領域としてのランダムアクセスメモリ（ＲＡＭ）であり、ＳＲＡＭ（ｓｔａｔｉｃＲＡＭ）等のメモリで構成される。メモリ１０５は、プログラム制御変数、各種設定データ、スマートホン１００の管理データ等を記憶したり、種々の受信データの一時格納領域として用いられたりする。 The memory 105 is a random access memory (RAM) that serves as a work area for the CPU 101, and is composed of a memory such as SRAM (static RAM). The memory 105 stores program control variables, various setting data, management data for the smartphone 100, and is used as a temporary storage area for various received data.

表示部１０６は、ＬＥＤ（発光ダイオード）やＬＣＤ（液晶ディスプレイ）などから構成され、ＣＰＵ１０１からの指示に基づいた所定の画面を表示する。 The display unit 106 includes an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and displays a predetermined screen based on instructions from the CPU 101.

記憶装置１０７は、例えば、フラッシュメモリ等で構成され、ＣＰＵ１０１が実行する制御プログラムやアプリケーションプログラム、オペレーティングシステム（ＯＳ）等の各種プログラムを格納する。本実施形態では、記憶装置１０７に格納されている制御プログラムは、記憶装置１０７に格納されている組込ＯＳの管理下で、スケジューリングやタスクスイッチ等のソフトウェア制御を行う。 The storage device 107 is formed of, for example, a flash memory, and stores various programs such as the control program, application program, and operating system (OS) executed by the CPU 101. In this embodiment, the control program stored in the storage device 107 performs software control such as scheduling and task switching under the management of the embedded OS stored in the storage device 107.

ネットワークＩＦ１０３及び１０４は、スマートホン１００がそれぞれ異なる通信回線によって通信を行うためのインターフェイス（ＩＦ）である。本実施形態において、ネットワークＩＦ１０３は、スマートホン１００が３Ｇや４Ｇ等の移動体通信回線によってインターネットに接続して通信を行うためのＩＦである。スマートホン１００は、例えば、ＡＰＮ（接続先）やパスワードの入力等の設定をすることで、移動体通信回線によるインターネットとの接続を確立する。また、ネットワークＩＦ１０４は、Ｗｉ－Ｆｉ（登録商標）等の無線ＬＡＮの通信回線によって、外部装置に接続して通信を行うためのＩＦである。スマートホン１００は、例えば、外部装置に対応するアクセスポイントを検出し、パスワードの入力等の接続設定を行うことで、無線ＬＡＮの通信回線による外部装置との接続を確立する。なお、本実施形態において、スマートホン１００が備えるネットワークＩＦの数は２つに限定されるものではない。スマートホン１００は、少なくとも、インターネットと接続可能な通信回線で通信可能なＩＦ及び外部装置と接続可能な通信回線で通信可能なＩＦを備えていれば良い。また、１つのＩＦによって、インターネットと接続可能な通信回線による通信及び外部装置と接続可能な通信回線による通信が実現可能であれば、ＩＦの数は１つであっても良い。また、それぞれのＩＦにおいて利用される通信回線は上述のものに限定されず、例えば、Ｂｌｕｅｔｏｏｔｈ（登録商標）等による他の通信回線であっても良いし、無線通信方式でなく有線通信方式による通信回線であっても良い。
また、スマートホン１００は、それぞれのＩＦを利用して直接インターネットや外部装置と接続せずとも良く、例えばルーター等の装置を介して接続しても良い。 Network IFs 103 and 104 are interfaces (IFs) through which the smartphone 100 communicates through different communication lines. In this embodiment, the network IF 103 is an IF that allows the smart phone 100 to connect to the Internet and perform communication via a mobile communication line such as 3G or 4G. The smart phone 100 establishes a connection to the Internet via a mobile communication line by, for example, making settings such as inputting an APN (connection destination) and a password. Further, the network IF 104 is an IF for connecting to and communicating with an external device via a wireless LAN communication line such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). For example, the smart phone 100 establishes a connection with the external device via a wireless LAN communication line by detecting an access point corresponding to the external device and performing connection settings such as entering a password. Note that in this embodiment, the number of network IFs provided in the smartphone 100 is not limited to two. The smart phone 100 only needs to include at least an IF that can communicate via a communication line that can be connected to the Internet and an IF that can communicate via a communication line that can connect to an external device. Further, the number of IFs may be one, as long as communication via a communication line connectable to the Internet and communication via a communication line connectable to an external device can be realized by one IF. Furthermore, the communication lines used in each IF are not limited to those mentioned above, and may be other communication lines such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), or communication using a wired communication method instead of a wireless communication method. It may be a line.
Moreover, the smart phone 100 does not need to be directly connected to the Internet or an external device using each IF, but may be connected via a device such as a router.

図１（ｂ）は、スマートホン１００のソフトウェア構成を示した図である。スマートホン１００は、ＯＳ１０８、アプリケーション１０９を備える。ＯＳ１０８は、スマートホン１００全体を制御するためのプログラムである。本実施形態において、ＯＳ１０８は、マルチネットワーク機能（複数の通信回線による接続を並行して確立する機能）に対応している。そして、ＯＳ１０８は、スマートホン１００が複数の通信回線による接続を並行して確立している場合、予めプログラムされている優先度に従って、スマートホン１００に利用させる通信回線を決定する。なお、本実施形態において、ＯＳ１０８は、接続が確立している通信回線がインターネットに接続しているか否かを判定する機能を有している。そして、ＯＳ１０８は、スマートホン１００が複数の通信回線による接続を並行して確立している場合は、インターネットに接続している通信回線を優先してスマートホン１００に利用させる。本実施形態においては、移動体通信回線がインターネットに接続して通信するための通信回線である。そのため、ＯＳ１０８は、移動体通信回線及び無線ＬＡＮの通信回線それぞれの接続が並行して確立している場合は、スマートホン１００に移動体通信回線を優先して利用させる。また、ＯＳ１０８は、アプリケーション１０９からの指示を受けて、それぞれの通信回線における接続の確立・解除や接続先の装置の切り替え、スマートホン１００に利用させる通信回線の設定等を行うことができる。 FIG. 1(b) is a diagram showing the software configuration of the smartphone 100. The smartphone 100 includes an OS 108 and an application 109. The OS 108 is a program for controlling the entire smartphone 100. In this embodiment, the OS 108 supports a multi-network function (a function of establishing connections via multiple communication lines in parallel). If the smart phone 100 establishes connections via multiple communication lines in parallel, the OS 108 determines the communication line to be used by the smart phone 100 according to the pre-programmed priorities. Note that in this embodiment, the OS 108 has a function of determining whether or not the communication line to which the connection has been established is connected to the Internet. When the smart phone 100 establishes connections via multiple communication lines in parallel, the OS 108 gives priority to the communication line connected to the Internet and allows the smart phone 100 to use the communication line. In this embodiment, the mobile communication line is a communication line for connecting to and communicating with the Internet. Therefore, when the mobile communication line and the wireless LAN communication line are connected in parallel, the OS 108 allows the smartphone 100 to preferentially use the mobile communication line. In addition, upon receiving instructions from the application 109, the OS 108 can establish and release connections for each communication line, switch devices to be connected, set communication lines to be used by the smart phone 100, and the like.

アプリケーション１０９は、スマートホン１００に各種機能を実行させるためのアプリケーションプログラムである。本実施形態においては、アプリケーション１０９は、プリンタ等の外部装置とスマートホン１００との間の通信を制御し、スマートホン１００が記憶している画像データをプリンタ等の外部装置に印刷させる機能を備える。なお、アプリケーション１０９は、例えば、インターネット等を介してスマートホン１００にインストールされる。 The application 109 is an application program for causing the smart phone 100 to execute various functions. In this embodiment, the application 109 has a function of controlling communication between an external device such as a printer and the smartphone 100, and causing the external device such as a printer to print image data stored in the smartphone 100. . Note that the application 109 is installed on the smartphone 100 via the Internet, for example.

上述のソフトウェアは、記憶装置１０７等のメモリに格納されており、メモリ１０５に展開されてＣＰＵ１０１によって実行される。そのため、本実施形態の説明において、ＯＳ１０８又はアプリケーション１０９が実行する処理は、実際には、ＣＰＵ１０１が、ＯＳ１０８又はアプリケーション１０９に対応するプログラムを実行することで実現されるものである。 The above-mentioned software is stored in a memory such as the storage device 107, expanded to the memory 105, and executed by the CPU 101. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the processing executed by the OS 108 or the application 109 is actually realized by the CPU 101 executing a program corresponding to the OS 108 or the application 109.

図３～図７は、アプリケーション１０９によって表示部１０６に表示される表示画面の一例を示す図である。 3 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of display screens displayed on the display unit 106 by the application 109.

図３は、アプリケーション１０９に実行させる機能をユーザに選択させるための画面の一例である。表示部１０６は、図３の画面の表示において、アプリケーション１０９が実行可能な機能に対応する複数のオブジェクトを表示する。例えば、「写真印刷」や「文書印刷」のオブジェクトは、外部装置に印刷処理を実行させるためのオブジェクトであり、「スキャン」のオブジェクトは、外部装置にスキャン処理を実行させるためのオブジェクトである。 FIG. 3 is an example of a screen for allowing the user to select a function to be executed by the application 109. The display unit 106 displays a plurality of objects corresponding to functions that can be executed by the application 109 on the screen shown in FIG. For example, objects such as "print photo" and "print document" are objects for causing an external device to execute print processing, and objects for "scan" are objects for causing an external device to execute scan processing.

また、「クラウド」のオブジェクトは、スマートホン１００が、クラウド上のサーバからコンテンツを取得し、その取得されたコンテンツを外部装置に送信することで外部装置にインターネット上のコンテンツを印刷させるためのオブジェクトである。また、「外部装置名」の部分には、スマートホン１００が接続している外部装置の名前が表示される。
Further, the "cloud" object is an object that allows the smartphone 100 to obtain content from a server on the cloud and send the obtained content to the external device, thereby causing the external device to print the content on the Internet. It is. Furthermore, the name of the external device connected to the smartphone 100 is displayed in the "external device name" section.

なお、図３の画面の表示において、アプリケーション１０９は上述の機能以外に他の機能に対応するオブジェクトを表示しても良い。例えば、外部装置やスマートホン１００の種々の設定を行う機能、外部装置の状態を確認するための機能、外部装置に搭載されているＷｅｂＵＩを使用する機能に対応するオブジェクトを表示しても良い。 Note that in the screen display of FIG. 3, the application 109 may display objects corresponding to other functions in addition to the above-mentioned functions. For example, objects corresponding to functions for configuring various settings of the external device or the smart phone 100, functions for checking the status of the external device, and functions for using the Web UI installed in the external device may be displayed.

図４は、外部装置に印刷させる画像をユーザに選択させるための画面の一例である。図４に示す画面は、例えば、図３の画面における「写真印刷」や「クラウド」のオブジェクトがユーザに選択された場合に表示される。これらの画像は、スマートホン１００内にローカルに保存されている画像でも良いし、インターネットを介して取得される画像であっても良い。ユーザは、表示された画像をタップすることで、印刷する画像データを選択することができる。 FIG. 4 is an example of a screen for allowing the user to select an image to be printed by an external device. The screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, for example, when the user selects the "photo printing" or "cloud" object on the screen shown in FIG. 3. These images may be images stored locally in the smartphone 100 or may be images acquired via the Internet. The user can select image data to print by tapping the displayed image.

図５は、ユーザに選択させた画像を外部装置に印刷させるための画面の一例である。表示部１０６は、図５の画面の表示において、外部装置に印刷させる画像データに対応した複数のオブジェクトと、外部装置に印刷を実行させることを決定するためのオブジェクト（図中の「プリント」ボタン）を表示する。ユーザは、「プリント」ボタンをタップすることで、選択した画像データを外部装置に印刷させることができる。 FIG. 5 is an example of a screen for causing an external device to print an image selected by the user. In displaying the screen of FIG. 5, the display unit 106 displays a plurality of objects corresponding to image data to be printed by an external device, and an object for determining to have the external device perform printing (a "print" button in the figure). ) is displayed. By tapping the "Print" button, the user can cause the external device to print the selected image data.

図６は、外部装置に印刷を実行させている場合に表示する画面の一例である。表示部１０６は、図６の画面の表示において、外部装置に実行させている印刷の設定情報やステータス状態等を表示する。 FIG. 6 is an example of a screen displayed when an external device is executing printing. The display unit 106 displays setting information, status status, etc. of printing that is being executed by an external device on the screen shown in FIG.

図７は、本実施形態の通信システムを表す図である。ＭＦＰ７００は、本実施形態の外部装置であり、スマートホン１００と通信する機能やスマートホン１００から受信する画像データを印刷する機能等を備えている。図７に示すように、スマートホン１００は、通信回線７０４を利用して、基地局７０１を介したインターネット７０２との接続を確立することができる。なお、通信回線７０４は、本実施形態では、３Ｇや４Ｇ等の移動体通信回線に該当する。また、同時にスマートホン１００は、通信回線７０５を利用して、ＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立することができる。なお、通信回線７０５は、本実施形態では、Ｗｉ－Ｆｉ（登録商標）等の無線ＬＡＮの通信回線に該当する。 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the communication system of this embodiment. The MFP 700 is an external device of this embodiment, and has a function of communicating with the smart phone 100, a function of printing image data received from the smart phone 100, and the like. As shown in FIG. 7, the smart phone 100 can establish a connection to the Internet 702 via a base station 701 using a communication line 704. Note that the communication line 704 corresponds to a mobile communication line such as 3G or 4G in this embodiment. Furthermore, at the same time, the smart phone 100 can establish a connection with the MFP 700 using the communication line 705. In this embodiment, the communication line 705 corresponds to a communication line of a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

２つの以上の通信回線によって接続を並行して確立している状態では、スマートホン１００は、接続が確立している通信回線のうちＯＳ１０８によって指示された通信回線によって通信が可能な状態となっている。なお、本実施形態においては、上述したように、ＯＳ１０８は、通信回線７０４及び通信回線７０５による接続が並行して確立されている場合は、スマートホン１００に、通信回線７０４を優先して利用させる。なお、本実施形態では、スマートホン１００は、通信回線７０５によるＭＦＰ７００との接続において、ルーターや基地局等の外部アクセスポイントを介さずにダイレクトにＭＦＰ７００に接続しているが、外部アクセスポイントを介して接続しても良い。なおこのとき、外部アクセスポイントがインターネット７０２と接続しているならば、通信回線７０５によって通信を行う状態であってもスマートホン１００はインターネット７０２と接続することができる。そのため、その状態においては、アプリケーション１０９は、以下に説明する処理を行わなくても良い。 In a state in which connections are established in parallel through two or more communication lines, the smartphone 100 is in a state in which communication is possible through the communication line instructed by the OS 108 among the communication lines with which the connection has been established. There is. Note that in this embodiment, as described above, when the connections using the communication line 704 and the communication line 705 are established in parallel, the OS 108 causes the smartphone 100 to use the communication line 704 preferentially. . Note that in this embodiment, the smartphone 100 connects directly to the MFP 700 through the communication line 705 without going through an external access point such as a router or base station; You can also connect it using Note that at this time, if the external access point is connected to the Internet 702, the smart phone 100 can be connected to the Internet 702 even when communicating via the communication line 705. Therefore, in that state, the application 109 does not need to perform the processing described below.

図２は、本実施形態においてアプリケーション１０９が実行する、スマートホン１００に利用させる通信回線（以下、利用回線）を切り替える処理を示すフローチャートである。なお、該フローチャートの示す処理は、ＣＰＵ１０１が、記憶装置１０７又はスマートホン１００の備えるＨＤＤ（不図示）等に格納されている制御プログラムをメモリ１０５にロードし、その制御プログラムを実行することにより実現されるものとする。また、該フローチャートの示す処理は、公知の起動シーケンスによってアプリケーション１０９が起動したときに開始されるものとする。 FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of switching a communication line (hereinafter referred to as a used line) used by the smart phone 100, which is executed by the application 109 in this embodiment. Note that the processing shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading a control program stored in the storage device 107 or the HDD (not shown) included in the smartphone 100 into the memory 105, and executing the control program. shall be carried out. Further, it is assumed that the processing shown in the flowchart is started when the application 109 is started according to a known startup sequence.

まず、アプリケーション１０９は、ＭＦＰ７００に送信する画像データを特定するための表示画面を表示部１０６に表示する（Ｓ２０１）。ここでは、アプリケーション１０９は、図４に示す表示画面を表示するものとする。なお、図４に示す表示画面を表示するタイミングは、アプリケーション１０９が起動したタイミングでも良いし、アプリケーション１０９が動作している状態でユーザの操作によって図４に示す表示画面が呼び出されたタイミングでも良い。なお、本実施形態では特定されるデータとして画像データを例としているが、画像データに限らず、文書データや、ＭＦＰ７００に所定の処理を実行させるためのコマンド等であっても良い。また、印刷機能以外の機能を備える装置に対して送信されるデータが特定される場合は、その装置が処理可能なものであればどのようなデータでも良い。なお、特定されるデータはスマートホン１００自体に保存されている必要はなく、例えば、スマートホン１００がインターネット７０２を介して通信可能なクラウドサーバ７０３等に保存されていても良い。しかしその場合、スマートホン１００は、クラウドサーバ７０３からデータを取得するために、インターネット７０２と接続可能な通信回線を利用している必要がある。また、スマートホン１００は、アプリケーション１０９やＭＦＰ７００に関するオンラインマニュアルを表示する場合やクラウドサーバ７０３を介して画像データをレンダリングする場合にもインターネット７０２と接続可能な通信回線を利用している必要がある。そのため、本実施形態では、アプリケーション１０９は、通信回線７０４を利用回線とするように、ＯＳ１０８に指示する（Ｓ２０２）。このとき具体的には、ＣＰＵ１０１は、アプリケーション１０９のプログラムを実行することで得られた値を用いて、ＯＳ１０８の、利用回線の決定に関するプログラムを実行する。 First, the application 109 displays a display screen for identifying image data to be sent to the MFP 700 on the display unit 106 (S201). Here, the application 109 displays the display screen shown in FIG. 4. The timing for displaying the display screen shown in FIG. 4 may be when the application 109 is started, or when the display screen shown in FIG. 4 is called up by a user operation while the application 109 is running. In this embodiment, image data is used as an example of the identified data, but it is not limited to image data, and may be document data or a command for causing the MFP 700 to execute a predetermined process. In addition, when data to be sent to a device having a function other than a printing function is identified, any data may be used as long as the device can process it. The identified data does not need to be stored in the smartphone 100 itself, and may be stored in, for example, a cloud server 703 with which the smartphone 100 can communicate via the Internet 702. In that case, however, the smartphone 100 needs to use a communication line that can connect to the Internet 702 in order to obtain data from the cloud server 703. The smartphone 100 also needs to use a communication line that can connect to the Internet 702 when displaying online manuals related to the application 109 or the MFP 700, or when rendering image data via the cloud server 703. Therefore, in this embodiment, the application 109 instructs the OS 108 to set the communication line 704 as the line to be used (S202). Specifically, at this time, the CPU 101 uses a value obtained by executing the program of the application 109 to execute a program of the OS 108 related to determining the line to be used.

ＯＳ１０８は、指示を受け付けると利用回線を通信回線７０４に切り替えて、スマートホン１００を、通信回線７０４を利用して通信を行う状態にする。このような形態とすることで、アプリケーション１０９は、ＭＦＰ７００と通信を行う必要のないタイミングでは、スマートホン１００にインターネット７０２上の情報を利用させることができる。なお、アプリケーション１０９は、ＯＳ１０８がすでに利用回線を通信回線７０４としている場合には、Ｓ２０２の処理を実行しなくても良い。 Upon receiving the instruction, the OS 108 switches the line to be used to the communication line 704 and puts the smart phone 100 into a state where communication is performed using the communication line 704. With this configuration, the application 109 can cause the smartphone 100 to use information on the Internet 702 at times when there is no need to communicate with the MFP 700. Note that the application 109 does not need to execute the process of S202 if the OS 108 has already set the communication line 704 as the line to be used.

次に、アプリケーション１０９は、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷させる画像データを特定する（Ｓ２０３）。このとき具体的には、アプリケーション１０９は、図４の表示画面を介して、画像データの選択をユーザから受け付けることで、ＭＦＰ７００に送信する画像データを特定する。なお、特定される画像データは１つでなくとも良く、例えば、ユーザから複数の画像データの選択を受け付けた場合は、複数の画像データを特定しても良い。また、アプリケーション１０９は、クラウドサーバ７０３等、スマートホン１００外部に格納されている画像データを特定した場合は、インターネット７０２との通信等を介して特定した画像データを取得する。 Next, the application 109 specifies image data to be printed by the MFP 700 (S203). Specifically, at this time, the application 109 specifies the image data to be transmitted to the MFP 700 by accepting a selection of image data from the user via the display screen shown in FIG. Note that the number of image data to be specified does not have to be one; for example, if a selection of a plurality of image data is received from the user, a plurality of image data may be specified. Further, if the application 109 identifies image data stored outside the smartphone 100, such as the cloud server 703, the application 109 acquires the identified image data via communication with the Internet 702 or the like.

その後、アプリケーション１０９は、データの送信指示を受け付けて、Ｓ２０３にて特定した画像データをＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させることを決定する（Ｓ２０４）。このとき具体的には、アプリケーション１０９は、図５の表示画面を介して、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させるためのオブジェクトへの操作をユーザから受け付けた場合に、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させることを決定する。なお、この形態に限定されず、アプリケーション１０９は、例えば、スマートホン１００がＭＦＰ７００を中心とした所定の範囲内に移動された場合にＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させることを決定しても良い。なお、アプリケーション１０９が、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させるためには、スマートホン１００からＭＦＰ７００に画像データが送信される必要がある。そのため、アプリケーション１０９は、通信回線７０５によるスマートホン１００とＭＦＰ７００との接続が確立されているか否かを判定する（Ｓ２０５）。接続が確立されていないと判定された場合は、アプリケーション１０９は、通信回線７０５によるスマートホン１００とＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立するようにユーザに促す画面を表示する（Ｓ２０６）。このようにすることで、スマートホン１００は、ＭＦＰ７００のＳＳＩＤの検出、パスワードの入力等のための操作をユーザから受け付けて接続設定情報を取得することができ、ＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立することができる。なお、アプリケーション１０９は、接続を確立するようにユーザを促す画面を表示した後は、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させるためのオブジェクトへの操作をユーザから再度受け付けて、再度Ｓ２０４の処理を再度実行する。また、例えば、スマートホン１００は、以前にユーザからの操作を受け付けていたことにより、接続設定情報をメモリ１０５等に保存している場合がある。この場合は、アプリケーション１０９は、保存されていた接続設定情報を利用して通信回線７０５によるＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立するようにＯＳ１０８に指示することで、Ｓ２０６の処理を実行せずにＳ２０７の処理を実行しても良い。 After that, the application 109 accepts a data transmission instruction and determines to have the MFP 700 print the image data specified in S203 (S204). Specifically, the application 109 decides to have the MFP 700 print when it accepts an operation on an object for causing the MFP 700 to print from the user via the display screen of FIG. 5. Note that this is not limited to this form, and the application 109 may decide to have the MFP 700 print when the smartphone 100 is moved within a predetermined range centered on the MFP 700, for example. Note that, in order for the application 109 to have the MFP 700 print, it is necessary for the image data to be transmitted from the smartphone 100 to the MFP 700. Therefore, the application 109 determines whether or not a connection between the smartphone 100 and the MFP 700 via the communication line 705 has been established (S205). If it is determined that the connection is not established, the application 109 displays a screen prompting the user to establish a connection between the smartphone 100 and the MFP 700 via the communication line 705 (S206). In this way, the smartphone 100 can acquire connection setting information by receiving an operation from the user for detecting the SSID of the MFP 700, inputting a password, and the like, and can establish a connection with the MFP 700. After displaying the screen prompting the user to establish a connection, the application 109 again receives an operation from the user on an object for causing the MFP 700 to execute printing, and executes the process of S204 again. In addition, for example, the smartphone 100 may have saved the connection setting information in the memory 105 or the like by previously accepting an operation from the user. In this case, the application 109 may execute the process of S207 without executing the process of S206 by instructing the OS 108 to establish a connection with the MFP 700 via the communication line 705 using the saved connection setting information.

Ｓ２０５にて、通信回線７０５によるスマートホン１００とＭＦＰ７００との接続が確立されていると判定された場合は、スマートホン１００は、通信回線７０４及び通信回線７０５による接続を並行して確立している。しかしながらこのとき、前述したように、ＯＳ１０８からの指示によって通信回線７０４を利用する状態となっている。通信回線７０４はＭＦＰ７００と通信可能な通信回線ではないため、スマートホン１００は、この状態では画像データをＭＦＰ７００に送信することができない。そこで、本実施形態では、アプリケーション１０９は、通信回線７０５を利用回線とするように、ＯＳ１０８に指示する（Ｓ２０７）。ＯＳ１０８は指示を受け付けると、利用回線を通信回線７０５に切り替えて、スマートホン１００を、通信回線７０５を利用して通信を行う状態にする。このとき、通信回線７０４による接続は切断されず継続されるため、スマートホン１００は、送信する画像データを再度特定する場合等、再度利用回線として通信回線７０４を用いる場合にも接続を確立するための処理を行う必要が無い。その後、アプリケーション１０９は、スマートホン１００に、Ｓ２０３にて特定した画像データをＭＦＰ７００に対して送信させることで、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させる（Ｓ２０８）。なお、このとき、アプリケーション１０９は、画像データだけでなく、例えば印刷設定情報等の他の情報もスマートホン１００に送信させても良い。 If it is determined in S205 that the connection between the smart phone 100 and the MFP 700 via the communication line 705 has been established, the smart phone 100 has established the connection via the communication line 704 and the communication line 705 in parallel. . However, at this time, as described above, the communication line 704 is being used according to instructions from the OS 108. Since the communication line 704 is not a communication line that can communicate with the MFP 700, the smartphone 100 cannot transmit image data to the MFP 700 in this state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the application 109 instructs the OS 108 to use the communication line 705 as the line to be used (S207). When the OS 108 receives the instruction, it switches the line to be used to the communication line 705 and puts the smart phone 100 into a state where it can communicate using the communication line 705. At this time, the connection via the communication line 704 is not disconnected and continues, so the smartphone 100 establishes the connection even when using the communication line 704 as a line to use again, such as when re-specifying image data to be transmitted. There is no need to perform any processing. After that, the application 109 causes the smartphone 100 to transmit the image data specified in S203 to the MFP 700, thereby causing the MFP 700 to execute printing (S208). Note that at this time, the application 109 may cause the smartphone 100 to transmit not only image data but also other information such as print setting information.

その後、アプリケーション１０９は、利用回線を切り替えるか否かを判定する（Ｓ２０９）。このとき具体的には、アプリケーション１０９は、ＭＦＰ７００からジョブの処理のステータスに関する情報を取得し、ＭＦＰ７００によって印刷が終了したか否かを判定する。アプリケーション１０９は、印刷が終了していないと判定した場合、利用回線を切り替えないと判定し、印刷が終了したと判定した場合、利用回線を切り替えると判定する。これは、スマートホン１００は、経過状態やエラーの有無等の印刷の状態の情報を取得するためには、ＭＦＰ７００との通信が可能な状態を維持する必要があるからである。なお、Ｓ２０９では、アプリケーション１０９は、画像データの送信が終了したか否かを判定しても良い。その場合、アプリケーション１０９は、画像データの送信が終了していないと判定した場合、利用回線を切り替えないと判定し、画像データの送信が終了したと判定した場合、利用回線を切り替えると判定する。また、アプリケーション１０９は、画像データの送信が終了したり、ＭＦＰ７００によって印刷が終了しても、引き続きＭＦＰ７００との通信が必要な場合は、利用回線を切り替えないと判定しても良い。引き続きＭＦＰ７００との通信が必要な場合は、例えば、引き続きＭＦＰ７００のステータス情報を取得する必要がある場合や、スマートホン１００内の画像データ（取得にインターネット７０２が必要ない画像データ）の転送が引き続き行われる場合が該当する。 After that, the application 109 determines whether to switch the line to be used (S209). At this time, specifically, the application 109 obtains information on the status of the job processing from the MFP 700 and determines whether printing has been completed by the MFP 700. If the application 109 determines that printing has not been completed, it determines not to switch the line to be used, and if it determines that printing has been completed, it determines to switch the line to be used. This is because the smartphone 100 needs to maintain a state in which it can communicate with the MFP 700 in order to obtain information on the printing status, such as the progress status and the presence or absence of errors. Note that in S209, the application 109 may also determine whether the transmission of image data has been completed. In this case, if the application 109 determines that the transmission of image data has not been completed, it determines not to switch the line to be used, and if it determines that the transmission of image data has been completed, it determines to switch the line to be used. In addition, the application 109 may determine not to switch the line to be used if communication with the MFP 700 is still required even if the transmission of image data has been completed or printing has been completed by the MFP 700. Circumstances where communication with the MFP 700 is still required include, for example, cases where it is necessary to continue to obtain status information of the MFP 700, or cases where transfer of image data within the smartphone 100 (image data that does not require the Internet 702 to obtain) continues.

アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ２０９にて利用回線を切り替えないと判定した場合、利用回線を切り替えると判定するまでＳ２０９の処理を繰り返す。一方、アプリケーション１０９は、利用回線を切り替えると判定した場合、通信回線７０４を利用回線とするように、ＯＳ１０８に指示する（Ｓ２１０）。ＯＳ１０８は、指示を受け付けると、利用回線を切り替えて、スマートホン１００を、通信回線７０４を利用して通信を行う状態にする。このとき、スマートホン１００は、Ｓ２０７にて通信回線７０４との接続が切断されずに利用回線が切り替えてられていたため、Ｓ２１０において接続を確立するための処理を行う必要が無い。また、このとき、通信回線７０５による接続は切断されず継続されるため、スマートホン１００は、再度ジョブの送信を行う場合等、利用回線を再度通信回線７０５にする場合にも接続を確立するための処理を行う必要が無い。その後アプリケーション１０９は、アプリケーションの動作が終了するまで以上に説明した処理を繰り返す。 If the application 109 determines in S209 not to switch the line to be used, it repeats the process in S209 until it determines to switch the line to be used. On the other hand, if the application 109 determines that the line to be used should be switched, it instructs the OS 108 to set the communication line 704 as the line to be used (S210). Upon receiving the instruction, the OS 108 switches the line to be used and puts the smart phone 100 into a state where communication is performed using the communication line 704. At this time, since the smartphone 100 has switched the line to be used without disconnecting from the communication line 704 in S207, there is no need to perform the process for establishing the connection in S210. Furthermore, at this time, the connection via the communication line 705 is not disconnected and continues, so the smartphone 100 establishes the connection even when the line to be used is the communication line 705 again, such as when transmitting a job again. There is no need to perform any processing. After that, the application 109 repeats the process described above until the operation of the application ends.

以上のように、本実施形態においては、スマートホン１００は、インターネット通信が必要な場面及びＭＦＰ７００との通信が必要な場面それぞれの場面に適した通信回線を利用するように、利用回線を切り替える。この構成により、スマートホン１００は、状況に応じた適切な通信回線を利用することができる。 As described above, in this embodiment, the smart phone 100 switches the line to be used so as to use a communication line suitable for each of the situations where Internet communication is required and the situation where communication with the MFP 700 is required. With this configuration, the smart phone 100 can use an appropriate communication line depending on the situation.

さらに、本実施形態においては、スマートホン１００は、ＭＦＰ７００に対してデータを送信する必要が生じた場合、確立している接続を切断することなく、利用する通信回線を切り替える。そのため、スマートホン１００は、利用する通信回線の切り替え毎に、接続設定情報の保存や再設定等の処理を行う必要が無く、接続の確立及び切断によって通信先を切り替える構成と比較して、通信先の切り替えに係る時間を少なくすることができる。 Furthermore, in this embodiment, when it becomes necessary to transmit data to the MFP 700, the smartphone 100 switches the communication line to be used without disconnecting the established connection. Therefore, the smartphone 100 does not need to perform processing such as saving or resetting connection setting information each time the communication line to be used is switched, and compared to a configuration in which the communication destination is switched by establishing and disconnecting the connection, the smartphone 100 The time required for the previous switching can be reduced.

また、確立している接続を切断することなく、利用する通信回線を切り替える方法としては、例えば、スマートホン１００のモバイルデータ通信設定の有効と無効を切り替える方法が挙げられる。しかしながら、この方法は、スマートホン１００が、ＯＳによって提供されるモバイルデータ通信設定の有効と無効を切り替える画面を表示して、当該画面を介したユーザによる入力を受けつける必要がある。本実施形態では、利用する通信回線を切り替えるべき状況において、アプリケーション１０９が、ＯＳ１０８に指示することで利用回線の切り替えを自動で行う。そのため、本実施形態は、モバイルデータ通信設定をユーザに行わせることなく（モバイルデータ通信設定の有効と無効を切り替える画面を表示することなく）、スマートホン１００が利用する通信回線を切り替えることができる。
Also, as a method of switching the communication line to be used without disconnecting the established connection, for example, there is a method of switching between enabling and disabling the mobile data communication setting of the smartphone 100. However, this method requires the smartphone 100 to display a screen for switching between enabling and disabling the mobile data communication setting provided by the OS and to accept input from the user via the screen. In this embodiment, in a situation where the communication line to be used should be switched, the application 109 instructs the OS 108 to automatically switch the line to be used. Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication line to be used by the smartphone 100 can be switched without the user having to set up the mobile data communication (without displaying a screen for switching between enabling and disabling the mobile data communication setting).

（第２実施形態）
上述の実施形態では、スマートホン１００が、通信回線７０４及び通信回線７０５による接続を並行して確立し、状況に応じて利用回線を切り替える構成を説明した。しかしながら、スマートホン１００は、例えば、インストールされているＯＳの種別によっては、マルチネットワーク機能に対応しておらず、通信回線７０４及び通信回線７０５による接続を並行して確立できない場合がある。そこで、本実施形態では、ＯＳの種別を考慮して処理を切り替える構成について説明する。なお、本実施形態の基本的な構成は第１実施形態と同様であるため、以下では特徴的な構成についてのみ説明する。 (Second embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the smartphone 100 establishes connections using the communication line 704 and the communication line 705 in parallel, and switches the lines to be used depending on the situation. However, depending on the type of OS installed, the smartphone 100 may not be compatible with the multi-network function, and connections via the communication line 704 and the communication line 705 may not be established in parallel. Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which processing is switched in consideration of the type of OS. Note that since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the characteristic configuration will be described below.

図８は、本実施形態においてアプリケーション１０９が実行する処理を示すフローチャートである。なお、該フローチャートの示す処理は、ＣＰＵ１０１が、記憶装置１０７又はスマートホン１００の備えるＨＤＤ（不図示）等に格納されている制御プログラムをメモリ１０５にロードし、その制御プログラムを実行することにより実現されるものとする。また、該フローチャートの示す処理は、公知の起動シーケンスによってアプリケーション１０９が起動したときに開始されるものとする。 FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the application 109 in this embodiment. Note that the processing shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading a control program stored in the storage device 107 or the HDD (not shown) included in the smartphone 100 into the memory 105, and executing the control program. shall be carried out. Further, it is assumed that the processing shown in the flowchart is started when the application 109 is started according to a known startup sequence.

Ｓ８０１～Ｓ８１０に示す処理は、Ｓ２０１～Ｓ２１０に示す処理と同様であるため、説明を省略する。 The processing shown in S801 to S810 is the same as the processing shown in S201 to S210, so the description thereof will be omitted.

まず、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８１１にて、ＯＳ１０８が、スマートホン１００にマルチネットワーク機能に対応しているＯＳか否かを判定する。具体的には、このとき、アプリケーション１０９は、いずれのバージョンがマルチネットワーク機能に対応しているバージョンか否かを認識しており、ＯＳ１０８のバージョンがいずれのバージョンであるかを特定する。マルチネットワーク機能に対応していると判定された場合、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８０１～Ｓ８１０に示す処理を実行する。マルチネットワーク機能に対応していないと判定された場合、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８１２～Ｓ８１７に示す処理を実行する。 First, in S811, the application 109 determines whether the OS 108 is an OS that supports the multi-network function of the smartphone 100. Specifically, at this time, the application 109 recognizes which version is compatible with the multi-network function or not, and specifies which version the OS 108 is. If it is determined that the application 109 supports the multi-network function, the application 109 executes the processes shown in S801 to S810. If it is determined that the application 109 does not support the multi-network function, the application 109 executes the processes shown in S812 to S817.

まず、Ｓ８１２では、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ２０１と同様にしてＭＦＰ７００に送信する画像データを特定するための表示画面を表示部１０６に表示する。このとき、通信回線７０４による接続が確立していれば、アプリケーション１０９は、インターネット上のコンテンツを表示することができる。その後、アプリケーション１０９は、スマートホン１００がマルチネットワーク機能を実行できないため、Ｓ８０２のような処理は行わずに、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷させる画像データを特定する（Ｓ８１３）。その後、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８０４の処理と同様にして、特定した画像データをＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させることを決定する（Ｓ８１４）。 First, in S812, the application 109 displays a display screen for specifying image data to be transmitted to the MFP 700 on the display unit 106 in the same manner as in S201. At this time, if a connection via the communication line 704 is established, the application 109 can display content on the Internet. Thereafter, the application 109 specifies image data to be printed by the MFP 700 without performing processing such as S802 since the smartphone 100 cannot execute the multi-network function (S813). Thereafter, the application 109 determines to have the MFP 700 print the identified image data in the same way as the process in S804 (S814).

その後、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８０５の処理と同様にして、通信回線７０５によるスマートホン１００とＭＦＰ７００との接続が確立されているか否かを判定する（Ｓ８１５）。接続が確立されていないと判定された場合は、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８０６の処理と同様にして、通信回線７０５によるスマートホン１００とＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立するようにユーザを促す画面を表示する（Ｓ８１６）。このようにすることで、スマートホン１００は、ＭＦＰ７００のＳＳＩＤの検出、パスワードの入力等のための操作をユーザから受け付けて接続設定情報を取得することができ、通信回線７０５によるＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立することができる。なお、このとき、スマートホン１００は、マルチネットワーク機能を実行できないため、通信回線７０４による接続を切断する。また、アプリケーション１０９は、接続を確立するようにユーザを促す画面を表示した後は、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷を実行させるためのオブジェクトへの操作をユーザから再度受け付けて、Ｓ８１４の処理を再度実行する。また、例えば、スマートホン１００は、以前にユーザからの操作を受け付けていたことにより、接続設定情報をメモリ１０５等に保存している場合がある。この場合は、アプリケーション１０９は、保存されていた接続設定情報を利用して通信回線７０５によるＭＦＰ７００との接続を確立するようにＯＳ１０８に指示することで、Ｓ８１６の処理を実行せずにＳ８１７の処理を実行しても良い。 Thereafter, the application 109 determines whether the connection between the smartphone 100 and the MFP 700 via the communication line 705 has been established (S815), in the same way as the process in S805. If it is determined that the connection has not been established, the application 109 displays a screen prompting the user to establish a connection between the smartphone 100 and the MFP 700 via the communication line 705, similar to the process in S806 ( S816). By doing so, the smartphone 100 can receive operations such as detecting the SSID of the MFP 700 and inputting a password from the user to obtain connection setting information, and can establish a connection with the MFP 700 via the communication line 705. can be established. Note that at this time, since the smartphone 100 cannot perform the multi-network function, the connection via the communication line 704 is disconnected. Further, after displaying a screen prompting the user to establish a connection, the application 109 again accepts an operation on the object for causing the MFP 700 to execute printing from the user, and executes the process of S814 again. Furthermore, for example, the smartphone 100 may have saved connection setting information in the memory 105 or the like because it has previously accepted an operation from the user. In this case, the application 109 instructs the OS 108 to establish a connection with the MFP 700 via the communication line 705 using the saved connection setting information, thereby performing the processing in S817 without executing the processing in S816. may be executed.

通信回線７０５によるスマートホン１００とＭＦＰ７００との接続が確立されていると、アプリケーション１０９は、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷させる画像データを特定し、ＭＦＰ７００に印刷させる（Ｓ８１７）。このとき、スマートホン１００が接続の多重確立を実行できないため、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ８０７のような処理は行わない。その後アプリケーション１０９は、アプリケーションの動作が終了するまで、以上に説明した処理を繰り返す。 When the connection between the smartphone 100 and the MFP 700 is established through the communication line 705, the application 109 specifies image data to be printed by the MFP 700, and causes the MFP 700 to print it (S817). At this time, since the smartphone 100 cannot perform multiple connection establishments, the application 109 does not perform processing such as S807. After that, the application 109 repeats the process described above until the operation of the application ends.

このような形態とすることで、アプリケーション１０９は、スマートホン１００にインストールされているＯＳの種別に応じた処理を実行することができる。 With this configuration, the application 109 can execute processing according to the type of OS installed in the smartphone 100.

（その他の実施形態）
上述の実施形態では、外部装置とのデータ通信処理の例として外部装置に印刷処理を実行させるジョブを送信する例を説明したが、これに限定されない。すなわち、例えば、本発明は、外部装置にセットされた原稿を読み取るスキャン処理を実行させるためのコマンドを送信しても良い。また、外部装置の設定を行うためのデータ通信、外部装置の状態を取得するためのデータ通信、外部装置に所定のデータを転送する処理等の実行時においても同様に適用することができる。 Other Embodiments
In the above embodiment, an example of sending a job to an external device to execute a print process has been described as an example of data communication processing with an external device, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the present invention may send a command to execute a scan process to read a document set in the external device. In addition, the present invention can be similarly applied to data communication for setting an external device, data communication for acquiring the status of an external device, processing for transferring predetermined data to an external device, and the like.

上述の実施形態では、データ通信の開始時及び終了時に利用回線の切り替えを行うものとしたが、この形態に限定されない。例えば、アプリケーション１０９が、クラウドサーバ７０３上のコンテンツを利用しない場合は、スマートホン１００は、アプリケーション１０９が動作している状態でインターネット７０２と接続する必要はない。そのため、アプリケーション１０９が起動した場合や動作が終了した場合に利用回線を切り替えるような構成としても良い。また、アプリケーション１０９は、データ通信の開始時、データ通信の終了時、アプリケーション１０９が起動した場合及びアプリケーション１０９の動作が終了した場合のうち少なくとも１つのタイミングにおいて利用回線を切り替えれば良い。例えば、上述の４つのタイミングにおいて利用回線を切り替える構成であれば、起動後に通信回線７０５を利用回線とし、データ通信の終了時等に通信回線７０４を利用回線とした場合でも、データ通信の開始時に再度通信回線７０５を利用回線とすることができる。また、例えば、送信するデータの選択画面として、クラウドサーバ７０３上のコンテンツを利用する画面と、利用しない画面とがある場合がある。この場合、アプリケーション１０９は、クラウドサーバ７０３上のコンテンツを利用する画面の表示の開始と終了に応じて、利用回線を切り替えても良い。 In the above-described embodiment, the lines to be used are switched at the start and end of data communication, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, if the application 109 does not use content on the cloud server 703, the smartphone 100 does not need to be connected to the Internet 702 while the application 109 is running. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the line to be used is switched when the application 109 is started or when the operation ends. Further, the application 109 may switch the line to be used at at least one of the following timings: when data communication starts, when data communication ends, when the application 109 starts, and when the operation of the application 109 ends. For example, in a configuration where the line to be used is switched at the four timings described above, even if the communication line 705 is set as the line to be used after startup and the communication line 704 is set to be used at the end of data communication, at the start of data communication, etc. The communication line 705 can be used again. Further, for example, as a selection screen for data to be transmitted, there may be a screen that uses content on the cloud server 703 and a screen that does not use content. In this case, the application 109 may switch the line to be used depending on the start and end of display of a screen that uses content on the cloud server 703.

上述の実施形態では、アプリケーションプログラムであるアプリケーション１０９が本発明の制御を実行しているが、例えば、ＯＳが本発明の制御を実行しても良い。すなわち、例えば、データ通信の開始、データ通信の終了、アプリケーション１０９の起動及びアプリケーション１０９の動作の終了のタイミングを、ＯＳが特定して利用回線を切り替えても良い。
上述の実施形態の効果を実現できれば、上述の実施形態のフローチャートの処理の順番を入れ替えても良いし、その全ての処理を実行しなくても良いし、処理の内容を変更しても良い。例えば、アプリケーション１０９は、Ｓ２０２の処理を、アプリケーション１０９が起動したときに実行して、Ｓ２０１の処理より前に実行しても良い。 In the embodiment described above, the application 109, which is an application program, executes the control of the present invention, but for example, the OS may execute the control of the present invention. That is, for example, the OS may specify the timing of the start of data communication, the end of data communication, the start of application 109, and the end of operation of application 109, and switch the line to be used.
As long as the effects of the above-described embodiments can be achieved, the order of the processes in the flowcharts of the above-described embodiments may be changed, all of the processes may not be executed, or the contents of the processes may be changed. For example, the application 109 may execute the process in S202 when the application 109 is started and before the process in S201.

上述の実施形態は、上述の実施形態の１以上の機能を実現するプログラムをネットワーク又は記憶媒体を介してシステム又は装置に供給し、そのシステム又は装置のコンピュータにおける１つ以上のプロセッサーがプログラムを実行する処理でも実現可能である。また、上述の実施形態は、１以上の機能を実現する回路（例えば、ＡＳＩＣ）によっても実現可能である。 The above-described embodiments can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device execute the program. The above-described embodiments can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more of the functions.

１００スマートホン
１０８ＯＳ
１０９アプリケーション
７００ＭＦＰ 100 Smartphone 108 OS
109 Application 700 MFP

Claims

A predetermined application program,
The information processing device is established in parallel with a first connection with a base station using a first communication method and a second connection with an external device using a second communication method; or establish the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and controls whether to operate in a second state in which communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible. In a state where the information processing device has not received an instruction to do so from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the information processing device takes priority over the second state. a computer of an information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in the first state;
The operating system is in a state where priority is given to the first connection in a state where the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel. an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel after a switching step of performing a switching process for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. a transmitting step of transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system in the current state; ,
A program characterized by executing the above.

A predetermined application program,
The information processing device is established in parallel with a first connection with a base station using a first communication method and a second connection with an external device using a second communication method; or establish the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and controls whether to operate in a second state in which communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible. communication connected to the Internet in a state where the information processing device has not received an instruction to do so from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel; Communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that is not determined to be a connection that uses a line, and the predetermined application program is able to communicate using a connection that is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet. communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet, with priority over a state in which communication by the application program is not possible; and A computer of an information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state in which communication by the predetermined application program using a connection that is not determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the computer is not possible. ,
The operating system is in a state where priority is given to the first connection in a state where the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel. an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel after a switching step of performing a switching process for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. a transmitting step of transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system in the second state; and,
Run the command,
The first connection is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet, and the second connection is not determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet. program.

A predetermined application program,
a computer of the information processing device having an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state according to pre-programmed priority information out of the first state and the second state, in a state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, when the information processing device does not accept an instruction from the predetermined application program to control whether to operate the information processing device in a first state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, and when the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel,
an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating in the first state in which the operating system gives priority to the first connection and the second connection in which the instruction is not accepted from the predetermined application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel after a switching step of performing a switching process for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. a transmitting step of transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system in the second state; and,
A program characterized by executing.

a data processing end specifying step of specifying that processing based on data transmitted to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program has ended;
In response to determining that processing based on data transmitted to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program has been completed, receiving the instruction from the predetermined application program to determine the state of the information processing device. switching the state of the information processing device to the first state, which is a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state where the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel; The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a third switching step of executing processing for.

an operation end specifying step of specifying that the operation of the predetermined application program is to be ended in the information processing device;
In response to it being specified that the operation of the predetermined application program is to be terminated, the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device connects the first connection and the second connection. A fourth switching step of executing processing for switching the state of the information processing device to the first state, which is a state prioritized by the operating system among the states established in parallel, is further performed. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

In response to a selection screen for accepting the selection operation from the user being displayed on the display unit, the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the first connection and the second connection are not processed by the information processing. A fifth switching step is further executed to execute processing for switching the state of the information processing device to the first state, which is a state prioritized by the operating system in a state where the devices are established in parallel. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

In response to the predetermined data being sent to the external device, the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, and the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program. 2. The method further comprises: further executing a sixth switching step of executing processing for switching the state of the information processing device to the first state, which is a state prioritized by the operating system in a state where the information processing device is 6. The program according to any one of 6.

8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is mobile communication.

9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the first communication method is 3G or 4G mobile communication.

10. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second communication method is Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication.

1 . The second connection is a form in which the second connection is made to connect to the external device without going through an access point outside the external device and outside the information processing device. 10. The program according to any one of items 1 to 10.

According to any one of claims 1 to 11, when the predetermined data is transmitted to the external device, printing based on the transmitted predetermined data is executed by the external device. program.

13. The program according to claim 1, wherein the switching process is performed while the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel.

After the selection operation is accepted, further performing a display step of displaying an instruction screen including the predetermined data and an area for accepting a transmission instruction for transmitting the predetermined data;
14. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data is transmitted based on acceptance of the transmission instruction.

15. The switching process is a process in which an instruction for switching the state of the information processing apparatus is executed by the predetermined application program to the operating system. The program described in.

16. According to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising: executing a process for prompting the user to establish the second connection if the second connection has not been established. Programs listed.

Based on the fact that the information processing device has not established the second connection, a process for prompting the user to establish the second connection is executed;
Based on the fact that the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the process for prompting the user to establish the second connection is not executed. 17. The program according to claim 16, wherein the switching process is executed.

further causing the predetermined application program to execute a data display step of displaying a plurality of data;
17. The program according to claim 1, wherein the selection operation selects the predetermined data from the plurality of data displayed.

Claim characterized in that when the selection operation is accepted in the predetermined application program, the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. 17. The program according to any one of items 1 to 16.

Equipped with a predetermined application program, and
an information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in the first state in priority to the second state in a state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, or in a second state in which the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, the information processing device does not accept an instruction from the predetermined application program to control whether to operate the information processing device in the first state in priority to the second state in a state in which the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel,
an acquisition means for acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating in the first state in which the operating system prioritizes the first connection and the second connection when the instruction is not accepted from the predetermined application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel;
a switching means for executing a switching process for switching a state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a state different from a state prioritized by the operating system, in a state in which the instruction is not accepted from the specified application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel, after a selection operation for selecting the specified data is accepted in the specified application program and after the specified data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the specified application program using the first connection;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. transmitting means for transmitting data to the external device through communication using the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state that is different from the state prioritized by the operating system; ,
An information processing device comprising:

Equipped with a predetermined application program, and
The information processing device is established in parallel with a first connection with a base station using a first communication method and a second connection with an external device using a second communication method; or establish the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and controls whether to operate in a second state in which communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible. communication connected to the Internet in a state where the information processing device has not received an instruction to do so from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel; Communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that is not determined to be a connection that uses a line, and the predetermined application program is able to communicate using a connection that is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet. communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet, with priority over a state in which communication by the application program is not possible; and An information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state in which communication by the predetermined application program using a connection that is not determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the computer is not possible. ,
an acquisition means for acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating in the first state in which the operating system prioritizes the first connection and the second connection when the instruction is not accepted from the predetermined application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel after switching means for performing a switching process for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. transmitting means for transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system; and,
run the
The first connection is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet, and the second connection is not determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet. Information processing device.

Equipped with a predetermined application program, and
The information processing device is established in parallel with a first connection with a base station using a first communication method and a second connection with an external device using a second communication method; or establish the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and controls whether to operate in a second state in which communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible. In a state where the information processing device has not received an instruction to do so from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the first state and the second connection are established. An information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state according to pre-programmed priority information among the two states,
The operating system is in a state where priority is given to the first connection in a state where the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel. acquisition means for acquiring predetermined data via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program after the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel; switching means for performing switching processing for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. transmitting means for transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system; and,
An information processing device comprising:

Equipped with a predetermined application program, and
A control method for an information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in the first state in priority to the second state in a state in which a first connection with a base station by a first communication method and a second connection with an external device by a second communication method are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is not possible, or in a second state in which the first connection and the second connection are established in parallel, communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible, and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible, the control method for an information processing device is performed in the first state in priority to the second state in a state in which the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the control method comprising:
The operating system is in a state where priority is given to the first connection in a state where the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel. an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel after a switching step of performing a switching process for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. a transmitting step of transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system in the current state; ,
A control method characterized by having the following.

Equipped with a predetermined application program, and
The information processing device is established in parallel with a first connection with a base station using a first communication method and a second connection with an external device using a second communication method; or establish the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and controls whether to operate in a second state in which communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible. communication connected to the Internet in a state where the information processing device has not received an instruction to do so from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel; Communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that is not determined to be a connection that uses a line, and the predetermined application program is able to communicate using a connection that is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet. communication by the predetermined application program is possible using a connection that is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet, and is preferable to a state in which communication by the application program is not possible; A method for controlling an information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state in which communication by the predetermined application program is not possible using a connection that is not determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to a communication line. And,
The operating system is in a state where priority is given to the first connection in a state where the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel. an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating;
a switching step of executing a switching process for switching a state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a state different from a state prioritized by the operating system in a state in which the instruction is not accepted from the specified application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel, after a selection operation for selecting the specified data is accepted in the specified application program and after the specified data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the specified application program using the first connection;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is not received from the predetermined application program, and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. a transmitting step of transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system in the second state; and,
run the
The first connection is determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet, and the second connection is not determined to be a connection that uses a communication line connected to the Internet. Control method.

Equipped with a predetermined application program, and
The information processing device is established in parallel with a first connection with a base station using a first communication method and a second connection with an external device using a second communication method; or establish the first connection and the second connection in parallel; and controls whether to operate in a second state in which communication by the predetermined application program using the second connection is possible and communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection is not possible. In a state where the information processing device has not received an instruction to do so from the predetermined application program and the information processing device is establishing the first connection and the second connection in parallel, the first state and the second connection are established. A method for controlling an information processing device equipped with an operating system that operates the information processing device in a state according to pre-programmed priority information among two states, the method comprising:
an acquisition step of acquiring predetermined data via the Internet by communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection while the information processing device is operating in the first state in which the operating system prioritizes the first connection and the second connection when the instruction is not accepted from the predetermined application program and the information processing device has established the first connection and the second connection in parallel;
After a selection operation for selecting the predetermined data is accepted in the predetermined application program, and the predetermined data is acquired via the Internet through communication by the predetermined application program using the first connection. a state in which the operating system gives priority in a state in which the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel after a switching step of performing a switching process for switching the state of the information processing device to the second state, which is a different state;
When the switching process is executed, the predetermined data is transferred to the information processing device when the instruction is not received from the predetermined application program and the information processing device establishes the first connection and the second connection in parallel. a transmitting step of transmitting data to the external device through communication by the predetermined application program while the information processing device is operating in the second state, which is a state different from the state prioritized by the operating system in the second state; and,
A control method characterized by having the following.