Storage medium for storing program, control method and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides a storage medium for storing a program, a control method and a computer program product. A computer readable storage medium storing a program operable on an operating system, the program configured to cause a computer to execute a method, the method includes causing a computer of a second information processing apparatus having a second operating environment on a second OS running as a host OS and on a client OS to execute the following: in a case where a data format of a file selected on a second file selection screen is not a predetermined data format, executing predetermined notification processing, the predetermined notification process is a notification process based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and is a notification process that displays a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a program, a control method and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] Some programs running in information processing devices such as smartphones or PCs have a printing function. For example, a printing application is known that performs a series of processes such as searching for a printing device on a LAN via Wi-Fi, converting a document file saved in a terminal into PDL data, generating a print job including print settings such as the number of copies, and sending the print job to the printing device. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-71664 discloses a method for printing a target document file by a suitable printing device. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program capable of operating on an operating system, the program being configured to cause a computer to execute a method, the method comprising: causing a computer of a first information processing device having a first operating environment on a first OS running as a host OS rather than on a client OS to execute the following: executing a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to the first OS to display a first file selection screen, and executing a predetermined process based on a file selected on the first file selection screen; and causing a computer of a second information processing device having a second operating environment on a second OS running as a host OS and on the client OS to execute the following: executing a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to the second OS to display a second file selection screen, and, if the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not a predetermined data format, executing a predetermined notification process, the predetermined notification process being a notification process based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and being a notification process for displaying a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format, and, if the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, executing a process based on the file selected on the second file selection screen.

[0004] The present invention provides a control method in its second aspect, which controls a first information processing device and a second information processing device, wherein the first information processing device has a predetermined program that can be run on an operating system (OS) and has a first operating environment on the first OS running as a host OS rather than on a client OS, and the second information processing device has the predetermined program and has a second operating environment on the second OS running as a host OS and on the client OS, the method comprising: executing, by the predetermined program in the first information processing device, a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to the first OS to display a first file selection screen; executing, by the predetermined program in the first information processing device, a predetermined process based on a file selected on the first file selection screen; executing, by the second The predetermined program in the information processing device executes processing for causing the second file management program corresponding to the second OS to display a second file selection screen; when the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, the predetermined notification processing is executed through the predetermined program in the second information processing device, and the predetermined notification processing is a notification processing based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and is a notification processing of displaying a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format; and when the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, the predetermined program in the second information processing device executes processing based on the file selected on the second file selection screen.

[0005] The present invention, in its third aspect, provides a computer program product that is capable of operating on an operating system and is configured to cause a computer to execute a method, the method comprising: causing a computer of a first information processing device having a first operating environment on a first OS running as a host OS rather than on a client OS to execute the following: executing a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to the first OS to display a first file selection screen, and executing a predetermined process based on a file selected on the first file selection screen; and causing a computer of a second information processing device having a second operating environment on a second OS running as a host OS and on the client OS to execute the following: executing a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to the second OS to display a second file selection screen, and, if the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not a predetermined data format, executing a predetermined notification process, the predetermined notification process being a notification process based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and being a notification process for displaying a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format, and, if the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, executing a process based on the file selected on the second file selection screen.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the user from selecting a file in a data format that does not correspond to a program.

[0007] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system;

[0009] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a diagram showing a software configuration of an information processing device;

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a communication application;

[0011] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a communication application;

[0012] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a communication application;

[0013] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the first host OS;

[0014] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the second host OS;

[0015] Fig. 8A and Figure 8B is a diagram showing a file selection screen;

[0016] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a communication application;

[0017] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a communication application;

[0018] Fig.11 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a communication application; and

[0019] Fig.12 It is a figure which shows the file selection screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but the invention is not limited to all of these features, and a plurality of these features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and their repeated description is omitted.

[0021] Depending on the OS of the information processing device, a file in a data format that does not correspond to the program running on the OS may be displayed. Even if the user selects such a file and specifies a predetermined function, the predetermined function cannot be correctly executed.

[0022] Therefore, even when the user selects a file of a data format that does not correspond to the program, some ingenuity is required to prompt the user to select a file of the correct data format.

[0023] (First embodiment)

[0024] The information processing device and the communication device included in the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a smart phone is illustrated as an information processing device, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and various devices such as portable terminals, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital cameras are applicable. Various devices can be applicable as communication devices as long as they can communicate wirelessly with the information processing device. For example, with respect to printers, inkjet printers, full-color laser beam printers, monochrome printers, etc. are all applicable. In addition, not only printers are applicable, but also scanners, copiers, fax devices, portable terminals, smart phones, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions, smart speakers, etc. are also applicable. In addition, multifunction peripherals with multiple functions such as copying function, fax function, printing function, and scanner function are also applicable. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication device is a multifunction printer with a printing function and a scanning function.

[0025] <Hardware Configuration of Each Device>

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 The block diagram of FIG. 1 explains the configuration of the information processing device included in the communication system according to the present embodiment, and the configuration of the communication device that can communicate with the information processing device. The following configurations will be exemplified in the present embodiment, but the functions are not specifically limited to Figure 1 Functions shown.

[0027] The information processing apparatus 101 includes an input interface 102 , a CPU 103 , a ROM 104 , a RAM 105 , an external storage device 106 , an output interface 107 , an operation display unit 108 , a communication unit 109 , a short-range wireless communication unit 110 , and an imaging device 111 .

[0028] The input interface 102 is an interface constructed to accept data input and operation instructions from the user, and is formed by a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 107 and the input interface 102 (described later) can have the same arrangement, and the output of the screen and the acceptance of the operation from the user can be performed by the same arrangement.

[0029] The CPU 103 is a system control unit, and controls the entire information processing apparatus 101 .

[0030] The ROM 104 stores permanent data such as a control program executed by the CPU 103, a data table, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as an OS) program. In the present embodiment, the control program stored in the ROM 104 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 104. Note that in the present embodiment, the OS stored in the ROM 104 and running on the information processing apparatus 101 is assumed to be provided by Google Inc. OS or Google provided When the OS running on the information processing device 101 is Chrome OS, the ROM 104 even stores a virtual Android OS for running an Android OS application (described later) on the information processing device 101. Note that an application will be described as an application hereinafter.

[0031] The RAM 105 is formed of a static random access memory (SRAM) or the like that requires a backup power supply. Note that the RAM 105 can store important data such as program control variables without loss because the data is saved by a primary battery (not shown) for data backup. In addition, a storage area for storing setting information of the information processing device 101, management data of the information processing device 101, and the like is also provided in the RAM 105. Furthermore, the RAM 105 is also used as a main memory and a working memory of the CPU 103.

[0032] The external storage device 106 includes an application program (hereinafter described as a communication application) having a function of communicating with the communication device 151. Note that the communication application is, for example, an application having a printing function for causing the communication device 151 to perform printing and a scanning function for causing the communication device 151 to perform scanning. However, the communication application is not limited to this form, and may be an application having any one of the printing function and the scanning function, or an application having other functions. The external storage device 106 also has various programs such as a printing information generation program for generating printing information that can be interpreted by the communication device 151, and an information sending / receiving control program for sending / receiving between the communication device 151 connected via the communication unit 109. The external storage device 106 stores various information to be used by the program. The external storage device 106 also stores image data obtained from another information processing device or the Internet via the communication unit. Note that the communication application in this embodiment is an application for the Android OS.

[0033] The output interface 107 is an interface for performing control so that the operation display unit 108 displays data and notifies the status of the information processing apparatus 101 .

[0034] The operation display unit 108 is formed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and performs display of data and notification of the status of the information processing apparatus 101. Note that a soft keyboard including keys such as a numeric input key, a mode setting key, an OK key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the operation display unit 108 so that input from the user is accepted via the operation display unit 108.

[0035] The communication unit 109 is configured to be connected to a device such as the communication device 151 to perform data communication. For example, the communication unit 109 can be connected to an access point (not shown) in the communication device 151. When the communication unit 109 and the access point in the communication device 151 are connected to each other, the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 can communicate with each other. The access point is sometimes denoted as AP hereinafter. Note that the communication unit 109 can communicate directly with the communication device 151 through wireless communication, or can communicate via an access point 131 that exists outside the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151. In this embodiment, the IEEE802.11 communication standard is used as the wireless communication method. Note that the IEEE802.11 communication standard is

[0036] For example, a device such as a wireless LAN router can be used as the access point 131. Note that in this embodiment, hereinafter, a method of directly connecting the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 without intervention of an external access point is referred to as a direct connection method. In addition, hereinafter, a method of connecting the information processing device 101 and the communication device 151 via the external access point 131 is referred to as an infrastructure connection method.

[0037] The short-range wireless communication unit 110 is configured to wirelessly connect to a device such as the communication device 151 at a short distance and perform data communication. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 communicates by a communication method different from the communication method of the communication unit 109. The short-range wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 110 is, for example, Or NFC (Near Field Communication). Bluetooth may be Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy. The short-range wireless communication unit 110 may be connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 157 in the communication device 151.

[0038] The camera device 111 is a device that converts an image captured by an image sensor into digital data. The digital data is temporarily stored in the RAM 105. Then, the digital data is converted into a predetermined image format by a program executed by the CPU 154 and saved in the external storage device 106 as image data.

[0039] The ROM 152 stores permanent data such as a control program executed by the CPU 154 , a data table, and an OS program.

[0040] The communication device 151 includes a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a CPU 154, a print engine 155, a communication unit 156, a short-range wireless communication unit 157, an input interface 158, an output interface 159, an operation display unit 160, and a scan control unit 161. When a connection mode (communication mode) is set, the communication device 151 can operate in the set connection mode.

[0041] The communication unit 156 is configured to allow the communication device 151 to communicate with another device. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 156 communicates according to the IEEE802.11 communication standard. The communication unit 156 includes an access point for connecting with a device such as the information processing device 101 as an access point in the communication device 151. Note that the access point can be connected to the communication unit 109 of the information processing device 101. It is also noted that the communication unit 156 can communicate directly with the information processing device 101 through wireless communication, or can communicate with the information processing device 101 via the access point 131. The communication unit 156 can include hardware used as an access point, or operate as an access point by software that causes the communication unit 156 to function as an access point. Note that in the present embodiment, the communication unit 156 and the short-range wireless communication unit 157 are implemented by one wireless chip. That is, in the present embodiment, a combination chip corresponding to both a communication function based on the IEEE802.11 communication standard and a communication function based on a short-range wireless communication method is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the communication unit 156 and the short-range wireless communication unit 157 may also be implemented by separate wireless chips.

[0042] The RAM 153 is formed of a DRAM or the like that requires a backup power supply. Note that the RAM 153 can store important data such as program control variables without loss because the data is retained by supplying a power supply (not shown) for data backup. In addition, the RAM 153 is used as a main memory and a working memory of the CPU 154, as a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the information processing apparatus 101 or the like, and stores various information.

[0043] The ROM 152 stores permanent data such as control programs, data tables, and OS programs executed by the CPU 154. In the present embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 152 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 152. In addition, a storage area is also provided in the ROM 152, which stores data that needs to be maintained even when power is not supplied, such as setting information of the communication device 151 and management data of the communication device 151.

[0044] The CPU 154 is a system control unit, and controls the entire communication device 151 .

[0045] The print engine 155 forms an image on a print medium such as paper using a print material such as ink and outputs a print result based on the information stored in the RAM 153 or the print job received from the information processing apparatus 101 or the like. At this time, the print job sent from the information processing apparatus 101 or the like has a large amount of transmission data and requires high-speed communication. Therefore, the print engine 155 receives the print job via the communication unit 156 capable of communicating at a higher speed than the short-range wireless communication unit 157.

[0046] The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is configured to wirelessly connect to a device such as the information processing device 101 at a short distance and perform data communication. The short-range wireless communication unit 157 communicates by a communication method different from the communication method of the communication unit 156. The short-range wireless communication method used in the short-range wireless communication unit 157 is, for example, Or NFC. The Bluetooth may be Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy. The short-range wireless communication unit 157 may be connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 110.

[0047] The input interface 158 is an interface configured to accept data input and operation instructions from the user, and is formed by a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 159 and the input interface 158 (described later) may have the same arrangement, and the output of the screen and the acceptance of the operation from the user may be performed by the same arrangement. The output interface 159 is an interface that controls so that the operation display unit 160 performs display of data and notification of the state of the communication device 151.

[0048] The operation display unit 160 is formed of a display unit such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and performs display of data and notification of the state of the communication device 151. Note that a soft keyboard including keys such as a numeric input key, a mode setting key, an OK key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the operation display unit 160 so that input from the user is accepted via the operation display unit 160.

[0049] The scanning control unit 161 includes an image sensor unit (reading unit) that performs scanning on a document set on a document table or an ADF (not shown). Note that the image sensor unit includes: a light source configured to irradiate the document with light, and an image sensor having an element array configured to read reflected light and perform photoelectric conversion on it. The scanning control unit 161 obtains image data by performing analog / digital (A / D) conversion on an analog electric signal obtained by reading the document by the image sensor unit. The scanning control unit 161 also includes a circuit configured to perform direct memory access (DMA) transfer so as to store the obtained image data in the RAM 153.

[0050] <Software Configuration of Information Processing Device 101>

[0051] Next, the software configuration of the information processing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment will be explained. Figure 2A An example of the software construction of the information processing device 101 is shown when the host OS running in the information processing device 101 is the Android OS. In this form, the application of the Android OS runs on the Android OS. In this form, the software construction of the information processing device 101 does not include the Chrome OS. Like this form, an environment in which the OS running on the bottom layer of the information processing device 101 is the Android OS (not the Chrome OS) will be referred to as the first environment. The first environment is, for example, an environment in which the host OS is installed in the information processing device 101 but the client OS is not installed and the communication application runs on the host OS. In addition, the first environment is, for example, an environment in which both the host OS and the client OS are installed in the information processing device 101 and the communication application runs on the host OS and can operate without the intervention of the client OS (not running on the client OS). Note that the host OS represents the host operating system and the client OS represents the client operating system.

[0052] Figure 2BAn example of the software construction of the information processing device 101 is shown when the host OS running in the information processing device 101 is Chrome OS. In this form, a virtual Android OS as a virtual OS runs on Chrome OS. Applications of Android OS run on the virtual Android OS. Like this form, the OS running on the bottom layer of the information processing device 101 is Chrome OS and the environment in which the virtual Android OS runs on Chrome OS will be referred to as the second environment. Note that in this embodiment, the virtual OS is a program for running an application that does not correspond to the host OS on the host OS, and is a client OS. Note that the virtual OS can be an entire existing OS such as Android OS, an OS obtained by omitting some modules from the entire existing OS, or a program created separately from the existing OS. For example, the virtual OS is implemented by a virtualization technology such as a virtual machine system or a container system. Note that in the following description, the host OS (Android OS) in the first environment is sometimes referred to as the first OS, and the host OS (Chrome OS) in the second environment is sometimes referred to as the second host OS.

[0053] The following will explain the problems that arise when running an application of the Android OS in the second environment. An example in which the above-mentioned communication application is installed and executed in both the first environment and the second environment will also be explained. Note that a printing application that communicates with the communication device 151 having a printing function and provides a function that enables the communication device 151 to perform printing of data such as a document or an image will be exemplified as a communication application. An application developed in accordance with the Android OS so as to execute an application on the Android OS is sometimes referred to as an Android application.

[0054] When a communication application as an application of Android OS is run in the second environment, if the print function of the communication application is executed, the communication application instructs the client OS to perform the display of the file. In addition, the communication application instructs the client OS about the data format corresponding to the print function. After receiving the instruction from the communication application, the client OS sends an instruction similar to the instruction received from the communication application to the Chrome OS as the host OS. In response to this, the Chrome OS displays a list of files in a data format corresponding to the print function of the communication application on the screen through the OS file manager (described later). In some cases, the Chrome OS displays an interface that can display files in a data format different from the data format indicated from the communication application. For example, when the user operates the interface to display a file in a data format that does not correspond to the communication application, the user can select a file in a data format that does not correspond to the print function of the communication application. If the user selects a file in a data format that does not correspond to the print function of the communication application and specifies the print function, the communication application cannot correctly execute the print function. For example, an error or timeout may occur in the processor of the communication application 300 executing the print function. In order to prevent this, even if the user selects a file in a data format that does not correspond to the communication application, ingenuity is required to prompt the user to select a file in the correct data format.

[0055] In the present embodiment, an application program executable on the OS causes a computer of the information processing apparatus 101 having a second operating environment on a second host OS and on a client OS to perform the following processing. The program causes the computer to perform a second display control that causes a second file management program corresponding to the client OS to display a second file selection screen. When the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen does not correspond to the function of the communication application, the program causes the computer to perform a notification of performing a notification process based on the data format that does not correspond to the function of the communication application. Conversely, when the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen corresponds to the function of the communication application, the program causes the computer to perform a process based on the file selected on the second file selection screen. Even when a file in a data format that does not correspond to the communication application is selected, the program can prompt the user to select a file in an appropriate data format.

[0056] (Structure of communication application)

[0057] The following will refer to Figure 3 Describe the communications application. Figure 3The configuration of the communication application of the information processing apparatus 101 stored in the ROM 104, the external storage device 106, etc. is shown. The communication application is an application having, for example, a printing function that causes the communication apparatus 151 as a printer or printing device to print data such as a document file or an image file in the information processing apparatus 101, which will be described later. The communication application also has a function of loading image data, document data, etc. scanned by the communication apparatus 151 into the information processing apparatus 101.

[0058] The communication application 300 includes an operation acceptance unit 301, an operation environment determination unit 302, a display control unit 303, an image data acquisition unit 304, a print control unit 305, and the like. Each program module is executed by the CPU 103 to realize its function. In the present embodiment, the communication application 300 uses the operation acceptance unit 301 to accept an operation performed on the operation display unit 108. The communication application 300 uses the operation environment determination unit 302 to determine which of the first environment provided by the Android OS and the second environment provided by the virtual Android OS built on the Chrome OS is the current operation environment of the communication application 300. This determination can be made based on a response obtained by querying the OS or by referring to a predetermined storage portion.

[0059] The display control unit 303 controls the display of the communication application 300 on the operation display unit 108. For example, when the user presses the icon of the communication application 300 displayed on the operation display unit 108 of the information processing apparatus 101, the display control unit 303 displays a home screen (described later) on the operation display unit 108. For example, when the communication application 300 obtains a file selected by the user from the second host OS of the information processing apparatus 101, and the obtained file does not have a predetermined data format, the display control unit 303 performs display control to display a predetermined notification, which will be described later.

[0060] The data obtaining unit 304 obtains data such as a document file or an image file from the OS of the information processing apparatus 101. The data obtaining unit 304 may obtain data such as a document file or an image file from a data providing source such as a cloud server. The data obtained by the data obtaining unit 304 is sent to the communication device 151 to execute printing under the control of the print control unit 305, or is saved in the external storage device 106 of the information processing apparatus 101 or the like.

[0061] The print control unit 305 performs a process of sending the print target data to the connected communication device 151 and printing the data. The print control unit 305 may perform a process of, for example, converting the print target data into a predetermined data format. The print target data is, for example, data obtained by the data obtaining unit 304 from the OS. Alternatively, the print target data may be data such as a document file or an image file saved when the communication application 300 is activated. Alternatively, the print target data may be data obtained from a cloud server, the communication device 151, etc. The print target data may be data obtained from another data source. Note that in the following description, the data described as being obtained by Figure 3 The processing executed by the configuration in the communication application shown in is, precisely, processing realized by reading the communication application 300 stored in the ROM 104 or the like to the RAM 105 and executing the communication application 300 by the CPU 103 .

[0062] (Display screen of the communication application)

[0063] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a main screen of the communication application 300 according to the present embodiment. The main screen of the communication application 300 can be displayed by, for example, a user operating an icon displayed on the operation display unit 108 of the information processing device 101 and representing the communication application 300. The main screen displayed by the communication application 300 displays interfaces 401 to 404 that can accept instructions to execute various functions provided by the communication application 300. The communication application 300 according to the present embodiment has, for example, a print job sending function, a scan job sending function, and a copy job sending function. The print job sending function is, for example, a function of sending a print job for causing the communication device 151 to print image data selected by the user on the information processing device 101 to the communication device 151. The scan job sending function is, for example, a function of sending a scan job for causing the communication device 151 to perform scanning to the communication device 151, and sending the image data obtained by the scan to the information processing device 101. The copy job sending function is, for example, a function of sending a print job for causing the communication device 151 to print image data captured by the information processing device 101 to the communication device 151.

[0064] The document print button 401 is an interface capable of accepting instructions for executing a print job transmission function (document print function) of a document file, for example. The user can press the document print button 401 to select a document file to be printed on the information processing apparatus 101 and perform print settings and print execution instructions.

[0065] The document file is a file in a data format corresponding to the print job sending function. The data format corresponding to the document file (a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function) is, for example, a data format corresponding to a portable document format (hereinafter referred to as PDF), a data format corresponding to Microsoft Word, a data format corresponding to Microsoft Excel, and a data format corresponding to Microsoft PowerPoint. Note that the data format is not limited to the above formats, and may be other data formats.

[0066] The photo print button 402 is, for example, an interface capable of accepting an instruction to execute a print job transmission function (photo print function) of an image file. The image file is a file in a data format corresponding to the print job transmission function.

[0067] For example, when the communication application 300 is running in the first environment, the data format corresponding to the image file is a data format corresponding to the Joint Photographic Experts Group (hereinafter referred to as JPEG), a data format corresponding to the Graphics Interchange Format (hereinafter referred to as GIF), a data format corresponding to the Portable Network Graphics (hereinafter referred to as PNG), a data format corresponding to the Microsoft Windows Bitmap Image (hereinafter referred to as BMP), and a data format corresponding to the High Efficiency Image File Format (hereinafter referred to as HEIF).

[0068] For example, when the communication application 300 is running on the second OS, the data format corresponding to the image file (the data format printable by the photo printing function of the communication application 300) is a data format corresponding to JPEG, a data format corresponding to GIF, a data format corresponding to PNG, and a data format corresponding to BMP. Note that the data format is not limited to the above formats, and may be other data formats.

[0069] The scan button 403 is, for example, an interface capable of receiving an instruction to execute the above-mentioned scan job sending function. The copy button 404 is, for example, an interface capable of receiving an instruction to execute the above-mentioned copy job sending function. The icon 405 may be, for example, an icon representing the communication device 151 connected to the information processing device 101. The icon 405 may display, for example, identification information (SSID or device name) of the communication device 151 connected to the information processing device 101. Note that the display of the main screen of the communication application 300 is not limited to Figure 4 The interface shown, and other interfaces and the like may be displayed.

[0070] (Processing of communication applications)

[0071] Figure 5 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation performed by the communication application 300 according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart, the processing performed by the communication application 300 is realized by, for example, developing a control program stored in a memory such as the ROM 104 in the RAM 105 and executing it by the CPU 103. Figure 5 The processing in the example can be started based on, for example, the user pressing the document print button 401 on the main screen displayed by the communication application 300. The following will explain the case where the communication application 300 is running in the first environment and the case where the communication application 300 is running in the second environment. Figure 5 in the processing.

[0072] (Processing when the communication application runs in the first environment)

[0073] First, the process when the communication application 300 operates in the first environment is explained.

[0074] In step S501, the communication application 300 specifies a data format in which a document printing function can be executed (a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function), and instructs the first host OS to activate an OS file manager. The OS file manager activated in the first environment is a first OS file manager, and the first OS file manager is, for example, a first file management application corresponding to the first host OS. Note that, similar to the host OS, the OS file manager is an OS standard program pre-installed in the information processing device 101 when the information processing device 101 arrives. In other words, the OS file manager is an application not installed by a store application, which is used as an application for installing various applications in the information processing device 101 via the Internet. As described above, the data format in which the document printing function can be executed is, for example, a data format corresponding to PDF, a data format corresponding to Microsoft Word, a data format corresponding to Microsoft Excel, and a data format corresponding to Microsoft PowerPoint. Note that the first OS file manager is displayed in a form of being stacked on the screen of the communication application 300 in a window in which the communication application 300 is displayed. That is, when the first OS file manager is displayed, no other window is newly displayed. In a form in which the first OS file manager is displayed through another window, if an operation of changing the display target window is performed, an operation can be performed on the communication application 300 even in a state in which the first OS file manager is activated. On the contrary, in a form in which the first OS file manager and the communication application 300 are displayed through the same window, even if an operation of changing the display target window is performed in a state in which the first OS file manager is activated, the communication application 300 is not operated. However, the form is not limited thereto, and it may also be a form in which the first OS file manager is displayed through a window different from the communication application 300.

[0075] Reference Figure 6 The process of the first OS file manager activated by the process of step S501 is explained. Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation performed by the first OS file manager activated by the first OS according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart, the processing performed by the first OS file manager is realized by, for example, expanding a control program stored in a memory such as ROM 104 in RAM 105 and executing the control program by CPU 103.

[0076] In step S601, the first OS file manager displays only files in a data format corresponding to the document file specified by the communication application 300 in step S501 (a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function) among the files stored in the external storage device 106 or the like, so that these files can be selected. That is, in step S601, the first OS file manager displays files in a data format other than the data format corresponding to the document file, so that these files cannot be selected. For example, the first OS file manager performs display control to display files in a data format not corresponding to the document file, so that selection of these files cannot be accepted. For example, the first OS may hide or grayscale display files in a data format not corresponding to the document file. Note that the files displayed by the first OS file manager are not limited to files stored in the external storage device 106 or the like. For example, the files displayed by the first OS file manager may be files stored in an external server (not shown) accessible from the information processing apparatus 101. Note that on the screen displayed by the first OS file manager, unlike the screen displayed by the second OS file manager (to be described later), an operation of displaying files in a data format other than the data format corresponding to the document file cannot be performed. Therefore, the file selected by the user on the file selection screen displayed by the first OS file manager always has a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function.

[0077] Here, we will refer to Fig.12 The file selection screen displayed in the process of step S601 is explained. Fig.12 An example of a screen (file selection screen 1200) on which a file displayed by the first OS file manager on the input interface 102 in step S601 can be selected is shown. On the file selection screen 1200, for example, a file storage location display section 1201, a file display section 1202, and the like are displayed.

[0078] Information indicating the storage location of the file displayed at the file display section 1202 is displayed at the file storage location display section 1201. For example, files selectable by the user are displayed at the file display section 1202. As described above, the first OS file manager displays only files of a data format corresponding to the document file specified by the communication application 300 in step S501 so that these files can be selected. Therefore, Fig.12An example is shown in which the first OS file manager displays a file in a data format corresponding to PDF at the file display portion 1202. Note that the file displayed at the file display portion 1202 is not limited to a PDF file. For example, a file in a data format corresponding to Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, etc. may be displayed. The first OS file manager waits until the user selects a file on the file selection screen 1200.

[0079] Return to reference Figure 6 , in step S602, the first OS file manager determines whether the user has selected a file on the file selection screen 1200. If the first file manager determines that a file is selected, the process proceeds to step S603. If the first OS file manager determines that no file is selected, the process proceeds to step S604. More specifically, when the first OS file manager accepts an instruction to select any file from the user at the file display portion 1202, it can be determined that a file has been selected. In addition, for example, when the first OS file manager does not even accept an instruction to select any file at the file display portion 1202, it can be determined that no file is selected. Note that on the file selection screen 1200, only one file can be selected from a plurality of files displayed on the file selection screen 1200. However, the form is not limited thereto, and a plurality of files can be selected on the file selection screen 1200.

[0080] In step S603 , the first OS file manager instructs the first host OS to send the file whose selection on the file selection screen 1200 has been accepted to the communication application 300 .

[0081] In step S604, the first OS file manager determines whether the selection of the file is canceled on the file selection screen 1200. If the first OS file manager determines that the selection of the file is canceled, the process proceeds to step S605. If the first OS file manager determines that the selection of the file is not canceled, the process returns to step S602. More specifically, when the first OS file manager accepts an operation of returning to the previous screen in a state where the file selection screen 1200 is displayed, it can be determined that the selection of the file is canceled. In addition, for example, when the first OS file manager does not accept an operation of returning to the previous screen, it can be determined that the selection of the file is not canceled.

[0082] In step S605 , the first OS file manager instructs the first OS to send a cancellation notification to the communication application 300 that the user has canceled the selection of the file.

[0083] In step S606, the first OS file manager executes an end process to close the Fig.121200 in the file selection screen, and Figure 6 The processing in is completed.

[0084] Return to reference Figure 5 In step S502, the communication application 300 obtains predetermined information from the first host OS. The predetermined information is Figure 6 The file specified to be sent by the first OS file manager in step S603, or the cancellation notice specified to be sent by the first OS file manager in step S605.

[0085] In step S503, the communication application 300 determines whether a file has been received from the first host OS. If the communication application 300 obtains a file from the first host OS in step S502, it is determined that the file has been received, and the process proceeds to step S504. Note that the file obtained here is a file selected on the file selection screen displayed by the OS file manager, and the selected file is designated as a print target file. On the contrary, if the communication application 300 obtains a cancellation notification from the first host OS in step S502, it is determined that the file has not been received, and Figure 5 The processing in is completed.

[0086] In step S504, the communication application 300 determines whether it is running on a predetermined OS. The predetermined OS is, for example, a client OS, and the case where the communication application 300 is running on the predetermined OS is equivalent to the above-mentioned second environment. On the contrary, the case where the communication application 300 is not running on the predetermined OS is equivalent to the above-mentioned first environment. That is, the determination is equivalent to the process of determining whether the operating environment of the communication application is the second environment (or the first environment). In step S504, for example, the communication application 300 obtains information about the operating environment using the API of the first host OS, and makes a determination based on the obtained result. Here, it is assumed that the communication application 300 is running in the first environment. The case where it is determined in step S504 that the communication application 300 is not running on the predetermined OS and the processing proceeds to step S506 will be explained below. Note that if the determination result in step S504 is "No", the determination in step S505 (to be described later) is not performed. This is because when the determination result in step S504 is "NO", the print target file is selected from the files displayed by the first OS file manager, and the file selected as the print target file always has a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function.

[0087] In step S506, the communication application 300 performs display control to display the preview screen on the main screen of the communication application 300. Fig. 9 . Fig. 99 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen displayed by the communication application 300. On the preview screen, for example, a preview section 901, print page information 902, a print button 903, etc. are displayed. The preview section 901 is an area where a print preview of a document file selected by a user is displayed. The print page information 902 is, for example, information indicating a print count. The print button 903 is an interface capable of accepting an instruction to send a print job to the communication device 151 so that the communication device 151 executes printing of the document file selected by the user.

[0088] Return to reference Figure 5 In step S507, the communication application 300 determines whether a print instruction has been accepted on the preview screen displayed in step S506. If the print button 903 has been pressed on the preview screen, the communication application 300 proceeds to step S508. If the print button has not been pressed on the preview screen, the communication application 300 repeats the determination in step S507.

[0089] In step S508, the communication application 300 instructs the communication device 151 to execute printing. More specifically, the communication application 300 sends a print job to the communication device 151 so that the communication device 151 executes printing of the document file selected by the user. Then, Figure 5 The processing in is completed.

[0090] (Processing when the communication application runs in the second environment)

[0091] Next, the processing when the communication application 300 runs in the second environment will be explained.

[0092] In step S501, the communication application 300 specifies a data format in which a document printing function can be executed, and instructs the client OS to activate an OS file manager. After receiving an instruction from the communication application 300, the client OS sends an instruction similar to the instruction received from the communication application to the Chrome OS as the host OS. In response to this, the Chrome OS activates the OS file manager. The OS file manager activated in the second environment is a second OS file manager, and the second OS file manager is, for example, a second file management application corresponding to the second host OS. As described above, the data format in which the document printing function can be executed is, for example, a data format corresponding to PDF, a data format corresponding to Microsoft Word, a data format corresponding to Microsoft Excel, and a data format corresponding to Microsoft PowerPoint. Note that the second OS file manager is displayed in a window different from the window in which the communication application 300 is displayed. In the second environment, the information processing device 101 can display multiple windows in parallel. Therefore, when the second OS file manager is activated, the window in which the communication application 300 is displayed and the window in which the second OS file manager is displayed are displayed in parallel. In a state in which the two windows are displayed in parallel, the operation of the screen in the window in which the communication application 300 is displayed can be controlled not to be activated. This control may be performed by the OS or the communication application 300 .

[0093] Will refer to Figure 7 The processing of the second OS file manager activated by the processing of step S501 is explained. Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation performed by the second OS file manager activated by the second host OS as a result of the communication application 300 instructing the guest OS according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart, the processing performed by the second OS file manager is realized by, for example, expanding a control program stored in a memory such as ROM 104 in RAM 105 and executing the control program by CPU 103.

[0094] In step S701, the second OS file manager displays only files in a data format corresponding to the document file specified by the communication application 300 in step S501 (a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function) among the files stored in the external storage device 106 or the like, so that these files can be selected. That is, in step S701, the second OS file manager displays files in a data format other than the data format corresponding to the document file, so that these files cannot be selected. For example, the second OS file manager performs display control to display files in a data format that does not correspond to the document file, so that selection of these files cannot be accepted. For example, the second host OS can hide or grayscale the files in a data format that does not correspond to the document file. Note that an operation that allows selection of files in a data format other than the data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function can be performed on the screen displayed by the second OS file manager, which will be described later. When performing this operation, even files in a data format other than the data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function will be displayed on the screen displayed by the second OS file manager. In the following, Fig. 8A The screen displayed when the operation is not performed is shown. Figure 8B The screen displayed after performing this operation is shown.

[0095] Here, we will refer to Fig. 8A The screen displayed in the process of step S701 is explained. Fig. 8A An example of a screen (file selection screen 800) on which files displayed by the second OS file manager in step S701 on the operation display unit 108 can be selected is shown. On the file selection screen 800, for example, a file display portion 801, a data format interface 802, a cancel button 803, an OK button 804, etc. are displayed.

[0096] The file display section 801 displays, for example, files that can be selected by the user. The files displayed by the second OS file manager at the file display section 801 can be changed based on, for example, an operation on a data format interface 802 (described later). At the file display section 801, for example, information indicating an interface capable of accepting a file selection instruction, information on the file name and file size, information indicating the data format of the file, etc. can be displayed. Note that the file first displayed at the file display section 801 is assumed to be a file of any data format corresponding to the document file specified by the communication application 300 in step S501. When the user wants to change the file displayed at the file display section 801, the user operates the data format interface 802 to be described below.

[0097] The data format interface 802 is, for example, an interface capable of accepting an instruction to select a data format of a file displayed at the file display portion 801. In this example, the user operates the data format interface 802 to select an item (PDF document) for displaying a file in a data format corresponding to PDF. In this example, the second OS file manager displays a file in a data format corresponding to PDF at the file display portion 801. The data format interface 802 displayed by the second OS file manager is not limited to an item for displaying a PDF file. For example, an item for displaying a file in a data format corresponding to Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, etc. may be selected.

[0098] The cancel button 803 is, for example, an interface capable of accepting a command to cancel file selection, and the OK button 804 is, for example, an interface capable of accepting a command to terminate file selection.

[0099] Next, refer to Figure 8B . Figure 8B An example of a file selection screen 800 displayed by the second OS file manager is shown. Fig. 8A When the data format interface 802 in the display is selected to display the file of all data formats (all files), the display Figure 8B The file selection screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 is a diagram of a file selection screen 800. That is, the data format interface 802 displayed by the second OS file manager allows selection of an item for displaying files of all data formats in addition to an item for displaying files of a data format corresponding to a document file. The item for files of all data formats may be for all files stored in, for example, an external storage device 106 or the like, or all files stored in an external server (not shown) accessible from the information processing apparatus 101.

[0100] Figure 8B The file display part 806 in FIG. 8 shows an example of files displayed when the user selects “all files” of the data format interface 802. For example, when the user selects “all files”, even files in a data format that does not correspond to a document file may be displayed at the file display part 806. Figure 8B A file 807 in JPEG format is shown as an example in which a file in a data format not corresponding to a document file is displayed at the file display section 801 .

[0101] Return to reference Figure 7 In step S702, the second OS file manager determines whether the user is in Fig. 8AA file is selected on the file selection screen 800 of the second OS file manager. If the second OS file manager determines that a file is selected, the process proceeds to step S703. If the second OS file manager determines that no file is selected, the process proceeds to step S704. More specifically, when the second OS file manager accepts a file selection instruction from the user at the file display portion 801 of the file selection screen 800 and accepts a file selection termination instruction through the OK button 804, it can be determined that a file is selected. In addition, for example, when the second OS file manager does not accept the file selection termination instruction through the OK button 804 on the file selection screen 800, it can determine that no file is selected.

[0102] In step S703, the second OS file manager instructs the second host OS to send the file selected on the file selection screen 800 to the communication application 300. The second host OS executes an instruction similar to the instruction received from the second OS file manager to the guest OS. Then, the guest OS sends the file selected on the file selection screen 800 to the communication application.

[0103] In step S704, the second OS file manager determines whether the data format of the file displayed on the file selection screen 800 has changed. If the second OS file manager determines that the data format has changed, the process proceeds to step S705. On the other hand, if the second OS file manager determines that the data format has not changed, the process proceeds to step S706. More specifically, when the user operates the data format interface 802 to select a data format item that is different from the data format of the file displayed on the file display portion 801, the second OS file manager may determine that the data format has changed. On the contrary, when the user does not operate the data format interface 802, the second OS file manager may determine that the data format has not changed.

[0104] In step S705, the second OS file manager displays the files in the data format selected by the user from the data format interface 802 on the file selection screen 800. Fig. 8A When the item is changed from the PDF document item to the all file item at the data format interface 802 in the example, the following is displayed through the processing of step S705. Figure 8B The screen shown.

[0105] The processing of step S706 is Figure 6 , and its description will not be repeated. In step S707, the second OS file manager instructs the second host OS to send a cancellation notification to the communication application 300 that the user has canceled the selection of the file. The second host OS executes an instruction similar to the instruction received from the second OS file manager to the guest OS. Then, the guest OS sends a cancellation notification to the communication application 300.

[0106] In step S708, the second OS file manager performs an end process to close the file selection screen 800, and Figure 7 The processing in is completed.

[0107] Return to reference Figure 5 In step S502, the communication application 300 obtains predetermined information from the client OS. More specifically, the predetermined information is Figure 7 The file specified by the second OS file manager to be sent in step S703, or the cancellation notification specified by the second OS file manager to be sent in step S706.

[0108] In step S503, the communication application 300 determines whether a file has been received from the client OS. If the communication application 300 has obtained a file from the client OS in step S502, it is determined that the file has been received, and the process proceeds to step S504. Note that the file obtained here is a file selected on the file selection screen displayed by the OS file manager, and the selected file is designated as a print target file. On the other hand, if the communication application 300 has obtained a cancellation notice from the client OS in step S502, it is determined that the file has not been received, and the process proceeds to step S504. Figure 5 The processing in is completed.

[0109] In step S504, the communication application 300 determines whether it is running on the predetermined OS. In step S504, for example, the communication application 300 obtains information of the operating environment using the API of the client OS, and makes a determination based on the obtained result. The determination in this process is similar to the above determination, and its description will not be repeated. Note that here, it is assumed that the communication application 300 is running on the second environment. Therefore, the case where it is determined in step S504 that the communication application 300 is running on the predetermined OS and the process proceeds to step S505 will be explained.

[0110] In step S505, the communication application 300 determines whether the file obtained from the client OS in step S502 has a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function. If the communication application 300 determines that the file has a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function, the process proceeds to step S506. On the contrary, if the communication application 300 determines that the file does not have a data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function, the process proceeds to step S509. More specifically, the communication application 300 determines whether the file obtained from the second OS has a data format corresponding to a document file based on the extension of the file.

[0111] The processing from step S506 to step S508 is similar to that of the case where the communication application 300 operates in the first environment, and thus a description thereof will not be repeated.

[0112] In step S509, the communication application 300 performs a predetermined notification process based on the determination result in step S508. The predetermined notification process is a notification process indicating a data format corresponding to the document file. More specifically, in step S509, the communication application 300 displays a predetermined interface on the main screen of the operation display unit 108. Here, refer to Fig.10 . Fig.10 1 is a diagram showing an example of a predetermined interface 1000 displayed by the communication application 300 in step S509. At the interface 1000, for example, a notification 1001, a cancel button 1002, a next button 1003, etc. are displayed. The notification 1001 is a notification indicating the data format of a printable file. At the notification 1001, for example, a data format corresponding to a document file is displayed. The cancel button 1002 is, for example, an interface capable of accepting an instruction to stop executing a document printing function. The next button 1003 is, for example, an interface capable of accepting an instruction to reselect a file. In this way, even when a file of a data format that does not correspond to the communication application 300 is selected, the notification 1001 can prompt the user to select a file of an appropriate data format. In addition, even when the user selects a file of a data format that does not correspond to the communication application 300, the user can select a file again using the next button 1003. From the notification 1001, the user can recognize the data format of the document file on which the print job sending function can be executed.

[0113] In step S510, the communication application 300 determines whether an instruction to reselect a file has been accepted. If the communication application 300 determines that an instruction to reselect a file has been accepted, the process returns to step S501 again. On the contrary, if the communication application 300 determines that an instruction to reselect a file has not been accepted, the process proceeds to step S511. More specifically, when the user presses Fig.10 When the user presses the Next button 1003 on the interface 1000 shown, the communication application 300 determines that the instruction to reselect the file has been accepted. On the contrary, when the user presses the Cancel button 1002 or does not perform any operation, the communication application 300 determines that the instruction to reselect the file has not been accepted.

[0114] In step S511, the communication application 300 determines whether a cancellation instruction has been accepted. If the communication application 300 determines that a cancellation instruction has been accepted, then Figure 5 If the communication application 300 determines that the cancellation instruction has not been accepted, the process proceeds to step S510. More specifically, when the user Fig.10When the cancel button 1002 is pressed on the interface shown, the communication application 300 determines that the cancel instruction has been accepted. On the contrary, when the user does not perform any operation, the communication application 300 determines that the cancel instruction has not been accepted. That is, in step S511, it is determined whether to stop executing the document printing function.

[0115] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the communication application 300 is running in the second environment, the user can select a file in a data format that does not correspond to the print job sending function of the document file. When the user selects a file in a data format that does not correspond to the print job sending function of the document file, the communication application 300 sends a notification indicating the data format of the selectable document file. According to the notification, even when a file in a data format that does not correspond to the communication application 300 is selected, the notification 1001 can prompt the user to select a file in an appropriate data format.

[0116] Note that, in the present embodiment, as described above, the communication application 300 can execute the photo printing function as a printing function different from the document printing function. The photo printing function is executed based on the user pressing the photo printing button 402 on the main screen. Note that, in the present embodiment, the data format printable by the communication application 300 using the document printing function is different from the data format printable by the communication application 300 using the photo printing function. In addition, in the present embodiment, the settable items for the document printing function displayed on the print setting screen by the communication application 300 are different from the settable items for the photo printing function displayed on the print setting screen by the communication application 300. More specifically, the settable items for the photo printing function displayed on the print setting screen by the communication application 300 include, for example, items about borderless printing and items about clarity. On the contrary, the settable items for the document printing function displayed on the print setting screen by the communication application 300 include neither items about borderless printing nor items about clarity. When the document printing button 401 is pressed, a file selection screen is displayed to select a print target file in the document printing function. Even the file selection screen displayed here can be displayed by the OS file manager. Therefore, the feature processing in this embodiment (with Figure 5 The processing equivalent to the processing in the above example can be executed based on the user pressing the photo print button 402 on the main screen. That is, the above example has been illustrated as executing based on the user pressing the document print button 401 on the main screen. Figure 5 However, execution with Figure 5 More specifically, when the photo print button 402 is pressed, the communication application 300 may indicate the data format corresponding to the image file (the data format printable by the communication application 300 using the photo print function) to the first host OS or the guest OS in step S501 (step S501).

[0117] In the present embodiment, an example of determining whether a file selected by a user corresponds to a data format of a document file when the communication application 300 is running in the second environment has been explained. However, it is possible to determine whether the file selected by the user corresponds to an image file (step S505). For example, when the user selects a file in a data format that does not correspond to an image file, the communication application 300 may issue a notification that a file in a data format that does not correspond to an image file has been selected (step S509). Note that the processing performed when the photo print button 402 is pressed is not limited to this form. For example, the OS file manager activated according to the photo print function may be a file manager that does not display files in any data format other than the data format that the communication application 300 can print using the photo print function. That is, in the file selection screen displayed by the OS file manager activated according to the photo print function, a file in a data format that the communication application 300 can print using the photo print function can always be selected. In this form, the determination equivalent to step S505 may not be performed.

[0118] (Second embodiment)

[0119] The second embodiment will be explained with respect to the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the following form has been explained: when the communication application 300 is running in the second environment and it is determined that the file selected by the user has a data format that does not correspond to the print job sending function of the document file (the document printing function in the above description), the display Fig.10 In the second embodiment, a case will be explained where a file selected by a user has a data format corresponding not to a print job sending function of a document file but to a print job sending function of an image file (photo print function in the above description).

[0120] A case where the communication application 300 according to the present embodiment operates in the second environment will be explained. Figure 5 In the process of , if the communication application 300 determines in step S505 that the file selected by the user is not a file that can execute the print job sending function of the document file, the following determination may be made.

[0121] For example, the communication application 300 may determine whether the file selected by the user has a data format that can execute the print job sending function of the image file. More specifically, the communication application 300 may make the determination based on the extension of the file selected by the user. As described above, the data format that can execute the print job sending function of the image file is a data format corresponding to JPEG, a data format corresponding to GIF, a data format corresponding to PNG, and a data format corresponding to BMP. If the communication application 300 determines that the file selected by the user does not have a data format that can execute the print job sending function of the image file, the process may proceed to step S509 to display the above-mentioned data format on the main screen. Fig.10 In contrast, if the communication application 300 determines that the file selected by the user has a data format that can execute the print job transmission function of the image file, a notification process indicating that the file selected by the user is an image file may be performed. The notification process according to the present embodiment will be explained below.

[0122] Reference Fig.11 . Fig.11 3 is a diagram for explaining the notification process performed by the communication application 300 according to the present embodiment. Fig.11 As shown, an interface 1011 that can execute a print job sending function for an image file is notified on the main screen of the communication application 300. On the interface 1011, a notification 1012, a document print button 1013, a photo print button 1014, a cancel button 1015, etc. are displayed.

[0123] The notification 1012 includes, for example, a notification that the file selected by the user is not a document file but an image file, and a notification indicating a data format corresponding to a print job sending function for a document file. The user can recognize that the selected file is a file corresponding to photo printing based on the notification 1012 notified on the main screen. In addition, the user can recognize a data format that can execute a print job sending function for a document file. That is, the user-friendliness when the user uses the communication application 300 can be improved.

[0124] The document print button 1013 is an interface capable of accepting an instruction to reselect a file. For example, when the user presses the document print button 1013, the communication application 300 may perform the process of step S501. That is, the document print button 1013 is regarded as a button for reactivating the second OS file manager to execute the print job sending function of the document file.

[0125] The photo print button 1014 is an interface capable of accepting an instruction to display a print preview of an image file selected by the user. For example, when the user presses the photo print button 1014, the communication application 300 may perform the process of step S501 or the process of step S506. The cancel button 1015 is similar to the above Fig.10The cancel button 1002 in is similar, and its description will not be repeated.

[0126] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the file selected by the user has a data format that does not correspond to the print job sending function of the document file but corresponds to the print job sending function of the image file, an interface capable of executing the print job sending function of the image file is displayed. Even when the user selects a file of a data format that does not correspond to the print job sending function of the document file, the user can recognize that the selected file is a file corresponding to photo printing. This improves user friendliness.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, in order to make the public aware of the scope of the present invention, the following claims are made.

[0128] Other embodiments

[0129] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by, for example, reading and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium by the computer of the system or device to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), flash memory devices, memory cards, and the like.

[0130] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0131] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program capable of operating on an operating system, the program being configured to cause a computer to execute a method comprising: The computer of the first information processing device having the first operating environment on the first OS running as the host OS instead of the guest OS is caused to execute the following: executing a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to a first OS to display a first file selection screen, and Execute a predetermined process based on the file selected on the first file selection screen; and cause a computer of the second information processing device having a second operating environment on the second OS running as the host OS and on the guest OS to execute the following: executing a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to a second OS to display a second file selection screen, In a case where the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not a predetermined data format, a predetermined notification process is performed, the predetermined notification process being a notification process based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and being a notification process of displaying a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format, and In a case where the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, processing is performed based on the file selected on the second file selection screen.

2. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: in executing a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to the first OS to display a first file selection screen, specifying the predetermined data format in the process for causing the first file management program to display the first file selection screen, and In executing the process for causing the first file management program corresponding to the first OS to display the first file selection screen, files in a data format other than the predetermined data format are displayed on the first file selection screen as being unselectable.

3. The medium according to claim 2, wherein: In executing the process for causing the second file management program corresponding to the second OS to display the second file selection screen, even files in a data format other than the predetermined data format are displayed on the second file selection screen to be selectable.

4. The medium according to claim 3, wherein: The method further includes: in executing a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to a second OS to display a second file selection screen, specifying the predetermined data format in the process for causing the second file management program to display the second file selection screen, In executing a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to a second OS to display a second file selection screen, only files in at least one of the specified predetermined data formats are displayed based on the execution of the process, and When a predetermined operation is performed on the second file selection screen, files in a data format other than the predetermined data format are displayed on the second file selection screen so as to be selectable.

5. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The notification screen includes an area for re-executing a process for causing the second file management program to display the second file selection screen.

6. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The predetermined data format is a data format corresponding to a first function of the program, and The predetermined notification process includes a process of displaying a screen including an interface capable of executing the second function when the file selected on the second file selection screen does not have the predetermined data format but has a data format corresponding to the second function of the program.

7. The medium according to claim 6, wherein: When the interface capable of executing the second function is operated, a preview screen for printing the file selected on the second file selection screen through the second function is displayed.

8. The medium according to claim 6, wherein The data format corresponding to the second function includes: at least one of a data format corresponding to the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), a data format corresponding to the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), a data format corresponding to the Portable Network Graphics (PNG), and a data format corresponding to the Microsoft Windows Bitmap Image (BMP).

9. The medium according to claim 6, wherein: The first function is a function of printing a document file, and the second function is a function of printing an image file.

10. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The process based on the file selected on the first file selection screen is a process of displaying a preview screen for printing the file selected on the first file selection screen, and The process based on the file selected on the second file selection screen is a process of displaying a preview screen for printing the file selected on the second file selection screen.

11. The medium according to claim 10, wherein The process based on the file selected on the first file selection screen is a process of sending a print job to the printing device so that the printing device prints the file selected on the first file selection screen, and The process based on the file selected on the second file selection screen is a process of sending a print job to the printing device so that the printing device prints the file selected on the second file selection screen.

12. The medium according to claim 1, wherein in the second operating environment, determining whether the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, and In the first operating environment, it is not determined whether the data format of the file selected on the first file selection screen is the predetermined data format.

13. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The host OS in the first operating environment is Android OS, the host OS in the second operating environment is Chrome OS, and the guest OS in the second operating environment is a virtual Android OS.

14. The medium according to claim 13, wherein further performing a determination as to whether the environment in which the program is running is a second operating environment, and Whether or not to execute the predetermined notification process is controlled based on a determination result in the determination.

15. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The predetermined data format includes at least one of a data format corresponding to a portable document format (PDF), a data format corresponding to Microsoft Word, a data format corresponding to Microsoft Excel, and a data format corresponding to Microsoft PowerPoint.

16. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: causing the computer of the second information processing device to further display a first area and a second area, wherein an operation for executing a first function of printing a document file is accepted in the first area, and an operation for executing a second function of printing an image file is accepted in the second area, When an operation for executing the first function is accepted in the first area, and when an operation for executing the second function is accepted in the second area, a process for causing the second file management program to display a second file selection screen is executed, In a case where an operation for executing a first function is accepted in the first area, the predetermined data format is a data format corresponding to the first function, In a case where an operation for executing a second function is accepted in the second area, the predetermined data format is a data format corresponding to the second function, and The data format corresponding to the first function is different from the data format corresponding to the second function.

17. The medium according to claim 16, wherein The notification screen displayed when the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen displayed when the operation for executing the first function is accepted in the first area is not the predetermined data format is different from the notification screen displayed when the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen displayed when the operation for executing the second function is accepted in the second area is not the predetermined data format.

18. The medium according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: causing the computer of the second information processing device to further display a first area and a second area, wherein an operation for executing a first function of printing a document file is accepted in the first area, and an operation for executing a second function of printing an image file is accepted in the second area, When an operation for executing the first function is accepted in the first area, processing for causing the second file management program to display a second file selection screen is executed, and When an operation for executing the second function is accepted in the first region, a process for displaying a selection screen on which data other than data in a data format corresponding to the second function is not displayed is performed.

19. The medium according to claim 1, wherein: The program is an application program.

20. A control method for controlling a first information processing device and a second information processing device, the first information processing device having a predetermined program capable of running on an operating system (OS) and having a first operating environment on a first OS running as a host OS instead of a guest OS, and the second information processing device having the predetermined program and having a second operating environment on a second OS running as a host OS and on the guest OS, the method comprising: executing, by the predetermined program in the first information processing device, a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to a first OS to display a first file selection screen; executing predetermined processing based on the file selected on the first file selection screen by the predetermined program in the first information processing device; executing, by the predetermined program in the second information processing apparatus, a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to a second OS to display a second file selection screen; executing predetermined notification processing by the predetermined program in the second information processing apparatus, when the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not a predetermined data format, the predetermined notification processing being notification processing based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and being notification processing of displaying a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format; and In a case where the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, processing is performed based on the file selected on the second file selection screen by the predetermined program in the second information processing apparatus.

21. A computer program product capable of operating on an operating system and configured to cause a computer to perform a method comprising: The computer of the first information processing device having the first operating environment on the first OS running as the host OS instead of the guest OS is caused to execute the following: executing a process for causing a first file management program corresponding to a first OS to display a first file selection screen, and Execute a predetermined process based on the file selected on the first file selection screen; and cause a computer of the second information processing device having a second operating environment on the second OS running as the host OS and on the guest OS to execute the following: executing a process for causing a second file management program corresponding to a second OS to display a second file selection screen, In a case where the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not a predetermined data format, a predetermined notification process is performed, the predetermined notification process being a notification process based on the fact that the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is not the predetermined data format, and being a notification process of displaying a notification screen indicating which data format is the predetermined data format, and In a case where the data format of the file selected on the second file selection screen is the predetermined data format, processing is performed based on the file selected on the second file selection screen.

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