Data processing apparatus, storage medium, and control method of data processing apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a data processing apparatus, a storage medium, and a control method of the data processing apparatus. An operating system (OS) runs in a data processing apparatus, and a control method of the data processing apparatus includes controlling whether to instruct the OS to display a first file selection screen using a file browser function provided by the OS or to display a second file selection screen using a file browser function of a program based on information about the OS.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a data processing device, a storage medium and a control method of the data processing device. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the popularization of mobile terminals, mobile terminals are increasingly used by companies as business terminals. Users can instruct image processing devices (such as multifunction peripherals and printers) to print and scan from a mobile terminal in which an application for instructing the image processing device to perform processing is installed. For example, the user selects a file from a folder, configures print settings in an application in the mobile terminal, and then sends a print execution instruction to the image processing device. The image processing device that has received the execution instruction performs a print process based on the settings.

[0003] In order to enable an application to have a function of selecting a file from a folder provided in a memory in a mobile terminal, there are: a case where a file browser function is implemented in the application and a case where a file browser function provided by an operating system (OS) is used. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-008370 discusses the following method, in which both a file browser function in an application and a file browser function provided by an OS are implemented, and the file browser function to be used is switched based on a user operation.

[0004] The existing configuration in which the user switches between the file browser function in the application and the file browser function provided by the OS is troublesome for the user. In addition, due to changes in the specifications of the OS, etc., the file browser function that is convenient for the user may change. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to a file selection method for user-friendly application.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an operating system (OS) runs in a data processing device, and a control method of the data processing device includes: based on information about the OS, controlling whether to instruct the OS to display a first file selection screen using a file browser function provided by the OS, or to display a second file selection screen using the file browser function of 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 diagram showing a system configuration according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the data processing device.

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the data processing device.

[0012] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by an application running in a data processing device.

[0013] Figure 6 The following is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by the data processing device.

[0014] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a process for selecting a picture file and issuing a print instruction.

[0015] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a process for selecting a document file and issuing a print instruction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The exemplary embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that all combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiment are not necessarily essential to the solving means of the present invention.

[0017] The first exemplary embodiment is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to the present exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 In the present invention, the data processing device 101 is used to send print jobs and scan jobs to the image processing device 104 and receive various operations from the user. The data processing device 101 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone and a tablet. In addition to the scanning function, the image processing device 104 may also have a copy function, a printing function, a fax transmission function, and other functions.

[0018] The data processing apparatus 101 and the image processing apparatus 104 are connected to a local area network (LAN) 103, and communicate with each other through the LAN 103. The wireless LAN terminal 102 is a main unit of a wireless LAN having a general network router function, and provides a wireless LAN in a home, an office, etc. The data processing apparatus 101 can participate in the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102 by enabling the wireless LAN function. When the data processing apparatus 101 enters a wireless LAN area provided by the wireless LAN terminal 102, the data processing apparatus 104 can automatically participate in the LAN 103 by using authentication information preset in the data processing apparatus 102. The data processing apparatus 101 and the image processing apparatus 104 can also communicate directly without using the wireless LAN terminal 102. In this example, only one image processing apparatus is shown; however, the number of image processing apparatuses is not limited thereto, and a plurality of image processing apparatuses can be connected to the LAN 103.

[0019] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the data processing device 101 shown in FIG. In the data processing device 101, an operating system for a small terminal and a program for controlling calls and data communications can be operated. Alternatively, the data processing device 101 can be a personal computer (PC) as follows, which does not include the audio / image control unit 206, microphone / speaker / camera 213, position detection control unit 210, global positioning system (GPS) sensor 216, mobile phone data communication unit 212, etc. described below.

[0020] The components of the hardware are connected to the system bus 201. An operating system of the data processing apparatus 101 and an application for controlling calls and data communications are stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 203 and can be executed by a central processing unit (CPU) 202. Examples of the application for controlling data communications include an application for exchanging various data with the image processing apparatus 104, e-mail software, and a web browser.

[0021] A random access memory (RAM) 204 is a memory for executing programs, and is a working storage area for applications to execute programs. The RAM 204 is also a memory that temporarily stores data and the like to be temporarily saved when a program is executed by an application. The storage device 209 is a nonvolatile storage device, and stores various operation mode settings, operation logs, and the like that need to be saved even after the data processing apparatus 101 is reactivated.

[0022] The network controller 205 controls communication through the wireless LAN communication unit 211 for participating in the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102 and communication through the mobile phone data communication unit 212 for participating in a network provided by a mobile phone operator.

[0023] For example, when a call application is started and the user makes a call, the audio / image control unit 206 is used. The microphone and speaker of the microphone / speaker / camera 213 are used to input and output audio data, and the audio / image control unit 206 mediates between the audio data and the audio data control program. The audio / image control unit 206 also mediates between image data generated by the camera of the microphone / speaker / camera 213 and the image data control program.

[0024] The display control unit 207 controls information to be output by the display 214 of the data processing device 101. The input control unit 208 controls information instructed by the user using the buttons and the touch panel 215 of the data processing device 101. The application running on the data processing device 101 provides the user with network communication information and various information on the data processing device 102 by using the audio / image control unit 206, the display control unit 207, and the input control unit 208.

[0025] The position detection control unit 210 acquires position information about the data processing device 101 from the GPS sensor 216 and provides the position information to an operating system (OS). Control is performed by the OS operating in the CPU 202.

[0026] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 104 shown in FIG. Figure 3 An example of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a scanner function and a printer function is shown.

[0027] exist Figure 3, the input / output (I / O) 301 includes a LAN communication unit 314. The LAN communication unit 314 can communicate with the data processing apparatus 101 through a network such as the LAN 103. For example, the LAN communication unit 314 sends image data generated by scanning by the image processing apparatus 104 to the data processing apparatus 101 through the LAN. A plurality of I / Os 301 can be installed to support a variety of connection modes. The image processing apparatus 104 sends a device identification (ID) and a scanned image to the data processing apparatus 101 via the I / O 301. The image processing apparatus 104 performs processing in response to various control commands received from the data processing apparatus 101. The interface (I / F) control unit 302 controls to issue a device ID to a processing system (such as a scanner, a printer, and a fax machine) installed on the image processing apparatus 104. The random access memory (RAM) 303 is a main storage device and is used to store external data such as a control command acquired by the I / O 301 and image data (hereinafter referred to as an image) read by the scanning engine 313. In addition, the RAM 303 is used to store an image that is developed by the printer controller 310 but has not yet been transferred to the printer engine 306. The allocation management of the RAM 303 is performed by the RAM control unit 304. The image data start-stop circuit 305 is a device that outputs the image developed by the printer controller 310 and the image taken in by the scanner engine 313 and developed to the RAM 303 in synchronization with the rotation of the printer engine 306. The printer engine 306 is a device that develops an image to an output medium such as paper. The main controller 308 performs various controls on the printer engine 306 via the engine I / F 307. The main controller 308 is a main module for control, and appropriately distributes the control language received from the data processing device 101 via the I / O 301 to the scanner controller 309 and the printer controller 310. In addition, the main controller 308 controls the printer engine 306 and the scanner engine 313 in response to instructions from the respective controllers and the user interface 312. The scanner controller 309 decomposes the scan control command received from the data processing apparatus 101 into an internal execution command that can be interpreted by the main controller 308. In addition, the scanner controller 309 changes the image read by the scanner engine 313 into the scan control command. The printer controller 310 decomposes the page description language (PDL) received as a print job from the data processing apparatus 101 into an internal execution command including an expanded image that can be interpreted by the main controller 308. The expanded image is sent to the printer engine 306 and is printed on an output medium such as a sheet.

[0028] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 12 is a block diagram of the software configuration of the data processing apparatus 101. The processing performed by the constituent units is realized by the CPU 202 executing the program stored in the ROM 203, the storage device 209, and the like.

[0029] The OS 410 is basic software that controls the operation of the entire data processing device 101. For example, the OS 410 is Android software provided by Google LLC. TM .

[0030] The application 401 is executed on the data processing apparatus 101 and is installed in the ROM 203 as an application running on the OS 410. The application 401 is an application that issues a print instruction and a scan instruction to the image processing apparatus 104. For example, a file of data such as image data stored in a storage device of the data processing apparatus 101 is selected, and the application 401 instructs the image processing apparatus 104 to print the selected file. The application 401 also has a function of instructing the image processing apparatus 104 to scan, and a function of storing an image captured by a camera of the microphone / speaker / camera 213 provided in the data processing apparatus 101. The user interface (UI) unit 402 is a UI unit for the application 401, and provides a user interface that allows the user to set and perform the functions of the application. The image processing apparatus search unit 403 is a unit that searches for image processing apparatuses and searches for network apparatuses on the LAN 103 in which the data processing apparatus 101 participates and network apparatuses that can perform direct communication. More specifically, the image processing apparatus search unit 403 searches for image processing apparatuses to which the data processing apparatus 101 can issue a print instruction and a scan instruction. The control unit 404 controls various processes performed by the application 401. For example, the control unit 404 generates a print job and a scan job, and sends the generated jobs to a communicable image processing device. In addition, the control unit 404 performs a process for storing data generated by the application 401 and other processes. The file storage unit 405 stores files generated or acquired by the application 401, etc. For example, the file storage unit 405 receives image data generated by scanning of the image processing device 107 from the image processing device 104, and stores the received image data. The data stored in the file storage unit 405 may be stored in a common storage area of ​​the data processing device 101 so that the data can be referenced and used by applications other than the application 401, or may be stored in a storage area specific to the application 401 so that the data cannot be referenced and used by applications other than the application 401.

[0031] For example, at the initial startup of the application 401, a folder corresponding to the file storage unit 405 is automatically generated. Thereafter, image data generated by processing performed by the application 401, for example, image information (scanned data) generated by scanning by the image processing device 104 and image data (shot data) generated by imaging by a camera are stored in the generated folder.

[0032] The file browser unit 406 enables browsing of files stored in a memory such as a storage device of the data processing apparatus 101. For example, the file browser unit 406 provides a list of files stored in the storage device 209 to allow the user to select print data to be sent to the image processing apparatus 104. This file browser function can mainly adopt the following two methods as a method of allowing the user to select a picture, a document file, etc. stored in the data processing apparatus 101 or the like.

[0033] The first method is a method of creating a UI screen of a file list in an application to allow the user to select a file. In this method, the supplier or developer of the application uniquely implements the file browser function. Therefore, a file browser function dedicated to the application can be provided. For example, a file list in a previously specified folder (e.g., a folder used as a default storage destination or a default selection source by the application) can be displayed on the default selection screen. On the other hand, a mechanism for accessing cloud storage, external storage cards, etc. needs to be implemented, which requires design time and cost. In addition, each time the application programming interface (API) for accessing cloud storage, external storage cards, etc. is updated, the application needs to be corrected. Therefore, the maintenance cost of the application is necessary. In addition, due to changes in the specifications of the OS, usability may deteriorate. In the following, the file browser function of the method is referred to as the in-application file browser function, and the screen displayed by the file browser function of the method is referred to as the in-application file selection screen. In other words, the file selection screen using the file browser function of the application is referred to as the in-application file selection screen. The in-application file selection screen is only used by the corresponding application.

[0034] The second method is a method using a file browser function provided by the OS. In this case, the application can call the file browser function of the OS, and can obtain the file selected using the file browsing function of the OS. Therefore, in the application, the file is selected by utilizing the mechanism provided by the OS without implementing a mechanism for accessing an external memory card or cloud storage. In this method, the file browser function provided by the OS is created based on the premise of calling the file browser function from various applications. Therefore, it is impossible to make fine settings dedicated to the application. An example of the file browser function provided by the OS includes a photo picker, which is a picture selection screen provided by Android. The photo picker extracts files of a predetermined file format (in this example, an image format) from files stored in a memory of a storage device 209 such as the data processing device 101, and displays a list of files. In the following, the file browser function of the method is referred to as the file browser function provided by the OS, and the screen displayed by the file browser function of the method is referred to as the file selection screen provided by the OS. In other words, the file selection screen using the file browser function provided by the OS is referred to as the file selection screen provided by the OS. The file selection screen provided by the OS is used by multiple applications.

[0035] Applications other than application 401 are also installed in data processing apparatus 101. For example, application 420 is an application having a function similar to that of application 401, and includes a file browser unit 421. Applications installed in data processing apparatus 101 are not limited thereto, and other applications may be installed.

[0036] Reference Figure 5 Screen transition from selecting a picture file to be printed to printing the selected file in the application 401 is described.

[0037] The menu screen 501 is the main screen of the application 401, and is, for example, a top menu screen displayed immediately after the application 401 is started. On the menu screen 501, the application 401 receives a selection operation of a function to be executed from the user. The document print button 502 is a button for instructing the image processing apparatus to print a document. When the document print button 502 is selected, the screen transitions to a screen that is displayed by processing performed by the file browser unit 406 and on which a document to be printed is selected.

[0038] The picture print button 503 is a button for instructing the image processing apparatus to print a picture. When the picture print button 503 is selected, the screen transitions to a screen displayed by processing performed by the file browser unit 406 and a picture to be printed is selected on the screen.

[0039] The scan button 504 is a button for instructing the image processing apparatus to perform scanning. When the user selects the scan button 504, configures various settings, and then selects the scan execution button, the image processing apparatus performs scanning processing and returns the generated image data to the data processing apparatus 101. The file storage unit 405 performs processing for storing the acquired image data in a predetermined folder.

[0040] Image processing device information 508 is information about an image processing device that is a target of a print instruction and a scan instruction issued by the application 401. In this example, icons and device names of image processing devices are displayed.

[0041] The registration / switching button 507 is a button for registering or switching an image processing apparatus as an instruction target. When the registration / switching button 507 is selected, the image processing apparatus search unit 403 searches for an image processing apparatus on the LAN 103, for example.

[0042] The in-application file selection screen 511 is a screen for selecting a picture file to be printed, and when the picture print button 503 is selected, the in-application file selection screen 511 is displayed. The in-application file selection screen 511 is a screen displayed by the file browser function in the application 401, and displays a list of picture files stored in the memory. For example, a list of picture files included in a predetermined folder of the storage device 209 is displayed by default.

[0043] The cloud button 512 is a display item for selecting a picture file to be printed from a storage of the cloud. The filter button 513 is a button for changing a condition for filtering files to be displayed in a list and filtering files to be displayed.

[0044] The picture file 515 is a thumbnail of a picture file included in the target folder. The check mark 516 is a display item displayed on the thumbnail so that the picture file selected by the user can be identified. The number of images 517 is a display item indicating the number of files selected by the user.

[0045] When the next button 518 is selected, the screen switches to the print instruction screen 521. At this time, the file selected by the user in the in-application file selection screen 511 is the file to be printed.

[0046] The print instruction screen 521 is a screen for instructing the image processing apparatus to print. The image 522 shows a preview image of the file to be printed. In the case where there are multiple files to be printed, the next file can be previewed in response to the user operation. The deselect button 523 is a button for deselecting the file to be printed. The print setting button 524 is a button for configuring the print setting. The print button 525 is a button for sending a print job including the selected file to the target image processing apparatus.

[0047] The picture acquisition source selection screen 531 is a screen for selecting the acquisition source of the picture file to be printed, which is displayed when the picture print button 503 is selected. When the picture print button 503 is selected, the in-application file selection screen 511 or the picture acquisition source selection screen 531 is displayed according to the condition. For example, when the Android version is 14 or higher, the application needs to obtain the user's permission for each file to access the file in the memory. In other words, when the Android version is 14 and a file is selected in the in-application file selection screen 511, the user needs to perform the operation of giving permission every time the user selects a file, which is troublesome. On the other hand, when a file is selected in the file selection screen provided by the OS, the user's permission is not required every time the user selects a file. Therefore, the version of the OS (Android) of the data processing device in which the application 401 runs is determined, and when the version is earlier than 14, the in-application file selection screen 511 is displayed in response to the selection of the picture print button 503. When the version is 14 or higher, the picture acquisition source selection screen 531 is displayed in response to the selection of the picture print button 503. In other words, when the OS specification does not have the above-mentioned restrictions on accessing files from an application, an in-application file selection screen 511 is provided as a file selection screen with high usability, and when the OS specification has restrictions on accessing files from the application, the file selection screen provided by the OS is used via the image acquisition source selection screen 531, which eliminates the necessity of requiring the user to perform an operation of giving permission every time. Depending on the OS specification, file access from an application may be restricted, but in some cases, an application can access all files by obtaining user permission only once. In the case where it is sufficient to obtain user permission only once as described above, an in-application file selection screen may be provided, or a file selection screen provided by the OS may be provided.

[0048] Refer again Figure 5 The picture acquisition source selection screen 531 includes a smartphone button 532 for setting the acquisition source of picture files to the data processing device 101, a cloud service button 533 for setting the acquisition source of picture files to a cloud service, and a selectable application button 534 for setting the acquisition source of picture files to an application different from the application 401.

[0049] The file selection screen 541 provided by the OS is a screen for selecting a picture file to be printed, which is displayed when the smartphone button 532 is selected. The file selection screen 541 provided by the OS is a screen provided by the OS, and is, for example, a screen of a picture picker provided by Android. The picture file 542 is a thumbnail of a picture file included in the target folder. The check mark 543 is a display item displayed on the thumbnail for identifying the picture file selected by the user.

[0050] When the add button 544 is selected, the screen switches to the print instruction screen 521. At this time, the file selected by the user in the file selection screen 541 provided by the OS is the file to be printed. When a print instruction is issued in the print instruction screen 521, a print job including the file selected in the file selection screen 541 provided by the OS is sent to the image processing apparatus.

[0051] The condition setting screen 551 is a screen displayed when the filter button 513 is selected, and is a screen for setting conditions for filtering files to be displayed on the in-application file selection screen 511 .

[0052] An example of setting the generation date of a file as a condition is shown. The date search button 552 is a button for setting the file generation date as a condition for filtering the files to be displayed. When the date search button 552 is enabled, the condition for filtering the files to be displayed is set to the file generation date. The start date 553 and the end date 554 are display items for setting the start date and the end date respectively with respect to the generation date of the files to be displayed. Files generated on dates between the start date 553 and the end date 554 are displayed on the in-application file selection screen 511. In addition, an import button 555 for importing files from an optional application is displayed in the condition setting screen 551. In the case where the import button 555 is selected, the files imported from the optional application can be printed. As described above, in the in-application file selection screen 511, application-specific browser functions can be provided, such as using date filtering to obtain files to be displayed, and accessing the cloud. On the other hand, the file selection screen 541 provided by the OS cannot provide unique browser functions such as using date filtering. In this example, using date filtering is described as an application-specific browser function; however, the function is not limited to this. Files in the list can be sorted based on creation date or file name, file size, and the creation date can be displayed in addition to the file's thumbnail.

[0053] Reference Figure 7 The flowchart shown describes the process of selecting a picture file to be printed in the application 401 and printing the selected file. The process is implemented by the CPU 202 executing the program stored in the ROM 203 and the storage device 209. Figure 7 Steps shown.

[0054] In step S701, the UI unit 402 receives a press on the picture printing button 503. In step S702, the control unit 404 obtains the version of the OS (the application 401 runs on the OS), that is, the version of the OS running in the data processing device 101, and determines whether the obtained version is a predetermined version or higher. If it is determined that the obtained version is a predetermined version or higher (Yes in step S702), the process proceeds to step S721. Otherwise (No in step S702), the process proceeds to step S703. For example, if the version of the OS is Android 14 or higher, the process proceeds to step S721. If the version of the OS is earlier than Android 14, the process proceeds to step S703. In this example, the version of the OS is used for determination; however, this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, it can be determined whether there are predetermined restrictions on the access of the OS to files.

[0055] In step S703, the file browser unit 406 displays an in-application file selection screen. In step S704, the file browser unit 406 obtains, for example, picture files included in the storage device 209 of the data processing device 101. In step S705, the file browser unit 406 displays a list of the obtained picture files. For example, the in-application file selection screen 511 is displayed.

[0056] In step S706, the control unit 404 determines whether an instruction for selecting a file from the cloud has been received from the user. For example, it is determined whether the cloud button 512 has been selected. If the cloud button 512 has been selected (Yes in step S706), the process proceeds to step S710. If the cloud button 512 has not been selected (No in step S706), the process proceeds to step S707. In step S710, the control unit 404 establishes a connection with the cloud service and receives an operation by the user to select a file from a list of files stored in the cloud memory. If an operation for selecting a file has been received, the selected file can be determined as the file to be printed, and the process can proceed to step S709 or step S727.

[0057] In step S707, the control unit 404 determines whether an instruction for selecting a file from an optional application has been received from the user. For example, it is determined whether the import button 555 has been selected. In the case where the import button 555 has been selected ("Yes" in step S707), the process proceeds to step S711. In the case where the import button 555 has not been selected ("No" in step S707), the process proceeds to step S708. In step S711, the control unit 404 starts the optional application and receives an operation of the user selecting a file from a list of files included in the optional application. In the case where an operation for selecting a file has been received, the selected file can be determined as a file to be printed, and the process can proceed to step S709 or step S727.

[0058] In step S708, the control unit 404 determines whether a file has been selected in the in-application file selection screen. In the case where it is determined that a file has been selected ("Yes" in step S708), the process proceeds to step S712. Otherwise ("No" in step S708), the process proceeds to step S709. In step S712, the UI unit 402 displays a check mark 516 on the thumbnail of the file selected in step S708. Then, the process proceeds to step S709.

[0059] In step S709, the control unit 404 determines whether the next button 518 has been selected in the in-application file selection screen. In the case where the next button 518 has been selected ("Yes" in step S709), the process proceeds to step S727. Otherwise ("No" in step S709), the process returns to step S706.

[0060] In step S721, the UI unit 402 displays the picture acquisition source selection screen 531. In step S722, the control unit 404 determines whether the cloud service button 533 has been selected in the picture acquisition source selection screen 531. In the case where the cloud service button 533 has been selected ("Yes" in step S722), the process proceeds to step S710. Otherwise ("No" in step S722), the process proceeds to step S723. In step S723, the control unit 404 determines whether the optional application button 534 has been selected in the picture acquisition source selection screen 531. In the case where the optional application button 534 has been selected ("Yes" in step S723), the process proceeds to step S711. Otherwise ("No" in step S723), the process proceeds to step S724. In step S724, the control unit 404 determines whether the smartphone button 532 has been selected in the picture acquisition source selection screen 531. If the smartphone button 532 has been selected (YES in step S724 ), the process proceeds to step S725 . Otherwise (NO in step S724 ), the process returns to step S721 .

[0061] In step S725, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display a file selection screen provided by the OS. For example, here, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display a picture picker screen.

[0062] In step S726, the control unit 404 determines whether the picture file has been sent from the OS 410. In the case where the picture file has been sent ("Yes" in step S726), the process proceeds to step S727. Otherwise ("No" in step S726), the process of step S726 is repeated. When the user selects a file in the file selection screen 541 provided by the OS and then selects the add button 544, the selected file is sent from the OS 410 to the application 401.

[0063] In step S727, the control unit 404 copies the picture file selected by the user to the storage area available to the application 401. In step S728, the control unit 404 converts the selected picture file into bitmap data. Then, in step S729, the UI unit 402 displays a preview screen of the selected file. In step S730, the control unit 404 determines whether the print button 525 has been selected. In the case where the print button 525 has been selected ("Yes" in step S730), the process proceeds to step S731. Otherwise ("No" in step S730), the process returns to step S729.

[0064] In step S731, the control unit 404 sends a print job including the file selected by the user to the target image processing apparatus 104. The image processing apparatus 104 having received the print job prints the picture file selected by the user based on the print settings included in the print job.

[0065] Through the processing in the above flowchart, when the version of the OS of the data processing device 101 is a version earlier than the predetermined version and file access is not restricted, the in-application file selection screen is displayed to provide the user with a user-friendly file browser function. When the version of the OS is a predetermined version or higher and file access is restricted, the file selection screen provided by the OS is displayed, so that the user can avoid the cumbersome processing of permission and approval every time the user selects a file. In other words, a suitable file selection screen can be provided based on information about the OS (the application operates on the OS).

[0066] In the example of the above flowchart, the version of the OS is determined in step S702; however, the construction is not limited to this. For example, it can be determined whether the OS can display the screen of the picture picker. In the case where the OS can display the screen of the picture picker, the processing proceeds to step S721. In the case where the OS cannot display the screen of the picture picker, the processing proceeds to step S703. Depending on the version of the OS, the OS does not support the picture picker. Therefore, a suitable file selection screen can be provided based on this determination. In addition, the construction is not limited to the following construction: it is determined whether the OS can display the screen of the picture picker, and it can be determined whether the file browser function provided by the OS is available.

[0067] In the example of the above flowchart, in step S725, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display the file selection screen provided by the OS; however, the configuration is not limited thereto. The file browser unit 406 may call a picture selection application of the data processing device 101. The picture selection application is, for example, Google In step S726 , a file selected in the picture selection application may be received.

[0068] Figure 6An example of a screen in the case where a document file to be printed is selected in application 401 is shown. This screen is displayed when the user selects document print button 502 in menu screen 501. When document print button 502 is selected, a document acquisition source selection screen (not shown) is displayed, and the user selects a document file acquisition source. The document acquisition source selection screen has a similar construction to that of picture acquisition source selection screen 531. In the case where a cloud service button for setting a document file acquisition source to a cloud service is selected, a document file is acquired from the cloud. In the case where a smartphone button for setting a document file acquisition source to data processing device 101 is selected, a file selection screen 610 is displayed.

[0069] The file selection screen 610 is a file browser screen provided by the OS. Here, the screen of the storage access framework (SAF) in Android is shown as an example. Unlike the screen of the picture picker, in the screen of the SAF, folders are displayed in a hierarchical form instead of a list of picture files included in the memory, and the user selects a folder and a desired file in the folder. In the screen of the SAF, the default open screen cannot be specified from the application 401. In this example, it is assumed that the "root" directory is opened. The directory name 611 and the folders 612 to 617 included in the "root" directory are displayed in the file selection screen 610.

[0070] The file selection screen 620 is a screen displayed when the "Application 401" folder button 616 is pressed. Data 621 to 623 included in the "Application 401" folder and a return button 624 for returning to the previous directory are displayed in the file selection screen 620. When a file is selected in the file selection screen 620, the screen switches to a print instruction screen such as the print instruction screen 521, and the image processing device can be instructed to print the selected document file. The file selection screens 610 and 620 are screens provided by the OS, and are file selection screens using the file browser function of the OS. In the file selection screens 610 and 620, even if the version of the OS is 14 or higher, the user's permission is not required each time a file is selected.

[0071] Reference Figure 8 The flowchart shown describes a process of selecting a document file to be printed in the application 401 and printing the selected file. This is implemented by the CPU 202 executing a program stored in the ROM 203 and the storage device 209. Figure 8 Steps shown.

[0072] In step S801 , the UI unit 402 receives pressing of the document print button 502 .

[0073] In step S802, the UI unit 402 displays a document acquisition source selection screen. In step S803, the control unit 404 determines whether the cloud service button has been selected in the document acquisition source selection screen. In the case where the cloud service button has been selected ("Yes" in step S803), the process proceeds to step S830. Otherwise ("No" in step S803), the process proceeds to step S804. In step S830, the control unit 404 establishes a connection with the cloud service and receives an operation of the user selecting a file from a list of files stored in the cloud storage. In the case where an operation for selecting a file has been received, the selected file can be determined as a file to be printed, and the process can proceed to step S806 or step S807.

[0074] In step S804, the control unit 404 determines whether the smartphone button has been selected in the document acquisition source selection screen. In the case where the smartphone button has been selected ("Yes" in step S804), the process proceeds to step S805. Otherwise ("No" in step S804), the process returns to step S802.

[0075] In step S805, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display a file selection screen provided by the OS. For example, here, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display a screen of the SAF.

[0076] In step S806, the control unit 404 determines whether the document file has been sent from the OS 410. In the case where the document file has been sent ("Yes" in step S806), the process proceeds to step S807. Otherwise ("No" in step S806), the process of step S806 is repeated. When the user selects a file in the file selection screen 620, the selected file is sent from the OS 410 to the application 401.

[0077] In step S807, the control unit 404 copies the document file selected by the user to the storage area available to the application 401. In step S808, the control unit 404 converts the selected document file into JPEG data. Then, in step S809, the UI unit 402 displays a preview screen of the selected file. In step S810, the control unit 404 determines whether the print button 525 has been selected. In the case where the print button 525 has been selected ("Yes" in step S810), the process proceeds to step S811. Otherwise ("No" in step S810), the process returns to step S809.

[0078] In step S811, the control unit 404 sends a print job including the file selected by the user to the target image processing apparatus 104. The image processing apparatus 104 having received the print job prints the document file selected by the user based on the print settings included in the print job.

[0079] When a file is selected in the case of printing a document through the processing in the above-mentioned flowchart, the screen of SAF is displayed without exception regardless of the version of OS, etc. In the case of using the file browser function in the application, usability may deteriorate due to changes in the specifications of OS, etc.; however, displaying the screen of SAF without exception can prevent deterioration of usability.

[0080] As described above, in the case of selecting a picture, the in-application file selection screen or the file selection screen provided by the OS is displayed according to the version of the OS of the data processing device 101. On the other hand, in the case of selecting a document, the file selection screen provided by the OS is displayed without exception regardless of the version of the OS. However, the construction is not limited to this. In both the case of selecting a picture and the case of selecting a document, the in-application file selection screen or the file selection screen provided by the OS may be displayed according to the version of the OS of the data processing device 101. Furthermore, in both the case of selecting a picture and the case of selecting a document, the file selection screen provided by the OS may be displayed without exception. Figure 7 In the example of the flowchart shown, the file selection screen provided by the OS is a picture picker, but it may also be a screen of the SAF.

[0081] Other embodiments

[0082] 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, etc.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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 control method for a data processing device, wherein an operating system OS runs in the data processing device, the control method comprising: Based on the information about the OS, it is controlled whether to instruct the OS to display a first file selection screen using a file browser function provided by the OS or to display a second file selection screen using the file browser function of the program.

2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The information about the OS is information about the version of the OS.

3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The information about the OS is information indicating whether a predetermined file selection screen provided by the OS can be provided.

4. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The files displayed on the second file selection screen are filtered based on the information on the dates of the files.

5. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: In the control, when the version of the OS is a predetermined version, the OS is instructed to display the first file selection screen, and when the version of the OS is not the predetermined version, the second file selection screen is displayed.

6. The control method according to claim 1, in, In the control, in a case where a picture file is selected, whether to instruct the OS to display a first file selection screen or a second file selection screen is controlled based on information about the OS, and Here, in the control, when a document file is selected, the OS is instructed to display a first file selection screen using a file browser function provided by the OS regardless of the information on the OS.

7. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: In the case where a button for selecting print data to be printed by the image forming device is selected, when the OS satisfies a predetermined condition, a second file selection screen is displayed in the control, and when the OS does not satisfy the predetermined condition, a screen for selecting a file acquisition source is displayed, and when a predetermined acquisition source is selected in the screen for selecting a file acquisition source, the control instructs the OS to display the first file selection screen.

8. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: OS is Android TM .

9. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The first file selection screen extracts a picture file and displays the picture file.

10. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: In the first file selection screen, permission to access the file is not required from the user.

11. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The first file selection screen is used by a plurality of applications, and the second file selection screen is used by a predetermined application.

12. The control method according to claim 11, in, The predetermined application is a program for instructing the image forming apparatus to print, and The first file selection screen and the second file selection screen are screens for selecting print data.

13. The control method according to claim 1, wherein: The second file selection screen includes display items for accessing the cloud service.

14. A control method for a data processing device, wherein an operating system (OS) runs in the data processing device, the control method comprising: Based on the information about the OS, it is controlled whether to display a screen for selecting a file acquisition source or to display a file selection screen using a file browser function of a program.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the programs comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of a data processing device, cause the data processing device to perform a control method, an operating system (OS) running in the data processing device, the control method comprising: Based on the information about the OS, it is controlled whether to instruct the OS to display a first file selection screen using a file browser function provided by the OS or to display a second file selection screen using the file browser function of the program.

16. A data processing device in which an operating system (OS) runs, the data processing device comprising: A control unit is configured to control whether to instruct the OS to display a first file selection screen using a file browser function provided by the OS or to display a second file selection screen using the file browser function of the program based on information about the OS.

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