Information processing apparatus, method for controlling information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, and a program for improving convenience in downloading contents.SOLUTION: Provided is a program for an application operating in an information processing apparatus, and the program causes the information processing apparatus to function as: acquisition means that acquires a content list that is information on contents; determination means that determines the order of downloading content detail information that is information for displaying a content selection screen on the basis of the content list; downloading means that downloads the content detail information; control means that, when receiving an operation to display the content selection screen from a user, performs control of changing the order of downloading; and display control means that displays the content selection screen on a display part when receiving the operation to display the content selection screen and the completion of downloading at least a part of the content detail information are satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to improve responsiveness to content stored in a server, a technique is known for downloading content that is likely to be used in advance. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for setting a content acquisition level based on the content usage status in a terminal, and downloading the content to be downloaded according to this acquisition level. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-70583 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for further improvements in convenience in content downloading.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of downloading content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure is an application program that runs on an information processing device, and is characterized in that it causes the information processing device to function as an acquisition means for acquiring a content list, which is information about content for each of a plurality of categories; a determination means for determining the order of downloading content detail information, which is information for displaying a content selection screen for each of a plurality of categories based on the content list; a download means for downloading the content in the order determined by the determination means; a control means for controlling changing the download order determined by the determination means when an operation to display a content selection screen for a specific category is received from a user; and a display control means for displaying the content selection screen for the specific category on a display unit when the following conditions are met: an operation to display the content selection screen for the specific category has been received and downloading of at least a portion of the content detail information for the specific category has been completed. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve convenience in downloading content. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a home screen of the information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates a top screen of a printing application. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a content selection screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a paper size selection screen. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image selection screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an editing screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print setting screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a process for displaying a content selection screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing information included in a content list. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a content selection screen in a processing state. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the order of downloading contents. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing information included in a content list. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present disclosure related to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure.

[0010] In the following embodiment, a smartphone is taken as an example of an information processing device, but the type of information processing device is not limited to this, as long as the information processing device is capable of receiving a gesture operation by an operator's fingers via a touch panel display. For example, various devices such as a mobile terminal other than a smartphone, a notebook personal computer (PC), a desktop PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a digital camera can be applied. In addition, as a printing device, if it is a printer, an inkjet printer or a laser beam printer can be used. In addition, a multifunction device having not only a printing function but also a scanning function for reading a document, a copying function, or a facsimile function may be used.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the system of the present embodiment. This system includes an information processing device 200 and a printing device 300. The information processing device 200 is an information processing device that communicates with the printing device 300 via a network established by the access point 100 and causes the printing device 300 to execute printing. The information processing device 200 stores a program such as a print application program (hereinafter, a printing app) described later. Therefore, print data created using this printing app is transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the printing device 300 via the network. Note that the printing app is, for example, downloaded and installed in the information processing device 200 via the network. Also, the printing app may be installed from a recording medium attached to the information processing device 200. Also, since the access point 100 of this embodiment functions as a wireless LAN router, the information processing device 200 is connected to the Internet via this wireless LAN router. Therefore, the information processing device 200 can communicate with the content management server 101 via the Internet. Note that, although the printing device 300 is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of printing devices 300 can be connected to the access point 100.

[0012] The content management server 101 is a server that manages the content used by the print application. The image management server 102 is a server that can store image data captured by a user with a camera. Each of the above-mentioned servers is a server system, and may be configured with one server PC or multiple server PCs. In other words, the processing executed by each of the above-mentioned servers may be executed not only by one server PC but also by multiple server PCs working together.

[0013] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device 200 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 200 includes a main board 210 that controls the entire device, a wireless LAN unit 202, an NFC unit 201, a line connection unit 203, and a touch panel display 204 that displays printer function operations and printer information. Here, the NFC unit 201, the wireless LAN unit 202, and the line connection unit 203 are each capable of communication using NFC communication, a wireless LAN, or a mobile phone line network.

[0014] A microprocessor-type CPU 211 arranged on the main board 210 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 213 connected via an internal bus 212, and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 214. The program memory 213 can store an embedded operating system (OS) and programs such as the print application of this embodiment. In this embodiment, each application program stored in the program memory 213 is subjected to software execution control under the management of the OS. Specifically, this is realized by the CPU 211 reading out the application program stored in the program memory 213 into the RAM-type data memory 214 and executing it.

[0015] The CPU 211 communicates with other devices via wireless LAN by controlling the wireless LAN unit 202 via the wireless LAN control circuit 215. Note that the wireless LAN unit 202 is capable of data (packet) communication using a communication method conforming to, for example, the IEEE 802.11 series (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, etc.).

[0016] Moreover, the CPU 211 can detect an NFC connection with another NFC terminal and transmit and receive data to and from the other NFC terminal by controlling the NFC unit 201 via the NFC control circuit 216. Furthermore, the CPU 211 can connect to a mobile phone network and perform calls and data transmission and reception by controlling the line connection unit 203 via the line control circuit 217. Also, a unit for performing a Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (BLE) communication method may be provided.

[0017] The CPU 211 can control display on the touch panel display 204 and accept operations from the user by controlling the operation unit control circuit 218. The CPU 211 can capture images by controlling the camera unit 219, and stores the captured images in an image memory 220 in the data memory 214. In addition to captured images, the CPU 211 can also store images acquired from the outside via a mobile phone network, wireless LAN, or NFC in the image memory 220, and conversely transmit them to the outside.

[0018] The non-volatile memory 221 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data that is to be saved even after the power is turned off. For example, phone book data, various communication connection information, information on previously connected devices, and image data that is to be saved are stored. Application program management information managed by the print application of this embodiment is also stored in the non-volatile memory 221.

[0019] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device 300 according to this embodiment. The printing device 300 includes a main board 310 that controls the entire device, a wireless LAN unit 308, an NFC unit 306, and an operation panel 305. Here, the wireless LAN unit 308 and the NFC unit 306 function as a communication unit of the printing device 300.

[0020] A microprocessor-type CPU 311 disposed on a main board 310 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 313 connected via an internal bus 312 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 314.

[0021] CPU 311 controls scanner unit 315 to read an original and store the image in image memory 316 in data memory 314. CPU 311 also controls print unit 317 to print an image in image memory 316 in data memory 314 on a recording medium. It is also possible to transmit scanned image data to information processing device 200 via wireless LAN unit 308 controlled by wireless LAN control circuit 318. Note that in this embodiment, print unit 317 performs printing by an inkjet method, but is not limited to this form. It may also perform printing by other methods such as electrophotography or thermal dye sublimation.

[0022] The CPU 311 controls the wireless LAN unit 308 through the wireless LAN control circuit 318 to communicate with other devices via wireless LAN. The wireless LAN unit 308 is capable of data (packet) communication using a communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, etc.). The CPU 311 controls the NFC unit 306 through the NFC control circuit 319 to detect an NFC connection with another NFC terminal and transmit and receive data to and from the other NFC terminal. The communication methods that the printing device 300 can execute are not limited to those described above. For example, communication using other communication methods such as Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy may be possible.

[0023] CPU 311 controls operation display unit control circuit 320 to display the status of printing device 300 and a function selection menu on operation panel 305, and to accept operations from the user. In addition, the printing device of this embodiment can receive and print a print job including data in a JPEG file format to which a printer control command has been added.

[0024] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content management server 101 and the image management server 102 of this embodiment. Each server includes a main board 410 that controls the entire device, a wireless LAN unit 418, and a line connection unit 417. Here, the wireless LAN unit 418 and the line connection unit 417 are capable of communication using a wireless LAN and a mobile phone line network, respectively.

[0025] A microprocessor-type CPU 411 arranged on the main board 410 operates according to a control program stored in a ROM-type program memory 412 connected via an internal bus 419 and the contents of a RAM-type data memory 413. The program memory 412 can store programs such as an embedded operating system (OS). In this embodiment, each application program stored in the program memory 412 is subjected to software execution control under the management of the OS. Specifically, this is realized by the CPU 411 reading out the application program stored in the program memory 412 into the RAM-type data memory 413 and executing it.

[0026] The CPU 411 controls the wireless LAN unit 418 via the wireless LAN control circuit 416 to communicate with other devices via wireless LAN. The wireless LAN unit 418 is capable of data (packet) communication using a communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, etc.). Furthermore, the CPU 411 controls the line connection unit 417 via the line control circuit 415 to connect to a mobile phone line network and make calls or send and receive data.

[0027] The non-volatile memory 414 is composed of a memory such as a flash memory, and stores data that is to be retained even after the power is turned off. For example, in the case of the content management server 101, content is stored therein, in the case of the image management server 102, image data is stored therein, and in the case of the notification management server 103, information necessary for notification control, which will be described later, is stored therein. Note that the configurations of the content management server 101 and the image management server 102 do not have to be completely identical to each other.

[0028] Next, the display screen and operation of the print application of this embodiment will be described. The display screen of the print application is displayed on the touch panel display 204 by the CPU 211 executing the print application stored in the program memory 213. Note that the user interface control of the print application of this embodiment will be described as being created in a program language that operates on multiple platforms, such as HTML5 or JavaScript. However, this is not limiting, and the user interface control may be created in a platform-dependent language, such as Java or Objective-C.

[0029] Each process executed while the screen is displayed by the print application shown below is realized by the CPU 211 reading the print application program stored in the program memory 213 or the like into the data memory 214, which is a RAM, and executing it. Note that not all of the processes shown below are necessarily executed sequentially on one process. For example, there may be cases where the subject of the process is once shifted to the OS side, the print application is called from the OS again, and the subsequent process is executed by the print application.

[0030] 5 is a diagram showing a home screen of the information processing device 200 in this embodiment. The home screen is a screen on which icons 501 corresponding to application programs installed in the information processing device 200 are displayed by the OS or the like. When an icon is selected, the application program corresponding to the selected icon is started.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the top screen of the print application. On the screen shown in Fig. 6, a printer registration button 600, a menu button 601, a main display area 602, a new creation button 603, a work display button 604, a favorites display button 605, and a notice display button 606 are displayed.

[0032] When any of the buttons is tapped, the content according to the tapped button is displayed in the main display area 602. Fig. 6 shows an example of the display in the main display area 602 when the print application is launched or when a new creation button 603 for creating new print data is tapped.

[0033] When the printer registration button 600 is tapped, a printer registration screen (not shown) is displayed. The printer to which the print job is to be sent is selected and set by the registration process via the printer registration screen. When the menu button 601 is tapped, version information, license information, etc., or various information related to the print application are displayed.

[0034] In the top screen shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of category selection buttons 607 are displayed in the main display area 602. The category selection buttons 607 correspond to the categories of works that can be printed by the print application of this embodiment. In FIG. 6, the category selection buttons 607 display text such as "Calendar" and "Card", but icons corresponding to the respective categories may be displayed together with the text. When any of the category selection buttons 607 is tapped, the display object of the touch panel display 204 transitions to a screen for printing the content of the category corresponding to the tapped category selection button 607. Specifically, for example, when the category selection button 607 indicated as "Collage" is tapped, the display transitions to a screen for creating a collage. Similarly, when the category selection button 607 indicated as "Calendar" is tapped, the display transitions to a screen for creating a calendar. The content includes design data such as a calendar or card, information specifying the location and size of an image, or print paper size information and a content name. In other words, the design data is a template. The template is data for arranging an image selected by the user. The template includes, for example, one or more slots for arranging an image selected by the user. A background image may be preset in the template in an area outside the slot. In the present embodiment, the content is acquired from the content management server 101, but the print application may have the content held in advance. Depending on the category selection button 607 tapped by the user, the content available for printing or the presence or absence of an editing function such as inserting an image or inserting text into the content may differ. The top screen shown in FIG. 6 may include a predetermined button for executing a predetermined function that can be executed without content information downloaded from the content management server 101. The predetermined function is, specifically, for example, a function for printing an image held by the information processing device 200 or an image uploaded on a cloud service or a social network service (SNS) without placing the image on a template.When a predetermined button is operated, the print application can execute a predetermined function without waiting for the completion of downloading of content information, which will be described later.

[0035] In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are ten category buttons on the top screen shown in FIG. 6. That is, it is assumed that there are buttons for "photo layout", "ID photo", "disc label", "card", "calendar", "sticker", "business card", "collage", "scrapbook", and "poster". In this embodiment, it is assumed that each category corresponds to a different type of template, and the template corresponding to each category is downloaded as the content corresponding to each category. "Photo layout" is a category corresponding to a function of printing a layout generated by arranging an image selected by the user in a template. A template corresponding to "photo layout" includes one or more slots for arranging an image selected by the user. In "photo layout", multiple paper sizes are supported as the paper size of the printing target, and multiple types of templates corresponding to "photo layout" exist for each of the multiple paper sizes. "ID photo" is a category corresponding to a function of printing an ID photo. A template corresponding to "ID photo" includes multiple slots and cut lines for arranging an ID photo selected by the user. In addition, a template corresponding to "ID photo" is only compatible with a predetermined size for ID photos. "Disc label" is a category corresponding to a function for printing disc labels to be affixed to disc-shaped recording media such as CDs and DVDs. A template corresponding to "disc label" includes one or more slots for placing an image selected by the user and a print area corresponding to the shape of a disc. A template corresponding to "disc label" only supports a specified size for disc labels. "Calendar" is a category corresponding to a function for printing calendars. A template corresponding to "calendar" includes one or more slots for placing an image selected by the user and an area showing the dates as a calendar. A template corresponding to "calendar" supports one or more sizes for calendars. "Card" is a category corresponding to a function for printing cards in which an image selected by the user is placed in a template.A template corresponding to a "card" includes one or more slots for placing an image selected by the user. A template corresponding to a "card" corresponds to one or more sizes for cards. A "sticker" is a category corresponding to a function of printing a sticker on which an image selected by the user is placed on a template. A template corresponding to a "sticker" includes one or more slots for placing an image selected by the user. A template corresponding to a "sticker" corresponds to one or more sizes for stickers. A "business card" is a category corresponding to a function of printing a business card. A template corresponding to a "business card" includes a slot for placing a face photo selected by the user and an area for writing the user's name and affiliation. A template corresponding to a "business card" corresponds only to a predetermined size for business cards. Note that a template corresponding to a "business card" may include a template for printing multiple edited business cards on one sheet of paper. A "collage" is a category corresponding to a function of printing a layout image on which an image selected by the user is placed on a template. A template corresponding to a "sticker" includes one or more slots for placing an image selected by the user and a background image. A template corresponding to "collage" corresponds to one or more sizes for collage. "Scrapbook" is a category corresponding to a function of printing an image with a predetermined pattern or design. A template corresponding to "scrapbook" does not include a slot for placing an image selected by a user. A template corresponding to "scrapbook" corresponds to one or more sizes for scrapbook. "Poster" is a category corresponding to a function of printing a poster. A template corresponding to "poster" does not need to include a slot for placing an image selected by a user. A template corresponding to "poster" corresponds to one or more sizes for poster. Note that categories other than the above categories may be included in the categories corresponding to the buttons included in the top screen shown in FIG. 6. Also, all of the above categories may not be included in the categories corresponding to the buttons included in the top screen shown in FIG. 6.

[0036] When the work display button 604 shown in Fig. 6 is tapped, a list of thumbnails of works saved by the user is displayed in the form of icons in the main display area 602. A work saved by the user is image data to be printed that is created by the user by selecting one of the category selection buttons 607. Note that in this list display, thumbnails may be displayed with the works distinguished by category corresponding to the category selection buttons 607.

[0037] When the favorites display button 605 is tapped, a screen showing a list of contents registered as favorites by the user is displayed in the main display area 602. When the notice display button 606 is tapped, notice information such as notices of updates to content is displayed in the main display area 602.

[0038] Next, a description will be given of a display example when a category selection button 607 is tapped. When any of the category selection buttons 607 is tapped, the screen transitions to a content selection screen that displays a list of contents corresponding to the selected category.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a content selection screen corresponding to the category "photo layout". The content selection screen includes a back button 700 and a content display area 701. When the back button 700 is tapped, the display target by the touch panel display 204 transitions to the screen (the screen in FIG. 6) before transitioning to this screen. A plurality of pieces of content information 702 are displayed in the content display area 701. The content information 702 includes a content thumbnail 703 corresponding to each category, a content name 704, and a favorite button 705. The content information 702 is an area displayed by content detailed information downloaded by a download process described later. The content detailed information is information corresponding to each content, and is information indicating the name of each content, the storage location of the thumbnail image of each content, the storage location of each content, the paper size that each content supports, etc. The information indicating the storage location is specifically, for example, a URL. In this embodiment, the content detailed information and the content itself are downloaded at different times. The content thumbnail 703 is displayed by a thumbnail image downloaded based on information indicating the storage location of the thumbnail image included in the content detailed information. When the favorite button 705 is tapped, the corresponding content is registered to the favorites. The content registered to the favorites is shown on a screen that is displayed when the favorites display button 605 is tapped. When the content information 702 is tapped, the screen transitions to a paper size selection screen.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a paper size selection screen. The paper size selection screen includes a paper size list 800, a cancel button 801, and an OK button 802. The paper size to be printed can be specified from the paper sizes displayed in the paper size list 800. When the cancel button 801 is tapped, the display target of the touch panel display 204 transitions to the screen (the screen in FIG. 7) before transitioning to this screen. When the OK button 802 is tapped, transition occurs to the corresponding image selection screen. In this embodiment, when the content selected on the content selection screen is a content held by the content management server 101, the print application downloads information for printing the content based on the tapping of the OK button 802. The information to be downloaded here includes print setting information, which is information on optimal settings for printing, and the content itself. In addition, this download is performed based on information indicating the storage location of the content, which is included in the content detail information. Then, the print application displays an edit screen corresponding to the content based on the downloaded content. However, without being limited to this form, the print application may download the content before or while the paper size selection screen is displayed based on the content being selected on the content selection screen. If the content selected on the content selection screen is content that the print application holds in advance, the print application displays the edit screen based on the content that is held in advance without downloading from an external server.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image selection screen. The image selection screen includes a back button 900, an image thumbnail display area 901, and a next button 904. When the back button 900 is tapped, the display object by the touch panel display 204 transitions to the content selection screen shown in FIG. 7. In the image thumbnail display area 901, images held by the information processing device 200 or images held by the image management server 102 are displayed as thumbnails 902. By selecting one or more thumbnails 902, it is possible to combine them with the content selected on the content selection screen shown in FIG. 7. A selection status icon 903 is displayed on the selected thumbnail 902 so that the selection status can be determined. When the next button 904 is tapped, transition occurs to an edit screen.

[0042] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the editing screen. The editing screen includes a back button 1000, a page editing area 1001, a text button 1002, an image button 1003, a save button 1004, and a next button 1005. When the back button 1000 is tapped, the display on the touch panel display 204 transitions to the content selection screen shown in Fig. 7. The page editing area 1001 shows a work generated based on the content and images selected by the user.

[0043] When the text button 1002 is tapped, a screen for inputting text (not shown) is displayed. The text input on this screen is placed in the content corresponding to the editing screen. The position where the text is placed may be arbitrarily set by the user or may be predetermined for each content. When the image button 1003 is tapped, a screen for selecting an image is displayed. For example, images held by the information processing device 200 and images held by the image management server 102 are available for selection on this screen. When an image held by the image management server 102 is selected, the print application acquires the selected image from the image management server 102. The image selected on this screen is placed in the content corresponding to the editing screen. The position where the image is placed may be arbitrarily set by the user or may be predetermined for each content. The edited content is reflected in the page editing area 1001 as appropriate. When the save button 1004 is tapped, the content corresponding to the currently displayed page editing area 1001 is saved. When the next button 1005 is tapped, the screen transitions to a print setting confirmation screen.

[0044] 11 is a diagram showing a print setting confirmation screen. The print setting screen includes a back button 1100, a preview display section 1101, a registered printer information section 1102, a print setting display section 1103, a print setting button 1104, and a print button 1105. When the back button 1100 is tapped, the display target by the touch panel display 204 transitions to the screen (screen in FIG. 10) before transitioning to this screen. The preview display section 1101 has the same display content as the page editing area 1001, and displays a print preview based on the content selected by the user and the editing result of the content. When the print setting button 1104 is tapped, a print detail setting screen (not shown) for changing the printer to which the print job is to be sent or the print settings is displayed.

[0045] In the print setting screen, for example, the printer to which the print job is to be sent, the number of copies to be printed, the type of paper to be used for printing, or the size of the paper to be used for printing can be set or changed. Information on the printer currently set as the printer to which the print job is to be sent is displayed in the registered printer information section 1102. The currently set print settings are displayed in the print setting display section 1103. If the selected content includes print setting information, the print settings are updated using the print setting information and displayed in the print setting display section 1103. Note that when the printer to which the print job is to be sent or the print settings are changed in the print setting screen, the changed contents are displayed in the registered printer information section 1102 and the print setting display section 1103.

[0046] Furthermore, the contents displayed in the registered printer information section 1102 and the print setting display section 1103 are stored in the program memory 213 or the non-volatile memory 221. Therefore, when the print application is terminated and restarted, the registered printer information section 1102 and the print setting display section 1103 display the same contents again. Note that there are cases where the print setting confirmation screen is displayed for the first time after the print application is installed in the information processing device 200, and where the selected content does not include print setting information. In such cases, the default settings determined in the print application are displayed in the registered printer information section 1102 and the print setting display section 1103.

[0047] When the print button 1105 is tapped, a print job for printing the content selected and edited by the user in FIGS. 7 to 10 is transmitted to the printing device 300 based on the set print settings. Specifically, the CPU 211 first performs rendering on the content selected or edited by the user and converts it into JPEG data. Furthermore, the CPU 211 adds a print control command including print setting information and the like to the generated JPEG data to generate a print job. The print job thus generated is transmitted to the printing device 300. Note that while the print job is transmitted and printing based on the print job is being performed in the printing device 300, the display target of the touch panel display 204 transitions to a printing in progress screen (not shown). On the printing in progress screen, the degree of progress of printing based on the print job, the contents of the print settings of the transmitted print job, an area for canceling printing based on the print job, and the like are displayed.

[0048] Conventionally, a technology is used to improve responsiveness by downloading content detail information held by a server in advance, by downloading content detail information that is likely to be used. However, the above technology does not mention a method for shortening the time until a content list screen, which is a screen showing what content is available and is displayed by the content detail information, is displayed. For example, content detail information for printing includes design data such as calendars or cards, information for specifying the location and size of an image, printing paper size information, or content name information. Content users have diverse preferences, so it is necessary to prepare many content detail information. However, in an operation of selecting one content from a large number of existing contents, if the content information 702 of all categories is displayed together, there is a problem that it takes time to display the content list screen. It is preferable to have a configuration in which the content category to be displayed is determined according to the user's selection, rather than displaying the content information 702 of all categories together.

[0049] In this embodiment, therefore, in the process of downloading content detail information for each category, the content detail information corresponding to the category selected by the user is downloaded with priority. This makes it possible to display a content list screen corresponding to the category selected by the user as soon as the download of content detail information corresponding to the category selected by the user is completed, which is expected to be convenient. The process flow performed by the print application of this embodiment will be described below.

[0050] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a process in which the print application displays a content selection screen. That is, the process in FIG. 12 is a process from when the print application is started to when the content selection screen with the category "photo layout" as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the touch panel display 204. This process is realized by the CPU 211 reading the program of the print application stored in the program memory 213 or the non-volatile memory 221, etc., into the data memory 214, which is a RAM, and executing it. Note that all the processes shown in FIG. 12 are not necessarily executed sequentially on one process. For example, there may be a case where the subject of the process is once shifted to the OS side, the print application is called from the OS again, and the print application executes the subsequent process. Also, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is started in response to the CPU 211 starting the print application. Note that in the explanation of FIG. 12, the process performed by the print application as the main process and the process performed as the background process (download process) are described in one flowchart, but the main process will be explained first.

[0051] First, in step S1201, the CPU 211 accesses the content management server 101 and acquires a content list from the content management server 101.

[0052] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a table showing a content list. As shown in FIG. 13, the content list includes information showing the download order of each category (download order information) and information for acquiring content detail information. The information for acquiring content detail information is, for example, a file name of the content detail information. Then, according to the information acquired in S1201, the content detail information of each category is downloaded in order as background processing. The download order shown in FIG. 13 is an order predetermined by a vendor that provides a print application and manages the content management server 101. The predetermined order is hereinafter referred to as a default order. In this embodiment, the print application grasps the default order according to the table in FIG. 13. Therefore, the default order is, in other words, an order predetermined by information provided by the content management server 101. Note that the download order shown in FIG. 13 may be changed by the process of S1210 described later. Therefore, the default order is, in other words, an order in a state that has not been changed by the process of S1210. However, even if the order is changed by the process of S1210, when the download of the content detailed information becomes necessary again, the default order is referred to first in the download. The timing at which the table is returned to indicate the default order after the order is changed by the process of S1210 is not particularly limited. For example, the timing may be the timing at which YES is determined in S1213 described later, the timing at which the print application is closed, or the timing immediately before S1201. In this embodiment, the default order is defined so that the category corresponding to the function that is used more frequently in the print application is the earlier in the order. That is, in this embodiment, since the function corresponding to "photo layout" is used most frequently in the print application, the content detailed information corresponding to "photo layout" is controlled to be downloaded earlier. The table shown in FIG. 13 may be information that the print application holds in advance.That is, the table may be stored by installing a print application in the information processing device 200. Details of the download process in the background will be described later.

[0053] After the download process starts in the background, in S1202 the CPU 211 displays the top screen shown in Fig. 6. In S1203, the CPU 211 accepts a category selection made by operating the category selection button 607.

[0054] In S1204, the CPU 211 determines whether or not a category selection button has been pressed. If the category selection button has not been pressed, the CPU 211 repeats S1203 and S1204 until the category selection button is pressed. If a category selection button for a specific category out of multiple categories has been pressed, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1205 and displays a content selection screen for the selected category.

[0055] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a content selection screen in a processing state. The content selection screen displayed by CPU 211 at the timing of proceeding from S1204 to S1205 includes a message 1400 indicating that processing is in progress. This is because there is a possibility that downloading of content detail information of the selected category is not completed. Note that, if downloading of the selected content detail information is completed, a screen in which content information 702 based on the downloaded content detail information is displayed as shown in Fig. 7 may be displayed instead of the content selection screen in a processing state shown in Fig. 14. Also, regardless of the download status, the screen in Fig. 14 may not be displayed between S1204 and S1205.

[0056] In S1206, CPU 211 determines the download status of the content detail information of the category corresponding to the category selection button selected in S1204. If the download of the content detail information of the selected category is completed, CPU 211 proceeds to S1207 and displays content information 702 corresponding to the downloaded content detail information in content display area 701 as shown in Fig. 7. Thereafter, CPU 211 ends the main processing of this flowchart.

[0057] If the content details information of the selected category is being downloaded, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1208 and continues to display the content selection screen shown in FIG. 14. If the download of the content details information of the selected category has not been completed and if the content details information of the selected category is not being downloaded, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1209 and continues to display the content selection screen shown in FIG. 14. After the process of S1209, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1210 and changes the category to be downloaded next to the category accepted from the user in S1205. After S1208 and S1210, the CPU 211 returns the process to S1206. That is, in S1206 to S1210, if the download of the content details information selected by the user has not been completed or has not been downloaded, the content selection screen in the processing state shown in FIG. 14 continues to be displayed until the download is completed. Then, when the download is completed, the content details information of the downloaded category is displayed.

[0058] Next, the download process in the background will be described. In S1211, the CPU 211 selects the first category as the download target according to the download order in the content list shown in FIG. 13. In S1212, the CPU 211 downloads the content details and thumbnail images of the category to be downloaded from the content management server 101 and the image management server 102. As described above, the content details include information indicating the print paper size information, the content name, and the storage location of the thumbnail images. Therefore, specifically, the CPU 211 downloads the content details and downloads the thumbnail images by referring to the storage location of the thumbnail images included in the content details. In addition, the downloaded content details and thumbnail images can be used to display the content information 702 on the content selection screen in FIG. 7.

[0059] In S1213, the CPU 211 judges whether the download of the content information of all categories is completed. If it is judged that the download of all categories is completed, the CPU 211 ends the background process of this flowchart. On the other hand, if the download of the content information of all categories is not completed, the CPU 211 proceeds to S1214 and identifies the next category in the order. Then, after setting the content information of the identified category as a download target, the process returns to S1212. That is, the process is repeated until the download of the content information of all categories is completed. Note that, if the process of S1210 is performed by the user selecting on the content selection screen during the download in S1212, the category identified in S1214 is based on the process of S1210 of the main process. Specifically, if the process of S1210 is performed by the user selecting on the content selection screen during the download in S1212, the category identified in S1214 is the category selected by the user on the content selection screen. Hereinafter, the details of the download order will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the order of downloading categories. At time t1 in FIG. 15(a), the download of content detail information for the category "photo layout" is completed, and content detail information for the next category "ID photo" is in the middle of downloading. Consider the case where the category selection button for "photo layout" is pressed by a user operation at time t1. The content detail information for the category "photo layout" has already been downloaded. Therefore, the downloaded content detail information can be displayed in the content display area 701 of the content selection screen at the timing of time t1. Meanwhile, consider the case where the category selection button for "ID photo" is pressed at time t1. In this case, the content detail information for "ID photo" is being downloaded. Therefore, the downloaded content is displayed in the content display area 701 of the content selection screen at the timing of time t2 when the download of the content detail information for "ID photo" is completed. Until t2 is reached, the content selection screen in the processing state as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed.

[0060] Next, FIG. 15(b) shows a case where the category selection button is pressed at time t3 while the content details information for "ID photo" is being downloaded. Consider the case where the category selection button for "card" is pressed at time t3. At this point, the content details information for the category "card" has not yet been downloaded. Therefore, in order to prioritize downloading the content details information for the card after the currently downloading category "ID photo", the download order of the content information for "disc label" and the content details information for "card" is switched. Thereafter, at the timing of time t4 when the download of the content details information for "card" is completed, the downloaded content details information is displayed in the content display area 701 of the content selection screen.

[0061] FIG. 15(c) shows a case where the category selection button is pressed at time t5 while the content details information for the category "Calendar" is being downloaded. Consider the case where the category selection button for "Collage" is pressed at time t5. In this case, since the content details information for "Collage" has not yet been downloaded, the content details information for the Collage category is downloaded next to the content details information for "Calendar" which is being downloaded. Accordingly, the download order thereafter is changed to Collage, Stickers, and Business Cards. Thereafter, at the timing of time t6 when the download of the content details information for "Collage" is completed, the downloaded content details information is displayed in the content display area 701 of the content selection screen.

[0062] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the convenience of downloading content detail information. Specifically, by downloading content detail information for each category and preferentially downloading content detail information for a category selected by the user, it is possible to reduce the waiting time until content in which the user is interested becomes available.

[0063] In this embodiment, if the download of content detail information for a category selected by the user is not complete, a display screen showing the downloading status shown in FIG. 14 is displayed until the download of the content detail information for that category is complete. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and may be configured such that when some content detail information for a selected category is downloaded, the downloaded content detail information is displayed on the content selection screen. The downloaded content detail information may be displayed in sequence. In this form, it is possible to reduce the state in which no content detail information is displayed, and it is possible to display the downloaded content detail information to the user in sequence.

[0064] <Embodiment 2> In the above-described first embodiment, the order of categories in downloading content detailed information is determined according to the information of the content list acquired when the print application is started. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the order of categories to be downloaded may be changed under various conditions.

[0065] In this embodiment, the number of prints for each category is recorded when printing is performed on the printing device 300. Then, the order in which the content detail information is downloaded is determined based on the number of prints recorded in S1211 of FIG. 13. The category to be downloaded first is the category with the most number of prints. Thereafter, the categories are downloaded in order of the number of prints. Furthermore, in addition to the number of prints, the paper size may be used to determine the download order.

[0066] FIG. 16 shows information on a content list acquired when a print application is started in this embodiment. The current download order in FIG. 16 is the same as that shown in FIG. 15(a). Here, the content list includes paper size information corresponding to each category. It is necessary to set the paper size as a print setting for executing printing in the printing device 300. In this embodiment, the number of prints for each paper size is recorded. For example, if the number of prints is the highest for A3 size, the category corresponding to A3 size is downloaded preferentially. As a result, the download order is photo layout, calendar, scrapbook, poster, ID photo, disc label, card, sticker, business card, and collage.

[0067] In this manner, in this embodiment, the order in which the content detail information is downloaded is determined based on the print history information, and as a result, content detail information of a category that is considered to be of interest to the user is downloaded preferentially, shortening the waiting time until the content becomes available and improving convenience.

[0068] <Embodiment 3> In the above embodiment, the order of categories for downloading detailed content information is determined based on the information in the content list acquired when the print application is started or on the print history, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0069] The top screen of the print application has a printer registration button 600, which allows a printer to be registered in advance. The order of downloading the content details may be determined based on the paper size information that the registered printer can print on and the paper size information corresponding to each category included in the content list. For example, if a printer capable of printing from A4 size to A2 size is registered, content details of categories that can be printed on these paper sizes are downloaded preferentially. In the case of the content list information acquired when the print application is started, as shown in FIG. 16, the order is specifically photo layout, card, calendar, collage, scrapbook, poster, ID photo, disc label, sticker, and business card. As another example, disc labels require the printing device 300 to support disc label printing. Therefore, if a printer that does not support disc label printing is registered, the content details information for disc labels is downloaded last.

[0070] As described above, in this embodiment, the order of categories for downloading content detail information is determined based on registered printer information, thereby shortening the waiting time until content in a category that is likely to be of interest to the user becomes available.

[0071] <Other embodiments> The flowchart in FIG. 12 may or may not be started every time the application is started. For example, the flowchart may be started when a predetermined button for downloading the content detailed information is operated by the user after the application is started. If all the content detailed information has already been downloaded and the print application holds all the content information, the content detailed information may not be downloaded. Even if all the content detailed information has already been downloaded, the print application may communicate with the content management server 101 at the application start to check whether there is updated content information. If it is not confirmed that there is updated content detailed information, the content detailed information may not be downloaded. If it is confirmed that there is updated content detailed information, the flowchart in FIG. 12 may be started. At this time, only the updated content detailed information may be downloaded according to the order shown in the table in FIG. 13. In the above description, the download process downloads content detail information, but not the content itself. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and the download process may download not only the content detail information, but also the content itself. In this form, the content itself is downloaded in advance in the download process, so there is no need to download the content itself after selecting the content on the content selection screen. The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0072] The present disclosure also includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) An application program that operates on an information processing device, comprising: An acquisition means for acquiring a content list which is information about content for each of a plurality of categories; a determining means for determining an order of downloading detailed content information, which is information for displaying a content selection screen for each of a plurality of categories, based on the content list; downloading means for downloading the content detail information in the order determined by the determination means; a control means for controlling a change of the download order determined by the determination means when a user operates to display a content selection screen for a specific category; a display control means for displaying the content selection screen for the specific category on a display unit when an operation for displaying the content selection screen for the specific category is received and downloading of at least a part of the content detail information for the specific category is completed; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a (Configuration 2) The program described in configuration 1, characterized in that the content list includes information for acquiring the content detail information and download order information which is information indicating the order in which the content detail information for each of the multiple categories is to be downloaded. (Configuration 3) 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the content detail information includes a content name, print paper size information, and information indicating a storage location of a thumbnail image. (Configuration 4) 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the determining means determines to download the detailed content information for each category in an order indicated by the download order information. (Configuration 5) The program described in configuration 4, characterized in that when the content detail information is being downloaded in the order indicated by the download order information, if a user operation is received to display a content selection screen for the specific category and the download of the specific category is not completed, the control means performs control to complete the download of the specific category as a priority. (Configuration 6) The program according to configuration 5, wherein after the download of the content detail information in the specific category is completed, the download means downloads the content detail information in the next category in accordance with the download order information. (Configuration 7) The program described in configuration 5, wherein the display control means displays on the display unit a message indicating that a download is in progress while the content detailed information of the specific category selected by the user is being downloaded. (Configuration 8) The program described in configuration 4, characterized in that when the content detailed information is being downloaded in the order indicated by the download order information, if a user operation is received to display a content selection screen for a specific category and if the download of the content detailed information for the specific category has been completed, the display control means displays the content selection screen for the specific category on a display unit. (Configuration 9) 9. The program according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit changes the order in which the content detail information is downloaded from among the plurality of categories in descending order of the number of times the content has been printed in the past. (Configuration 10) The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the determination means changes the order so as to preferentially download the content detail information of the category corresponding to the paper size most commonly used for printing among the plurality of categories. (Configuration 11) The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the determination means changes the order so as to give priority to downloading the content detail information of a category that corresponds to a paper size that can be printed on the recording device performing the printing. (Configuration 12) 12. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the content selection screen is a display screen on which contents corresponding to the categories are arranged. (Configuration 13) 13. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the download means executes download of the content selected by the user on the content selection screen. (Configuration 14) 3. The program according to configuration 2, wherein the information for acquiring the content detail information includes information indicating a file name of the content detail information. (Configuration 15) An acquisition means for acquiring a content list which is information about content for each of a plurality of categories; a determining means for determining an order of downloading detailed content information, which is information for displaying a content selection screen for each of a plurality of categories, based on the content list; downloading means for downloading the content detail information in the order determined by the determination means; a control means for controlling a change of the download order determined by the determination means when a user operates to display a content selection screen for a specific category; a display control means for displaying the content selection screen for the specific category on a display unit when an operation for displaying the content selection screen for the specific category is received and downloading of at least a part of the content detail information for the specific category is completed; An information processing device comprising: (Configuration 16) An acquisition step of acquiring a content list which is information about content for each of a plurality of categories; a determination step of determining an order of downloading detailed content information, the detailed content information being information for displaying a content selection screen for each of a plurality of categories based on the content list; a download step of downloading the content detail information in the order determined by the determination step; a control step of performing control to change the download order determined in the determination step when a user operation is received to display a content selection screen for a specific category; a display control step of displaying the content selection screen for the specific category on a display unit when an operation for displaying the content selection screen for the specific category is received and downloading of at least a part of the content detail information for the specific category is completed; 13. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 101 Content Management Server 200 Information processing device 211 CPU 213 Program Memory 300 Printing equipment

Claims

1. A program that operates in an information processing device, wherein the information processing device A first download step involves downloading information related to content in a first category, information related to content in a second category, and information related to content in a third category to the information processing device in a predetermined download order. A first display control step that displays a plurality of areas including an area corresponding to the content of the first category, an area corresponding to the content of the second category, and an area corresponding to the content of the third category, If any of the aforementioned multiple areas is selected, a second display control step is performed to perform a display based on information that is related to the content of the category corresponding to the selected area and has been downloaded to the information processing device. To make it function as, The order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the first category is the first order, the order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the second category is the second order, which is later than the first order, and the order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the third category is the third order, which is later than the first and second orders. If, while information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the download of information related to the content of the second category and the content related to the content of the third category is not yet complete, an area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, the system is controlled to ensure that the download of the information related to the content of the third category is performed before the download of the information related to the content of the second category. If information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the downloads of information related to the content of the second category and the content of the third category are not yet complete, and no area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, the system is controlled to download the information related to the content of the second category before the information related to the content of the third category. A program characterized by the following features.

2. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the download of information which is number 1 in the predetermined download order is initiated based on the startup of the program.

3. The information processing device is further configured to function as a identifying step that identifies the predetermined download order based on the sequence information indicating the predetermined download order. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that information related to the content of the first category, information related to the content of the second category, and information related to the content of the third category are downloaded to the information processing device in order according to the specified predetermined download order.

4. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the sequence information is obtained from a predetermined server outside the information processing device.

5. The program according to claim 4, characterized in that the predetermined server that provides the sequence information to the information processing device is a server that causes the information processing device to download multiple contents.

6. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the sequence information is obtained based on the fact that the program has been started.

7. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the sequence information is information that is held in advance by the program.

8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas are displayed on the top screen of the program, which is displayed based on the program being started.

9. If information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the download of information related to the content of the second category and the content related to the content of the third category is not yet complete, and an area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, a screen indicating that the download of information related to the content of the third category is not yet complete will be displayed. After a screen is displayed indicating that the download of information related to the content of the third category has not yet been completed, if the download of information related to the content of the third category is completed, a display based on the information related to the content of the third category will be executed. The program according to feature 1.

10. The program according to claim 9, characterized in that, when an area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected while the download of information related to the content of the third category has been completed, a display based on the information related to the content of the third category is performed without displaying a screen indicating that the download of information related to the content of the third category has not yet been completed.

11. The information related to the content of the third category includes a thumbnail image corresponding to the content of the third category. The display based on information related to the content of the third category is the display of a thumbnail image corresponding to the content of the third category. The program according to feature 1.

12. The content in the third category mentioned above includes multiple pieces of content, The display based on information related to the content of the third category is the display of multiple thumbnail images corresponding to each of the multiple contents included in the content of the third category. The program according to feature 11.

13. The program according to claim 12, characterized in that the information processing device is further configured to function as a second download step, downloading content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image to the information processing device after one of the plurality of thumbnail images has been selected.

14. The program according to claim 13, characterized in that the information relating to the content of the third category includes information for downloading the content of the third category to the information processing device.

15. The aforementioned information processing device A third display control step, after one of the plurality of thumbnail images is selected, displays a print settings screen based on the content downloaded to the information processing device corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. After the print settings screen is displayed, a transmission step is performed in which a print job is sent to the printing device to cause the printing device to perform printing based on the content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. The program according to claim 13, characterized in that it further functions as such.

16. After one of the aforementioned thumbnail images is selected, print settings information for printing the content corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is downloaded. The print settings screen is further displayed based on the print settings information. The program according to feature 15.

17. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined download order is controlled so that information related to content in categories corresponding to functions that are used more frequently in the program is downloaded more quickly.

18. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the content in the first category, the content in the second category, and the content in the third category includes content in at least one of the following categories: photo layouts, passport photos, disc labels, cards, calendars, stickers, business cards, collages, scrapbooks, and posters.

19. An information processing device, A first download means downloads information related to content in a first category, information related to content in a second category, and information related to content in a third category to the information processing device in a predetermined download order. A first display control means for displaying a plurality of areas, including an area corresponding to the content of the first category, an area corresponding to the content of the second category, and an area corresponding to the content of the third category, When any of the aforementioned multiple areas is selected, a second display control means performs a display based on information that is related to the content of the category corresponding to the selected area and has been downloaded to the information processing device. It has, The order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the first category is the first order, the order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the second category is the second order, which is later than the first order, and the order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the third category is the third order, which is later than the first and second orders. If, while information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the download of information related to the content of the second category and the content related to the content of the third category is not yet complete, an area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, the system is controlled to ensure that the download of the information related to the content of the third category is performed before the download of the information related to the content of the second category. If information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the downloads of information related to the content of the second category and the content of the third category are not yet complete, and no area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, the system is controlled to download the information related to the content of the second category before the information related to the content of the third category. An information processing device characterized by the following:

20. A method for controlling an information processing device, A first download step involves downloading information related to content in a first category, information related to content in a second category, and information related to content in a third category to the information processing device in a predetermined download order. A first display control step that displays a plurality of areas including an area corresponding to the content of the first category, an area corresponding to the content of the second category, and an area corresponding to the content of the third category, If any of the aforementioned multiple areas is selected, a second display control step is performed to perform a display based on information that is related to the content of the category corresponding to the selected area and has been downloaded to the information processing device. It has, The order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the first category is the first order, the order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the second category is the second order, which is later than the first order, and the order based on the predetermined download sequence corresponding to the information related to the content of the third category is the third order, which is later than the first and second orders. If, while information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the download of information related to the content of the second category and the content related to the content of the third category is not yet complete, an area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, the system is controlled to ensure that the download of the information related to the content of the third category is performed before the download of the information related to the content of the second category. If information related to the content of the first category is being downloaded, and the downloads of information related to the content of the second category and the content of the third category are not yet complete, and no area corresponding to the content of the third category is selected, the system is controlled to download the information related to the content of the second category before the information related to the content of the third category. A control method characterized by the following:

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