Application program for terminal device, method for controlling terminal device, and terminal device

Abstract

To provide a novel technique for transmitting relevant information about a communication device to the outside.SOLUTION: An application program causes a computer of a terminal device to function as the following units: an acquisition unit that acquires flag information related to a first communication device, where the flag information indicates either a first value or a second value; a first display control unit that displays a first screen on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, where the first display control unit displays the first screen including a first object on the display unit when the flag information indicates the first value, and displays the first screen not including the first object on the display unit when the flag information indicates the second value; and a processing execution unit that executes a first process to transmit relevant information related to the first communication device to the outside when the first object included in the first screen is operated by a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a technique for externally transmitting relevant information about a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for sending print log information to the outside. In this technique, the host computer accepts the registration of an email address in a print setting dialog. The printer then sends an email to the registered email address when printing is complete, when an error occurs, etc. Patent Document 1 also describes that a message may be displayed on the host computer to inquire of the user whether or not to send an email when printing is complete, when an error occurs, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-259383 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Provided herein are novel techniques for externally transmitting relevant information about a communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses an application program for a terminal device. The application program may cause a computer of the terminal device to function as the following units, that is, an acquisition unit that acquires flag information related to a first communication device, the flag information indicating either a first value or a second value, a first display control unit that displays a first screen on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the first display control unit that displays the first screen including a first object related to the first communication device on the display unit when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value, and displays the first screen not including the first object on the display unit when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the second value, and a process execution unit that executes a first process for transmitting related information related to the first communication device to an outside when the first object included in the first screen is operated by a user.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the terminal device displays a first screen when a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the flag information indicates a first value, the first screen includes a first object. When the first object is selected by a user, the terminal device executes a first process and can transmit related information related to the first communication device to the outside. On the other hand, when the flag information indicates a second value, the first screen does not include the first object. In this way, a novel technique for transmitting related information related to a communication device to the outside is realized.

[0007] A computer-readable recording medium that stores the above application program, a terminal device itself that is realized by the above application program, and a method for controlling a terminal device are also novel and useful. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system. [Diagram 2]13 is a flowchart of a process executed by a management application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of processes executed between devices. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of cases A-1 and A-2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of cases B-1 and B-2. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of case C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a terminal 10, an administrator terminal 50, and a plurality of printers 100A to 100C. The devices 10, 50, and 100A to 100C are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) 4. The LAN 4 may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. This specification discloses a technique for the terminal 10 to transmit information about the printers 100A to 100C to the administrator terminal 50.

[0010] (Terminal 10 Configuration) The terminal 10 is a terminal device such as a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, or a tablet PC. The terminal 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 16, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line. In the following, the interface is referred to as "I / F".

[0011] The operation unit 12 is an I / F that enables a user to input various information to the terminal 10, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various information to the terminal 10 via the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The communication I / F 16 is connected to the LAN 4.

[0012] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, a RAM and a cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), or a ROM, or a combination thereof. The OS program 40, the management application program 42, and the mailer program 44 are stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 32 realizes various processes according to the programs 40 to 44 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device. Hereinafter, the OS program 40, the management application program 42, and the mailer program 44 will be referred to as the "OS 40," the "management application 42," and the "mailer 44," respectively.

[0013] The OS 40 controls the basic operation of the terminal 10. The management application 42 manages a plurality of managed devices including the printers 100A-100C. The management application 42 stores a destination email address MA that is the destination of an email containing information about the printers. As described below, the destination email address MA is an email address set in the administrator terminal 50 (i.e., the administrator's email address). The mailer 44 sends and receives emails.

[0014] (Configuration of Administrator Terminal 50) The administrator terminal 50 is a terminal device such as a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet PC, etc. An email address MA is set in the administrator terminal 50.

[0015] (Printer 100A Configuration) The printer 100A is a peripheral device capable of executing a printing function, for example, a peripheral device of the terminal 10. In a modified example, the printer 100A may be a multi-function device capable of executing a scanning function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to a printing function. The printer 100A is a model having a model name MN1. A serial number SN1A, which is information for identifying the printer 100A, is assigned to the printer 100A. The printer 100A includes an operation unit 112, a communication I / F 116, a print engine 118, and a control unit 130. Each unit 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line. As described above, the printer 100A of the model having the model name MN1 does not include a display (i.e., a display unit).

[0016] The operation unit 112 is an I / F that enables a user to input various information to the printer 100A, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various information to the printer 100 via the operation unit 112. The communication I / F 116 is connected to the LAN 4. The print engine 118 includes, for example, an inkjet, laser, or thermal printing mechanism.

[0017] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, a RAM and a cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, an SSD, or a ROM, or a combination thereof. A program 140 is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 132 realizes various processes according to the program 140 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0018] The memory 134 further stores a notification flag. The notification flag indicates either "ON", which corresponds to the fact that related information about the printer 100A should be sent to the outside (the administrator terminal 50 in this embodiment), or "OFF", which corresponds to the fact that related information should not be sent to the outside. In a situation where a paid service for sending related information is used by the printer 100A, the notification flag indicates "ON". On the other hand, in a situation where the above service is not used by the printer 100A, the notification flag indicates "OFF".

[0019] (Configuration of Printer 100B) The configuration of the printer 100B is similar to the configuration of the printer 100A, except that the printer 100B is assigned a serial number SN1B, that is, the printer 100B also does not have a display.

[0020] (Printer 100C Configuration) Printer 100C is a model having a model name MN2. Printer 100C is assigned a serial number SN2C. Printer 100C further includes a display unit 114 in addition to the components 112, 116-140 of printer 100A. Display unit 114 is a display for displaying various information. That is, printer 100C, which is a model having a model name MN2, includes a display (i.e., display unit 114).

[0021] (Processing of management app 42; Figure 2) Next, a process realized by the CPU 32 of the terminal 10 executing the management application 42 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The management application 42 is started in the background when the power supply of the terminal 10 is turned on. The management application 42 starts the process of Fig. 2 when it is triggered by being started in the background (i.e., the terminal 10 is started).

[0022] In S10, the CPU 32 monitors whether a predetermined timing has arrived. The predetermined timing is, for example, a timing when a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the previous process of S12. The CPU 32 may also determine that the predetermined timing has arrived even if the process of S12 has not been executed even once since the management application 42 was started.

[0023] In S12, the CPU 32 transmits a polling signal to each of the multiple printers to be managed (printers 100 to 100C in this embodiment) via the communication I / F 16, and receives status information indicating the status of the printer from each of the multiple printers. The management application 42 stores information (e.g., IP address, node name, etc.) for transmitting a polling signal to each of the multiple printers to be managed. The status information includes the model name of the printer that sent the message, the serial number of the printer that sent the message, remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of color material in the color material cartridge installed in the printer that sent the message, and a notification flag of the printer that sent the message. If an error (e.g., paper jam, out of paper, out of color material, color material cartridge not installed error, communication error, etc.) occurs in the printer that sent the message, the status information includes error information indicating the error. In a modified example, the status information may include, in addition to the above information, information indicating the communication status of the printer, information indicating the usage history of the printer (e.g., cumulative number of printed sheets), etc.

[0024] In S14, the CPU 32 determines whether or not there is a printer in which an error has occurred. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines whether or not status information including error information has been received among the status information already received in S12. If status information including error information has not been received, the CPU 32 determines NO in S14 and returns to the monitoring process of S10. On the other hand, if status information including error information has been received, the CPU 32 determines YES in S14 and proceeds to S30. Hereinafter, the status information including error information and the printer that sent the status information will be referred to as the "target status information" and the "target printer", respectively.

[0025] Furthermore, in S20, the CPU 32 monitors whether a management screen display operation is received from the user. The operation is an operation for displaying a management screen generated by the management application 42, for example, an operation for selecting an icon of the management application 42. Although details will be described later, when the management application 42 receives the operation, it displays the management screen. Therefore, the operation can also be said to be an operation for operating the management application 42, which operates in the background, in the foreground. When the CPU 32 determines that the operation has been received from the user (YES in S20), the process proceeds to S22. On the other hand, when the CPU 32 determines that the operation has not been received (NO in S20), the process returns to the monitoring process of S10.

[0026] In S22, the CPU 32 sends a status request to the one specific printer via the communications I / F 16. Here, if YES is selected in S20, the "one specific printer" is the printer designated as the default. As will be described in more detail below, if "device change acceptance" is selected in S52, the "one specific printer" is the printer identified by the serial number that has been designated by the user. Hereinafter, the one specific printer will also be referred to as the "target printer."

[0027] In S24, CPU 32 determines whether or not status information has been received from the target printer via communications I / F 16. If CPU 32 has received status information from the target printer (YES in S24), it proceeds to S30. Hereinafter, status information received from the target printer will also be referred to as "target status information." On the other hand, if CPU 32 has not received status information from the target printer even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing of S22, it determines NO in S24 and proceeds to S42.

[0028] In S30, the CPU 32 determines whether the notification flag of the target printer indicates ON or OFF. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines whether the notification flag in the target status information indicates ON or OFF. If the notification flag indicates ON (YES in S30), the CPU 32 proceeds to S32, and if the notification flag indicates OFF (NO in S30), the CPU 32 proceeds to S42.

[0029] In S32, the CPU 32 determines whether the target printer has a display unit. Specifically, the CPU 32 identifies the model name in the target status information. Here, the terminal 10 stores information indicating, for each of a plurality of model names, whether the printer having the model name is a model with a display unit or a model without a display unit. The CPU 32 determines whether the target printer has a display unit based on the model name in the target status information and the above information. If the CPU 32 determines that the target printer does not have a display unit (NO in S32), it proceeds to S40, and if the CPU 32 determines that the target printer has a display unit (YES in S32), it proceeds to S42.

[0030] In S40, the CPU 32 generates a management screen including a notification button B3. Specifically, the CPU 32 arranges a close button B1, a device selection object O1, a remaining amount object O2, and a notification button B3 on the management screen. The close button B1 is a button for terminating the display of the management screen. The device selection object O1 is an object for accepting, from the user, the selection of a serial number for identifying a printer to be managed, and includes a button B2. The user can select one serial number from a plurality of serial numbers by selecting the button B2 in the device selection object O1. At the stage when the management screen is generated, the serial number of the target printer is described in the device selection object O1. The remaining amount object O2 is an object indicating remaining amount information included in the target status information. Therefore, the user can know the remaining amount of color material in the color material cartridge installed in the target printer by looking at the management screen. The management screen SC1 of FIG. 2 includes a remaining amount object O2 for the remaining amount of the color material color "black," but may also include remaining amount objects for the remaining amounts of other color materials (e.g., "cyan," "magenta," and "yellow") in addition to or instead of this. The notification button B3 is a button for sending relevant information about the target printer to the administrator. Furthermore, when the target status information includes error information, the CPU 32 places information indicating the content of the error indicated by the error information (the character string "Paper Low Tray 1" in the example of FIG. 2) on the management screen. Therefore, the user can know the error that has occurred in the target printer by looking at the management screen.

[0031] In S42, the CPU 32 generates a management screen that does not include the notification button B3. The specific processing is the same as the processing in S40, except that a screen that does not include the notification button B3 is generated. Note that in S42 after NO in S24, the CPU 32 may generate a management screen that includes information indicating that status information was not received from the target printer (for example, the character string "offline"), instead of the remaining amount object O2.

[0032] In S50, the CPU 32 causes the display unit 14 to display the management screen generated in S40 or S42.

[0033] In S52, the CPU 32 monitors whether an operation is accepted on the management screen. If the close button B1 is selected ("X button selected" in S52), the CPU 32 returns to the monitoring process of S10. If the button B2 in the device selection object O1 is selected and one serial number is selected ("device change accepted" in S52), the CPU 32 proceeds to S22. Also, if the notification button B3 is selected ("notification button selected" in S52), the CPU 32 proceeds to S54.

[0034] At S54, the CPU 32 supplies a mailer startup instruction to the mailer 44. The startup instruction includes an instruction to generate an e-mail including the status of the target printer. The generation instruction includes the stored destination e-mail address MA. As a result, the mailer 44 generates an e-mail addressed to the administrator e-mail address MA and including the status of the target printer, and transmits the e-mail to the administrator terminal 50, as will be described in detail later.

[0035] (Processing performed between each device; Figure 3) Next, referring to FIG. 3, the process executed between each device will be described. In the following, for ease of understanding, the process executed by the CPU (e.g., 32, 132) of each device (e.g., terminal 10, printers 100A to 100C) will be described as the subject of the process, rather than each CPU being described as the subject of the process. In particular, when describing the process realized by CPU 32 executing management application 42, management application 42 will be described as the subject. Similarly, when describing the process realized by CPU 32 executing mailer 44, mailer 44 will be described as the subject. Also, communication between each device is executed via a communication I / F (e.g., 16, 116). Therefore, in the following description, when describing communication, the description "via a communication I / F" will be omitted.

[0036] At T10, an operation is executed to power on the terminal 10. In this case, at T12, the management application 42 is started in the background (trigger in FIG. 2). The management application 42 executes the monitoring processes of S10 and S20 in FIG. 2 until a predetermined timing arrives.

[0037] Thereafter, when a predetermined timing arrives (YES in S10 of FIG. 2), the management application 42 transmits a polling signal to each of the multiple printers 100A to 100C in T20 (S12).

[0038] When the printer 100A receives a polling signal from the terminal 10 in T20, the printer 100A transmits status information to the terminal 10 in T22. The status information includes the model name "MN1", the serial number "SN1A", remaining amount information, error information "Paper Low Tray 1", and a notification flag.

[0039] When printer 100B receives a polling signal from terminal 10 in T20, printer 100B transmits status information to terminal 10 in T24. The status information includes the model name "MN1", the serial number "SN1B", remaining amount information, and a notification flag.

[0040] When the printer 100C receives a polling signal from the terminal 10 in T20, the printer 100C transmits status information to the terminal 10 in T26. The status information includes the model name "MN2", the serial number "SN1C", remaining amount information, and a notification flag.

[0041] The management application 42 receives status information from each of the printers 100A to 100C in T22 to T26 (S12). In particular, in this case, the management application 42 receives status information including error information from the printer 100A (YES in S14).

[0042] (Case A-1; Figure 4) First, referring to FIG. 4, a case A-1 in which the notification flag of the printer 100A indicates "ON" will be described. Case A-1 is a continuation of FIG. 3. In case A-1, the management application 42 receives status information including error information and a notification flag "ON" from the printer 100A at T22 in FIG. 3 (YES at S14 and YES at S30 in FIG. 2). In addition, the management application 42 determines that the printer 100A does not have a display unit based on the model name "MN1" included in the status information already received from the printer 100A (NO at S32). In this case, the management application 42 generates a management screen SC1 including a notification button B3 (S40), and displays the generated management screen SC1 on the display unit 14 at T30 (S50).

[0043] In T40, the management application 42 receives from the user the selection of the notification button B3 in the management screen SC1 ("Select notification button" in S52). In this case, the management application 42 generates a file F (e.g., a text file) representing the received status information. Then, in T50, the CPU 32 supplies a mailer start instruction to the mailer 44 for starting the mailer 44. The mailer start instruction includes an instruction to generate an e-mail that includes the stored destination email address MA and the generated file F. In file F, the model name "MN1", the serial number "SN1A", the remaining color material amount "RA" indicated by the remaining amount information, and the error "Paper Low Tray 1" are written.

[0044] When a mailer start instruction is provided from the management application 42 in T50, the mailer 44 is started in T60. Then, the mailer 44 generates an email EM in T62 according to the email generation instruction included in the mailer start instruction. The email EM includes the destination email address MA as the destination address, and also includes the file F as an attachment.

[0045] When the mailer 44 receives a send operation (e.g., selection of a send button, not shown) from the user in T64 to send an email EM, the mailer 44 sends the email EM to the email address MA (i.e., the administrator terminal 50) in T66. The administrator can check the status of the printer 100A by looking at the file F attached to the email EM. In particular, in this case, the administrator can know that an error has occurred in the printer 100A.

[0046] (Case A-2; Figure 4) Next, referring to FIG. 4, a case A-2 in which the notification flag of the printer 100A indicates "OFF" will be described. Case A-2 is a continuation of FIG. 3. In case A-2, the management application 42 receives status information including error information and a notification flag "OFF" from the printer 100A at T22 in FIG. 3 (YES at S14, NO at S30 in FIG. 2). In this case, the management application 42 generates a management screen SC2 that does not include the notification button B3 (S42), and displays the generated management screen SC2 on the display unit 14 at T130 (S50). The management screen SC2 is similar to the management screen SC1 except that it does not include the notification button B3. As described above, in a situation in which the notification flag indicates "OFF", the user cannot use the service related to the transmission of related information about the printer 100A. Therefore, the unnecessary button B3 is prevented from being displayed.

[0047] (Case B-1; Figure 5) Next, a case will be described in which the serial number SN1B of the printer 100B is selected in the device selection object O1 in the management screen (for example, SC1). First, referring to FIG. 5, case B-1 is selected in which the notification flag of the printer 100B indicates "ON". Case B-1 is a continuation of FIG. 3. The process of T230 is the same as the process of T30 in FIG. 4.

[0048] In T240, the management application 42 accepts the selection of the button B2 of the device selection object O1 in the management screen SC1. In this case, a selection screen (not shown) including serial numbers of a plurality of printers to be managed (i.e., three serial numbers SN1A, SN1B, and SN2C in this case) is displayed. Then, in T240, the management application 42 accepts the selection of the serial number SN1B in the selection screen (S52 in FIG. 2, "Device change acceptance"). In this case, in T242, the management application 42 sends a status request to the printer 100B identified by the selected serial number SN1B (S22).

[0049] When the printer 100B receives a status request from the terminal 10 in T242, the printer 100B transmits status information to the terminal 10 in T244. In this case, since the notification flag of the printer 100B indicates "ON", the status information in T244 includes the notification flag "ON".

[0050] In T244, the management application 42 receives status information including a notification flag "ON" from the printer 100B (YES in S24, YES in S30). Furthermore, the management application 42 determines that the printer 100B has a display unit based on the model name "MN1" included in the status information already received from the printer 100B (YES in S32). In this case, the management application 42 generates a management screen SC3 including a notification button B3 (S40), and displays the management screen SC3 on the display unit 14 in T250 (S50). In the management screen SC3, the selected serial number SN1B is written in the device selection object O1. Furthermore, the remaining amount object O2 in the management screen SC3 indicates the remaining amount of colorant in the colorant cartridge installed in the printer 100B. Except for other points, the management screen SC3 is the same as the management screen SC1. Thereafter, the same processes as those in T40 to T66 in FIG. 4 are executed, and an email with an attached file indicating the status information of the printer 100B is sent to the administrator terminal 50.

[0051] (Case B-2; Figure 5) Next, referring to FIG. 5, case B-2 in which the notification flag of printer 100B indicates "OFF" is selected. Case B-2 is a continuation of FIG. 3. In case B-2, first, the same processes as those in T230 to T242 are executed. In T254, printer 100B transmits status information to terminal 10. In this case, since the notification flag of printer 100B indicates "OFF", the status information in T254 includes the notification flag "OFF".

[0052] In T254, the management application 42 receives status information including the notification flag "OFF" from the printer 100B (YES in S24, NO in S30). In this case, the management application 42 generates a management screen SC4 that does not include the notification button B3 (S42), and in T260, displays the management screen SC4 on the display unit 14 (S50). The management screen SC4 is similar to the management screen SC3, except that it does not include the notification button B3.

[0053] (Case C; Figure 6) Next, case C will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Case C is a case in which status information including error information is received from printer 100C equipped with display unit 114. In case C, first, processes similar to T10 to T20 in FIG. 3 are executed. The process of T322 is similar to the process of T22 in FIG. 3, except that the status information does not include error information. In addition, a process similar to the process of T24 in FIG. 3 is executed. In addition, the process of T326 is similar to the process of T26 in FIG. 3, except that the status information includes error information.

[0054] (Case C-1; Figure 6) First, referring to FIG. 6, a case C-1 in which the notification flag of the printer 100C indicates "ON" will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 100C, when powered on, displays a screen including various buttons B10 to B12 on the display unit 114. The user can cause the printer 100C to print the image to be printed by selecting the print button B10 and specifying image data representing the image to be printed. The user can also cause the printer 100C to copy the document by placing a document on the printer 100C and selecting the copy button B11.

[0055] In addition, since the notification flag of the printer 100C indicates "ON", the above screen includes a notification button B12. By selecting the notification button B12, the user can transmit related information about the printer 100C to an external device (for example, the administrator terminal 50) (for example, transmit an e-mail including the related information).

[0056] In case C-1, the management application 42 receives from the printer 100C in T326 status information including error information and a notification flag "ON" (YES in S14 and YES in S30 in FIG. 2). The management application 42 also determines that the printer 100C has a display unit based on the model name "MN2" included in the status information already received from the printer 100C (YES in S32). In this case, the management application 42 generates a management screen SC5 that does not include a notification button B3 (S42), and displays the generated management screen SC5 on the display unit 14 in T330 (S50). In the management screen SC5, the serial number SN2C of the printer 100C in which the error has occurred is described in the device selection object O1. Furthermore, the remaining amount object O2 in the management screen SC5 indicates the remaining amount of colorant in the colorant cartridge installed in the printer 100C. Furthermore, the management screen SC5 does not include the notification button B3.

[0057] As described above, the printer 100C equipped with the display unit 114 displays a screen including the notification button B12 on the display unit 114. For example, in a situation where an error occurs in the printer 100C, the user may select the notification button B12 displayed on the printer 100C. That is, the user can notify the administrator even if the management screen including the notification button B3 is not generated by the management application 42. Therefore, the display of the unnecessary button B3 is suppressed.

[0058] (Case C-2; Figure 6) Next, a case C-2 in which the notification flag of the printer 100C indicates "OFF" will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In case C-2, the management application 42 receives status information including error information and the notification flag "OFF" from the printer 100C in T326 (YES in S14 and NO in S30 in Fig. 2). In this case, the management application 42 generates a management screen SC5 that does not include the notification button B3 (S42), and displays the generated management screen SC5 on the display unit 14 in T340 (S50).

[0059] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the management application 42 receives status information including error information from the printer 100A (T22 in FIG. 3), it displays the management screen SC1 or the management screen SC2 (T30 or T130 in FIG. 4). Specifically, when the notification flag indicates "ON" (case A-1), the management application 42 displays the management screen SC1 including the notification button B3 (T30). Then, when the notification button B3 is operated by the user (T40), the management application 42 supplies a mailer startup instruction to the mailer 44 (T50) and causes the mailer 44 to transmit an email EM including a file F indicating the status of the printer 100A (T60 to T66). On the other hand, when the notification flag indicates "OFF" (case A-2), the management application 42 displays the management screen SC2 not including the notification button B3 (T130). In this manner, a novel technique for transmitting status information of a printer (eg, printer 100A) to an external device (eg, administrator terminal 50) is realized.

[0060] (Correspondence) The terminal 10 is an example of a "terminal device". The management application 42 and the mailer 44 are examples of an "application program" and a "mailer program", respectively. In cases A-1, A-2, B-1, and B-2, the printer 100A is an example of a "first communication device". In case C, the printer 100C is an example of a "first communication device". The printer 100B is an example of a "second communication device". The three printers 100A to 100C are an example of a "plurality of communication devices". The three serial numbers SN1A to SN2C are an example of a "plurality of identification information". The notification flag is an example of "flag information". The notification flag "ON" and the notification flag "OFF" are examples of a "first value" and a "second value", respectively. The notification button B3 is an example of a "first (and second) object". The device selection object O1 and the remaining amount object O2 are examples of a "selection object" and a "status object", respectively. The management screen SC1 displayed at T30 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "first screen including a first object". The management screen SC2 displayed at T130 in FIG. 4 is an example of a "first screen not including a first object". The file F representing the status of the printer 100A is an example of "related information related to a first communication device". The management screen SC3 displayed at T250 in FIG. 5 is an example of a "second screen including a second object". The management screen SC4 displayed at T260 in FIG. 5 is an example of a "second screen not including a second object". The character string "Paper Low Tray 1" in the management screen SC1 is an example of "error information". The model name "MN1" included in the status information at T22 in FIG. 3 is an example of "model information". The model with the model name MN1 and the model with the model name MN2 are examples of the "first model" and the "second model", respectively. In case C, the management screen SC5 displayed in T330 in Fig. 6 is an example of a "first screen not including a first object". The process of T50 in Fig. 4 and the process of T50 in Fig. 4 cited in Fig. 5 are examples of a "first process" and a "second process", respectively. A YES determination in S14 in Fig. 2 or a YES determination in S20 is an example of "a predetermined condition being satisfied".

[0061] The processes of S12 and S24 in FIG. 2 are examples of processes executed by an "acquisition unit," a "first receiving unit," and a "second receiving unit." The process of S50 is an example of a process executed by a "first (and second) display control unit." In particular, the processes of T30 and T130 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "first display control unit," and the processes of T250 and T260 in FIG. 5 are examples of processes executed by a "second display control unit." The process of S54 in FIG. 2 is an example of a process executed by a "processing execution unit."

[0062] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0063] (Variation 1) The status information transmitted from each of the printers 100A to 100C to the terminal 10 may not include a notification flag. In this case, for example, the management application 42 may store the notification flag of each of the printers 100A to 100C when the printers 100A to 100C are registered as printers to be managed. The notification flag may be received from each printer, or may be a value input by the user. In this variation, the process of acquiring (i.e., receiving or inputting) the notification flag when registering each of the printers 100A to 100C as printers to be managed is an example of a process executed by the "acquisition unit". In another variation, the communication system 2 may include a management server (not shown) that manages a plurality of printers including the printers 100A to 100C. Then, the management application 42 may receive the notification flag of each of the printers 100A to 100C from the management server. In this variation, the process of receiving the notification flag from the management server is an example of a process executed by the "acquisition unit".

[0064] (Variation 2) The information included in the file F attached to the e-mail is not limited to the information in the above embodiment. For example, the file F may include, in addition to or instead of the information in the above embodiment, for example, printer operation log information or error information, or a combination of these. The operation log information may include, for example, the printer's cumulative operation time, the cumulative number of printed pages, or a combination of these. The error information may include, for example, paper jam, out of paper, out of coloring material, coloring material cartridge not installed error, communication error, etc., or a combination of these. In this variation, the file F including these pieces of information is an example of "related information". In another variation, the file F may include only a serial number. By looking at the file F, the administrator can recognize, for example, which printer has an error. In this variation, a file including only a serial number is an example of "related information".

[0065] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the management application 42 transmits the status information to the administrator terminal 50 by executing a process for transmitting an email EM to which a file F representing the status information is attached to the administrator terminal 50. In a variation, the management application 42 may supply a mailer startup instruction to the mailer 44 including information instructing the mailer 44 to describe the status information in the body of the email without generating a file F at T50 in FIG. 4. As a result, the mailer 44 may transmit an email to the administrator terminal 50 in which the status is described in the body of the email. In another variation, the management application 42 may transmit the status information to the administrator terminal 50 according to a communication protocol such as HTTPS. In this variation, the process of transmitting the status information to the administrator terminal 50 according to the communication protocol is an example of the "first process".

[0066] (Modification 4) The management screen (e.g., SC1) may not include the remaining amount object O2. Generally speaking, the "first screen" may not include the "status object." In this modification, the "first receiving unit" may be omitted.

[0067] (Modification 5) The management screen (e.g., SC1) may not include the device selection object O1. Generally speaking, the "first screen" may not include the "selection object." In this modification, the "second display control unit" may be omitted.

[0068] (Variation 6) The management application 42 can omit the processes of S10 to S14 in Fig. 2. In this case, when an error occurs in each of the printers to be managed, the printers may spontaneously transmit status information including the error information to the terminal 10 without receiving a polling signal from the terminal 10. When status information including the error information is received from a printer, the management application 42 may determine that an error has occurred in that printer.

[0069] (Variation 7) The management application 42 can omit the process of S32 in Fig. 2. That is, the management application 42 can generate a management screen including the notification button B3 when the notification flag of the target printer indicates "ON", regardless of whether the target printer has a display unit or not. In this variation, the "second receiving unit" can be omitted.

[0070] (Variation 8) Even if the target printer has a display unit (i.e., YES in S32 of FIG. 2), the management application 42 may generate a management screen including the notification button B3 if the display unit of the target printer is relatively small. That is, the management application 42 may generate a management screen that does not include the notification button B3 if the target printer has a relatively large display unit, and may generate a management screen that includes the notification button B3 if the target printer has a relatively small display unit or does not have a display unit. Here, the "relatively large display unit" means, for example, that the display unit of the target printer has a size sufficient to display the notification button B12 (see FIG. 6). Also, the "relatively small display unit" means, for example, that the display unit of the target printer does not have a size sufficient to display the notification button B12 (see FIG. 6). For example, a specific example of the "relatively small display unit" is a liquid crystal panel that can only display about one to two lines of text. In this variation, a model with a relatively small display unit is an example of a "first model", and a model with a relatively large display unit is an example of a "second model".

[0071] (Variation 9) In the above embodiment, for example, as shown at T22 in Fig. 3, the management application 42 receives status information including a notification flag, remaining amount information, and model name "MN1" from the printer 100A. That is, in the above embodiment, the process executed by the "acquisition unit", the process executed by the "first reception unit", and the process executed by the "second reception unit" are executed at the same timing. In the variation, these processes may be executed at different timings.

[0072] (Variation 10) In the above embodiment, the processing of each step in Figures 2 to 6 is realized by software (e.g., OS 40, management application 42, mailer 44, program 144), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0073] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings have technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives is itself technically useful.

[0074] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing of this patent application, even if each claim is dependent on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can be dependent on only those some of the claims. Each claim can also be dependent on other claims that are not dependent on it at the time of filing to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) An application program for a terminal device, The terminal device computer is composed of the following parts: an acquisition unit that acquires flag information related to a first communication device, the flag information indicating either a first value or a second value; a first display control unit that displays a first screen on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, displaying, on the display unit, the first screen including a first object related to the first communication device when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value; when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the second value, causing the display unit to display the first screen not including the first object. The first display control unit; a process execution unit that executes a first process for transmitting associated information about the first communication device to an outside when the first object included in the first screen is operated by a user; An application program that acts as a (Item 2) The application program further causes the computer to functioning as a first receiving unit that receives status information indicating a status of the first communication device from the first communication device; The first display control unit is when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value, displaying on the display unit the first screen including the first object and a status object indicating a status indicated by the status information; when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the second value, displaying the first screen including the status object and not including the first object on the display unit. Item 1. The application program according to item 1. (Item 3) the first screen further includes a selection object for selecting one piece of identification information from a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying a plurality of communication devices including the first communication device; The acquisition unit acquires, for each of the plurality of communication devices, the flag information related to the communication device; The application program further causes the computer to a second display control unit that displays a second screen on the display unit when identification information identifying a second communication device different from the first communication device is selected from the plurality of pieces of identification information in the selection object included in the first screen, displaying, on the display unit, the second screen including a second object related to the second communication device when the flag information related to the second communication device indicates the first value; displaying, on the display unit, the second screen not including the second object when the flag information related to the second communication device indicates the second value; The second display control unit; Functioning as a The application program according to item 1 or 2, wherein the processing execution unit further executes a second processing for transmitting related information regarding the second communication device to the outside when the second object included in the second screen is operated by the user. (Item 4) the predetermined condition is satisfied when it is detected that an error has occurred in the first communication device; 4. The application program according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the first screen includes error information indicating an error that has occurred in the first communication device. (Item 5) The application program further causes the computer to functioning as a second receiving unit that receives model information indicating a model of the first communication device from the first communication device; The first display control unit is displaying the first screen including the first object on the display unit when the model information indicates a first model and the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value; when the model information indicates a second model different from the first model and the flag information regarding the first communication device indicates the first value, causing the display unit to display the first screen not including the first object. 5. The application program according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) The first model is a model that does not include a display unit, 6. The application program according to item 5, wherein the second model is a model equipped with a display unit. (Item 7) 7. The application program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first process includes a process for causing a mailer program different from the application program to send an email including relevant information regarding the first communication device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2: communication system, 4: LAN, 10: terminal, 12, 112: operation unit, 14, 114: display unit, 16, 116: communication I / F, 30, 130: control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: memory, 40: OS program, 42: management application, 44: mailer, 50: administrator terminal, 100A to 100C: printer, 118: print engine, 140: program

Claims

1. An application program for a terminal device, The terminal device computer is composed of the following parts: an acquisition unit that acquires flag information related to a first communication device, the flag information indicating either a first value or a second value; a first display control unit that displays a first screen on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, displaying, on the display unit, the first screen including a first object related to the first communication device when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value; when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the second value, causing the display unit to display the first screen not including the first object. The first display control unit; a process execution unit that executes a first process for transmitting related information about the first communication device to an outside when the first object included in the first screen is operated by a user; An application program that acts as a

2. The application program further causes the computer to a first receiving unit that receives status information indicating a status of the first communication device from the first communication device; The first display control unit is when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value, displaying the first screen including the first object and a status object indicating a status indicated by the status information on the display unit; when the flag information regarding the first communication device indicates the second value, causing the display unit to display the first screen including the status object and not including the first object.

2. The application program according to claim 1.

3. the first screen further includes a selection object for selecting one piece of identification information from a plurality of pieces of identification information for identifying a plurality of communication devices including the first communication device; The acquisition unit acquires, for each of the plurality of communication devices, the flag information related to the communication device; The application program further causes the computer to a second display control unit that displays a second screen on the display unit when identification information identifying a second communication device different from the first communication device is selected from the plurality of pieces of identification information in the selection object included in the first screen, displaying, on the display unit, the second screen including a second object related to the second communication device when the flag information related to the second communication device indicates the first value; when the flag information related to the second communication device indicates the second value, causing the display unit to display the second screen not including the second object. The second display control unit; Functioning as a 2. The application program of claim 1, wherein the processing execution unit further executes a second process for transmitting related information regarding the second communication device to an outside when the second object included in the second screen is operated by the user.

4. the predetermined condition is satisfied when it is detected that an error has occurred in the first communication device; The application program according to claim 1 , wherein the first screen includes error information indicating an error that has occurred in the first communication device.

5. The application program further causes the computer to functioning as a second receiving unit that receives model information indicating a model of the first communication device from the first communication device; The first display control unit is displaying the first screen including the first object on the display unit when the model information indicates a first model and the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value; when the model information indicates a second model different from the first model and the flag information regarding the first communication device indicates the first value, causing the display unit to display the first screen not including the first object.

2. The application program according to claim 1.

6. The first model is a model that does not include a display unit, The application program according to claim 5 , wherein the second model is a model including a display unit.

7. 2. The application program according to claim 1, wherein the first process includes a process for causing a mailer program different from the application program to send an e-mail including relevant information regarding the first communication device.

8. 1. A method for controlling a terminal device, comprising: acquiring flag information relating to a first communication device, the flag information indicating either a first value or a second value; a first display control step of displaying a first screen on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, displaying, on the display unit, the first screen including a first object related to the first communication device when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value; when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the second value, causing the display unit to display the first screen not including the first object. the first display control step; a process execution step of executing a first process for transmitting related information about the first communication device to an outside when the first object included in the first screen is operated by a user; A method comprising:

9. A terminal device, an acquisition unit that acquires flag information related to a first communication device, the flag information indicating either a first value or a second value; a first display control unit that displays a first screen on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined condition is satisfied, displaying, on the display unit, the first screen including a first object related to the first communication device when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the first value; when the flag information related to the first communication device indicates the second value, causing the display unit to display the first screen not including the first object. The first display control unit; a process execution unit that executes a first process for transmitting related information about the first communication device to an outside when the first object included in the first screen is operated by a user; A terminal device comprising:

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