Information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus which allows a user to retrieve a printing device suitable for printing of an image desired by the user.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a control unit. The control unit receives a print medium kind information indicating a kind of a print medium on which an image is to be printed, and, based on the received print medium kind information, displays, on a display unit, printing apparatus information indicating each of one or more printing apparatuses satisfying a condition relating to the kind.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an information processing apparatus capable of searching for a multifunction peripheral capable of printing an image that a user desires to print, among multifunction peripherals that exist in the vicinity of a user's current location. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-111580 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An information processing device such as that described in Patent Document 1 can collect information indicating usable paper, printing costs, and the presence or absence of malfunctions in each of a plurality of multifunction devices connected to a network, and provide the information to a user. However, with this information processing device, a user must determine for himself or herself which multifunction device is suitable for printing the image, based on the information provided by the information processing device.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program that enable a user to search for a printing device suitable for printing an image that the user desires. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device according to the embodiment has a control unit that receives print medium type information indicating a type of print medium on which an image is to be printed, and causes a display unit to display printing device information indicating one or more printing devices that satisfy a condition related to the type based on the received print medium type information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the types of print media set in each paper feed cassette of a certain printing device 20. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a target printing device list display image. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a map displayed by the first information processing device when the first information processing device accepts an operation via a button BA shown in FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device 30. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in which a first information processing apparatus displays a target printing apparatus list display image. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of processing in which the server 10 that has acquired search information outputs registration information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An information processing system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. As an example of the information processing system according to the embodiment, an information processing system 1 will be described.

[0009] (Configuration of Information Processing System) The configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1.

[0010] The information processing system 1 allows the user to search for a printing device suitable for printing an image desired by the user.

[0011] The information processing system 1 includes, for example, a server 10, N printing devices 20, and M information processing devices 30. N may be any integer as long as it is one or more. M may be any integer as long as it is one or more. Each of the N printing devices 20 is indicated by the same reference numeral for convenience of explanation. However, some or all of the N printing devices 20 may be different types of printing devices. In FIG. 1, three printing devices 20 are shown as an example of the N printing devices 20 to simplify the diagram. Each of the M information processing devices 30 is indicated by the same reference numeral for convenience of explanation. However, some or all of the M information processing devices 30 may be different types of information processing devices. In FIG. 1, one printing device 20 is shown as an example of the M information processing devices 30 to simplify the diagram.

[0012] In the information processing system 1, the server 10 is communicatively connected to each of the N printing devices 20 wirelessly or via a wired connection. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the server 10 is communicatively connected to each of the three printing devices 20 via a wired connection. The server 10 may communicate with some or all of the N printing devices 20 via different communication networks, or may communicate with each of the N printing devices 20 via the same communication network.

[0013] In the information processing system 1, the server 10 is connected to each of the M information processing devices 30 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly or wired. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the server 10 is connected to one information processing device 30 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. The server 10 may communicate with some or all of the M information processing devices 30 via different communication networks, or may communicate with each other via the same communication network.

[0014] As an example, a case will be described where these N printing devices 20 have already logged in to the server 10. That is, in this embodiment, a description will be omitted of processes related to logging in to the server 10 by these N printing devices 20. As an example, a case will be described where these M information processing devices 30 have already logged in to the server 10. That is, in this embodiment, a description will be omitted of processes related to logging in to the server 10 by these M information processing devices 30.

[0015] The server 10 accepts operations from each of the M information processing devices 30. For ease of explanation, the information processing device 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be referred to as a first information processing device. The process performed by the server 10 in response to an operation accepted from the first information processing device is the same as the process performed by the server 10 in response to an operation accepted from an information processing device 30 other than the first information processing device. As an example, the configuration of the server 10 will be explained by taking the process performed by the server 10 when an operation is accepted from the first information processing device as an example.

[0016] In the server 10, registration information for each of the N printing devices 20 is stored in advance.

[0017] The registration information for a certain printing device 20 is information in which printing device identification information, first printable medium type information, second printable medium type information, printing device location information, contact information, etc. for that printing device 20 are associated with each other.

[0018] The printing device identification information for a certain printing device 20 is information that identifies the printing device 20. The printing device identification information may be any information that can identify the printing device.

[0019] The first printable print medium type information for a certain printing device 20 is information indicating the type of print medium set in each of one or more paper feed cassettes provided in the printing device 20. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the type of print medium set in each paper feed cassette of a certain printing device 20. The printing device 20 shown in FIG. 2 has four paper feed cassettes. A clear file is set as the print medium in the topmost paper feed cassette of these four paper feed cassettes. A tapestry is set as the print medium in the second paper feed cassette of these four paper feed cassettes. A sticker is set as the print medium in the third paper feed cassette of these four paper feed cassettes. A colored paper is set as the print medium in the bottommost paper feed cassette of these four paper feed cassettes. The clear file, tapestry, sticker, and colored paper are examples of the type of print medium. A magnetic sheet is also set in the manual feed tray of the printing device 20. The information processing system 1 may be configured to treat the type of print medium set on the manual feed tray as the type of print medium set in each of one or more paper feed cassettes provided in the printing device 20. The information processing system 1 may be configured not to treat the type of print medium set on the manual feed tray as the type of print medium set in each of one or more paper feed cassettes provided in the printing device 20. For ease of explanation, the print media set in each paper feed cassette provided in a certain printing device 20 will be referred to as the print media set in the printing device 20.

[0020] The second printable print medium type information for a certain printing device 20 is information indicating the type of print medium provided to customers as a printable print medium by the printing device 20 in the facility where the printing device 20 is located. The facility is a store where the printing device 20 is located, a station where the printing device 20 is located, a university where the printing device 20 is located, a library where the printing device 20 is located, etc., but is not limited to these. In FIG. 2, the second printable print medium type information indicating the type of print medium provided to customers as a printable print medium by the printing device 20 in the facility where the printing device 20 shown in FIG. 2 is located is shown in a frame W. In the facility, clear files, magnetic sheets, tapestries, stickers, colored paper, and laser illumination are provided to customers as the types of printable print media by the printing device 20.

[0021] The difference between the first printable print medium type information and the second printable print medium type information for a certain printing device 20 indicates a certain type of print medium. The type of print medium is a type of print medium that is not set in the printing device 20 at the facility where the printing device 20 is located and is stored by the facility as a print medium that can be set in the printing device 20. The difference between the first printable print medium type information and the second printable print medium type information for the printing device 20 shown in FIG. 2 is laser illumination. In other words, laser illumination is an example of a type of print medium that is not set in the printing device 20 and is stored by the facility where the printing device 20 is installed as a print medium that can be set in the printing device 20.

[0022] The printing device location information for a certain printing device 20 is information that indicates the location of the printing device 20. The printing device location information may be information that indicates the location of the printing device 20 itself, or may be information that indicates the location of the facility in which the printing device 20 is located.

[0023] The contact information for a certain printing device 20 is information indicating contact information for two-way communication by messages, voice calls, etc. with an information processing device in the facility where the printing device 20 is located. For example, if the information processing device is a smartphone, the contact information may be, but is not limited to, an email address, an account for sending and receiving short messages, an SNS (Social Networking Service) account, a telephone number, etc.

[0024] Such registration information is registered in the server 10 via each printing device 20. In other words, when the server 10 acquires the registration information output from each printing device 20, the server 10 stores the acquired registration information.

[0025] When the server 10 acquires the search information from the first information processing device, the server 10 performs processing according to the acquired search information. The search information is information including print medium type information indicating a type of print medium desired by the user of the first information processing device as a type of print medium to be printed on an image. The print medium type information may be information indicating one type, or may be information indicating two or more types. The search information may be any information as long as it includes print medium type information. As an example, a case will be described in which print medium type information, current location information, and search range information are included in the search information. The current location information is information indicating the current location of the first information processing device. The search range information is information indicating the radius of a circular range centered on the current location indicated by the current location information. For convenience of explanation, the type of print medium desired by the user of the first information processing device as a type of print medium to be printed on an image will be referred to as a target type.

[0026] When the server 10 acquires the search information, the server 10 selects, as a target printing device, one or more printing devices 20 that satisfy a selection condition for the target type based on the print medium type information included in the acquired search information and the pre-stored registration information. The selection condition is, for example, a condition that includes the following two conditions, condition 1 and condition 2.

[0027] Condition 1: The target type of print medium is set in the printing device 20. Condition 2: The target type of printing media is stored as printing media that can be set in the printing device 20.

[0028] When the print medium type information indicates one target type, the server 10 determines that the selection condition is satisfied if at least one of the above conditions 1 and 2 is satisfied. When the print medium type information indicates two or more target types, the server 10 determines that the selection condition is satisfied if both conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied as follows. That is, the server 10 determines that the selection condition is satisfied if condition 1 is satisfied by a part of the print medium of each of the two or more target types, and condition 2 is satisfied by the other part of the print medium of each of the two or more target types. Each of the one or more target printing devices selected by such a selection condition is a printing device 20 installed in a facility that can perform printing using the type of print medium desired by the user of the first information processing device. As a result, the server 10 can select each of the one or more printing devices 20 suitable for printing an image desired by the user of the first information processing device as a target printing device.

[0029] The server 10 extracts a target printing device located in the vicinity of the first information processing device from among the one or more selected target printing devices. The target printing device located in the vicinity of the first information processing device is a target printing device located within a search range centered on the first information processing device. The search range is a circular range. The center position of the search range is the current location indicated by the current location information included in the search information received by the server 10. The radius of the search range is the radius indicated by the search range information included in the search information received by the server 10. If the number of extracted target printing devices is 0, the server 10 outputs information indicating that the target printing device is not located within the search range as registration information to the first information processing device. The information is, for example, null information, but is not limited to this. On the other hand, if the number of extracted target printing devices is one or more, the server 10 outputs the registration information of each of the extracted one or more target printing devices to the first information processing device as a response to the acquired search information. This allows the server 10 to output, to the first information processing device, registration information about the printing device 20 suitable for printing an image desired by the user of the first information processing device.

[0030] The printing device 20 is, for example, a multifunction device, but is not limited to this. The printing device 20 generates the above-mentioned registration information in response to the accepted operation, and outputs the generated registration information to the server 10. The process by which the printing device 20 generates the registration information may be any process.

[0031] The information processing device 30 is, for example, a multi-function mobile phone terminal (smartphone). Alternatively, the information processing device 30 may be another information processing device such as a tablet PC, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a desktop PC. As an example, the configuration of the information processing device 30 will be described taking the process performed by the first information processing device as an example.

[0032] The first information processing device displays an information reception image in response to the received operation, for example. The information reception image is an image that receives print medium type information and search range information. The information reception image may be any image as long as it is an image that can receive print medium type information and search range information. When the first information processing device receives print medium type information and search range information via the information reception image, the first information processing device specifies the current location of the first information processing device. The first information processing device generates search information including current location information indicating the specified current location and print medium type information and search range information received via the information reception image. The first information processing device outputs the generated search information to the server 10. The first information processing device acquires registration information for each of one or more target print media as a response from the server 10 to the search information output to the server 10. The first information processing device generates a target printing device list display image that displays information about each of one or more target printing devices based on the acquired one or more registration information. More specifically, the target printing device list display image is an image that displays a list of printing device information indicating each of one or more target printing devices. The printing device information indicating a certain target printing device may be any information including printing device position information for the target printing device. For example, the printing device information indicating a certain target printing device is information including printing device position information, distance information, first printable print medium type information, usable print medium type information, etc. for the target printing device. The distance information for the target printing device is information indicating the distance from the current position of the first information processing device to the position of the target printing device. The distance may be a straight-line distance or a distance along a movable route. The usable print medium type information for the target printing device is information indicating the difference between the first printable print medium type information and the second printable print medium type information for the target printing device.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a target printing device list display image. Image P shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a target printing device list display image. In the example shown in FIG. 3, information SD showing the target type shown by the print medium type information is displayed in image P. In this example, information SD shows two target types, a clear file and a magnetic sheet, as the target type shown by the print medium type information. In this example, a list of printing device information showing each of four target printing devices is displayed in image P. In image P shown in FIG. 3, for example, the target printing device located at "xxx store" is the printing device 20 that satisfies the above condition 1 and is 100 m away from the current position of the first information processing device. The types of printing media set in the target printing device are three types: a clear file, a magnetic sheet, and a sticker. In the facility where the target printing device is located, the types of printing media that are not set in the target printing device and are stored by the facility as printing media that can be set in the target printing device are two types: tapestry and colored paper. In the image P shown in FIG. 3, for example, the target printing device located at "zzz station" is a printing device 20 that satisfies both the above conditions 1 and 2, and is 1.2 km away from the current location of the first information processing device. The type of printing medium set in the target printing device is only one type, a clear file. In the facility where the target printing device is located, the type of printing medium that is not set in the target printing device and is stored by the facility as a printing medium that can be set in the target printing device is only one type, a magnetic sheet. By displaying such a target printing device list display image on the first information processing device, the user of the first information processing device can easily specify a printing device 20 suitable for printing an image desired by the user. In other words, the first information processing device can allow the user to search for a printing device 20 suitable for printing an image desired by the user.

[0034] Image P may further be an image that accepts an operation to select printing device information indicating a target printing device desired by the user from among the displayed printing device information. In FIG. 3, the printing device information selected by the operation is indicated by hatching. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the printing device information indicating the target printing device located at "yyy convenience store" is the printing device information selected by the user of the first information processing device. In other words, the target printing device located at "yyy convenience store" is an example of a target printing device desired by the user.

[0035] In the example shown in FIG. 3, an image P includes a button BA and a button BB as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that can be operated by a user.

[0036] The button BA is a button that accepts an operation to cause the first information processing device to display a map showing the positions of the target printing devices indicated by each of the one or more pieces of printing device information displayed in the image P. The map is a type of image displayed on the first information processing device, and is a map within a search range that includes the current position of the first information processing device. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the operation is accepted via the button BA, the first information processing device displays a map showing the positions of the target printing devices indicated by each of the four pieces of printing device information displayed in the image P.

[0037] The button BB is a button that accepts an operation to make an inquiry to a facility where a target printing device selected by a user from among the target printing devices indicated by each of one or more pieces of printing device information displayed in the image P is located. The inquiry is an inquiry as to whether or not a type of print medium stored in the facility is currently available. When the operation is accepted via the button BB, for example, the first information processing device identifies registration information about the target printing device. After identifying the registration information, the first information processing device transmits a predetermined message to the information processing device of the facility using a contact indicated by the contact information included in the identified registration information. The message is a message inquiring as to whether or not a type of print medium stored in the facility is currently available, for example, "Is the stored type of print medium currently available?", but is not limited to this. Such a message may be transmitted by a dedicated application program according to the contact, or may be transmitted by email, short message, SNS (Social Networking Service), or other method. Instead of transmitting such a message, the first information processing device may be configured to have the user make such an inquiry by, for example, a voice call. The first information processing device may be configured to transmit a predetermined voice instead of transmitting such a message. An example of a situation in which the stored type of print media is unavailable is a situation in which the stock of the stored type of print media is zero. An example of a situation in which the stored type of print media is unavailable is a situation in which an employee is unable to set the stored print media in the target printing device due to a busy time period. An example of a situation in which the stored type of print media is unavailable may instead be another situation in which the stored type of print media is unavailable.

[0038] The first information processing device may be configured to receive a response from the facility to the above inquiry by email, short message, SNS, etc., or by voice call. The response may be, for example, a message such as "We are currently out of stock," "Your desired type of print media is currently available," or "We are currently busy, so we are unable to assist you," but is not limited to these.

[0039] When the contact information included in a certain piece of registration information is null information, the first information processing device determines that the facility where the printing device 20 for that registration information is located is a facility that cannot be queried. In other words, the above-mentioned inquiries cannot be made to all facilities. For this reason, the contact information included in the registration information may be null information.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a map displayed by the first information processing device when the first information processing device accepts an operation via the button BA shown in FIG. 3. The map MP shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a map displayed by the first information processing device in this case. An image MKA showing the current position of the first information processing device is superimposed on the map MP. An image MKB showing the position of the target printing device closest to the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in the image P is superimposed on the map MP. An image MKC showing the position of the target printing device second closest to the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in the image P is superimposed on the map MP. An image MKD showing the position of the target printing device third closest to the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in the image P is superimposed on the map MP. An image MKE showing the position of the target printing device farthest from the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in the image P is cut off on the map MP. The user of the first information processing device can display the image MKE on the display unit 35 by scrolling or zooming out the map MP.

[0041] An image MKC on the map MP is superimposed with an image CKM showing a target printing device selected by a user of the first information processing device among the target printing devices shown by each of the four printing device information displayed in the image P. For example, when a certain printing device information is selected by the user in the image P, the first information processing device superimposes an image showing the target printing device selected by the user on an image showing the position of the target printing device shown by the selected printing device information. On the other hand, when no printing device information is selected by the user in the image P, the first information processing device does not superimpose an image showing the target printing device selected by the user on an image showing the position of any of the target printing devices.

[0042] An image MSG indicating that the target print medium is located at a facility where it is possible to inquire whether the stored type of print medium is available by operating the button BB is superimposed on the image MKD on the map MP. For example, if the contact information for a target print medium indicated by a certain print device information on the image P is not null information, the first information processing device superimposes an image indicating that the target print medium is located at the facility on the image indicating the position of the target print device. On the other hand, if the contact information is null information, the first information processing device does not superimpose an image indicating that the target print medium is located at the facility on the image indicating the position of the target print device.

[0043] The first information processing device may be configured to display a target printing device list display image such as image P on a display unit of the first information processing device, or may display the target printing device list display image on a display unit of another device communicably connected to the first information processing device. This allows the first information processing device to allow the user of the first information processing device to search for a printing device suitable for printing an image desired by the user. The first information processing device may be configured to acquire the target printing device list display image from the server 10. In this case, the server 10 generates the target printing device list display image based on the search information acquired from the first information processing device. Then, the server 10 outputs the generated target printing device list display image to the first information processing device as a response to the acquired search information.

[0044] (Functional configuration of information processing device) The functional configuration of the information processing device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 30.

[0045] The information processing device 30 includes, for example, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input receiving unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a display unit 35. These components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. The information processing device 30 also communicates with the server 10 and the like via the communication unit 34.

[0046] The control unit 31 controls the entire information processing device 30. The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 31 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 32 and realizes various functions of the information processing device 30. The control unit 31 outputs search information to the server 10, for example, via the communication unit 34. The control unit 31 acquires registration information from the server 10, for example, via the communication unit 34.

[0047] The storage unit 32 is a storage device including, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 32 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) instead of being built into the information processing device 30. The storage unit 32 stores various information, various programs, various images, and the like that are processed by the information processing device 30.

[0048] The input reception unit 33 is an input device including a touch pad, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The input reception unit 33 may be a touch panel that is integrated with the display unit 35.

[0049] The communication unit 34 includes, for example, a digital input / output port such as a USB, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0050] The display unit 35 is, for example, a display device including a liquid crystal display panel.

[0051] The position detection unit 36 ​​uses a positioning system such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) to detect the current position of the information processing device 30. Note that the position detection unit 36 ​​may be configured to detect the current position of the information processing device 30 by another method instead of the positioning system.

[0052] (Processing for displaying a target printing device list display image by the first information processing device) A process in which the first information processing device displays a target printing device list display image will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow in which the first information processing device displays a target printing device list display image. As an example, a case will be described in which the first information processing device accepts a process start operation that causes the first information processing device to start a process of displaying a target printing device list display image at a timing before the process of ACT110 shown in Fig. 6 is performed. For this reason, each of the control unit 31, display unit 35, and position detection unit 36 ​​that appear in the description of the flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is a functional unit provided in the first information processing device.

[0053] After accepting the processing start operation, the control unit 31 generates an information acceptance image, and causes the display unit 35 to display the generated information acceptance image (ACT110).

[0054] The control unit 31 waits until it receives the print medium type information and the search range information via the information reception image displayed on the display unit 35 in ACT 110 (ACT 120). In Fig. 6, the process of ACT 120 is indicated by "Information reception?"

[0055] When the control unit 31 determines that the print medium type information and the search range information have been received in ACT120 (ACT120-YES), it controls the position detection unit 36 ​​to identify the current position of the first information processing device (ACT130). The process of ACT130 may be performed in the reverse order of the processes of ACT120 to ACT130, or may be performed in parallel with the processes of ACT120 to ACT130.

[0056] Next, the control unit 31 generates search information including the print medium type information and search range information received in ACT 120, and current location information indicating the current location identified in ACT 130 (ACT 140).

[0057] Next, the control unit 31 outputs the search information generated in ACT140 to the server 10 via the communication unit 34. As a result, the control unit 31 acquires one or more pieces of registration information as a response from the server 10 to the search information output to the server 10 (ACT150). Even if there is no target printing device located within the search range, the control unit 31 acquires, for example, one piece of registration information as null information from the server 10. Therefore, in ACT150, the control unit 31 acquires one or more pieces of registration information.

[0058] Next, the control unit 31 generates a target printing device list display image (ACT160) based on one or more pieces of registration information acquired in ACT150. In Fig. 6, the process of ACT160 is indicated by "image generation".

[0059] Next, the control unit 31 causes the display unit 35 to display the target printing device list display image generated in ACT160 (ACT170). In Fig. 6, the process of ACT170 is indicated by "image display".

[0060] Next, the control unit 31 waits until it receives an operation via the target printing device list display image displayed on the display unit 35 in ACT170 (ACT180). The operations that the control unit 31 receives via the target printing device list display image include, for example, an operation for the user to select desired printing device information, an operation for displaying a map via button BA, an operation for making an inquiry via button BB, and the like, but are not limited to these.

[0061] When the control unit 31 determines in ACT180 that an operation has been accepted (ACT180-YES), it determines whether the accepted operation is an operation for causing the display unit 35 to end the display of the target printing device list display image (ACT190). Of the operations accepted by the control unit 31 via the target printing device list display image, the operation for causing the display unit 35 to end the display of the target printing device list display image may be any operation.

[0062] When the control unit 31 determines that the operation received in ACT180 is not an operation to end the display of the target printing device list display image on the display unit 35 (ACT190-NO), the control unit 31 performs processing according to the operation received in ACT180 (ACT200). For example, when the control unit 31 receives an operation to select the printing device information desired by the user, the control unit 31 selects printing device information corresponding to the received operation from among the printing device information displayed in the target printing device list display image. For example, when the control unit 31 receives an operation to display a map via the button BA, the control unit 31 displays a map such as the map MP shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 35. For example, when the control unit 31 receives an operation to make an inquiry via the button BB, the control unit 31 makes an inquiry to the information processing device of the facility where the target printing device indicated by the printing device information selected by the user is located. After the processing of ACT200 is performed, the control unit 31 transitions to ACT180 and waits again until an operation is received via the target printing device list display image displayed on the display unit 35.

[0063] On the other hand, when the control unit 31 determines that the operation accepted in ACT180 is an operation to end the display of the target printing device list display image on the display unit 35 (ACT190-YES), the control unit 31 ends the display of the target printing device list display image on the display unit 35. Then, the control unit 31 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0064] As described above, the information processing device 30 receives search information including print medium type information indicating the target type, and displays printing device information indicating one or more target printing devices that satisfy the selection conditions on the display unit 35 based on the received search information. In this way, the information processing device 30 allows the user to search for a printing device suitable for printing an image desired by the user.

[0065] (The server that obtained the search information outputs the registration information) A process in which the server 10, which has acquired the search information, outputs the registration information will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a process in which the server 10, which has acquired the search information, outputs the registration information. As an example, a case will be described in which the registration information for each of the N printing devices 20 is stored in the server 10 at a timing before the process of ACT210 shown in Fig. 7 is performed.

[0066] The server 10 waits until the search information is acquired (ACT 210).

[0067] When the server 10 determines that the search information has been acquired in ACT210 (ACT210-YES), it selects one or more target printing devices based on the print medium type information included in the acquired search information and the pre-stored registration information (ACT220). The process of selecting one or more target printing devices in ACT220 has already been described, so a repeated description will be omitted here.

[0068] Next, the server 10 extracts target printing devices located in the vicinity of the information processing device 30 that is the output source of the search information from among the one or more target printing devices selected in ACT220 (ACT230). The process of extracting target printing devices located in the vicinity of the information processing device 30 in ACT230 has already been explained, so a repeated explanation will be omitted here.

[0069] Next, the server 10 outputs the registration information of each of the one or more target printing devices extracted in ACT230 to the information processing device 30 that is the output source of the search information (ACT240). After the processing of ACT240 is performed, the server 10 transitions to ACT210 and waits again until the search information is acquired.

[0070] As described above, the server 10 outputs one or more pieces of registration information to the information processing device 30 that is the output source of the search information, based on the acquired search information. In this way, the server 10 allows the user to search for a printing device 20 suitable for printing an image desired by the user, via the information processing device 30.

[0071] The information processing device 30 may have a configuration in which some or all of the functions of the server 10 described above are provided.

[0072] Some of the functions of the information processing device 30 described above may be provided in the server 10.

[0073] The server 10 described above may also serve as a content platform that stores various images that a user of the information processing device 30 wishes to print on a desired type of print medium using the printing device 20. In this case, the user operates the desired printing device 20 selected from the target printing device list display image displayed on the information processing device 30, for example, to obtain the desired image from the server 10, and causes the printing device 20 to print the image.

[0074] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to simultaneously display a target printing device list display image such as image P and a map such as map MP. In this case, the information processing device 30 makes it easier for the user to select a desired target printing device, improving user convenience.

[0075] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to include search range information indicating a predetermined radius in the search information. In this case, the information processing device 30 does not accept the search range information. The server 10 described above may be configured to store the search range information in advance. In this case, the information processing device 30 does not accept the search range information.

[0076] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to include information indicating a pre-accepted area or a pre-determined area in the search information, instead of including the current location information in the search information. In this case, the information processing device 30 acquires registration information for each of the target printing devices located in the area indicated by the information from the server 10. If the area indicated by the information is a pre-determined area, the search information may not include the information.

[0077] Instead of acquiring the registration information from the server 10, the information processing device 30 described above may be configured to directly communicate with the N printing devices 20 and identify target printing devices that satisfy the selection conditions from among the N printing devices 20. In this case, the information processing device 30 acquires information equivalent to the registration information from the identified target printing devices and generates a target printing device list display image.

[0078] The search information described above is information that includes at least print medium type information, in the case where the search information does not need to include current location information and search range information. In this case, the information processing device 30 receives the print medium type information, and causes the display unit 35 to display printing device information indicating one or more target printing devices that satisfy the selection conditions based on the received print medium type information.

[0079] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to display the telephone number of the facility where the target printing device indicated by the selected printing device information is located when an operation is received via button BB, instead of making the inquiry as described above. In this case, the user can make the inquiry by calling the telephone number.

[0080] The items described above may be combined in any manner.

[0081] (Additional Note) [1] An information processing device comprising: a control unit that receives print medium type information indicating the type of print medium on which an image is to be printed, and displays on a display unit printing device information indicating one or more printing devices that satisfy a condition related to the type based on the received print medium type information. [2] The information processing device according to [1], wherein the conditions include a printing device in which the type of printing medium is set. [3] The information processing device according to [1] or [2], wherein the condition includes that the type of printing medium is stored as a printing medium that can be set in the printing device. [4] The information processing device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the control unit, in response to a received operation, causes the display unit to display a map showing the location of each of the one or more selected printing devices. [5] A program that causes a computer of an information processing device to receive print medium type information indicating the type of print medium on which an image is to be printed, and displays on a display unit printing device information indicating one or more printing devices that satisfy a condition related to the type based on the print medium type information received by the information processing device.

[0082] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0083] A program for implementing the functions of any of the components in the devices described above (for example, the server 10, the printing device 20, and the information processing device 30) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be read into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and compact disk (CD)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0084] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. A "transmission medium" that transmits a program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The above program may be for implementing some of the above functions. The above program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1... information processing system, 10... server, 20... printing device, 30... information processing device, 31... control unit, 32... storage unit, 33... input reception unit, 34... communication unit, 35... display unit, 36... position detection unit

Claims

1. a control unit that receives print medium type information indicating a type of print medium on which an image is to be printed, and displays, on a display unit, printing device information indicating one or more printing devices that satisfy a condition related to the type based on the received print medium type information; Information processing device.

2. The conditions include that the printing device is a printing device in which the type of print medium is set. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The condition includes that the type of print medium is stored as a print medium that can be set in the printing device. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the control unit, in response to the received operation, causes the display unit to display a map indicating the respective positions of the one or more selected printing devices. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The computer of the information processing device receiving print medium type information indicating a type of print medium on which an image is to be printed by the information processing device; displaying, on a display unit, printing device information indicating one or more printing devices that satisfy a condition related to the type, based on the print medium type information received by the information processing device; program.

Images