Information processing device, information processing system and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system enabling location-free printing if only a mobile terminal is carried.SOLUTION: An information processing device that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, includes: an apparatus information acquisition unit that acquires apparatus information for each of the plurality of output devices through the network; an output information generation unit that generates output information formed in an output format corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information as information selected by a user as a target of information output; an identification information reading unit that reads identification information that is information individually identifying the plurality of output devices and is given to each of the output information, according to an operation of the user; and a display unit that displays the output information corresponding to the apparatus information identified based on the acquired identification information so that the user can select the information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology called location-free printing that enables a user to print and output a desired file at a desired location if the user carries a mobile terminal. Also, as a technology for printing a document, there is known a technology for printing a document stored on a cloud service.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of an information processing system using a storage server and a mobile terminal that enables location-free printing for a document on the cloud.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the system configuration described in Patent Document 1, in addition to a mobile terminal, a storage server and a location-free compatible printer having a cooperation function with the storage server are required. That is, in the prior art, there is a problem in enabling location-free printing that allows a user to print and output a desired file at a desired location as long as the user carries a mobile terminal.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system that enables location-free printing as long as a mobile terminal is carried.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network. The information processing apparatus includes: a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network; an output information generation unit that generates output information composed of an output format corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information, which is information selected by a user as a target of the information output; an identification information reading unit that reads, in response to a user operation, identification information that is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and is attached to each of the output information; and a display unit that displays the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information in a selectable state by the user.

[0007] According to the present invention, as long as a mobile terminal is carried, location-free printing can be enabled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Description of Printing System 1] Hereinafter, a printing system 1 as an embodiment of the information processing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of the printing system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes, via a communication network 100, a smartphone 4 as an embodiment of an information processing device, an inkjet printer 3 and an MFP 9 as embodiments of output devices, and a PC 5 as another embodiment of an information processing device, which are connected to be communicable with each other.

[0010] In the printing system 1, the inkjet printer 3 and the MFP 9 are connected to the communication network 100 in plurality. The printing system 1 enables information output (printing) from a specific inkjet printer 3 or MFP 9 specified according to a print job specified by a user among a plurality of inkjet printers 3 or MFPs 9 connected to the communication network 100. Here, the smartphone 4 or the PC 5 as an embodiment of the information processing apparatus has a function of instructing information output (printing) to a specific inkjet printer 3 or MFP 9.

[0011] [Description of Inkjet Printer 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a liquid ejection device (inkjet printer 3) which is an example of an embodiment of an output device. As shown in FIG. 2, the inkjet printer 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, a NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) 304, an external device connection I / F 308, a network I / F 309, a short-range communication circuit 340, an antenna 340a of the short-range communication circuit 340, and a bus line 310. Further, the inkjet printer 3 includes a paper conveyance unit 311, a sub-scanning driver 312, a main-scanning driver 313, a carriage 320, and an operation panel 330. Further, the carriage 320 includes a liquid ejection head 321 and a liquid ejection head driver 322.

[0012] Among these, the CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire inkjet printer 3. The ROM 302 stores programs and the like used for driving the CPU 301 such as IPL. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The NVRAM 304 stores various data such as programs and retains the various data even while the power of the inkjet printer 3 is turned off. The external device connection I / F 306 is connected to a PC (Personal Computer) by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like and communicates control signals and data to be printed with the PC. The network I / F 309 is an interface for data communication using a communication network 100 such as the Internet. The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 301.

[0013] The paper conveyance unit 311 is, for example, a roller and a motor for driving the roller, and conveys the printing paper in the sub-scanning direction along the conveyance path in the inkjet printer 3. The sub-scanning driver 312 controls the movement of the paper conveyance unit 333 in the sub-scanning direction. The main-scanning driver 313 controls the movement of the carriage 320 in the main-scanning direction.

[0014] The liquid ejection head 321 of the carriage 320 has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a liquid such as ink, and its ejection surface (nozzle surface) is mounted on the carriage 320 so as to face the printing paper side. The liquid ejection head 321 ejects the liquid onto the printing paper intermittently conveyed in the sub-scanning direction while moving in the main-scanning direction, thereby ejecting the liquid at a predetermined position on the printing paper to form an image. The liquid ejection head driver 322 is a driver for controlling the drive of the liquid ejection head 321.

[0015] The operation panel 332 is composed of a touch panel, an alarm lamp, etc. that display the current setting values, selection screens, etc. and receive inputs from the operator.

[0016] Further, the short-range communication circuit 340 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0017] Note that the liquid ejection head driver 322 may not be mounted on the carriage 320 and may be configured to be connected to the bus line outside the carriage 320. Further, the main scanning driver 313, the sub-scanning driver 312, and the liquid ejection head driver 322 may be functions realized by commands of the CPU 301 according to a program, respectively.

[0018] [Description of Smartphone 4] FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the smartphone 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the smartphone 4 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an EEPROM 404, a CMOS sensor 405, an imaging device I / F 406, an acceleration / azimuth sensor 407, a media I / F 409, and a GPS receiver 411.

[0019] Among these, the CPU 401 controls the operation of the entire smartphone 4. The ROM 402 stores programs used for driving the CPU 401 such as the CPU 401 and IPL. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The EEPROM 404 reads or writes various data such as smartphone programs according to the control of the CPU 401. The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 405 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject (mainly a self-portrait) according to the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data. Note that an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor may be used instead of the CMOS sensor. The imaging device I / F 406 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 405.

[0020] The acceleration and azimuth sensor 407 is various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass for detecting geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 409 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to / from a recording medium 408 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 411 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0021] Also, the smartphone 4 includes a long-distance communication circuit 412, a CMOS sensor 413, an imaging device I / F 414, a microphone 415, a speaker 416, an audio input / output I / F 417, a display 418, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 419, a short-distance communication circuit 420, an antenna 420a for the short-distance communication circuit 420, and a touch panel 421.

[0022] Among these, the long-distance communication circuit 412 is a circuit for communicating with other devices via the communication network 100. The CMOS sensor 413 is a type of built-in imaging means for capturing a subject according to the control of the CPU 401 to obtain image data. The imaging device I / F 414 is a circuit for controlling the driving of the CMOS sensor 413. The microphone 415 is a built-in circuit for converting sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 416 is a built-in circuit for converting an electrical signal into physical vibrations to generate sounds such as music and voices. The audio input / output I / F 417 is a circuit for processing the input / output of audio signals between the microphone 415 and the speaker 416 according to the control of the CPU 401.

[0023] The display 418 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) for displaying an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 419 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-distance communication circuit 420 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 421 is a type of input means for operating the smartphone 4 when the user presses the display 418.

[0024] In addition, the smartphone 4 is provided with a bus line 410. The bus line 410 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 401 shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] [Description of PC5] FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the PC5. Here, the hardware configuration of the PC5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the PC5 is constructed by a computer. As shown in FIG. 5, the PC5 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0026] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the PC5. The ROM 502 stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, or the like. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 100. The data bus 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 5.

[0027] Also, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that it is not limited to DVD-RW, and it may be DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0028] [Description of MFP9] FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP9. As shown in FIG. 5, the MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) 9 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0029] Among these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909 which is a storage unit, and is configured to connect between the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 with an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0030] Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP9. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing with respect to the MEM-P 902, and a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master and an AGP target.

[0031] The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0032] The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD 909, and the MEM-C 907. The ASIC906 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PCI bus 922. The ASIC906 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0033] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD909 under the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P902 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0034] Further, the short-distance communication circuit 920 includes a short-distance communication circuit 920a. The short-distance communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0035] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values ​​and a selection screen, etc., and receives input from an operator, and an operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP 9, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0036] The MFP 9 can sequentially switch and select among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using an application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the MFP 9 enters document box mode, when the copy function is selected, the MFP 9 enters copy mode, when the printer function is selected, the MFP 9 enters printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, the MFP 9 enters facsimile mode.

[0037] The network I / F 950 is an interface for performing data communication using the communication network 100. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922.

[0038] [Function block description] Next, functional blocks of a printing system 1 as an embodiment of an information processing system will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the printing system 1 includes, for example, a smartphone 4 as an information processing device and an inkjet printer 3 as an output device.

[0039] The smartphone 4 executes a smartphone application 40 as an information processing program. This enables the smartphone 4 to execute processes related to the functional blocks illustrated in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the smartphone 4 includes a device information acquisition unit 41, an output information group generation unit 44, a display unit 47, an identification information reading unit 48, and an output instruction transmission unit 49.

[0040] The device information acquisition unit 41 includes an output device search unit 42 and a device information storage unit 43. The output device search unit 42 searches for output devices such as the inkjet printer 3 and the MFP 9 connected to the communication network 100. Then, the device information of all output devices connected to the communication network 100 is acquired.

[0041] The device information storage unit 43 stores the acquired device information in a storage unit, such as the RAM 403, included in the smartphone 4.

[0042] Display unit 47 presents an output target selection screen on touch panel 421, where the user selects output target information. Display unit 47 also presents an output setting screen on touch panel 421, where the user sets output settings (output size, number of sheets, etc.) for the output target information. The output settings correspond to so-called print job settings.

[0043] The output information group generation unit 44 includes an output information generation unit 431 and an output information storage unit 46. The output information generation unit 45 generates output information (print job) consisting of an output format corresponding to each of the output devices related to each device information based on the output settings set by the user, the output target information selected by the user, and the device information acquired within the range where the smartphone 4 can communicate. Since the output information is generated from the same output target information based on each device information, a plurality of output information is generated by a single operation.

[0044] The output information storage unit 46 stores all the generated output information in the RAM 403.

[0045] The identification information reading unit 48 reads the identification information 250 assigned to the output device that executes the output process. The identification information 250 is implemented by a two-dimensional code or the like of a figure assigned to the exterior of the output device (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9), or a non-contact IC tag provided inside the exterior. If the identification information 250 is a two-dimensional code or the like of a figure, the user reads it by activating the cameras 461 and 462 and photographing the identification information 250. Also, if the identification information is a non-contact IC tag, the user approaches the smartphone 4 to the identification information 250, and it is read by the short-range wireless communication unit 480 including the short-range communication circuit 420 and the antenna 420a.

[0046] The output instruction transmission unit 49 transmits the output information (print job) selected by the user via the touch panel 421 to the selected output device (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) via the network I / F.

[0047] (Inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) has an output information reception unit 31, an output unit 32, a device information response unit 33, and a short-range wireless communication unit 34. In addition, the (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) is individually provided with identification information 350 for uniquely identifying.

[0048] The output information reception unit 31 receives output information (print job) via the communication network 100.

[0049] The output unit 32 executes a process (printing process) of outputting the transmitted output information onto a medium.

[0050] The device information response unit 33 responds to a request for acquiring device information including the model name, serial number, etc. of the output device (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) via the communication network 100.

[0051] If the identification information 450 for identifying the inkjet printer 3 is a non-contact IC tag, the short-distance wireless communication section 34 communicates with the short-distance wireless communication unit 480 to exchange the identification information 450.

[0052] [First embodiment] Next, a first embodiment of information processing when the smartphone application 40 is executed in the smartphone 4 as the information processing device according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing according to this embodiment. First, the smartphone application 40 is started when the user performs a predetermined start-up operation on the smartphone 4 (S701). For example, the smartphone application 40 is started by operating an icon displayed on the display unit (touch panel 421).

[0053] When the smartphone application 40 is started, the smartphone 4 searches for output devices (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) connected to the communication network 100 via the communication network 100 (S702). In this search process, device information on all output devices (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) connected within a range from which information can be acquired simultaneously via the communication network 100 is stored in the storage unit (RAM 403, recording medium 408, etc.) of the smartphone 4.

[0054] Subsequently, for all the output target information (print target files) stored in the memory unit of the smartphone 4, the user operates the touch panel 421 to perform output settings (print job settings) and generate output information (print jobs) (S703). The generation of the print jobs in S703 is generated to correspond to all the output devices (inkjet printer 3, MFP9) for which device information has been acquired.

[0055] All the print jobs generated in S703 are stored in the memory unit (RAM 403, recording medium 408, etc.) of the smartphone 4.

[0056] When the user selects, via the touch panel 421, an output device that instructs print processing (information output processing) from among a plurality of output devices and selects output target information from among a plurality of print jobs (output information group), output processing (print processing) is executed (S704).

[0057] As described above, after starting the smartphone app 40, perform output device search, and generate and store a print job group based on the search results and the print job settings for all the print target files that are the output target information. Then, instruct the output device (inkjet printer 3, MFP9) selected as the output destination to output the output information targeted for output. This makes it possible to realize location-free printing without the need for a printer server that stores print jobs.

[0058] Since the startup of the smartphone app 40 is similar to general processing, a detailed description is omitted. Hereinafter, the details of each processing step excluding the startup processing of the smartphone app 40 will be described using a sequence diagram.

[0059] [Output Device Search Processing] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing details of the output device search process (S702). First, the output device search unit 42 executes an inquiry of device information for all output devices (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9) connected to the communication network 100 to which the smartphone 4 is connected. As a specific example, on the same network, an inquiry is executed using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) for the broadcast IP address (0.0.0.0) (S801).

[0060] A device information response unit 33, which is one of the functional blocks provided in the output device (inkjet printer 3, MFP 9), responds with device information to an inquiry from the smartphone 4 (S802). The response in S802 includes "IP address, model name, serial number".

[0061] Subsequently, the output device search unit 42 requests the device information storage unit 43 to store the responded device information (IP address, model name, serial number) (S803). The device information storage unit 43 stores the device information in the storage unit in response to the storage request (S804). Among the device information stored here, the model name will be used when generating a job, which will be described later.

[0062] The processes from S801 to S804 are repeatedly executed until the model information of all output devices connected to the communication network 100 is acquired.

[0063] [Print Job Settings] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing details of the output information generation process (S703). When the user selects the print function from the menu of the smartphone app 40 using a UI (user interface) such as a button, the display unit 47 displays a print target selection screen (S901).

[0064] The print target file as the output target information may include files stored in the local storage of the smartphone 4. Also, by the user performing in advance the linkage setting between the smartphone 4 or the app and a cloud service such as cloud storage, the document or image stored in the cloud service may also be included. The selected print target file may be one or a plurality.

[0065] When the user operates the display unit 47 to select the print target (S903), the display unit 47 then displays a print job setting screen (S904). The print job setting screen may include monochrome / color setting, number of copies setting, paper size setting.

[0066] The user operates the display unit 47 to perform print job settings (S905), and then operates the display unit 47 to issue a print job generation request (S906). An implementation example of the latter is a button labeled "Print".

[0067] When the display unit 47 receives the user's print job generation request, it issues a print job generation request to the output information generation unit 45 (S907).

[0068] The output information generation unit 45 acquires a list of model names from the device information storage unit 43 (S908, S909). This list is a set of the model names of the output devices discovered by "output device search".

[0069] The output information generation unit 45 sequentially generates print jobs suitable for each model in the list (S910). However, there may be cases where the same model exists two or more times in the list, or cases where the formats of print jobs suitable for different models are the same. Therefore, before generating the print job, it is confirmed whether the print job of the corresponding format has been generated before.

[0070] The output information generation unit 45 issues a print job storage request to the output information storage unit 46 in order to store the generated print job (S911).

[0071] The output information storage unit 46 stores the print jobs sequentially generated by the output information generation unit 45 in the local storage (recording medium 408) or in the memory (RAM 403) of the smartphone 4 (S912). Here, a set of one or more print jobs generated here may be hereinafter referred to as a print job set (output information group).

[0072] [Output (Printing) Process] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing details of the output (printing) process (S704). When the user selects printing of the stored print jobs from the menu of the smartphone application 40 using a UI such as a button (S1001), the output instruction transmission unit 49 displays a print job selection screen (S1002). The items displayed on the print job selection screen are a list of the print job sets generated in "Print Job Settings".

[0073] When the user operates the display unit 47 to select the print job to be output (S1003), the output instruction transmission unit 49 notifies the identification information reading unit 48 of the completion notification of the print job selection (S1005).

[0074] The identification information reading unit 48 displays a UI (S1005). Examples of this UI differ depending on the form of providing device information on the output device side. When the form of providing device information on the output device side is a graphic such as a secondary valve barcode, the example of the UI is a camera screen. Also, when the form of providing device information on the output device side is a short-range wireless communication unit 34 such as a contactless IC tag (NFC tag), the example of the UI is a screen prompting the user to "bring the smartphone 4 into contact with the short-range wireless communication unit 34 for short-range wireless communication".

[0075] The user moves to the installation position of the output device according to the requirements of the screen (S1006).

[0076] The user makes a device information reading request (S1007). In the embodiment, when the form of providing device information on the output device side is a two-dimensional barcode, the two-dimensional barcode is placed near the center of the imaging range of the camera. When the form of providing device information on the output device side is a short-range wireless communication unit 34 such as an NFC tag, the smartphone 4 is brought into contact with or sufficiently close to the short-range wireless communication unit 34.

[0077] The identification information reading unit 48 reads the device information (S1008). From the two-dimensional barcode or the short-range wireless communication unit 34, a pair of the model name and the serial number, or the IP address is read (S1009).

[0078] Here, when the information is a pair of the model name and the serial number, since it is necessary to grasp the IP address for transmitting the print job, the output instruction transmission unit 49 acquires the IP address of the printer corresponding to the pair from the device information storage unit 43 (S1011, S1012).

[0079] The output instruction transmission unit 49 transmits a print job to the output information receiving unit 31 using the IP address (S1013).

[0080] The output information receiving unit 31 issues a print request for the received print job to the output unit 32 (S1014), and the output unit 32 executes the printing (S1015).

[0081] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of information processing when the smartphone app 40 is executed in the smartphone 4 as the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of information processing according to the present embodiment.

[0082] The difference from the first embodiment lies in the output device re-search (S1104). After the output device search (S1102) has once obtained the model information of all output devices connected on the same network, the output device re-search (S1104) is a process for coping with a change in the network configuration, such as when any output device is disconnected from the communication network 100. Also, it is a process for coping with a situation where the connection destination has changed due to the smartphone 4 connecting to another communication network 100, etc., and the smartphone 4 is connected to a different network configuration.

[0083] [Output device re-search process] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the details of the output device re-search process (S1104). First, the output device search unit 42 performs trigger detection for the output device search process (S702) (S1201). Several examples of triggers are as follows.

[0084] For example, it is by a timer at regular intervals. In order to detect an output device that newly connects to or disconnects from the communication network 100 to which the smartphone 4 is connected, a regular output device search process (S702) is executed. For example, when the output device is turned on / off, or when the connection (network cable) between the output device and the communication network 100 is connected or disconnected, etc., it becomes a trigger.

[0085] Also, a change in the communication network 100 to which the smartphone 4 is connected can also be a trigger. When the communication network 100 to which the smartphone 4 is connected is changed to another communication network 100 different from the one it has been connected to, it becomes necessary to execute the output device search process (S702) again. Generally, when the OS of the smartphone 4 notifies the smartphone application 40 of the change in the communication network 100 to which the smartphone 4 is connected, the smartphone application 40 is implemented to receive the notification.

[0086] Upon receiving the trigger, the "output device search process" (S702) is performed again. As a result, if there is a change in the output devices within the communication network 100 to which the smartphone 4 is connected, the model name list will be changed.

[0087] When the model name list is changed, the device information storage unit 43 notifies the output information group generation unit 44 of the model name list change (S1202). The model name list change notification includes the data of the model name list.

[0088] The output information group generation unit 44 generates ungenerated print jobs for all print job sets in the same manner as the "print job settings" from the received model name list (S1203, S1204, S1205).

[0089] Alternatively, the output information group generation unit 44 deletes print jobs from the generated print jobs before the most recent output device search for all print job sets that are not for any of the models in the current model name list from the received model name list (S1206, S1207, S1208).

[0090] As described above, the smartphone 4 according to the present embodiment generates print jobs for newly discovered output targets and deletes unnecessary print jobs in accordance with changes in the output devices within the communication network 100 to which it is connected.

[0091] This can shorten the time required to reach the printing process when executing the output instruction. Also, the usage efficiency of the storage area provided in the smartphone 4 can be improved.

[0092] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of information processing will be described when the smartphone app 40 is executed on the smartphone 4 as the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. A part of the output information generation process (S703) and the output (printing) process is different, and the other processes are the same. Hereinafter, the details of the output information generation process (S703) and the output (printing) process (S704) according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0093] [Modification example of output information generation process] The sequence diagram of FIG. 13 includes parts similar to the processing flow described with reference to FIG. 9. Therefore, for the same processing, detailed description will be omitted by using the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 9.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 13, when generating a print job, the output information generation unit 45 executes a process of checking whether each model in the model name list has a high priority (S1301). Here, the method for determining the priority will be described. For example, the user may be able to set a high-priority model from the setting menu of the smartphone app 40 in advance. Also, the number of print times (the number of times the output process is executed) for each past model may be recorded, and the models with higher print times may be set as models with higher priorities in order, and any number of upper models may be set as high priorities.

[0095] If the target model has a high priority, the output information group generation unit 441 sequentially generates print jobs (S1302).

[0096] [Modification example of output (printing) process] The sequence diagram of FIG. 14 includes parts similar to the processing flow described with reference to FIG. 10. Therefore, for the same processing, detailed description will be omitted by using the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 10.

[0097] The identification information reading unit 48 notifies the output information group generation unit 44 of the read device information (S1401). The device information includes the model name.

[0098] The output information generation unit 45 checks whether a print job for the target model has been generated (S1402). If it has not been generated, a print job is generated (S1404, S1405).

[0099] According to the third embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce the usage amount of the storage area provided in the smartphone 4 and the usage amount of the CPU 401. As a result, it is possible to realize a system with limited computing resources.

[0100] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of information processing when the smartphone application 40 is executed in the smartphone 4 as the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. It is a further modification example of the second and third embodiments already described.

[0101] Similar to the second embodiment, when the configuration of the output device that transmits an output instruction from the smartphone 4 is changed, an output device re-search process (S1104) is performed, which includes different processes. Note that it also includes the same process as the output device search process (S702) of the first embodiment. Also, the output (print) process (1104) is the same as that of the third embodiment.

[0102] FIG. 15 is a modification example of the output re-search process (S1104) according to the present embodiment. Since the processes already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, different points will be described.

[0103] When generating a print job, the output information generation unit 45 checks whether each model in the model name list has high priority (S1501).

[0104] If the target model has high priority, the output information group generation unit 44 generates and stores a print job (S1502, S1503, S1504).

[0105] In addition, the output information group generation unit 44 sets the deletion criterion for the print job as "when the target print job is not for any high-priority models in the model name list" (S1505, S1506). This is because, as a result of the change in the model name list, there may be a case where a print job created for a high-priority model has become a print job used only by non-high-priority models.

[0106] According to the fourth embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce the usage amount of the storage area provided in the smartphone 4 and the usage amount of the CPU 401. As a result, it is possible to realize a system with limited computing resources.

[0107] Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. All technical matters included in the technical idea described in the claims are the subject of the present invention. The above embodiments show preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modified examples from the disclosed content. Such modified examples are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0108] Aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> An information processing apparatus that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network; an output information generation unit that generates output information consisting of output formats corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information that is information selected by a user as a target of the information output; an identification information reading unit that reads, in response to a user operation, identification information that is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and is attached to each of the output information; a display unit that displays the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information in a selectable state for the user; An information processing apparatus characterized by having <2> The device information acquisition unit An output device search unit that searches for the plurality of output devices, A device information storage unit that acquires and stores the device information of each of the searched output devices, including The information processing apparatus according to <1> above. <3> The display unit displays the output target information in a state where the user can arbitrarily select it, The output information generation unit generates the output information from the output target information selected by the user among the output target information displayed on the display unit. The information processing apparatus according to <1> or <2> above. <4> The output information generation unit further includes an output instruction transmission unit that transmits an output instruction of the output information selected by the user via the display unit to the output device corresponding to the identification information among the plurality of output information generated by the output information generation unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3> above. <5> The device information acquisition unit acquires the device information when the connected network is switched. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4> above. <6> The device information acquisition unit acquires the device information at regular intervals. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <5> above. <7> The output information generation unit generates the output information when the device information is newly acquired. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <6> above. <8> When the device information is newly acquired, the output information generation unit deletes the output information corresponding to the output device related to the device information that has already been acquired but is not included in the newly acquired device information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <5> to <7> above. <9> The output information generation unit generates the output information based on the priorities for the plurality of output devices. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <8> above. <10> An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, and the output device, The information processing apparatus includes: A device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network; An output information generation unit that generates output information consisting of output formats corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information that is information selected by the user as the target of the information output; An identification information reading unit that reads, in response to a user operation, identification information that is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and is attached to each of the output information; A display unit that displays the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information in a selectable state for the user; and has The output device includes: The output device is provided with the identification information in a format readable by the identification information reading unit, and has an output unit that executes the information output based on the selected output information. An information processing system characterized by the above. <11> An information processing program executed in an information processing apparatus that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, In the information processing apparatus, A device information acquisition step of acquiring device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network An output information generation step of generating output information consisting of an output format corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information which is information selected by a user as a target of the information output An identification information reading step of acquiring, in response to a user operation, identification information which is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and which is attached to each of the output information A display step of displaying, in a selectable state by the user, the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information An information processing program characterized by being executable

Explanation of Signs

[0109] 1: Printing system 3: Inkjet printer 4: Smartphone 9: MFP 31: Output information reception unit 32: Output unit 33: Device information response unit 34: Short-range wireless communication unit 40: Smartphone application 41: Device information acquisition unit 42: Output device search unit 43: Device information storage unit 44: Output information group generation unit 45: Output information generation unit 46: Output information storage unit 47: Display unit 48: Identification information reading unit 49: Output instruction transmission unit 100: Communication network 250: Identification information

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0110]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus for instructing information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, comprising: a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network; an output information generation unit that generates output information in an output format corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information that is information selected by a user as a target of the information output; an identification information reading unit that reads, in response to a user operation, identification information that is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and that is attached to each of the output information; a display unit that displays the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information in a state selectable by the user; An information processing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The device information acquisition unit includes: an output device search unit that searches for the plurality of output devices; a device information storage unit that acquires and stores the device information of each of the searched output devices; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The display unit displays the output target information in a state where the user can arbitrarily select it, and the output information generation unit generates the output information from the output target information selected by the user among the output target information displayed on the display unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output instruction transmission unit that transmits an output instruction of the output information selected by the user via the display unit to the output device corresponding to the identification information among the plurality of output information generated by the output information generation unit.

5. The device information acquisition unit acquires the device information when the connected network is switched. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The device information acquisition unit acquires the device information at regular intervals. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The output information generation unit generates the output information when the device information is newly acquired. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. When the device information is newly acquired, the output information generation unit deletes the output information corresponding to the output device related to the device information that has already been acquired and is not included in the newly acquired device information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

9. ​ ​ The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output information generation unit generates the output information based on the priorities for the plurality of output devices.

10. An information processing system including an information processing apparatus that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, and the output device, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network, an output information generation unit that generates output information consisting of output formats corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information which is information selected by a user as a target of the information output, an identification information reading unit that reads, in response to a user operation, identification information which is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and is attached to each of the output information, and a display unit that displays, in a selectable state by the user, the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information, and the output device is provided with the identification information in a format readable by the identification information reading unit, and includes an output unit that executes the information output based on the selected output information. An information processing system characterized by the above.

11. An information processing program executed in an information processing apparatus that instructs information output from a specific output device among a plurality of output devices connected to a network, wherein in the information processing apparatus, a device information acquisition step of acquiring device information of each of the plurality of output devices via the network, an output information generation step of generating output information consisting of output formats corresponding to each of the plurality of output devices from output target information which is information selected by a user as a target of the information output, an identification information reading step of acquiring, in response to a user operation, identification information which is information for individually identifying the plurality of output devices and is attached to each of the output information, and a display step of displaying, in a selectable state by the user, the output information corresponding to the device information specified based on the acquired identification information are executable. An information processing program characterized by the above.

Images