Program, program set, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique for properly providing communication results of a device monitoring program 33 that communicates with a plurality of devices 1.SOLUTION: A device monitoring program 33 can be executed by a CPU 21 of an information processing apparatus 200, the program causing the CPU 21 to: display a first badge 62 of a first icon 61 corresponding to the device monitoring program 33 in different modes according to status information acquired from a device 1 designated for communication; execute, when a plurality of devices 1 are designated for communication, acquisition processing T14 that communicates with each of the devices 1 to obtain status information of each device 1; and display the first badge 62 of the first icon 61 corresponding to the device monitoring program 33, in a mode corresponding to highest-priority status information out of the status information of the devices 1 acquired in the acquisition processing T14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program, a program set, and an information processing device that communicate with a plurality of image processing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known programs that communicate with an image processing device and display information about the image processing device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a display system that monitors multiple printers and displays printer information, which includes a status monitoring unit for each printer, displays resident icons for each printer on a task tray, and changes the appearance of each resident icon depending on the printer status. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-18228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When multiple image processing devices are monitored, launching a program for each device results in multiple icons being displayed, consuming a lot of space in the icon display area. Therefore, when multiple image processing devices are monitored, there is room for improvement in the method of notifying the communication results. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a program executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication unit, the program including: The icon corresponding to the program can be displayed in different display modes depending on the status acquired via the communication unit from the image processing device designated as the communication target, and when multiple image processing devices are designated as communication targets, a first acquisition process is executed to communicate with each of the multiple image processing devices via the communication unit and acquire the status of each image processing device, and the icon corresponding to the program is displayed in a mode corresponding to the status with the highest priority among the statuses of each image processing device acquired in the first acquisition process. It is configured as follows.

[0006] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, the form of the program icon includes a form corresponding to the status, and by displaying the program icon in a form corresponding to the highest priority status among multiple image processing devices with which it is communicating, it is possible to notify the user that there is an image processing device with the highest priority status.

[0007] A program set and an information processing device for realizing the functions of the above device are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a technology for appropriately notifying communication results for a program that communicates with a plurality of image processing devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the display of the operation display unit in a state where a first status information screen is displayed as a pop-up. FIG. [Figure 3](A) An explanatory diagram showing a second status information screen displayed as a pop-up on the display of the operation display unit, (B) An explanatory diagram showing a third status information screen displayed as a pop-up on the display of the operation display unit, and (C) An explanatory diagram showing an offering information screen displayed as a pop-up on the display of the operation display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for displaying status information and offering information, which is realized by a device monitoring program of an information processing apparatus, including the operations of a device and a server. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for displaying status information and offering information based on a user operation, which is realized by a device monitoring program and a device control program of an information processing apparatus, including the operations of a device and a server. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display in which a task box is displayed as a pop-up. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display method and priority of a first badge. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for badge display processing that is realized by a CPU of an information processing device sequentially processing according to instructions written in a device monitoring program. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the display of the operation display unit in a state where the first status information screen is displayed as a pop-up. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display in which a start-up box is displayed as a pop-up; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display in a state where a second home screen is displayed. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display method and priority of a second badge. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an information processing system including a printing device and an information processing device that are capable of communicating with each other.

[0011] 1, the information processing system 100 of this embodiment has four devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D and an information processing device 200, which are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, the subscripts A to D used to distinguish them will be omitted and they will be described as device 1. The devices are an example of image processing devices.

[0012] The devices 1 include a printing device 1A capable of printing on a medium to be printed, and an image reading device 1B capable of reading an image recorded on a medium to be read. In this embodiment, the printing device 1A is exemplified as an inkjet printer. Alternatively, the printing device 1A may be a laser printer, label printer, copier, or multifunction peripheral. The information processing device 200 generates and edits image data to be printed by the printing device 1A, sends print execution instructions and image data to the printing device 1A, and receives status information from the printing device 1A.

[0013] Furthermore, when the device 1 is an image reading device 1B, the information processing device 200 is a device that issues a reading execution instruction to the image reading device 1B, receives read data from the image reading device 1B, receives status information from the image reading device 1B, etc. The image reading device 1B may be a copy machine, a multifunction device, etc.

[0014] The information processing device 200 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet computer. The number of information processing devices 200 constituting the information processing system 100 is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality of information processing devices 200.

[0015] 1, in this embodiment, the printing device 1A has a controller 11, a printing unit 12, an operation panel 13, a network interface 14, and a storage unit 15. The controller 11 includes a CPU and memories such as a flash ROM and RAM, and controls each component of the printing device 1A.

[0016] The controller 11 is a general term for hardware used to control the printing device 1A, such as a CPU, etc. Specifically, the controller 11 may also include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like.

[0017] The printing unit 12 is configured to print an image on a medium to be printed based on image data sent from the information processing device 200. In this embodiment, the printing unit 12 uses an inkjet printing method as its image formation method. The printing unit 12 has a print head that prints an image on the medium. The printing unit 12 can also be called a print engine. The image formation method of the printing unit 12 may be a thermal printing method or an electrophotographic method.

[0018] The operation panel 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and receives input from a user and displays information. The operation panel 13 may include various indicator lamps, buttons, and the like.

[0019] The network interface 14 is hardware for communicating with the information processing device 200 .

[0020] The storage unit 15 of the printing device 1A also stores a program for an embedded web server (hereinafter referred to as "EWS" (short for "Embedded Web Server")) 16. The storage unit 15 also has a data storage area 17, which stores, for example, capability information of the printing device 1A, connection information for connecting to the printing device 1A, status information of the printing device 1A, various setting information to be set in the printing device 1A, remaining amount information of consumables of the printing device 1A, information on the number of pages printed by the printing device 1A, and information related to support for consumables. For example, the information processing device 200 can access various information stored in the data storage area 17 via the EWS 16. The printing device 1A also manages the printing progress status for each job sender. In this embodiment, the consumables are ink cartridges that contain ink consumed in the printing process of the printing device, and the remaining amount information is information related to the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridges.

[0021] The devices 1B to 1D also have an EWS and a storage unit (neither of which is shown) similar to the EWS 16 of the printing device 1A.

[0022] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 includes a desktop personal computer (PC) 2 and an input / output device 25, as shown in FIG. 1. The desktop personal computer (PC) 2 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a nonvolatile memory 24, an input / output unit 25, an interface 26, a network interface 27, and the like. The ROM 22 stores various programs and the like for the information processing device 200. The RAM 23 is used as a working area when various processes are executed, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The nonvolatile memory 24 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, or the like, and stores various programs and data.

[0023] The CPU 21 executes various processes in accordance with the programs loaded from the ROM 22 to the nonvolatile memory 24 .

[0024] The input / output device 25 is connected to the interface 26 and has an input device and an output device. The input device includes a keyboard 40, a mouse 41, etc. The output device includes a display 42. The display 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The input / output device 25 may be a touch panel that can be operated by touch. The information processing device may be a notebook PC or a tablet.

[0025] The network interface 27 is hardware for communicating with each device 1. The network interface is an example of a communication unit.

[0026] In the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, the information processing device 200 and each device 1 perform wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard via a common access point 3. That is, the network interfaces 14 and 27 are both wireless interfaces that enable wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. Alternatively, the network interfaces 14 and 27 may be wired interfaces such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) interfaces.

[0027] The communication mode of the present embodiment is merely an example and is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, the information processing device 200 and each device 1 may communicate with each other by wireless communication through a direct connection without going through the access point 3, or by wired communication using an interface such as a USB.

[0028] The access point 3 is also connected via the Internet 4 to a server 5 provided by a manufacturer or sales company of the device 1. Therefore, the information processing device 200 can download the manual for the device 1 from the server 5 via the Internet 4. In addition to the manual, the information processing device 200 can also download offering information such as service information and bargain information related to consumables for the device 1 from the server 5.

[0029] Examples of services related to consumables include an automatic consumables shipping service and a subscription service. The automatic consumables shipping service is a service that automatically ships consumables to users of printing devices based on information about the remaining amount of the consumables. The subscription service is a service that charges a flat rate for up to a certain number of pages printed by the printing device and automatically ships consumables to users of printing devices based on information about the remaining amount of the consumables.

[0030] 1, the nonvolatile memory 24 of the information processing device 200 stores an operating system (OS) 31, an application program (app) 32, a device monitoring program 33, and a device control program 34. The nonvolatile memory 24 also includes a data storage unit 35.

[0031] The OS 31 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the OS 31 is Windows.

[0032] The application 32 is, for example, an image editing program that has a function of receiving user instructions via the input / output unit 25, a function of displaying an image on the display 42, and a function of editing and saving the image. The application 32 may also be a document editing program, a spreadsheet program, or the like.

[0033] The device monitoring program 33 is a resident program that periodically communicates with each device 1 via the network interface 27 and realizes the function of acquiring various types of information, such as status information, from each device 1. The device monitoring program 33 also periodically communicates with the server 5 via the network interface 27 and realizes the function of acquiring various types of information from the server 5.

[0034] A resident program is, for example, a program that is automatically started when the OS is started and performs predetermined processing in the background while the OS is running. A device monitoring program is an example of a first program.

[0035] Specifically, the device monitoring program 33 obtains, via the network interface 27, from the printing device 1A, the capability information of the printing device 1A, connection information for connecting to the printing device 1A, status information of the printing device 1A, various setting information to be set in the printing device 1A, information on the remaining amount of consumables of the printing device 1A, information on the number of pages printed by the printing device 1A, information on support for consumables, information on the progress of printing, etc., and stores this information in the data storage unit 35.

[0036] In addition, the device monitoring program 33 obtains, via the network interface 27, from the image reading device 1B, the capability information of the image reading device 1B, connection information for connecting to the image reading device 1B, status information of the image reading device 1B, various setting information to be set in the image reading device 1B, information on the progress of reading, etc., and stores the information in the data storage unit 35.

[0037] The device monitoring program 33 also acquires offering information about the device 1 provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1 via the network interface 27, and stores the information in the data storage unit 35. The offering information includes service information about consumables, bargain information, maintenance information, campaign announcements, the latest models, and introductions to convenient functions. The offering information may also include link information to the server 5. The offering information is an example of service-related information.

[0038] The device monitoring program 33 can read out the status information, offering information, etc. of the device 1 stored in the data storage unit 35 and display it as a pop-up on the display 42.

[0039] The device control program 34 has a function for causing the printing device 1A, which is set in the model name display field 73 described below, to print images, etc., edited or saved by the application 32. That is, the device control program 34 accepts the selection of an image to be printed, and transmits print data based on the selected image to the printing device 1A, thereby causing the printing device 1A to print based on the print data. This function is an example of a transmission process. The device control program 34 can also read status information and remaining amount information of consumables of the selected printing device 1A from the data storage unit 35 and display them on the display 42. The device control program 34 is a non-resident program that is activated, for example, when activated by a user. The device control program is an example of a second program.

[0040] The device control program 34 also instructs the selected image reading device 1B to perform reading, and receives image information read by the selected image reading device 1B and stores it in the data storage unit 35. This function is an example of a transmission process. Information regarding the progress of reading by the selected image reading device 1B can also be read from the data storage unit 35 and then displayed on the display 42.

[0041] The data storage unit 35 also stores the model names, model numbers, etc. of all devices 1 that are monitored by the device monitoring program 33.

[0042] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display state of the display 42 of the operation display unit 25 in a state in which a first status information screen 50 by the device monitoring program 33 is popped up. That is, on the first home screen 42A of the information processing device 200, an icon 43 for the user to start the device control program 34 is displayed on the left side of the display 42, and a task bar 44 is displayed below. In addition, a box display button 45 is displayed on the right side of the task bar 44. Note that the start-up icon 43 for the device control program 34 does not necessarily have to be displayed on the first home screen 42A, and the device control program 34 may be started by operating a menu screen (not shown) of the information processing device 200.

[0043] The first home screen 42A is displayed on the display 42 by the OS, and the OS also displays icons 43, a task bar 44, a box display button 45, and the like on the first home screen 42A.

[0044] Furthermore, a first status information screen 50 related to consumables, for example, the remaining ink level, is displayed as a pop-up on the first home screen 42A displayed on the display 42. The first status information screen 50 is configured with a first character string display field 50A in which a character string such as "Ink replacement soon" is displayed as status information, a second character string display field 50B in which a character string such as "Access the link containing support information" is displayed to which an access destination of the server 5 is linked, a model name display field 50C in which the model name of the device 1 is displayed, a remaining ink level display field 50D in which the remaining ink level is displayed, a remaining paper level display field 50E in which the remaining paper level is displayed, an offering information display field 50F in which offering information and the like related to the status information displayed in the first character string display field 50A are displayed, and a notification list button 50G in which a notification list button for displaying a notification list screen is displayed.

[0045] The model name display field 50C displays the model name and IP address of the corresponding device. Note that instead of the IP address, other identification information that can uniquely identify the device may be used. Examples of other identification information that can be used include a MAC address and a serial number.

[0046] 3A, a second status information screen 51 unrelated to consumables, such as ink, is popped up on the first home screen 42A by the device monitoring program 33. The second status information screen 51 is composed of a model display field 51A in which the model name of the device 1 is displayed, and a second character string display field 51B in which status information, such as "No paper," is displayed. The character string "No paper" is displayed in the second character string display field 51B when the information processing device 200 receives status information from the printing device 1 indicating that there is no paper.

[0047] 3(B), a third status information screen 52 not related to consumables, such as ink, is popped up on the first home screen 42A by the device monitoring program 33. The third status information screen 52 is configured with a model display field 52A that displays the model name of the device 1, and a progress display field 52B that displays status information, such as the progress of scanning by the image reading device 1B.

[0048] 3(C), an offering information screen 53 displaying offering information and the like is popped up on the first home screen 42A by the device monitoring program 33. The offering information screen 53 is configured with an offering information display field 53A for displaying offering information, a notification list button display field 53B for displaying a notification list button for displaying a notification list screen, and the like.

[0049] The information processing device 200 may be configured to pop up on the first home screen 42A a first status information screen 50 that displays status information related to consumables, a second status information screen 51 and a third status information screen 52 that display status information not related to consumables, and an offering information screen 53 that displays offering information so that they do not overlap with each other, or it may be configured so that these information screens 50 to 53 are pop up and displayed overlapping each other.

[0050] Furthermore, when multiple screens are configured to be displayed in a popup format overlapping each other, it is acceptable to configure the screen displaying new information to be displayed in a popup format in the foreground. In this case, since the screen displaying new information is displayed in a popup format in the foreground, the user can always keep an eye on the latest device status and information, obtain the status and information, and respond quickly.

[0051] (Displays status and offering information via popup) FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for displaying status information and offering information, which is realized by the device monitoring program 33 of the information processing device 200 and includes the operations of the device 1 and the server 5.

[0052] Note that each processing step in this embodiment represents processing by the CPU 21 in accordance with instructions written in a program such as the device monitoring program 33 of the information processing device 200. Processing by the CPU 21 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, detailed description of the OS will be omitted and the operation of each program will be explained. Also, for convenience, processing that is primarily performed by the CPU 21 may be described as being primarily performed by a program or device in this specification.

[0053] 4, first, when an error occurs during operation, for example, when device 1 is printing device 1A and an error occurs such as when a consumable such as ink runs out or when a paper jam occurs during printing, device 1 transmits status information indicating the error content to information processing device 200 (step 11 (hereinafter referred to as T11)). Accordingly, information processing device 200 that receives the status information, i.e., device monitoring program 33, stores the received status information in data storage unit 35 (T12). This procedure is an example of a first acquisition process.

[0054] Furthermore, the information processing device 200 queries each device 1 connected to the information processing device 200, i.e., each device 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, for status information. That is, the information processing device 200, i.e., the device monitoring program 33 queries each device 1 at regular intervals, performing so-called polling (T13). The polling interval for each device 1 may be constant, or may vary based on, for example, the frequency of use of the device 1. The polling interval may also be set by the user on a setting screen 80, which will be described later.

[0055] Each device 1 that has received an inquiry from the information processing device 200 transmits status information to the information processing device 200 (T14). Accordingly, the device monitoring program 33 that has received the status information stores the received status information in the data storage unit 35 (T15). Note that this procedure is an example of the first acquisition process and the multiple acquisition process.

[0056] When the status information is stored in the data storage unit 35 at T12 or T15, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the stored status information is status information related to a consumable item, such as ink, provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1. If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is related to a consumable item, as shown in FIG. 2, the device monitoring program 33 pops up a first status information screen 50 on the first home screen 42A based on the content of the status information (T16).

[0057] The device monitoring program 33 also searches for offering information stored in the data storage unit 35 based on the content of the status information and the model name of the device 1, specifically, for example, the warning information "Ink replacement soon" displayed in the first character string display field 50A and the model name "DCP-XXXDW" displayed in the model name display field 50C, and extracts the offering information stored in association with the warning information and the model name. The information processing device 200 then displays the extracted offering information in the offering information display field 50F of the first status information screen 50.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first status information screen 50, which is based on the status information related to consumables sent from all devices 1 connected to the information processing device 200, i.e., from each device 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, also displays warning information and offering information related to the model name in the offering information display field 50F. This allows the user to recognize that there is a device 1 with a specific status or that there is offering information related to the status by looking at the contents of the pop-up display, improving user convenience. This can also be expected to improve the user's ability to deal with status information.

[0059] In this case, the offering information displayed in the offering information display field 50F may be set to display only the offering information that the user has not read, or it may be set to display all offering information related to the warning information and model name, regardless of whether the offering information has been read or unread by the user.

[0060] Furthermore, the offering information is stored in the data storage unit 35 in association with information indicating whether it is unread or read, and immediately after receiving it from the server 5, information indicating unread is associated with it, and when it is displayed on the first status information screen 50 or the like, information indicating read is associated with it instead of the information indicating unread. Furthermore, in response to receiving a predetermined operation on the offering information display field 50F or the offering information screen 53, the corresponding offering information may be associated with a status of read.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the offering information stored in the data storage unit 35 is configured to be displayed in the offering information display field 50F of the first status information screen 50, but it is also possible to configure the information processing device 200 to download offering information from the server 5 by inquiring about the offering information based on the content of the status information and the model name of the device 1, and then display the offering information downloaded from the server 5 in the offering information display field 50F of the first status information screen 50 based on the offering information.

[0062] Next, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 is status information related to a consumable item, such as ink, provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1. If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is not related to a consumable item, such as an out-of-paper condition, provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1, the device monitoring program 33 pops up a second status information screen 51, such as that shown in FIG. 3A, or a third status information screen 52, such as that shown in FIG. 3B, on the first home screen 42A based on the content of the status information (T17). The second status information screen 51 indicates that the device is out of paper, and the third status information screen 52 indicates that the device is currently performing a scan.

[0063] In this embodiment, if the status information is not related to consumables such as ink provided by the manufacturer or sales company of device 1, for example, on the second status information screen 51 that notifies the user that paper is out or the third status information screen 52 that displays the progress of scanning by image reading device 1B, no offering information is displayed, so unnecessary information is not provided to the user, improving visibility for the user.

[0064] In addition, if the device monitoring program 33 receives the same status information from device 1 while displaying a pop-up screen based on certain status information from device 1, the further pop-up display of the screen based on the received status information may be omitted.

[0065] Furthermore, the device monitoring program 33 inquires about offering information from the server 5 connected to the information processing device 200, i.e., the information processing device 200 performs so-called polling of the server 5 (T18). The inquiry is accompanied by information indicating the time of the previous inquiry. When the server 5 receives the inquiry and finds that there is offering information that has not yet been transmitted to the information processing device 200, i.e., that there is new offering information that has been registered since the time indicated in the accompanying information, the server 5 transmits the new offering information to the information processing device 200 (T19). Therefore, the information processing device 200 that receives the offering information stores the received offering information in the data storage unit 35 (T20). Note that this process is an example of a second acquisition process.

[0066] The polling interval for the server 5 may be the same as the polling interval performed by the device monitoring program 33 for each device 1, or the polling interval for the device 1 may be different from that for the server 5. For example, the polling interval for the server 5 may be set longer than the polling interval for the device 1. The polling interval for the server 5 may also be changed depending on the situation, such as the season or whether or not an event is taking place.

[0067] Next, the device monitoring program 33 searches for offering information stored in the data storage unit 35, and if new offering information is present, pops up an offering information screen 53 as shown in Fig. 3(C) on the first home screen 42A based on the new offering information (T21). That is, the offering information screen 53 relating to the offering information is popped up in the same manner as the first status information screen 50 relating to the status information.

[0068] In this process, if there is no new offering information, the offering information screen 53 may be popped up on the first home screen 42A based on the latest offering information. Also, if there is no new offering information and the first status information screen 50 is displayed on the first home screen 42A, the offering information stored in the data storage unit 35 may be searched based on the model name displayed in the model name display field 50C of the first status information screen 50, and the offering information screen 53 may be popped up on the first home screen 42A based on the extracted offering information.

[0069] Next, FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for displaying status information and offering information based on user operation, which is realized by the device monitoring program 33 and device control program 34 of the information processing device 200, including the operations of the device 1 and the server 5.

[0070] Note that each processing step in this embodiment represents processing by the CPU 21 in accordance with instructions written in a program such as the device monitoring program 33 of the information processing device 200. Processing by the CPU 21 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, detailed description of the OS will be omitted and the operation of each program will be explained. Also, for convenience, processing that is primarily performed by the CPU 21 may be described as being primarily performed by a program or device in this specification.

[0071] (Displaying status and offering information using badges) That is, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the box display button 45 displayed in the notification area of ​​the task bar 44 displayed on the display 42 to instruct the display of a box (T31), the information processing device 200 causes the OS 31 to display a box 60 on the display 42, as shown in Fig. 6, and also displays a first icon 61 of the device monitoring program 33, which is a resident program, in the box 60 (T32). A first badge 62 is displayed accompanying the first icon 61.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the device monitoring program 33 changes the display method of the first badge 62 depending on the type of information obtained from the monitored device, for example, the device 1 or the server 5, via the network interface 27, i.e., displays it in a different display mode.

[0073] As a specific display mode, the device monitoring program 33 displays, for example, a red first badge 62A when status information acquired from each monitored device 1 includes status information related to an error. Furthermore, the device monitoring program 33 displays, for example, a yellow first badge 62B when status information acquired from each monitored device 1 does not include status information related to an error but includes status information related to a warning.

[0074] Furthermore, if the status information acquired from each monitored device 1 does not include status information related to errors or information related to warnings, and new offering information is acquired from the server 5, i.e., if unread offering information is stored in the data storage unit 35, the device monitoring program 33 displays, for example, a first badge 62C showing a white bell mark on a pink background.

[0075] Furthermore, when the status information acquired from each monitored device 1 does not include status information related to an error or warning, does not store unread offering information, and includes status information related to ready, the device monitoring program 33 displays, for example, a green first badge 62D. When the device monitoring program 33 does not store unread offering information and all monitored devices 1 are offline, the device monitoring program 33 displays, for example, a gray first badge 62E. Note that in the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the first badges 62A to 62E, the suffixes A to E for distinguishing them will be omitted and they will be described as the first badge 62. Note that the first badge is an example of an icon.

[0076] When displaying the first badges 62 within the box 60, the device monitoring program 33 determines priorities according to the type of status information and offering information, and displays one of the first badges 62A to 62E based on those priorities.

[0077] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first badge 62 with the highest display priority is a red first badge 62A indicating that the status information is an error. The first badge 62 with the next highest display priority is a yellow first badge 62B indicating that the status information is a warning. The first badge 62 with the next highest display priority is a first badge 62C indicating that unread offering information is stored. The first badge 62 with the next highest display priority is a green first badge 62D indicating that the status information is ready. The first badge 62 with the next highest display priority is a gray first badge 62E indicating that the status information is offline.

[0078] In this embodiment, whether the notification is about status information or about offering information, the badge is displayed, so the user can understand what information is being notified by looking at the badge. Furthermore, the display priority of status information such as errors and warnings is set higher than that of other status information, so the user can respond to the error or warning promptly.

[0079] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of badge display processing that is realized by the CPU 21 of the information processing device 200 sequentially processing according to instructions written in the device monitoring program 33. Note that this badge display processing is executed periodically at regular intervals by the CPU 21. It may also be executed every time status information or offering information is acquired.

[0080] First, the device monitoring program 33 selects one of the devices 1 being monitored, and reads out the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 of that device 1 (step 51 (hereinafter referred to as S51)).

[0081] Next, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the read status information is status information related to an error such as a paper jam (S52). If the information processing device 200 determines that the status information is related to an error (S52: YES), the device monitoring program 33 then displays the first badge 62A in red, indicating that the status information is an error, in the display of the first badge 62 in the box 60 (S53), and then ends the processing.

[0082] Furthermore, if the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is not related to an error (S52: NO), then the device monitoring program 33 determines whether checking has been completed for all devices 1 that are being monitored (S54). If the device monitoring program 33 determines that checking has not been completed for all devices 1 that are being monitored (S54: NO), the device monitoring program 33 returns to S51, selects the next device 1 that is being monitored, and reads out the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 of that device 1.

[0083] If the device monitoring program 33 determines that checking has been completed for all devices 1 that it is monitoring (S54: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 selects one of the devices 1 that it is monitoring and reads out the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 of that device 1 (S55). Next, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the read out status information is status information related to a warning, such as that the ink will soon run out (S56). If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is related to a warning (S56: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 displays a yellow first badge 62B in the box 60, indicating that it is a warning (S57), and then terminates processing.

[0084] If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is not related to a warning (S56: NO), then the device monitoring program 33 determines whether or not checking has been completed for all devices 1 being monitored (S58). If the device monitoring program 33 determines that checking has not been completed for all devices 1 being monitored (S58: NO), the device monitoring program 33 returns to S55, selects the next device 1 being monitored, and reads out the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 of that device 1.

[0085] Furthermore, if the device monitoring program 33 determines that confirmation has been completed for all devices 1 being monitored (S58: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 selects one of the devices 1 being monitored and reads the offering information for that device 1 from the data storage unit 35 (S59). Next, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the read offering information contains unread offering information (S60). Then, if the device monitoring program 33 determines that there is unread offering information (S60: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 displays the first badge 62C in the box 60, indicating that there is unread offering information (S61), and then terminates processing.

[0086] If the device monitoring program 33 determines that there is no unread offering information (S60: NO), then the device monitoring program 33 determines whether confirmation has been completed for all devices 1 being monitored (S62). If the device monitoring program 33 determines that confirmation has not been completed for all devices 1 being monitored (S62: NO), the device monitoring program 33 returns to S59, selects the next device 1 being monitored, and reads the offering information for that device 1 from the data storage unit 35.

[0087] Furthermore, if the device monitoring program 33 determines that confirmation has been completed for all devices 1 that are being monitored (S62: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 selects one of the devices 1 that are being monitored and reads out the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 of that device 1 (S63). Next, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the read status information indicates that the device is ready (S64). Then, if the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information indicates that the device is ready (S64: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 displays the first badge 62 in the box 60 as a green first badge 62D indicating that the device is ready (S65), and then terminates processing.

[0088] If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information does not indicate that the device is ready (S64: NO), then the device monitoring program 33 determines whether confirmation has been completed for all devices 1 that are being monitored (S66). If the device monitoring program 33 determines that confirmation has not been completed for all devices 1 that are being monitored (S66: NO), the device monitoring program 33 returns to S63, selects the next device 1 that is being monitored, and reads out the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 of that device 1.

[0089] Furthermore, if the device monitoring program 33 determines that confirmation has been completed for all devices 1 being monitored (S66: YES), then the device monitoring program 33 displays a gray first badge 62E indicating that the first badge 62 is offline in the box 60 (S67), and then terminates processing.

[0090] Returning again to the sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for displaying status information and offering information shown in Figure 5, if the user wants to know details of the status information displayed by the first badge 62, the user double-clicks the first icon 61 or the first badge 62 shown in Figure 6 with the mouse 41 to instruct the display of the status information screen (T33), and the device monitoring program 33 pops up the first status information screen 50 on the first home screen 42A, as shown in Figure 9 (T34).

[0091] In this embodiment, the first badge 62 shown in FIG. 6 is a yellow first badge 62B indicating a warning, and therefore the first status information screen 50 is popped up on the first home screen 42A with the device for which the warning has occurred selected. However, for example, if the first badge 62 is a first badge 62C indicating that there is unread offering information, the offering information screen 53 shown in FIG. 3(C) is displayed on the first home screen 42A.

[0092] Furthermore, for example, when a red first badge 62A indicating an error is displayed, a first status information screen 50 corresponding to the error is displayed as a pop-up on the first home screen 42A, with the device in which the error has occurred selected. Additionally, first to third status information screens 50 to 52 are displayed as appropriate depending on the display state of the first badge 62, i.e., the content of the status information.

[0093] Next, when the device monitoring program 33 is displaying the first status information screen 50 as a pop-up, by clicking with the mouse 41 on the list button 50H displayed to the right of the model name display field 50C to instruct a pull-down display (T35), the device monitoring program 33 displays a list menu 50J below the model name display field 50C (T36), as shown in Fig. 9. The list menu 50J also displays the model names of all devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, i.e., the model names and IP addresses stored in the data storage unit 35. The list menu is an example of an operation object.

[0094] At this time, a status mark 50K is displayed in the model name display field 50C and the list menu 50J in accordance with the model name displayed therein. The status mark 50K is displayed based on the status information stored in the data storage unit 35.

[0095] Here, when the user selects the new model name displayed in the list menu 50J by clicking with the mouse 41 (T37), the device monitoring program 33 displays the new model name and IP address selected by the user in the model name display field 50C, and also reads out the status information and offering information corresponding to the new model name selected by the user from the data storage unit 35 and displays them as the first status information screen 50 (T38). This processing is an example of the selection and acquisition processing.

[0096] In this process, if there is no new offering information, the offering information screen 53 may be popped up on the first home screen 42A based on the latest offering information. Also, if there is no new offering information and the first status information screen 50 is displayed on the first home screen 42A, the offering information stored in the data storage unit 35 may be searched based on the model name displayed in the model name display field 50C of the first status information screen 50, and the offering information screen 53 may be popped up on the first home screen 42A based on the extracted offering information.

[0097] In this manner, in this embodiment, by clicking and selecting another model name displayed in the list menu 50J with the mouse 41, the status information and offering information corresponding to that model name can be displayed on the first status information screen 50, thereby providing the latest status information and offering information of the device 1 that the user requires, thereby improving user convenience.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a status mark 50K is displayed in the model name display field 50C and the list menu 50J in correspondence with the model name displayed therein, which helps the user select another model name displayed in the list menu 50J, etc., thereby improving convenience.

[0099] Next, when the user right-clicks the first icon 61 shown in FIG. 6 with the mouse 41 to instruct the display of the startup box 63 (T43), the device monitoring program 33 displays the startup box 63 on the display 42 as shown in FIG. 10 (T44).

[0100] Here, when the user uses the mouse 41 to click on the text portion of the startup box 63 that reads "Start control program" to instruct the device control program 34 to be started (T45), the device monitoring program 33 starts the device control program 34 (T46). The user can also start the device control program 34 by double-clicking on the startup icon 43 portion shown in Figure 2 with the mouse 41.

[0101] Here, when the device control program 34 is started in the information processing device 200, the second home screen 70 of the device control program 34 is displayed on the display 42 (T47).

[0102] 11, the second home screen 70 displays icons corresponding to functions available for the selected printer, such as a print icon 71 and a scan icon 72. The second home screen 70 also has a control model name display field 73 that shows the name of the selected printer, a status information display field 74 that shows the status of the selected printer, and a remaining ink amount display field 75 that shows the remaining amount of consumables for the selected printer.

[0103] That is, the print icon 71 is used to instruct the selected printer to print. The scan icon 72 is used to instruct the selected printer to read an image. In addition, one of the devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33 is selected as the device to be controlled by the device control program 34 in the control model name display field 73, and the name of the selected device, specifically the model name of the device 1, is displayed. In addition, the status information display field 74 displays status information of the device 1 displayed in the control model name display field 73. In addition, in the case where the device 1 displayed in the control model name display field 73 is the printing device 1A, the remaining ink level display field 75 displays the remaining ink level of the printing device 1A.

[0104] Furthermore, when the device control program 34 is launched, it displays a second icon 76 of the device control program 34 on the task bar 44 of the first home screen 42A (T48). A second badge 77 is displayed accompanying the second icon 76 as necessary. Specifically, the device control program 34 displays, in the second badge 77, the number of unread pieces of offering information among the pieces of offering information for all devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33 that are stored in the data storage unit 35. That is, the second badge 77 shown in FIG. 11 indicates that there are 20 pieces of unread offering information for all devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33. Note that if there is zero unread offering information, the second badge 77 need not be displayed, or a second badge 77 indicating zero may be displayed.

[0105] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the display method and priority of the second badge 77, and the display priority of the second badge 77 is different from that of the first badge 62 shown in FIG.

[0106] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12 , the second badge 77 with the highest display priority is second badge 77E, which displays an “offline” mark on a gray background, indicating that the status information is offline. The second badges 77 with the next highest display priority are second badge 77A, which displays an “x” mark on a red background, indicating that the status information is an error, and second badge 77B, which displays an “!” mark on a yellow background, indicating that the status information is a warning. The second badge 77 with the next highest display priority is second badge 77C, which displays a white number on a pink background, indicating that unread offering information is stored. The second badge 77 with the next highest display priority is second badge 77D, which displays a “check” mark on a green background, indicating that the status information is ready.

[0107] As described above, in this embodiment, when the device control program 34 is launched, the second icon 76 and the second badge 77 are displayed on the task bar 44, and the second badge 77 allows the user to easily know the number of unread offering information items for all devices 1. This increases the user's opportunities to read offering information items, and as a result, increases the opportunities for receiving services.

[0108] In addition, when any of the following status information, which has a higher priority than unread offering information, is acquired from device 1 of the model name displayed in the control model name display field 73: offline status information, error status information, and warning status information, a red or yellow second badge 77 is displayed on the task bar 44 of the second home screen 70 in place of the number of unread offering information.

[0109] In this embodiment, when any one of offline status information, error status information, and warning status information, which have a higher priority than unread offering information, is acquired, a second badge 777 in gray, red, or yellow is displayed on the task bar 44 of the second home screen 70 in place of the number of unread offering information, allowing the user to quickly respond to the error or warning. In addition, the second badge 77 displayed on the task bar 44 can be displayed larger than the first badge 62 displayed in the box 60, improving user recognition.

[0110] As described above in detail, according to the technology disclosed in this specification, the aspect of the first icon 61 of the device monitoring program 33 includes an aspect corresponding to the status based on the color of the first badge 62, and by displaying the first badge 62 of the device monitoring program 33 in an aspect corresponding to the highest priority status among multiple devices to be communicated with, it is possible to notify the user that there is a device with the highest priority status. Various information about the devices to be monitored can be effectively provided to the user.

[0111] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the printing device 1A does not need to be equipped with the operation panel 13.

[0112] In addition, in this embodiment, the difference in status is expressed by changing the display color of the first badge and the second badge depending on the type of status information, but the difference in status may also be expressed by whether or not the first badge and the second badge flash, or by changing the flashing interval.

[0113] Furthermore, in the processing of T12, if the information processing device 200 receives status information of a high urgency, such as a paper jam, the information processing device 200 may be configured to immediately display one of the first to third status information screens 50 to 52 on the display 42 based on the received status information to notify the user.

[0114] Furthermore, the communication method between the printing device 1A and the information processing device 200 is not limited to wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. For example, it may be wired communication using a USB cable, or wireless communication based on other standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). It may also be equipped with multiple communication functions.

[0115] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1 device 2. Information processing equipment 5 Server 42 Display 33 Device Monitoring Program 34 Device Control Program 50 First Status Information Screen 51 Second status information screen 52 Third Status Information Screen 53 Offering Information Screen 61 First Icon 62 1st Badge 76 Second Icon 77 Second Badge

Claims

1. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication unit, The program causes the computer to: The icon corresponding to the program can be displayed in a different display mode depending on a status acquired via the communication unit from an image processing device designated as a communication target, When a plurality of image processing devices are designated as communication targets, a first acquisition process is executed to communicate with each of the plurality of image processing devices via the communication unit and acquire a status of each image processing device; displaying the icon corresponding to the program in a manner corresponding to the status with the highest priority among the statuses of the image processing devices acquired in the first acquisition process; A program that is structured as follows.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, The program causes the computer to: In a state where a status of a first image processing device included in the plurality of image processing devices to be communicated is a first status and the icon is displayed in a manner corresponding to the first status, when a second status having a higher priority than the first status is acquired as a status of a second image processing device included in the plurality of image processing devices to be communicated with, the state of the icon is changed to a state corresponding to the second status; when a third status having a lower priority than the first status is acquired as the status of the second image processing device, the mode of the icon is not changed; A program that is structured as follows.

3. 2. The program according to claim 1, The program causes the computer to: when a predetermined operation is performed via the icon corresponding to the program, an image processing device having a status corresponding to a current state of the icon is selected from among the plurality of image processing devices to be communicated with, and a screen including information about the selected image processing device is displayed. A program that is structured as follows.

4. 4. The program according to claim 3, the screen including the information about the image processing device includes an operation object for accepting a change of the image processing device to be displayed; The program causes the computer to: When a change of the image processing device to be displayed is accepted by an operation on the operation object, a screen including information about the image processing device that has been changed to be the display target is displayed. A program that is structured as follows.

5. 2. The program according to claim 1, The program causes the computer to: executes a second acquisition process of communicating with a server that provides service-related information relating to services that can be provided to the image processing device via the communication unit and acquiring the service-related information from the server; When the highest priority status among the statuses of each image processing device acquired in the first acquisition process has a higher priority than the existence of unread service-related information, the icon corresponding to the program is displayed in a manner corresponding to the status, and when the highest priority status does not have a higher priority than the existence of unread service-related information, the icon corresponding to the program is displayed in a manner corresponding to the existence of unread service-related information. A program that is structured as follows.

6. 6. A program according to claim 5, the status of the image processing device includes error, ready, and offline; the priority of the notification that there is unread service-related information is lower than the error status of the image processing device and higher than the ready and offline statuses; A program that is structured as follows.

7. 2. The program according to claim 1, The aspect of the icon corresponding to the program includes an aspect in which a badge is given, and in the aspect corresponding to the status, a badge of a different color is given depending on the content of the status. A program that is structured as follows.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, The program is a resident program, The program causes the computer to: starting the execution of the first acquisition process while the program is running; A program that is structured as follows.

9. A program set including a first program and a second program executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication unit, the first program is a resident program, the second program is a non-resident program, and the first program and the second program are programs that operate as independent processes, The first program and the second program are each installed in the computer. An icon corresponding to each program is displayed, and the icon corresponding to each program can be displayed in a different display mode depending on the status of the image processing device, The first program further includes: When a plurality of image processing devices are designated as communication targets, the device communicates with each of the plurality of image processing devices via the communication unit, and executes a multiple acquisition process for acquiring the status of each image processing device; displaying the icon corresponding to the first program in a manner corresponding to the status with the highest priority among the statuses of the image processing devices acquired in the multiple acquisition process; The second program further includes: accepting a selection of an image processing device to be displayed and executing a selection acquisition process to acquire the status of the selected image processing device; displaying the icon corresponding to the second program in a manner corresponding to the status acquired in the selection acquisition process; A set of programs configured to:

10. An information processing apparatus having the program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An information processing apparatus comprising the program set according to claim 9.

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