Information processing device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To properly identify a printing device to be used.SOLUTION: An information processing device retains printing device information about registered printing devices. The information processing device determines a priority order for the registered printing devices, and identifies, from the registered printing devices, a printing device that can communicate with the information processing device and is in a predetermined state in accordance with the priority order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There is known a technique for detecting the printer or scanner that will print an image or read an original when the printer or scanner is made to print an image or read an original using a portable terminal such as a smartphone. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for appropriately identifying the printer or scanner by storing location information of the terminal when the printer or scanner is made to print or read, and comparing this with location information of the terminal when the printer or scanner is newly made to print or read. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-106305201 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, when there are multiple printers that can be communicated with based on the location information, the user must select a printer. Also, if the location information of the printers cannot be properly acquired, for example, if the location information cannot be acquired at all, it is not possible to select an appropriate printer.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can automatically and appropriately identify a communication device that is to execute a predetermined process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device, comprising: a storage means for storing printing device information relating to registered printing devices; a determining unit for determining the priority of the registered printing devices; and a specifying unit for specifying, from the registered printing devices, a printing device that can communicate with the information processing device and is in a predetermined state, in accordance with the priority order. An information processing device characterized by the above features is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an information processing device can automatically and appropriately select a printing device to execute a predetermined process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an application configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printer list stored by a communication device management unit 404. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an application screen. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a communication device identification process in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a printer list sorting process in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a printer list update process in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a communication device identification process in the second embodiment. [Figure 11]10 is a flowchart showing a printer list sorting process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a paper information registration screen. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing a communication device identification process in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart showing a communication processing specification process when printing is executed in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) <System configuration> FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a print processing system. This system is centered around, for example, a wireless LAN access point 100, and includes an information processing device 200 and a communication device 300 that can connect to the access point 100. In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as the information processing device 200, but this is not limiting. For example, various devices such as a mobile terminal, a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a digital camera can be used as the information processing device 200. Furthermore, a printer (i.e., a printing device or an image forming device) is used as the communication device 300, but this is not limiting. Various devices capable of wireless communication with the information processing device 200 can be used. For example, inkjet printers, full-color laser beam printers, monochrome printers, and the like can be used as printers. In addition to printers, other devices such as copiers, facsimile machines, mobile terminals, smartphones, laptop PCs, tablet terminals, PDAs, digital cameras, music playback devices, televisions, and smart speakers can also be used. Furthermore, multifunction peripherals equipped with multiple functions, such as copying, facsimile, and printing, can also be used. In this embodiment, the communication device 300 is a printer, and therefore in the following description, the communication device will also be referred to as a printer.

[0011] The access point 100 and the communication device 300 can be connected via a wireless LAN, but they may also be connected via a wired LAN. The access point 100 and the information processing device 200 can also be connected via a wireless LAN. If the access point 100 and the communication device 300 are connected via wireless connection 103 and the access point 100 and the information processing device 200 are connected via wireless connection 102, the communication device 300 and the information processing device 200 can communicate with each other. The communication device 300 also has an AP mode (access point mode), and when the AP mode is enabled, it can communicate with other devices, such as the information processing device 200, via its own access point (software access point). Therefore, both the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300 in AP mode can also perform peer-to-peer communication via a wireless LAN. When the AP mode of the communication device 300 is enabled, the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300 perform peer-to-peer communication using the access point provided in the communication device 300. The wireless connection 1023 indicates a connection via wireless LAN during peer-to-peer communication between the information processing device 200 and the AP mode communication device 300. The wireless connection 1023 may also indicate a connection via short-range wireless communication, which will be described later.

[0012] Note that while the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300 are performing peer-to-peer communication using an access point provided in the communication device, the communication device 300 may communicate with the access point 100. Whether the communication device enables only the AP mode or enables both the AP mode and communication with the access point 100 is determined by a user instruction.

[0013] <Configuration of information processing device> The configuration of the information processing device 200 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 2. In addition, the following configuration will be described as an example in this embodiment, but the functions are not limited to those shown in the figure.

[0014] The information processing device 200 includes an input interface 201, a CPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, an external storage device 205, an output interface 206, a display unit 207, a communication unit 208, and an image capturing device 211. The CPU 202, the ROM 203, the RAM 204, etc. form a computer of the information processing device 200 that executes a program.

[0015] The input interface 201 is an interface for receiving data inputs and operational instructions from a user by operating an operation unit such as a soft keyboard or soft buttons displayed on the display unit 207. That is, the input interface 201 can receive inputs from a user via the display unit 207. Note that the operation unit may be a physical keyboard or physical buttons that are independent of the display unit, in which case the input interface 201 can receive inputs from a user without going through the display unit 207.

[0016] The CPU 202 is a system control unit that controls the entire information processing device 200. The CPU 202 loads programs stored in the ROM 203 or the external storage device 205 into the RAM 204 and executes the loaded programs to perform various controls such as displaying a UI screen (GUI), generating print data, and transmitting the print data. Note that GUI is an abbreviation for Graphical User Interface, and is sometimes simply called a user interface. The programs executed by the CPU 202 include programs for processing the procedures shown in, for example, FIGS. 7 to 11 and 13 to 14.

[0017] The ROM 203 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by the CPU 202, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) program. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 203 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 203. In this embodiment, a priority task (described later) can be set in the program executed by the CPU 202, and any OS may be used as long as it is compatible with operations during execution of the priority task. Specifically, for example, the OS provided in the information processing device 200 is iOS (registered trademark) or Android (registered trademark).

[0018] The RAM 204 is configured with an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like that requires a backup power source. Note that the RAM 204 holds data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, so that important data such as program control variables can be stored without volatilization. The RAM 204 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the information processing device 200, management data for the information processing device 200, and the like. The RAM 204 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 202.

[0019] The external storage device 205 stores application programs (hereinafter simply referred to as apps) for providing functions such as printing and scanning. The apps for providing functions such as printing and scanning are referred to as printing apps, which will be described later. These apps are installed from an external server via Internet communication via the communication unit 208 and then stored in the external storage device 205. The external storage device 205 also stores various programs, such as a print information generation program for generating print information interpretable by the communication device 300 and an information transmission / reception control program for transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication device 300 connected via the communication unit 208. The print application and print information generation program, along with the communication device 300, may support a predetermined printing protocol. The external storage device 205 also stores various information used by these programs, as well as image data obtained from other terminal devices or the Internet. While the present embodiment assumes that the external storage device 205 is a nonvolatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD), an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) may also be used. In this way, the hardware such as the CPU 202, the ROM 203, the RAM 204, the external storage device 205, etc. constitutes a so-called computer.

[0020] The output interface 206 is an interface that controls the display unit 207 to display data and notify the status of the information processing device 200 .

[0021] The display unit 207 is configured with an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data and notifies the status of the information processing device 200. Note that the display unit 207 may be configured with a touch panel and provided with a soft keyboard having keys such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key, thereby accepting input from the user via the display unit 207. Furthermore, the display unit 207 displays screens provided by the OS and screens provided by applications.

[0022] The communication unit 208 is configured to connect to devices such as the communication device 300 and the access point 100 and perform data communication. The communication unit 208 may communicate wirelessly via an external device located outside the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300, or may communicate directly with the communication device 300. The external device includes an external access point (such as the access point 100) located outside the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300, and a device other than an access point that can relay communication. In this embodiment, the wireless communication method used by the communication unit 208 is assumed to be Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark) or Ultra Wide Band (UWB), which are communication standards conforming to the IEEE 802.11 series. Wireless communication using Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is sometimes referred to as wireless LAN. Furthermore, if the communication unit 208 is a wireless LAN adapter, the access point 100 may be, for example, a device such as a wireless LAN router. The information processing device 200 and the communication device 300 can communicate with each other by connecting the communication unit 208 and the communication device 300 via the access point 100. When directly communicating with the communication device 300, the AP mode is enabled in the communication device 300, and the communication unit 208 connects to an access point (not shown) within the communication device 300. In this case, the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300 can communicate with each other by connecting the communication unit 208 to the access point within the communication device 300. Note that in addition to an infrastructure mode in which a connection is made via an access point, a wireless LAN also has an ad hoc mode in which a peer-to-peer connection is made without going through an access point. However, the peer-to-peer connection in this embodiment is made by a so-called direct connection using the access point provided in the communication device 300 as described above.

[0023] The short-range wireless communication unit 209 is configured to perform data communication by wirelessly connecting to a device such as the communication device 300 over a short distance, and performs communication using a communication method different from that of the communication unit 208. The short-range wireless communication unit 209 can be connected to the short-range wireless communication unit 306 in the communication device 300. In the configuration of this embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used as the predetermined communication method for the short-range wireless communication unit 209.

[0024] Furthermore, the information processing device 200 can identify its own position using a global positioning system (GPS). Specifically, the information processing device 200 includes a GPS communication unit 210, which receives radio waves from multiple satellites (GPS satellites). The information processing device 200 then calculates the distance between the information processing device 200 and each of the multiple satellites from the received radio waves, and identifies the position where the calculated distance from each of the multiple satellites is the position of the mobile terminal 200. For example, when radio waves are received from four or more satellites, the position in three-dimensional space can be identified; specifically, the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the information processing device 200 can be calculated. Note that instead of GPS, a global positioning satellite system (GNSS) other than GPS may be used, and even in this case, the above-described principle of positioning remains the same as that of GPS.

[0025] Furthermore, the radio waves transmitted from the above-mentioned artificial satellites are modulated by a method according to the time when the radio waves are transmitted. The information processing device 200 can identify the time when the radio waves were transmitted by checking the modulation method of the received radio waves, and can also identify the time it takes for the radio waves to reach the information processing device 200 from the artificial satellite by calculating the difference between the received time and the time when the radio waves were transmitted. Furthermore, the speed of the radio waves is predetermined, and information about this speed is stored in the information processing device 200. Therefore, the information processing device 200 can calculate the distance from the artificial satellite by multiplying the above-mentioned time and the above-mentioned speed. The position of the information processing device 200 is identified by the distance calculated in this manner.

[0026] The calculation of the distance to the artificial satellite and the determination of the position of the information processing device 200 may be performed by the CPU 202, or the GPS communication unit 210 may have a processor separate from the CPU 202, and that processor may calculate the distance and determine the position.

[0027] Furthermore, if the information processing device 200 is a smartphone or a mobile phone, functions such as calling can be realized by performing wireless communication conforming to LTE, NR, or the like between a communication unit (not shown) and a base station of a telephone line, and the distance between the information processing device 200 and the base station can also be determined. Therefore, for example, the position determined by radio waves from an artificial satellite received by the GPS communication unit 210 can be corrected based on the distance from the base station. Alternatively, when the GPS communication unit 210 is in a state where it cannot receive radio waves from an artificial satellite, the position of the information processing device 200 may be determined based on the distances to multiple base stations.

[0028] The photographing device 211 is a device that converts an image photographed by an image sensor into digital data. This digital data is temporarily stored in the RAM 204. Thereafter, in accordance with a program executed by the CPU 202, this digital data is converted into image data in a predetermined image format, and the image data is stored in the external storage device 205.

[0029] <Configuration of communication device> The communication device 300 is a device with which the information processing device 200 in this embodiment communicates. The communication device 300 has a ROM 301, a RAM 302, a CPU 303, a print engine 304, a communication unit 305, a short-range wireless communication unit 306, a display unit 307, and a GPS communication unit 308. The ROM 301, RAM 302, CPU 303, etc. form a computer of the communication device 300 that executes a program.

[0030] ROM 301 stores fixed data such as control programs and data tables executed by CPU 303, and embedded OS programs. In this embodiment, each control program stored in ROM 301 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM 301. ROM 301 also has a memory area for storing data that needs to be retained even when power is not supplied, such as setting information and management data for communication device 300.

[0031] The RAM 302 is composed of an SRAM or the like that requires a backup power source. Since the RAM 302 holds data using a primary battery (not shown) for data backup, it can store important data such as program control variables without volatilizing it. The RAM 302 also has a memory area for storing setting information for the communication device 300, management data for the communication device 300, and the like. The RAM 302 is also used as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 303, and stores a receive buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the information processing device 200, etc., as well as various other information.

[0032] The CPU 303 is a system control unit and controls the entire communication device 300. The CPU 303 loads a program stored in the ROM 301 into the RAM 302 and executes the loaded program, thereby realizing, for example, a software access point and controlling communication with the information processing device 200 and printing.

[0033] The print engine 304 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper by applying a recording agent such as ink to the recording medium based on information stored in RAM 302 and a print job received from the information processing device 200 or the like, and outputs the print result. Note that, since the amount of data of a print job transmitted from the information processing device 200 or the like is generally large, a communication method capable of high-speed communication is required for communicating the print job. Therefore, the communication device 300 receives the print job via a communication unit 305 capable of high-speed communication.

[0034] The communication unit 305 is a component for connecting to an external device such as the information processing device 200 and performing data communication. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi is used as the wireless communication method of the communication unit 305, but Bluetooth Classic or the like may also be used. The communication unit 305 has an access point (not shown) as an access point within the communication device 300 for connecting to devices such as the information processing device 200. This access point is connectable to the communication unit 110 of the information processing device 200. The communication unit 305 may communicate directly with the information processing device 200 via the access point possessed by the communication unit 305, or may communicate with the information processing device 200 via the access point 131. In addition, when the communication unit 305 has the function of an access point, the communication unit 305 may have hardware that functions as an access point. Alternatively, the communication unit 305 may operate as an access point using software for functioning as an access point. The access point within the communication device 300 may be configured as multiple access points with different SSIDs and passwords.

[0035] The short-range wireless communication unit 306 is configured to establish a short-range wireless connection with a device such as the information processing device 200. In the configuration of this embodiment, the short-range wireless communication unit 306 uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as a communication method.

[0036] The display unit 307 is, for example, a display panel, and is configured with an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc. The display unit 307 displays data and notifies the status of the communication device 300. Note that the display unit 307 may be configured with a touch panel and provided with a soft keyboard having keys such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key, thereby accepting input from the user via the display unit 307.

[0037] Like the GPS communication unit of the information processing device 200, the GPS communication unit 308 receives radio waves from multiple artificial satellites (GPS satellites) and identifies its position in three-dimensional space. Note that the communication device 300 does not need to be equipped with the GPS communication unit 308. In that case, the communication device 300 may receive GPS information from an external device such as the information processing device 200 via the communication unit 305 or the short-range communication unit 306. Alternatively, the user may input location information of the location where the communication device 300 is installed on the display unit 307. Note that if the communication device 300 is equipped with a positioning system, it does not have to be GPS, as with the information processing device 200.

[0038] Note that communication device 300 may be equipped with an optional memory such as an external HDD or SD card, and information stored in communication device 300 may be stored in the memory. Communication device 300 may also have a device for functions other than printing, such as a scanner unit that optically reads images and converts them into image data. In this case, communication device 300 may have a function to transmit scanned (i.e., read) image data to an external device such as information processing device 200 via communication unit 305.

[0039] <Application configuration> 4 shows the configuration of a predetermined application stored in the ROM 203, external storage device 205, etc. of the information processing device 200. The predetermined application is an application program for causing the communication device 300 to print image data, document data, etc. stored in the information processing device 200, and for importing image data, document data, etc. scanned by the communication device 300 into the information processing device 200. Hereinafter, this application program will be referred to as a printing application.

[0040] The printing application 400 has a location information acquisition unit 401, a communication device detection unit 402, a communication device information control unit 403, a communication device management unit 404, a communication device identification unit 405, and a display control unit 406 as program modules.

[0041] The location information acquisition unit 401 acquires location information (current location information or GPS information) of the current location of the information processing device 200 by calculating the current location of the information processing device 200 as described above using radio waves from artificial satellites received by the GPS communication unit 210 described above.

[0042] The GPS communication unit 210 and the location information acquisition unit 401 periodically acquire GPS information, for example, when the information processing device 200 is powered on and operating. When acquiring GPS information periodically in this manner, the GPS information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 401 immediately before or after a print instruction is input by a user is stored in the external storage device 205 as the latest location information.

[0043] It should be noted that if the location information of the information processing device 200 cannot be identified or if the user has not given permission to obtain the location information, the location information cannot be obtained.

[0044] In this embodiment, the printing application 400 uses the communication device detection unit 402 to search for a communication device 300 connected to the network to which the access point 100 to which the information processing device 200 is connected belongs. The communication device detection unit 402 detects whether the searched communication device 300 is within the network to which the information processing device 200 belongs, and confirms that it is in a state where communication is possible. In other words, if the communication device is powered off or is offline with respect to the network, it will not be detected by the communication device detection unit 402. Therefore, detection by the communication device detection unit 402 makes it possible to identify at least devices that are online on the network of the access point 100.

[0045] The communication device information control unit 403 communicates with the searched communication device 300 via the communication unit 208 and acquires device information related to the communication device 300. Specifically, the device information includes, for example, identification information of the communication device, capability information indicating the capabilities of the communication device, and status information indicating the status of the communication device. Specifically, the status of the communication device includes, for example, an error state, information about the loaded paper, and the remaining ink level. The communication device information control unit 403 associates various pieces of information included in the acquired device information with the identification information of the communication device 300 and stores them in the communication device management unit 404 (described later), and thereafter treats the communication device 300 as a communication device capable of performing communication and printing in the printing application 400. In other words, the communication device registered in the printing application 400 is the communication device that provided the device information acquired by the printing application 400. In this embodiment, information related to the location of the information processing device 200 at the time the communication device 300 was registered (hereinafter referred to as location information) is also associated with the identification information of the communication device 300 and stored in the communication device management unit 404. In other words, the time when the communication device 300 is registered is the time when device information is obtained from the communication device 300. However, the timing at which the location information is obtained is not limited to the above. The timing at which the location information is obtained may be based on the execution of the process for registering the communication device 300. In this embodiment, the printing application 400 can register multiple communication devices. The communication devices registered by the printing application 400 are managed by the printing application 400 as a registered printer list. The registered printer list is, for example, the list shown in FIG. 5. Note that the location information managed by the registered printer list may be information about the location of the communication device 300 at the time the communication device 300 was registered, rather than information about the location of the information processing device 200 at the time the communication device 300 was registered. In other words, the printing application 400 may obtain information about the location of the communication device 300 from the communication device 300 as device information, and store the information in the communication device management unit 404 in association with the identification information of the communication device 300. The information relating to the location of communication device 300 is, for example, location information measured and calculated by a configuration similar to location information acquisition unit 401 that communication device 300 has.The information relating to the location of the communication device 300 is, for example, location information input to the communication device 300 by a user operation.

[0046] In this embodiment, a communication device selected by the communication device information control unit 403 from the registered printer list is identified as a communication partner of the printing application 400. The communication device selected by the communication device information control unit 403 from the registered printer list is referred to as a selected communication device (selected printer). In other words, the printing application 400 communicates only with the selected communication device from the registered printer list, and does not communicate with communication devices other than the selected communication device. Note that the printing application 400 can change the communication device set as the selected communication device to another communication device from the registered printer list as appropriate. Specifically, for example, the printing application 400 displays the registered printer list based on receiving an operation from the user to change the selected communication device. Then, the printing application 400 newly sets the communication device selected by the user from the registered printer list as the selected communication device. In this embodiment, the communication device information control unit 403 selects a communication device 300 identified by a communication device identification unit 405 (described later) from among the communication devices included in the registered printer list as a selected communication device that is to perform a predetermined function, such as printing or scanning. Specifically, in this embodiment, the selected communication device is selected based on the distance between the location of the information processing device 200 at the time of selecting the selected communication device and the respective locations of the information processing device 200 when each communication device 300 was registered. Each distance is identified based on the location information of the information processing device 200 at the time of selecting the selected communication device and the respective location information of the information processing device 200 when each communication device 300 was registered. As a result, the communication device 300 managed in the printer list and associated with location information corresponding to the location closest to the location of the information processing device 200 at the time of selecting the selected communication device is identified and selected as the selected communication device.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the location information managed by the registered printer list may be information relating to the location of the communication device 300 at the time the communication device 300 was registered. In this case, the currently selected communication device is selected based on the distances between the location of the information processing device 200 at the time the currently selected communication device is selected and the locations of each communication device 300 at the time the communication device 300 was registered. The distances are determined based on the location information of the information processing device 200 at the time the currently selected communication device is selected and the location information of each communication device 300 at the time the communication device 300 was registered.

[0048] The timing for selecting the currently selected communication device is, for example, when the printing application 400 is launched, as shown in Fig. 7. However, the timing is not limited to this. The timing may be when a print button for executing a function of sending a print job to the currently selected communication device or a scan button for executing a function of sending a scan job to the currently selected communication device is selected on a screen displayed by the printing application 400.

[0049] The selected communication device is a candidate determined to be suitable as a communication device for executing a predetermined function, and the selected communication device can be changed to another communication device by the user.

[0050] The communication device management unit 404 is a module for storing information about the communication device 300 registered by the communication device information control unit 403, and is configured with the ROM 203, RAM 204, external storage device 205, etc. described above. The communication device management unit 404 stores the GPS information (location information) acquired by the location information acquisition unit 401 and identification information for identifying the communication device (printer) corresponding to the GPS information in a printer list in the external storage device 205 as a usage history. Specifically, when a print instruction is input by the user via the input interface 201 and printing is performed by the printer, the communication device management unit 404 associates the GPS information acquired when the print instruction was input with the identification information of the printer and stores them in the external storage device 205. Furthermore, when printer registration is performed, the communication device management unit 404 also associates the GPS information acquired when the print instruction was input with the identification information of the printer and stores them in the external storage device 205.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a printer list 500 stored in the external storage device 205 by the communication device management unit 404. Through the processes of S903 and S904 (described below), the communication device management unit 404 stores in a list the printer name, the MAC address as device identification information for identifying the printer, location information of the location where the printer was used, and the date the printer was used. Here, the location information includes latitude, longitude, and altitude. In this embodiment, the location information of the location where the printer was used is information about the location of the information processing device 200 when the communication device 300 was registered, as described above. As described above, the location information managed by the printer list 500 may also be information about the location of the communication device 300 when the communication device 300 was registered.

[0052] The communication device identification unit 405 executes various processes shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, for identifying a communication device capable of printing. Through these processes, the communication device is identified as a communication device that can communicate with the information processing device 200 and that can be caused by the information processing device 200 to perform a predetermined process, such as printing. If there are multiple applicable communication devices, the communication devices are prioritized and one communication device is identified according to the priority. The communication device identified by the communication device identification unit 405 becomes the communication device selected in the initial state when the print application 400 is launched. Here, "selected" refers to a state in which the communication device is designated as a target for printing image data, document data, etc., or for executing functions such as scanning. This state is also called a selected state.

[0053] The display control unit 406 displays a user interface screen of the print application 400 on the display unit 207. The displayed user interface screen includes the home screen of the communication device 300 in the selected state and its setting screen, as shown in FIG.

[0054] 6(a) is an example of a home screen displayed on the display unit 207 by the display control unit 406 when the printing application 400 is launched. Via the home screen 600, the user can use functions of the selected communication device, such as printing a desired image or configuring the communication device. The home screen 600 has a printer display unit 601, a print button 602, and a scan button 603 arranged thereon.

[0055] The display control unit 406 displays, on the printer display unit 601, an image, text, or the like indicating the communication device 300 identified by the communication device identification unit 405, thereby indicating to the user that the communication device 300 is in a selected state. When the information processing device 200 detects pressing of the print button 602, it displays a print setting screen (described later) for the selected communication device 300. Note that pressing a button is equivalent to tapping a displayed button if the display unit 207 is a touch panel. Furthermore, when the information processing device 200 detects pressing of the scan button 603, it displays a scan setting screen for causing the selected communication device 300 to execute a scan. Note that the scan button 603 may be displayed only if the capability information of the communication device 300 indicates that it has a scan function, and it need not be displayed if the communication device 300 does not have a scan function.

[0056] FIG. 6B shows a print setting screen that is displayed when pressing of the print button 602 is detected. The print setting screen 650 includes a printer button 651, a paper size button 652, a paper type button 653, and a border setting button 654. The printer button 651 displays information about the communication device 300 identified by the communication device identification unit 405 (described later). The user can also use this button to manually select a printer other than the displayed printer. When the printer button 651 is pressed, for example, the display control unit 406 displays a list of identification information for communication devices that are detected by the communication device detection unit 402, can communicate with the information processing device 200, and are in a printable state. The communication device selected by the user from among these devices becomes the newly selected communication device. At this time, the communication device that meets the conditions may be based on the most recent search results, or may be a communication device that is newly searched in response to pressing of the printer button 651.

[0057] The paper size button 652, paper type button 653, and border setting button 654 are buttons for setting the paper size, paper type, and whether or not to perform "borderless printing." The user can change each setting by operating these buttons. "Borderless printing" is a printing method in which an image is printed larger than the paper size set by the paper size button 652, so that no margins are left around the edges of the paper. The user can then issue a print instruction to the selected printer displayed on the printer button 651 by using the input interface 201 to tap the print button 655, for example.

[0058] 6(b) may be performed on the same screen, as in Fig. 6(b), or on different screens for each type of setting. For example, when a printer selection screen is displayed and the user selects a printer, the screen may switch to a screen for setting the paper size and paper type for that printer.

[0059] In the example of Figure 6(b), the information processing device 200 does not have a printer driver, and data created by the printing application 400 (for example, a JPEG image file) is sent to the printer without being converted into print data. When data created by the printing application is sent to the printer without the intervention of a printer driver, the printer itself renders the data and converts it into print data, and then prints it. In this way, when the information processing device 200 does not have a printer driver, the printing application 400 presents a printer selection screen as shown in Figure 6(b) and a screen for making various print settings for the printer.

[0060] Alternatively, for example, the information processing device 200 may be provided with a printer driver, which converts data created by the printing application 400 into print data and sends it to the printer. In this case, the paper size, type, border settings, etc. may be set on a setting screen of the printer driver. The setting screen of the printer driver is displayed by a display control program for the printer driver (not shown). In this case, the user may also be able to set more detailed setting items not shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0061] <Processing flow> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed when the printing application 400 is launched. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 illustrates processing by the information processing device 200 to appropriately select a communication device for executing printing when the application is launched. The processing is not limited to this example, and the processing shown in FIG. 7 may be executed when the print button or scan button on the screen displayed by the printing application 400 is selected, as described above. The processing shown in FIG. 7 is implemented by the CPU 202 loading programs corresponding to the OS and applications from the external storage device 205 into the RAM 204 and executing them on the RAM 204. Specifically, the processing shown in FIG. 7 is executed by executing the printing application 400. In the following description of the flow, each step is executed by a software executing entity, i.e., each module shown in FIG. 4. However, because each module is implemented by the CPU 202, it can be said that the CPU 202 is the hardware executing entity.

[0062] First, in S701, the communication device identification unit 405 acquires a registered printer list from the external storage device 205 via the communication device management unit 404. The registered printer list may be empty in its initial state. Specifically, the initial state is a state in which the printing application 400 has not acquired device information from any communication device and no printers are registered in the printing application 400.

[0063] In S702, the communication device identification unit 405 determines whether there is a registered printer in the acquired printer list. If there is one or more registered printers, the process proceeds to S703. If there are no registered printers (if the registered printer list is in its initial state), the process ends. Alternatively, the process for registering a printer may be performed. That is, the process may search for printers to be registered, display discovered printers, or acquire device information from a printer selected by the user from among the discovered printers and register the printer.

[0064] In S703, the communication device specifying unit 405 sorts the acquired printer list using the process described later in Fig. 8. In the process from S704 onwards, printable printers are specified in the order of the sorted list.

[0065] In step S704, the communication device specifying unit 405 selects target printers to be searched for in the printer search, starting from the top of the sorted printer list.

[0066] In step S705, the communication device detection unit 402 attempts to communicate with the selected target printer. The communication device identification unit 405 confirms that the target printer is online by checking a response from the target printer. If it is confirmed that the target printer is online, it is deemed that the target printer has been successfully detected. The target printer may be detected, for example, using the following method. First, the communication device identification unit 405 of the information processing device 200 sends a printer search request to the currently connected wireless LAN. Here, the currently connected wireless LAN is a wireless network formed by the access point 100. The communication device identification unit 405 then receives a response to the printer search and determines whether the MAC address included in the response matches the MAC address of the target printer. If responses to the printer search request are received from multiple devices, it is sufficient to determine whether any of the received responses matches the MAC address of the selected printer. If the result of the determination is that a response including the MAC address of the selected printer is found, it is deemed that the online target printer has been successfully detected. In this case, the sender of the corresponding response is the searched target printer. Of course, this is just one example, and other search methods may be used.

[0067] In S706, the communications device identifying unit 405 determines whether the target printer was detected in S705. For example, if the target printer is powered off or offline at the time of the processing in S705, or if the printer has been moved since the previous printing, the target printer may not be on the same network as the information processing device 200 at that time. In this case, the target printer is not detected in S705, and the target printer cannot be used at that time. Therefore, in S706, it is confirmed whether the target printer has been detected. If it is confirmed in S706 that the target printer has been detected, the process proceeds to S707. If it is not confirmed in S705 that the target printer has been detected, it is determined that the target printer cannot be used, at least at that time, and the process proceeds to S711.

[0068] In S707, the communication device identification unit 405 stores information about the detected printer. For example, it is sufficient to store identifiable information, such as the IP address of the detected printer. This makes it possible to identify at least the printers that are available for communication, even if it is determined in S709 (described later) that all registered printers are not available for printing. The printer information is stored so that the order in which it was stored can be identified. Alternatively, if information about one printer is stored during one processing of FIG. 7, it is not necessary to store that information about the second and subsequent printers.

[0069] In S708, the communication device information control unit 403 communicates with the target printer and acquires the status of the target printer. Note that the acquisition of the status and the subsequent transmission of the print job may be performed in accordance with a printing protocol that is commonly supported by the information processing device 200 and printers such as the communication device 300. The printers registered here are printers that have a proven track record of use, so the information processing device 200 can acquire their status.

[0070] In S709, the communication device specifying unit 405 checks the acquired status of the target printer and determines whether it is in a state where printing is possible. Specifically, if the status information received from the printer in response to a status request from the communication device status control unit 403 indicates an idle state, it is determined that printing is possible. However, if there is no error state, even if the printer is in a busy state, such as printing, it may be determined that printing is possible because it will enter an idle state once printing is completed. If it is determined in S709 that the target printer is in a state where printing is possible, the process proceeds to S710. If it is not determined that the target printer is in a state where printing is possible, the process proceeds to S711.

[0071] In S710, the communication device identifying unit 405 puts the target printer into a selected state. That is, the communication device identifying unit 405 identifies and sets the target printer as the selected printer. Then, in the printing application 400, the display control unit 406 displays an image, text, or the like indicating the communication device set as the selected printer in the printer display section 601 of the start-up screen 600, and this flow ends. If it is determined in S709 that the target printer is not in a printable state, the communication device identifying unit 405 determines in S711 whether all printers in the printer list acquired in S701 have been searched. If it is determined that the search for all printers in the printer list has been completed, the process proceeds to S712. If it is determined that the search for all printers in the printer list has not been completed, the process proceeds to S704, where the communication device identifying unit 405 selects the next target printer from the printer list sorted in S703. The next target printer is the printer next to the target printer selected in S704 among the printers included in the sorted printer list. That is, in accordance with the order of priority based on the distance from the information processing device 200 or the like, the printer next in rank to the current target printer is set as the new target printer.

[0072] If it is determined in S711 that all printers included in the printer list have been searched, the communication device identification unit 405 determines in S712 whether any printers have been retained in S707. If the determination shows that any printers have been retained, the process proceeds to S713. If no printers have been retained, the flow ends without changing the selected printer. Note that if no printers have been retained, i.e., if no detected printers have been found, the display control unit 406 may notify the user that no printers capable of communication were found, or a search for unregistered printers may be initiated. In this case, if an unregistered printer discovered by the search is set as the newly selected printer, the selected printer may be added to the printer list. In this case, the necessary information for each item shown in FIG. 5 is identified and recorded in the printer list. This allows a printer with a history of use to be added to the printer list.

[0073] In S713, the communication unit specifying unit 405 selects the printer detected first from the printers held in S705, and the display control unit 406 displays an image, text, or the like indicating the printer in the printer display area 601 of the startup screen 600, and then this flow ends. Note that in this embodiment, all detected printers are held and the first detected printer among them is held in the selected state, but it is also possible to hold only the first detected printer.

[0074] Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the process of sorting the printer list executed in S703. Like the process of Fig. 7, the process of Fig. 8 is also executed by executing the printing application 400.

[0075] First, in S801, the location information acquisition unit 401 requests the operating system (OS) of the information processing device 200 to provide GPS information as the current location information of the information processing device 200.

[0076] In S802, the printing application 400 determines whether the location information has been acquired. If the location information has been acquired, the process proceeds to S803. If the location information has not been acquired, the process proceeds to S806.

[0077] In S803, the communication device specifying unit 405 acquires the registered printer list from the external storage device 205 via the communication device management unit 404. Then, from the printer list, it extracts printers that are saved and managed in association with location information.

[0078] In S804, the communication device identification unit 405 sorts the printers extracted in S803 in order of proximity to the current location information acquired in S801. This allows, for example, a printer located closer to the information processing device 200 to be preferentially identified as a selected printer, even within the same office. The distance between the information processing device 200 and each printer may be calculated, for example, as the straight-line distance between the location of the information processing device 200 corresponding to the current location information acquired in S801 and the corresponding location corresponding to the location information associated with, and saved and managed by, each printer included in the printer list. Furthermore, printers whose location information is not associated and saved and managed may be excluded from the sorting in S804. Alternatively, printers whose location information is not associated and saved and managed may be assigned the lowest ranking and placed at the end of the printer list.

[0079] In S805, it is determined whether all printers in the printer list have been sorted. If location information is associated with, saved, and managed for, all printers and all printers have been sorted by location information, this flow ends. If the printer list includes printers that are not associated with, saved, or managed for location information and sorting of all printers has not been completed, proceed to S806.

[0080] In S806, the communication device identifying unit 405 sorts the remaining printers not sorted by location information in order of the date of use closest to the current date and time. Note that in S806, printers for which location information is not linked and saved / managed may be placed after the printers sorted in S804. In other words, printers for which location information is not linked and saved / managed may be given a lower priority than printers for which location information is linked and saved / managed.

[0081] 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing for updating the information in the printer list stored in the external storage device 205. This flow chart is executed when communication with a printer is established, such as when a printer is registered or when printing is executed.

[0082] First, in S901, the location information acquisition unit 401 requests GPS information as the user's current location information from the OS.

[0083] In S902, it is determined whether the location information has been acquired. If the location information has been acquired, the process proceeds to S903. If the location information has not been acquired, the process proceeds to S904.

[0084] In S903, the communication device manager 404 stores the location information acquired in S901 as the location information of the selected printer in the list shown in FIG.

[0085] In S904, the communication device manager 404 acquires the current date and time from the OS, and stores the acquired date and time as the date and time of use of the selected printer in the list shown in FIG.

[0086] As described above, according to this embodiment, a printer that can be used for printing is automatically and appropriately selected based on the user's current location information, the location information from the previous communication, and the printer status, thereby improving usability. In particular, convenience can be further improved by selecting a printer that has a history of being used and is located closest to the information processing device from which printing is to be performed. Furthermore, if the location of the printer is not specified, the printer that was most recently used among the printers that have a history of being used is selected, so convenience is not impaired even if the location where the printer was used cannot be specified.

[0087] Once the selected printer has been identified in this way, printing can be performed by the selected printer by operating the print button 602 in Fig. 6. Also, the document can be read by the selected printer by operating the scan button 603 in Fig. 6.

[0088] 7 does not have to be executed when the printing application 400 is started. It may be executed when the printing application 400 executes printing, or may be executed separately. Alternatively, a button may be provided on the start-up screen 600 or the print setting screen 650, and the input interface 201 may execute the process when it detects that the button has been pressed.

[0089] Furthermore, although the information used as the printer information in FIG. 5 is a MAC address, other information that can identify the printer, such as an IP address, may also be used.

[0090] The printer list also records the location of the information processing device 200 when each printer is used. However, if the installation location of the printer can be identified, the location information may be recorded.

[0091] In the above description, the printing application 400 performs the processes of S705 to S709 after the process of S704, but this is not limiting. That is, the printing application 400 may proceed to the process of S710 immediately after the process of S704 without performing the processes of S705 to S709. That is, the printing application 400 may specify and set the printer identified in S704 based on the printer's location as the selected printer, regardless of whether the printer was detected or whether the printer is in a printable state.

[0092] In the above description, the information included in the printer list is sorted to identify the communication device 300 that is managed in the printer list and associated with location information corresponding to the location closest to the location of the information processing device 200 at the time of selecting the currently selected communication device. However, this is not limiting. A configuration may also be adopted in which the information included in the printer list is not sorted. Specifically, for example, sorting may not be performed after calculating the distance between the location corresponding to the location information associated with each communication device 300 included in the printer list and the location of the information processing device 200 at the time of selecting the currently selected communication device. Then, without sorting, the communication device 300 that is managed in the printer list and associated with location information corresponding to the location closest to the location of the information processing device 200 at the time of selecting the currently selected communication device may be identified and selected as the currently selected communication device.

[0093] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, the location information acquisition unit 201 acquires location information from the OS, sorts the printer list in descending order of current location information from the location information from the last time the printer was used, and identifies the printer. In this case, if the authority to acquire location information is not enabled, it may be impossible to select an appropriate printer. In this embodiment, an example is described in which the distance to the printer is acquired using Ultra Wide Band (UWB), and the printer list is sorted in descending order of physical distance to the printer, and the printer is identified. Note that a system that uses UWB to identify the location rather than the distance may be similar to the first embodiment, except that the location is identified using UWB.

[0094] <Processing flow> FIG. 10 shows the processing flow when identifying a communication device in this embodiment. In the figure, the differences from the first embodiment are the addition of S1003 and the contents of the sorting process in S1004; otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment. That is, S1001-S1002 are the same processes as S701-S702, respectively, in FIG. 7. Also, S1005-S1014 are the same processes as S704-S713, respectively, in FIG. 7. Furthermore, since the printer list does not refer to the printer locations in this embodiment, location information does not need to be included in the printer list 500. Other items are referenced in this embodiment as in the first embodiment. Therefore, only the differences between the two will be described.

[0095] In S1003, the communication device information control unit 403 measures the physical distance to each printer in the printer list acquired in S1001 using UWB and acquires the distance from the OS. The method of measuring distance using UWB is a well-known technique, so a description thereof will be omitted here. Note that printers for which the distance cannot be acquired here may be excluded from the target printers selected in S1005. The acquired distances are linked to each printer and saved in the printer list 500 in FIG. 5. At this time, the acquired distances (distance information) may be saved instead of the location information in FIG. 5.

[0096] FIG. 11 shows the flow of the printer list sorting process (S1004) in this embodiment.

[0097] In S1101, the communication device identifying unit 405 sorts the printer list in ascending order of the distance acquired in S1003. Note that printers for which the distance could not be acquired in S1003 are not sorted. Alternatively, a printer for which the distance could not be acquired may be assigned the lowest ranking and placed at the end of the printer list.

[0098] In S1102, it is determined whether all printers in the printer list have been sorted. If the distances to all printers have been obtained and all printers have been sorted in order of shortest distance, this flow ends. If the printer list includes a printer for which the distance could not be obtained and sorting of all printers has not been completed, proceed to S1103.

[0099] S1103 is the same as S806. That is, printers for which the distance could not be obtained are sorted in order of the date of use (date and time of use) and placed after the printers sorted in S1101.

[0100] In this embodiment, printers for which distance could not be obtained are also sorted, but printers for which distance could not be obtained may be considered not to be nearby and capable of printing, and may be excluded from the list, skipping steps S1102 and S1103.

[0101] When communication with a printer is established, such as when registering the printer or when printing is performed, the printer list information stored in the external storage device 205 is updated, as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the printer list information update process is executed only in S904 of FIG. 9. However, if S1102 and S1103 are skipped when the distance to the printer cannot be obtained, the date of use is not referenced, and therefore the printer list information update process may be omitted. In this case, the printer list 500 in FIG. 5 does not need to have the date and time of use.

[0102] As described above, in this embodiment, the physical distance between the information processing device and the printer is obtained from the OS using UWB, and the status of the printer closest to it is obtained. If the user does not permit the acquisition of location information, the location information cannot be obtained. Even in this case, the method of this embodiment can automatically and appropriately select the nearest printer that can communicate.

[0103] In this embodiment, UWB is used as a method for acquiring the physical distance between the information processing device 200 and the communication device 300, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the physical distance may be calculated from the radio wave intensity of a BLE beacon from the short-range wireless communication unit 306 of the communication device 300, which is received by the short-range wireless communication unit 209 of the information processing device 200. Alternatively, the information processing device 200 may acquire location information of the communication device 300, and calculate the physical distance from the difference between the location information of the information processing device 200 and the information processing device 200.

[0104] (Third embodiment) In the second embodiment, if the paper set on the print setting screen 650 differs from the paper set in the selected printer, errors or printing errors may occur during printing, resulting in low usability. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which information about the paper set in the communication device 300 is further acquired when acquiring the status of the communication device identification process (S708 or S1009), and the printer is identified more appropriately.

[0105] <Paper settings> The communication device 300 can register paper information set in a printing paper feed slot (not shown). FIG. 12 shows a paper information registration screen displayed on the display unit 307 of the communication device 300. The paper information registration screen 1200 is automatically displayed on the display screen when the user sets paper in the printing paper feed slot. However, the paper information registration screen 1200 may also be displayed by selecting an item related to paper settings from an initial menu. As shown in the figure, the paper information registration screen has two items for each paper feed slot: a paper size display area 1201 and a paper type display area 1202. Both items are in the form of combo boxes, and the user can select one from them to set the paper size and paper type of the paper set by the user. The user can then register the information by pressing (touching) a register button 1203. The CPU 303 in the communication device 300 stores the registration content (paper information) in an external storage device (not shown). If the printer can detect the paper size using a sensor installed in the paper tray, the paper size detected by the sensor may be stored without manual operation by the user. Also, even when paper information is registered manually, a predetermined size (e.g., A4) and a predetermined type (e.g., plain paper) may be stored as paper information in the initial state without any registration operation.

[0106] <Processing flow> The processing flow when identifying a communication device in this embodiment is shown in Figure 13. In this figure, the difference from the second embodiment is the processing from S1309 onwards, and S1301-S1308 are the same as S1001-S1008 in Figure 10 in the second embodiment. The printer list may also be the same as that described in the second embodiment. Therefore, only the different processing will be described.

[0107] In S1309, the communication device information control unit 403 acquires the paper information registered in the printer in addition to the state of the target printer. The communication device management unit 404 associates the acquired paper information with the printer and stores them.

[0108] In S1310, the communication device identifying unit 405 determines whether all printers in the printer list acquired in S1301 have been searched. If it is determined that the search for all printers in the printer list has been completed, the process proceeds to S1311. If it is determined that the search for all printers in the printer list has not been completed, the process proceeds to S1305, where the communication device identifying unit 405 selects the next target printer from the printer list sorted in S1304.

[0109] In S1311, the communication device specifying unit 405 determines whether there is a printer that can print from among the printers whose status was acquired in S1309, using the same method as in S709. If there is a printer that can print, the process proceeds to S1312. If there is no printer that can print, the process proceeds to S1313.

[0110] In S1312, the communication device identification unit 405 selects the first detected printer that can print, and the display control unit 406 displays an image, text, etc. indicating the printer in the printer display section 601 of the startup screen 600, and then this flow ends.

[0111] S1313 and S1314 are similar to S712 and S713, respectively.

[0112] In this way, in this embodiment, all registered printers are detected and the paper information of the detected printers is saved. Then, from among those printers, a printer that can print is identified as the selected printer according to the order of the printer list, i.e., the priority order. In this way, one selected printer is identified, but paper information for the other detected printers is also saved.

[0113] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed when printing. Fig. 14 shows processing for identifying a printer that can print with the paper set on the print setting screen 650 and changing the currently selected printer (selected printer).

[0114] In S1401, the communication device specifying unit 405 acquires the paper size information and paper type information (these pieces of information are referred to as paper information) included in the print settings set on the print setting screen 650.

[0115] In S1402, the communication device identifying unit 405 acquires the paper information acquired and stored in S1309. Furthermore, the communication device identifying unit 405 extracts (or identifies) printers linked to the same paper information as the paper information included in the print settings acquired in S1401 from the paper information acquired in S1402. This extraction or identification is performed in the order of the printer list.

[0116] In S1403, the communication device identification unit 405 determines whether the printer identified in S1402 exists. If the result of the determination is that there is an identified printer, the process proceeds to S1404. If there is no identified printer, the process ends. If there is no identified printer, that is, if the printer in which the paper set on the print setting screen 650 is set is not on the same network as the information processing device 200, the display control unit 406 may notify the user that the set paper is not set in the printer.

[0117] In S1404, the communication device identification unit 405 selects the first identified printer among the identified printers. That is, the printer with the highest priority (i.e., the printer closest to the information processing device 200) according to the printer list is selected from the identified printers. Once the selected printer has been identified, the display control unit 406 displays text or the like indicating the printer in the printer button 651 of the print setting screen 650, notifies the user that the printer has been changed, and ends this flow. After this flow ends, a print instruction may be initiated to the printer, or a print instruction may be initiated by a user operation.

[0118] As described above, in this embodiment, when acquiring the status of the communication device identification process, information about the paper loaded in the printer is also acquired, and when printing, the printer is changed to the printer with the paper set in the printing application. If the paper set in the printing application and the paper set in the printer that sends the print instruction are different, an error or printing error may occur when printing is executed. Even in this case, the method of this embodiment can automatically and appropriately select the nearest printer that can print. In the communications device identification process of this embodiment, the process up to S1305 is the same as the process up to S1005 in the second embodiment, but the process flow may be the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the process from S1301 to S1305 may be the same as the process from S701 to S704 in Fig. 7. In this case, the printer list update process shown in Fig. 9 is also executed. This allows a printer to be selected in order of proximity to the current location of the information processing device 200, with priority given to proximity based on the location information of the printer used the last time printing was performed.

[0119] Furthermore, if the printer specification process shown in FIG. 13 is performed when printing is executed, the process in FIG. 14 may be performed instead of S1312.

[0120] [Other Examples] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0121] Summary of embodiments The above embodiments can be summarized as follows: (Item 1) An information processing device, a storage means for storing printing device information relating to registered printing devices; a determining unit for determining the priority of the registered printing devices; and a specifying unit for specifying, from the registered printing devices, a printing device that can communicate with the information processing device and is in a predetermined state, in accordance with the priority order. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The information processing device according to item 1, The determining means determines the priority order based on the distance between the current location of the information processing device and the location of the information processing device when each of the registered printing devices was last used. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 3) Item 1 or 2, the information processing device an acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating a current location of the information processing device; a storage unit that stores location information of the information processing device when printing is performed by the printing device, in association with the printing device; The determining unit determines the priority order based on location information indicating the current location of the information processing device and location information associated with the registered printing device and stored in the storing unit. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 4) Item 1. The information processing device according to item 1, The determining unit determines the priority order based on the distance between the information processing device and each of the registered printing devices. The information processing device according to the present invention. (Item 5) Item 4. The information processing device according to item 4, The determining unit determines the distance between the information processing device and each of the registered printing devices through wireless communication between the information processing device and each of the registered printing devices. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 6) Item 5. The information processing device according to item 5, The wireless communication is an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless communication. The information processing device according to the present invention. (Item 7) Item 5. The information processing device according to item 5, The wireless communication is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication. The information processing device according to the present invention. (Item 8) 8. The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, The predetermined state includes a state in which printing is possible by the printing device. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 9) Item 8. The information processing device according to item 8, The printer further includes a second acquisition unit that acquires paper information including a paper size and a paper type set from each of the printing devices, The predetermined state further includes that the paper information acquired by the second acquisition unit is the same as the paper information set in the information processing device. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 10) Item 8. The information processing device according to item 8, The printer further includes a means for instructing the printer identified by the identifying means to print. 1. An information processing device comprising: (Item 11) A control method for an information processing device having a storage means, a determination means, and an identification means, the storage means stores printing device information relating to registered printing devices; the determining means determines the priority of the registered printing devices; The specifying unit specifies, in accordance with the priority order, a printing device that can communicate with the information processing device and is in a predetermined state from among the registered printing devices. 2. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising: (Item 12) 11. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 10.

[0122] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 202 CPU 203 ROM 204 RAM

Claims

1. An information processing device, a storage means for storing printing device information relating to registered printing devices; a determining unit for determining the priority of the registered printing devices; and a specifying unit for specifying, from the registered printing devices, a printing device that can communicate with the information processing device and is in a predetermined state, in accordance with the priority order.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The determining means determines the priority order based on the distance between the current location of the information processing device and the location of the information processing device when each of the registered printing devices was last used.

1. An information processing device comprising:

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, an acquisition means for acquiring location information indicating a current location of the information processing device; a storage unit that stores location information of the information processing device when printing is performed by the printing device, in association with the printing device; The determining unit determines the priority order based on location information indicating the current location of the information processing device and location information associated with the registered printing device and stored in the storing unit.

1. An information processing device comprising:

4. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The determining unit determines the priority order based on the distance between the information processing device and each of the registered printing devices. The information processing device according to the present invention.

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 4, The determining unit determines the distance between the information processing device and each of the registered printing devices through wireless communication between the information processing device and each of the registered printing devices.

1. An information processing device comprising:

6. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, The wireless communication is an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless communication. The information processing device according to the present invention.

7. 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, The wireless communication is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless communication. The information processing device according to the present invention.

8. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, The predetermined state includes a state in which printing is possible by the printing device.

1. An information processing device comprising:

9. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, The printer further includes a second acquisition unit that acquires paper information including a paper size and a paper type set from each of the printing devices, The predetermined state further includes that the paper information acquired by the second acquisition unit is the same as the paper information set in the information processing device.

1. An information processing device comprising:

10. 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, The printer further includes a means for instructing the printer identified by the identifying means to print.

1. An information processing device comprising:

11. A control method for an information processing device having a storage means, a determination means, and an identification means, the storage means stores printing device information relating to registered printing devices; the determining means determines the priority of the registered printing devices; The specifying unit specifies, in accordance with the priority order, a printing device that can communicate with the information processing device and is in a predetermined state from among the registered printing devices.

2. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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