Data processing apparatus, program, and control method

Abstract

In a case where the print settable items are set depending on the format of the print target data, or in a case where the print settable items are set on condition that the print target data includes character string image data, the print items that the user wants to set are not displayed and cannot be set in some cases.SOLUTION: By determining the print settable items according to the print flow selected by the user regardless of the information of the print target data, the print items including the print items desired to be set by the user are displayed. In addition, since all the settable printing options are not displayed, a good overview is maintained.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, with the spread of mobile devices, there has been an increase in the number of cases where mobile devices are used as business terminals in companies. A mobile device with an application installed that instructs an image processing device, such as a multifunction peripheral or printer, to execute a process can be used to issue print or scan instructions to the image processing device. For example, a user selects a file from a folder and configures print settings on the application on the mobile device, and then sends a print instruction to the image processing device. Upon receiving the execution instruction, the image processing device executes the print process according to the settings.

[0003] There are applications in which you select whether to print an image or a document before selecting a file, and then select a file. By first selecting whether to print an image or a document, it is possible to select only files in the appropriate file format, improving usability. Also, the print settings available and the default print settings may differ between image printing and document printing. For example, photo correction and border settings may be available when printing an image, but not when printing a document. Conversely, double-sided printing may be available when printing a document, but not when printing a photo. In this way, displaying only the settings that the user is likely to use improves the operability of the setting items and improves usability.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for analyzing an image when printing a photograph, and if the image has characteristics similar to those of a general document, making it possible to set the image in a way that is suitable for printing the document. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-179326 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The method described in Patent Document 1 places a processing load on the mobile terminal due to image analysis, and the available print settings change depending on the analysis results, which may confuse the user.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a method that enables a user to make appropriate print settings when issuing a print instruction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A program for causing a computer of a data processing device to execute a control method, the control method comprising: a first display control step of controlling to display a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or print a photo; a second display control step of controlling to display a file selection screen that is a screen for selecting a file to be printed and that includes a file corresponding to the printing selected on the screen; and a transmission step of controlling to send an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen to an image processing device, wherein if document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set; if photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set; and if document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file showing a photo is selected on the file selection screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] When a user issues a print instruction, the user can make appropriate print settings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a data processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the data processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by an application running on the data processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed by the data processing device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for selecting a photo file and issuing a print instruction in the photo printing flow. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for selecting a file in the document printing flow and issuing a print instruction when a document file is selected. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for issuing a print instruction when a photo file is selected in the document print flow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0012] Example 1 This embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system in this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a data processing device 101 is a data processing device used to send print jobs and scan jobs to an image processing device 104, and accepts various operations from a user on the data processing device. The data processing device 101 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. The image processing device 104 may have a copy function, a print function, a fax transmission function, etc. in addition to a scan function, or may be a single-function device having any one of these functions.

[0013] Reference numeral 103 denotes a LAN (Local Area Network) to which the data processing device 101 and the image processing device 104 are connected, and the data processing device 101 and the image processing device 104 communicate with each other via the LAN 103. Reference numeral 102 denotes a wireless LAN terminal. The wireless LAN terminal 102 is a wireless LAN base station with a general network router function, and provides a wireless LAN within a home, office, or the like. By enabling its wireless LAN function, the data processing device 101 can join the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102. When the data processing device 101 enters a wireless LAN area provided by the wireless LAN terminal 102, it can automatically join the network of the LAN 103 using authentication information pre-set in the data processing device 101. The data processing device 101 and the image processing device 104 can also communicate directly without going through the wireless LAN terminal 102. While only one image processing device is shown here, this is not limiting; multiple image processing devices may be connected to the LAN.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the data processing device 101 in Fig. 1. The data processing device 101 may be running an operating system for small terminals or a program for controlling calls and data communications, or may be a personal computer (PC) that does not include the audio / image control unit 206, microphone / speaker / camera 213, position detection control unit 210, GPS sensor 216, mobile phone data communication unit 212, etc., which will be described later.

[0015] Each hardware component is connected to a system bus 201. An operating system for the data processing device 101 and applications for controlling calls and data communications are stored in a ROM 203, and can be executed by a CPU 202. Applications for controlling data communications include applications for exchanging various data with the image processing device 104, mail software, and a web browser.

[0016] The RAM 204 is a memory for executing programs and a work memory area where applications execute programs. The RAM 204 also serves as a memory for temporarily storing data that must be temporarily saved when applications execute programs. The storage device 209 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various operation mode settings and operation logs that must be retained even after the data processing device 101 is restarted.

[0017] The network controller 205 controls communication by a wireless LAN communication unit 211 for joining the network of the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102, and a mobile phone data communication unit 212 for joining a network provided by a mobile carrier.

[0018] The audio / image control unit 206 is used, for example, when a call application is started and the user is making a call. Audio data is input and output via the microphone / speaker 213, and the audio / image control unit 206 acts as an intermediary between the audio data and the audio data control program. The audio / image control unit 206 also acts as an intermediary between image data captured and generated by the camera 213 and the image data control program.

[0019] The display control unit 207 controls information to be output on the display 214 of the data processing device 101. The input control unit 208 controls information designated by the user via the buttons or touch panel 215 of the data processing device 101. Using the audio / image control unit 206, display control unit 207, and input control unit 208, applications running on the data processing device 101 provide the user with network communication information and various information about the data processing device 101.

[0020] The position detection control unit 210 acquires the position information of the data processing device 101 from the GPS sensor 216 and provides it to the operating system. These controls are controlled by the operating system (OS) running on the CPU 202.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the image processing device 104 in Fig. 1. This example shows an example of a multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)) having a scanner function and a printer function.

[0022] In FIG. 3 , 301 denotes an I / O, which includes a LAN communication unit 314. The LAN communication unit 314 can communicate with the data processing device 101 via a network (LAN) 103 or the like. For example, image data generated by scanning with the image processing device 104 is transmitted to the data processing device 101 via the LAN. Multiple I / Os 301 may be installed to accommodate multiple connection configurations. Through this I / O 301, the image processing device 104 passes a device ID and a scanned image to the data processing device 101. It also receives and processes various control commands from the data processing device 101. An I / F control unit 302 controls the issuance of device IDs for processing systems such as a scanner, printer, or fax machine installed in the image processing device 104. A RAM 303 is a primary storage device used to store external data, such as control commands acquired by the I / O 301, and image data (or image data, hereinafter referred to as "image") read by the scanner engine 313. Furthermore, RAM 303 is used to store images developed by printer controller 310 before being passed to printer engine 306. Allocation of RAM 303 is managed by RAM control unit 304. Image data start-stop circuit 305 is a device that outputs images developed by printer controller 310 and images captured by scanner engine 313 and developed in RAM 303 in accordance with the rotation of printer engine 306. Printer engine 306 is a device that develops images on output media such as paper. Main controller 308 performs various controls of printer engine 306 via engine I / F 307. Main controller 308 is also a key control module, and performs appropriate allocation processing of control languages ​​received from data processing device 101 via I / O 301 to scanner controller 309 and printer controller 310. Furthermore, main controller 308 controls printer engine 306 and scanner engine 313 in response to instructions from the respective controllers and user interface 312. The scanner controller 309 breaks down the scan control commands received from the data processing device 101 into internal execution commands that can be interpreted by the main controller 308 .It also converts images read by the scanner engine 313 into scan control commands. The printer controller 310 breaks down the PDL (Page Description Language) received as a print job from the data processing device 101 into internal execution commands including a decompressed image that can be interpreted by the main controller 308. The decompressed image is sent to the printer engine and printed on an output medium such as paper.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration of the data processing device 101 shown in Fig. 1. The processing of each component is realized by the CPU 202 executing a program stored in the ROM 203, the storage device 209, or the like.

[0024] The OS 410 is basic software for controlling the overall operation of the data processing device 101. For example, it is configured with Android (registered trademark) provided by Google.

[0025] Reference numeral 401 denotes an application executed on the data processing device 101, and is installed in the ROM 203 as an application running on the OS 410. The application 401 is an application that issues print and scan instructions to an image processing device. For example, the application 401 is an application that selects a file such as image data stored in a storage device on the data processing device 101 and issues a print instruction to the image processing device 104 for the selected file. The application 401 also has a function for issuing a scan instruction to the image processing device 104 and a function for saving and processing images captured by the camera 213 provided in the data processing device 101. The UI unit 402 is the UI unit of the application 401 and provides a user interface for allowing a user to set and execute the application functions. The image processing device search unit 403 is a search unit for image processing devices, and searches for network devices on the LAN 103 in which the data processing device 101 participates and for network devices with which it can directly communicate. More specifically, the data processing device 101 searches for image processing devices to which it can issue print and scan instructions. The control unit 404 controls various processes performed by the application 401. For example, the control unit 404 generates a print job or a scan job and transmits the generated job to a communicable image processing device. The control unit 404 also performs processing such as saving data generated by the application 401. The file storage unit 405 saves files generated and acquired by the application 401. For example, the file storage unit 405 receives and saves image data generated by the image processing device 104 through scanning. The data saved in the file storage unit 405 may be saved in a common storage area of ​​the data processing device 101 so that it can be referenced and used by applications other than the application 401, or may be saved in a storage area specific to the application 401 so that it cannot be referenced or used by applications other than the application 401.

[0026] For example, when the application 401 is started for the first time, a folder corresponding to the file storage unit 405 is automatically generated. After that, image data generated by processing of the application 401, such as image data (scan data) generated by scanning with the image processing device 104 and image data (capture data) generated by capturing an image with a camera, is saved in the generated folder.

[0027] The file browser unit 406 browses files stored in storage such as the storage device of the data processing device 101. For example, the file browser unit 406 provides a list of files stored in the storage device 209 to allow the user to select print data to be sent to the image processing device 104. This file browser function can be considered to have the following two main methods for allowing the user to select photos, document files, etc. stored on the data processing device 101, etc.

[0028] The first method involves creating a UI screen with a file list within the application and allowing the user to select from a list. This method allows application vendors and developers to implement their own file browser functions, allowing them to provide a file browsing function tailored to their application. For example, a list of files in a pre-specified folder (e.g., the folder used by the application as the default save or selection destination) can be displayed on the default selection screen. However, this requires the implementation of a mechanism for accessing cloud storage or an external memory card, which requires design effort and cost. Furthermore, application maintenance costs are incurred because the application must be modified every time the API for accessing cloud storage or an external memory card is updated. Furthermore, usability can be adversely affected by changes in OS specifications. Hereinafter, file browser functions using this method will be referred to as in-app file browser functions, and the screen displayed by this file browser function will be referred to as the in-app file selection screen.

[0029] The second method uses the file browsing function provided by the OS. In this case, an application can call the OS's file browsing function and retrieve files selected by the OS's file browsing function. Therefore, the application can select files using the OS's mechanisms without implementing mechanisms for accessing external memory cards or cloud storage. In this method, the OS's file browsing function is designed to be called by various applications and does not allow for detailed application-specific settings. An example of an OS-provided file browsing function is the photo selection screen provided by Android. The photo picker extracts and displays a list of files in a specified file format (here, image format) from files stored in storage, such as the memory device 209 of the data processing device 101. Hereinafter, the file browser function using this method will be referred to as the OS-provided file browser function, and the screen displayed by this file browser function will be referred to as the OS-provided file selection screen.

[0030] Applications other than the application 401 are also installed in the OS of the data processing device 101. For example, the application 420 is an application that has the same functions as the application 401, and includes a file browser unit 421. The applications installed in the data processing device 101 are not limited to these, and other applications may also be installed.

[0031] Using FIG. 5, a description will be given of screen transitions from selecting a photo file to be printed in the application 401 to printing the selected file.

[0032] A menu screen 501 is a home screen of the application 401, and is, for example, a top menu screen that is displayed immediately after the application 401 is started. The menu screen 501 accepts a user's selection operation of a function to be executed. A document print button 502 is a button for issuing an instruction to print a document to the image processing apparatus. When the document print button 502 is selected, the screen transitions to a document acquisition source selection screen 601, which is displayed by processing of the file browser unit 406 and allows the user to select the acquisition source of the file to be printed.

[0033] The photo print button 503 is a button for issuing a photo print instruction to the image processing device. When the photo print button 503 is selected, the screen transitions to a screen for selecting the photo to be printed, which is displayed by processing of the file browser unit 406.

[0034] The scan button 504 is a button for issuing a scan instruction to the image processing device. When the user selects the scan button 504, makes various settings, and then selects the scan execution button, the image processing device executes the scan process and returns the generated image data to the data processing device 101. The file saving unit 405 performs a process of saving the acquired image data in a predetermined folder.

[0035] Image processing device information 508 displays information about the image processing device to which the application 401 instructs printing or scanning. Here, the icon and device name of the image processing device are displayed.

[0036] A registration / switch button 507 is a button for registering and switching the image processing device to be designated. When the registration / switch button 507 is selected, the image processing device search unit 403 searches for image processing devices on the LAN 103, for example.

[0037] The in-app file selection screen 511 is a screen that is displayed when the photo print button 503 is selected, and is a screen for selecting a photo file to print. The photo file is, for example, a file in JPEG or PNG format. The in-app file selection screen 511 is a screen that is displayed by the file browser function within the application 401, and displays a list of photo files saved in storage. For example, photo files contained in a predetermined folder in the storage device 209 are displayed as a list by default.

[0038] A cloud button 512 is a display item for selecting a photo file to be printed from cloud storage. A filter button 513 is a button for changing the conditions for the files to be displayed in a list and filtering the files to be displayed.

[0039] Photo files 514 are thumbnails of the photo files contained in the target folder. Check marks 515 are display items that are displayed above the thumbnails so that the photo files selected by the user can be identified. Number of copies 516 is a display item that indicates the number of files selected by the user. Multiple photo files can be selected for photo printing.

[0040] When the Next button 517 is selected, the screen transitions to a print instruction screen 521. At this time, the file selected by the user on the in-application file selection screen 511 is to be printed.

[0041] Print instruction screen 521 is a screen for issuing a print instruction to the image forming device. Image 522 shows a preview image of the file to be printed. If there are multiple files to be printed, the user can preview the next file by operating the device. Cancel selection button 523 is a button for canceling the selection of the file to be printed. Print settings 524 is a display item that allows the user to check the current print settings. This display content may display all configurable items, or may display only some of the settings. Print settings button 525 is a button for setting the print settings. Print button 526 is a button for sending a print job including the selected file to the target image processing device.

[0042] When the print setting button 525 is selected, the screen transitions to a photo print setting screen 531 .

[0043] Photo print setting screen 531 is a screen for setting the settings for printing on an image forming device. Here, print settings suitable for printing photos are set as default (initial) settings. Photo print setting items 532 are an area displaying setting items for photo printing. Each photo print setting item is selectable, and when selected, a list of setting values ​​corresponding to the item is displayed. For example, when paper size is selected for the photo print setting item, photo print configurable item list 533 is displayed as a selection. If the user selects one of the options, the print settings are updated and the screen transitions to photo print setting screen 531. If the user cancels, the originally selected print settings remain. Here, photo print configurable item list 533 is displayed in a dialog format on top of photo print setting screen 531, but it may also be displayed as a separate screen. Furthermore, the print setting items displayed as photo print setting items 532 vary depending on the target image forming device. Specifically, the configurable items change depending on the capabilities of the image forming device. For example, if an image forming device does not support border settings, border settings will not be displayed. Furthermore, the options available when a print setting item is selected also change depending on the capabilities of the image forming device. For example, if the image forming apparatus can print paper sizes up to A1, paper sizes up to A1 are displayed for selection. However, if the image forming apparatus can only print paper sizes up to A3, only paper sizes up to A3 are displayed, resulting in different options. The default settings for each item in the photo printing setting item 532 are preset to settings considered appropriate for photo printing. For example, photo paper is set as the default paper type, and automatic photo correction and sharpness settings are turned on by default. The default paper size may also be changed depending on the region in which the image forming apparatus is used. For example, L size may be set as the default in Japan, while KG size may be set as the default in the United States. Setting default settings considered appropriate for photo printing in this way improves usability. Furthermore, if the user has already printed a photo, the settings used for the last photo print may be retained as the default settings, or the user may be able to set and save default print settings.

[0044] The photo acquisition destination selection screen 541 is displayed when the photo print button 503 is selected, and is a screen for selecting a destination from which to acquire photo files to be printed. When the photo print button 503 is selected, the display switches between displaying the in-application file selection screen 511 or the photo acquisition destination selection screen 541, depending on the conditions. For example, starting with Android version 14, an application must obtain permission from the user for each file before accessing a file in storage. In other words, if a file is selected from the in-application file selection screen 511 in Android version 14, the user must perform a permission operation each time, which is inconvenient. On the other hand, when a file is selected from the OS-provided file selection screen, user permission is not required. Therefore, the version of the OS (Android) of the data processing device on which the application 401 runs is determined. If the version is earlier than 14, the in-application file selection screen 511 is displayed when the photo print button 503 is selected. If the version is 14 or later, the photo acquisition destination selection screen 541 is displayed when the photo print button 503 is selected. In other words, if there are no restrictions on application file access due to the OS specifications, a user-friendly file selection screen is provided, which is the in-application file selection screen 511. If there are restrictions on application file access due to the OS specifications, by using the file selection screen provided by the OS, it becomes unnecessary to request the user to perform a permission operation each time.

[0045] Returning to the explanation of Figure 5, photo acquisition destination selection screen 541 has internal terminal button 542 for selecting the data processing device as the acquisition destination for the photo file. It also includes cloud service button 543 for selecting cloud service 1 as the acquisition destination for the photo file, and other application button 544 for selecting an application other than application 401 as the acquisition destination for the photo file.

[0046] OS-provided file selection screen 551 is a screen that is displayed when in-terminal button 542 is selected, and is a screen for selecting photo files to print. OS-provided file selection screen 551 is a screen provided by the OS, such as the Photo Picker screen provided by Android. Photo files 552 are thumbnails of photo files included in the target folder. Check marks 553 are display items that are displayed above the thumbnails so that the photo files selected by the user can be identified.

[0047] When the Add button 554 is selected, the screen transitions to the print instruction screen 521. At this time, the file selected by the user on the OS-provided file selection screen 551 becomes the print target. When printing is executed on the print instruction screen 521, a print job including the file selected on the OS-provided file selection screen 551 is sent to the image forming device.

[0048] The condition setting screen 561 is displayed when the filter button 513 is selected, and is a screen for setting the conditions for files to be displayed on the in-app file selection screen 511. Here, an example is shown in which the file creation date is set as the condition. The date search button 562 is a button for setting whether the file creation date is used as the condition for files to be displayed. When the date search button 562 is enabled, the file creation date is used as the condition for files to be displayed. The start date 563 and end date 564 are display items for setting the start and end dates of the creation of the files to be displayed, respectively. Files created between the start date 563 and the end date 564 are displayed on the in-app file selection screen 511. The condition setting screen 561 also displays an import button 565 for importing files from other applications. When the import button 565 is selected, files imported from other applications can be printed. In this way, the in-app file selection screen 511 can have application-specific browser functions, such as filtering the files to be displayed by date. On the other hand, the OS-provided file selection screen 551 cannot provide unique browser functions, such as filtering by date. Here, we have shown filtering by date as an example of an application's unique function, but this is not limited to this.The file list can also be sorted by creation date and time, or the file name, file size, and creation date and time can be displayed in addition to file thumbnails.

[0049] The process of selecting a photo file to print in application 401 and printing the selected file will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 7. Each step in Fig. 7 is realized by CPU 202 executing a program stored in ROM 203 or storage device 209.

[0050] In step S701, the UI unit 402 accepts selection of the photo print button 503. Then, in S702, the control unit 404 acquires the OS on which the application 401 runs, i.e., the version of the OS running on the data processing device 101, and determines whether the acquired version is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If it is determined that the version is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S721; otherwise, the process proceeds to S703. Here, for example, if the OS is Android 14 or higher, the process proceeds to S721, and if it is lower than Android 13, the process proceeds to S703. Here, the OS version is used for the determination, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may also be such that it determines whether there are restrictions on access to OS files.

[0051] In S703, the file browser unit 406 displays an in-application file selection screen. In S704, the file browser unit 406 acquires photo files stored in the storage device 209 or the like of the data processing device 101. Then, in S705, the file browser unit 406 displays a list of the acquired photo files. Here, for example, the in-application file selection screen 511 is displayed.

[0052] In S706, the control unit 404 determines whether an instruction to select a file from the cloud has been received from the user. For example, it is determined whether the cloud button 512 has been selected, and if it has been selected, the process proceeds to S710, and if it has not been selected, the process proceeds to S707. In S710, the control unit 404 connects to the cloud service and receives a user selection operation from a list of files saved in the cloud storage. If a file selection has been received, the process may proceed to S709 or S727, with the file being selected as the file to be printed.

[0053] In S707, the control unit 404 determines whether an instruction to select a file from another application has been received from the user. For example, it is determined whether the import button 565 has been selected, and if it has been selected, the process proceeds to S711, and if it has not been selected, the process proceeds to S708. In S711, the control unit 404 starts up another application and receives a user selection operation from a list of files held by the other application. If a file selection has been received, the process may proceed to S709 or S727, with the file being the file to be printed.

[0054] In S708, the control unit 404 determines whether a file has been selected on the in-application file selection screen. If it is determined that a file has been selected, the process proceeds to S712; if not, the process proceeds to S709. In S712, the UI unit 402 displays a check mark 515 on the thumbnail of the file selected in S708, and the process proceeds to S709.

[0055] In S709, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the Next button 517 has been selected on the in-application file selection screen. If the Next button 517 has been selected, the process proceeds to S727; if not, the process returns to S706.

[0056] In S721, the UI unit 402 displays the photo acquisition destination selection screen 541. In S722, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the cloud service button 543 has been selected on the photo acquisition destination selection screen 541, and if selected, proceeds to S710, and if not, proceeds to S723. In S723, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the other application button 544 has been selected on the photo acquisition destination selection screen 541, and if selected, proceeds to S711, and if not, proceeds to S724. In S723, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the in-terminal button 542 has been selected on the photo acquisition destination selection screen 541, and if selected, proceeds to S725, and if not, returns to S721.

[0057] In step S725, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display an OS-provided file selection screen. For example, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display a Photo Picker screen.

[0058] In S726, the control unit 404 determines whether a photo file has been sent from the OS 410, and if so, proceeds to S726, otherwise repeats the processing of S726. Here, when the user selects a file on the OS-provided file selection screen 551 and selects the Add button 554, the selected file is sent from the OS 410 to the application 401.

[0059] In S727, the control unit 404 copies the photo file selected by the user to a memory area available to the application 401. In S728, the control unit 404 converts the selected photo file into bitmap data. Then, in S727, the UI unit 402 displays a preview screen of the selected file.

[0060] In S730, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the print setting button 525 has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to S731, and if not, the process proceeds to S738.

[0061] In S731, the UI unit 402 displays the photo print setting screen 531. In S732, the control unit 404 determines whether any of the items in the photo print setting items 532 has been pressed. If any of the items has been pressed, the process proceeds to S734, and if not, the process proceeds to S733. In S733, the control unit 404 determines whether the Back button has been pressed. Here, the operation is performed using the Back button, but a close button or an x ​​button may also be provided to perform the same operation. If the Back button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S729, and if not, the process proceeds to S732.

[0062] In step S734, the UI unit 402 displays the photo print setting item list 533, which displays options according to the selected print setting item.

[0063] In S735, the control unit determines whether an option has been selected from the photo print setting item list. If selected, the process proceeds to S736; if not, the process proceeds to S737. In S736, the control unit saves the selected option in RAM 204. The control unit then reads the information saved in RAM 204, transmits it to the UI unit, and updates and displays the selected value of the photo print setting item 532.

[0064] In S737, the control unit determines whether or not cancel has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to S731, and if not, the process proceeds to S734.

[0065] In S738, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the print button 526 has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to S739, and if not, the process returns to S729.

[0066] In S739, the control unit 404 transmits a print job including the file selected by the user to the target image processing device 104. The image processing device 104 that receives the print job prints the photo file selected by the user based on the print settings included in the print job.

[0067] By performing the processing of the above flowchart, if the user selects photo printing, the user can appropriately set print settings suitable for printing photos.

[0068] In the above example flowchart, the OS version is determined in S702, but this is not a limitation. For example, the OS may be configured to determine whether or not it can display the Photo Picker screen. If the OS can display the Photo Picker screen, the process proceeds to S721; if the OS cannot display the Photo Picker screen, the process proceeds to S703. Since some OS versions do not support the Photo Picker, this determination can also provide an appropriate file selection screen. Furthermore, instead of determining whether or not the OS can display the Photo Picker screen, the process may instead determine whether or not the file browser function provided by the OS is available.

[0069] In the above example of the flowchart, the file browser unit 406 is configured to instruct the OS 410 to display an OS-provided file selection screen in S725, but this is not limited to this. The file browser unit 406 may be configured to call a photo selection application of the data processing device 101. Here, the photo selection application is, for example, Google Photo (registered trademark). The file selected by the photo selection application may be received in S726.

[0070] 6 is an example of a screen when the user selects document printing in the application 401 and selects a document file to print. The document file is, for example, a PDF file. This screen is displayed when the user selects the document print button 502 on the menu screen 501. When the document print button 502 is selected, a document acquisition source selection screen 601 is displayed, and the user selects the source from which the document file is to be acquired.

[0071] The document acquisition source selection screen 601 is a screen that is displayed when the document print button 502 is selected, and is a screen for selecting information about the file to be printed. This screen has a terminal internal document button 602 that sets the acquisition source of the document file to be printed as a document file in the data processing device 101, and a terminal internal photo button 603 that sets the acquisition source of the document file to be printed as a photo in the data processing device 101. In addition, it includes a cloud service document button 604 that sets the acquisition source of the document file to be printed as a document file in cloud service 1, and a cloud service photo button 605 that sets the acquisition source of the document file to be printed as a photo in cloud service 1. When the terminal internal document button 602 is selected, a document file selection screen 610 is displayed.

[0072] The document file selection screen 610 is a file browser screen provided by the OS. Here, an example of the SAF (Storage Access Framework) screen for Android is shown. Unlike the Photo Picker screen, the SAF screen does not display a list of photo files contained in storage, but rather displays a folder hierarchy, allowing the user to select the desired file by selecting a folder. As an example, assume that the "Document" directory is opened. The file selection screen 610 displays a directory name 611, a list of folders (612-613) and a list of files (614-617) contained in the "Document" directory. Selecting a folder from the folder list (612-613) takes you to that folder, where a list of folders and files within that folder is displayed. Files other than those in a specified file format (e.g., PDF) cannot be selected from the file list (614-617). Here, files 614 and 615 are prevented from being selected. For example, files in JPEG and PNG formats cannot be selected. Files that cannot be selected may be grayed out to make them easy for the user to identify. When the user taps to select a selectable file from the file list, the screen transitions to a preview document screen 630 with that file as the file to be printed. In this embodiment, only one file can be selected, but multiple files may also be selected. When the search button 618 is selected, a search screen is displayed and files that match the search terms entered by the user are displayed. When the hamburger button 619 is selected, options for levels other than the current level are displayed. When a level is selected from the options, the screen moves to that level and displays a list of folders and files contained in that directory.

[0073] The preview document screen 630 is an example of a screen that allows the user to preview selected document file data. On this screen, the user can move between preview pages by swiping. Tapping an area other than the buttons on this screen or pinching in on the screen transitions to preview mode 640, where the preview image can be enlarged or reduced. In preview mode 640, the image can be enlarged or reduced by pinching in or out, or by tapping the enlarge / reduce button 641. Other operations are the same as those on the preview document screen 630. Tapping an area other than the buttons while not enlarging or reducing the image terminates the preview mode and transitions to the preview document screen 630. In this embodiment, the preview document screen 630 and the preview mode 640 are separate modes. However, the enlarge / reduce button 641 may be located on the preview document screen 630 so that both modes can be implemented in a single mode. The page display area 631 displays the page number of the currently displayed page. The next button 632 transitions to the document print screen 650. The user may be able to select the range to actually print before transitioning to the document print screen 650. This is effective when the user does not want to print the entire file after checking the print preview, but only a portion of it. Options such as "Print all", "Print the currently displayed page", and "Print a specified range of pages" may be provided. When printing a specified range of pages, the user selects the start page through the end page.

[0074] The document print setting screen 650 is a screen for checking current print setting information and executing printing. Here, print settings suitable for printing documents are set as default (initial) settings. The screen displays available print setting items and their currently set values ​​in a setting item area 651. The currently set items here are setting values ​​read from RAM 204. If a setting value does not exist in RAM, a default value set in advance in the application is used as the setting value. While the setting values ​​are read from RAM 204 here, they may also be read from ROM 203 or storage device 209. While this screen displays a list of configurable items, it is also possible to display only some setting items considered important, or to display a print preview on the screen. Selecting the setting change button 652 transitions to the document print setting change screen 660. While selecting the setting change button 652 transitions to the document print setting change screen 660 here, tapping the setting item area 651 may also transition to the document print setting change screen.

[0075] The document print setting change screen 660 allows the user to change print settings, and displays document print setting items 661. When an item is selected from the document print setting items 661 and tapped, the values ​​that can be set for that item are displayed as a list of document print setting items 662. The print settings are updated with a value selected by the user from the settable values ​​and saved in RAM 204. The document print setting change screen 660 with the updated setting values ​​is then displayed. While the setting values ​​are saved in RAM 204 here, they may also be saved in ROM 203 or the storage device 209. In addition, in the case of setting items such as checkboxes, tapping by the user switches the check mark on or off in the checkbox. If the setting is canceled, the originally selected print setting remains unchanged. Similarly to the photo print setting item 532, the print setting items displayed as the document print setting item 661 differ depending on the image forming device. Similarly to the photo print setting item 532, the initial values ​​set for each item in the document print setting item 661 are preset to setting values ​​that are considered appropriate for document printing. Furthermore, if the user has already printed a document, the settings used for the last document print may be retained as the settings, or the user may be able to set and save default print settings. The photo printing setting item 532 and the document printing setting item 661 differ in the displayed options. Specifically, items used for both document printing and photo printing, such as paper size, paper type, number of copies, and color mode, are displayed as common setting items on both screens. However, items displayed only in the document printing setting item 661 include the double-sided printing setting and the setting to set the size to the same as the original size. Items displayed only in the photo printing setting item 532 include automatic photo correction, sharpness, border settings, and border overhang. This is because double-sided printing is rare and users often determine the printing area for photos while previewing them rather than automatically scaling them to fit the paper size.Conversely, image corrections such as automatic photo correction and sharpness are not preferred for documents, so these items are displayed only in the photo printing settings. Separating the configurable items for document printing and photo printing in this way provides users with a clear overview of print settings and a more user-friendly printing experience. Not only are the configurable items different between photo printing and document printing, but the default settings are also different. For example, the default paper size for photo printing is L-size, while for document printing it is a size suitable for document printing, such as A4. Furthermore, the paper type for photo printing is photo paper, while for document printing it is a paper suitable for document printing, such as plain paper. While the above explanations are given as an example, border settings may be enabled in the document printing settings, increasing the number of items common to both document printing and photo printing. Here, document printing refers to printing when the document print button 502 is selected, and photo printing refers to printing when the photo print button 503 is selected.

[0076] When the internal photo button 603 is selected, a photo file selection screen 620 is displayed. Here, the SAF screen for Android is displayed as an example, but the previously mentioned Photo Picker screen may also be displayed. As an example, assume that the "DCIM" folder is opened. A list of folders (621) and files (622) contained in the "DCIM" directory are displayed. Selecting a folder from the folder list (621) takes you to that folder, where a list of folders and files within that folder is displayed. The file list (622) displays only files in selectable file formats and displays preview images of the photos. For example, JPEG and PNG files are displayed. Tapping a preview image selects that photo and transitions to the preview document screen 630 for printing. Additionally, long-pressing a preview image enters multiple image selection mode, where a check mark (623) appears above the image to indicate that the image has been selected. Then, tapping or long-pressing another image allows you to select multiple images. Selecting the select button 624 after multiple images are selected transitions to the preview document screen 630. Here, multiple images can be selected by long-pressing the preview image. However, a check button may be provided on the preview image, or a button for an image selection mode may be provided to allow multiple images to be selected. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transition from the photo file selection screen 620 to the preview document screen 630 is illustrated. However, since images can be confirmed when selecting images, the transition to the document print setting screen 650 may be performed directly. When the internal photo button 603 is selected, the setting items and print setting values ​​after transition to the document print setting screen 650 are set to settings suitable for document printing, as indicated by the document print setting item 661. In this way, rather than determining the setting items and print setting values ​​depending on the file format or file contents, the configurable items and initial print setting values ​​are determined according to the user selection flow (whether the photo print button 503 or the document print button 502 is selected), making it possible to print photographed document data or document data converted to JPEG format by scanning, etc., with settings suitable for the document.Even when document printing is selected, it is possible to select a photo file in addition to a document file. Similarly, in the case of photo printing, it is possible to configure it so that even when photo printing is selected, it is possible to select a document file in addition to a photo file, and even if a document file is selected, print setting items and print setting values ​​suitable for photo printing may be set.

[0077] The cloud service document button 604 sets the source of document files to a cloud service. First, the user is prompted to select a cloud service to determine the cloud service from which to obtain the document file. Then, communication is established with the selected cloud service, and a login operation to the cloud service is performed. After that, the document files stored in the cloud service are displayed.

[0078] The cloud service photo button 605 operates in the same way as the cloud service document button 604, but the files displayed are photo files stored in the cloud service. After the user selects a cloud service, the cloud service may operate a file selection function or the like.

[0079] 8 and 9, a process for selecting a file for document printing in application 401 and printing the selected file will be described. Each step in FIGS. 8 and 9 is realized by CPU 202 executing a program stored in ROM 203 or storage device 209.

[0080] In step S801, the UI unit 402 accepts the selection of the document print button 502.

[0081] In S802, the UI unit 402 displays the document acquisition destination selection screen 601. In S803, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the cloud service button (604, 605) has been selected on the document acquisition destination selection screen, and if selected, proceeds to S804, otherwise proceeds to S805. In S804, the control unit 404 connects to the cloud service and accepts a user selection operation from a list of files saved in cloud storage. If a file selection has been accepted, the process may proceed to S806 or S807, with that file as the file to be printed.

[0082] In S805, the control unit 404 determines whether or not a document acquisition destination screen for selecting "Photo" has been selected, for example, whether the internal photo button 603 or the internal document button 602 has been selected, and if a photo has been selected, the process proceeds to S901, and if not, the process proceeds to S806. For example, if the internal photo button 603 has been selected, the process proceeds to S901, and if the internal document button 602 has been selected, the process proceeds to S806.

[0083] In step S806, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display an OS-provided file selection screen. For example, the file browser unit 406 instructs the OS 410 to display an SAF screen. Here, for example, the document file selection screen 610 is displayed.

[0084] In S807, the control unit 404 determines whether a document file has been sent from the OS 410, and if so, proceeds to S808, otherwise repeats the processing of S807. If the user selects a file on the document file selection screen 610, the selected file is sent from the OS 410 to the application 401, and so proceeds to S808.

[0085] In S808, the control unit 404 copies the document file selected by the user to a memory area available to the application 401. In S809, the control unit 404 converts the selected document file into JPEG data. Then, in S810, the UI unit 402 displays a preview document screen 630 of the selected file.

[0086] In S811, the control unit 404 determines whether the Next button 632 has been pressed, and if it has been pressed, the process proceeds to S812, and if not, the process returns to S810. In S812, the UI unit 402 displays the document print screen 650.

[0087] In S813, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the setting change button 652 has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to S815, and if not, the process proceeds to S814.

[0088] In S815, the UI unit 402 displays the document print setting change screen 660. In S816, the control unit 404 determines whether or not one item has been selected from the document print setting items 661. If selected, the process proceeds to S818, and if not, the process proceeds to S817.

[0089] In S817, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the Back button has been pressed. If selected, the process returns to S813, and if not, the process returns to S816.

[0090] In S818, the UI unit 402 displays the list of configurable document print items 662. In S819, the control unit 404 determines whether a setting value has been selected from the options in the list of configurable document print items 662. If selected, the process proceeds to S821; if not, the process proceeds to S820.

[0091] In S820, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the cancel button has been pressed. If the cancel button has been pressed, the process returns to S815; if not, the process returns to S819.

[0092] In step S821, the CPU 202 issues a command to the UI unit 402 to reflect the information on the selected setting values ​​on the document print setting change screen 660, and the process returns to step S815.

[0093] In S814, the control unit 404 determines whether or not the print button 526 has been selected. If it has been selected, the process proceeds to S822, and if not, the process returns to S813.

[0094] In S822, the control unit 404 transmits a print job including the file selected by the user to the target image processing device 104. The image processing device 104 that receives the print job prints the document file selected by the user based on the print settings included in the print job.

[0095] Next, the processing from S901 onwards will be described with reference to FIG.

[0096] In S901, the UI unit 402 displays the photo file selection screen 620.

[0097] In S902, the control unit 404 determines whether or not photo data has been sent from the OS. Specifically, photo data is sent from the OS when a photo is tapped on the photo file selection screen 620 or when the selection button 624 is selected. If photo data has been sent, the process proceeds to S727; if not, the process continues to wait for the determination in S902. The subsequent processes are the same as those in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the same processes are assigned the same numbers and will not be described again.

[0098] By processing the above flowchart, when the user selects document printing, print settings suitable for the document can be made. Even if a photo file (e.g., a JPEG or PNG format file) is selected when document printing is selected, print settings suitable for the document are made. Even when printing the same photo file, the printable items and the initial print setting values ​​differ depending on whether the photo print button 503 or the document print button 502 is selected.

[0099] In the above example, the screen for selecting a document file (e.g., PDF) and the screen for selecting a photo file are separate screens, but it is also possible to select both document files and photo files on a single screen.

[0100] Also, the OS-provided file selection screen may be configured to be displayed uniformly whether a photo or a document is selected. Also, in the example of the flowchart in Figure 8, the OS-provided file selection screen is the Photo Picker, but it may be the SAF screen.

[0101] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process: software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program. In this case, the computer program and the storage medium storing the computer program constitute the present invention.

[0102] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0103] (Configuration 1) A program for causing a computer of a data processing device to execute a control method, The control method a first display control step of controlling to display a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or a photo; a second display control step of controlling to display a file selection screen for selecting a file to be printed, the file selection screen including the file corresponding to the printing selected on the screen; a transmission step of controlling the image processing device to transmit an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen, A program characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set, when photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set, and when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file showing a photo is selected on the file selection screen.

[0104] (Configuration 2) The program according to configuration 1, wherein the screen is a home screen that accepts a user's selection operation of a function to be executed.

[0105] (Configuration 3) The program according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print setting items corresponding to document printing can be changed, and when photo printing is selected on the screen, print setting items corresponding to photo printing can be changed.

[0106] (Configuration 4) The program according to configuration 3, characterized in that the print setting items corresponding to the document printing are double-sided printing settings and settings to make the same as the original size, and the print setting items corresponding to the photo printing are automatic photo correction settings, sharpness settings, and border settings.

[0107] (Configuration 5) A program according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print setting values ​​corresponding to document printing are set by default, and when photo printing is selected on the screen, print setting values ​​corresponding to photo printing are set by default.

[0108] (Configuration 6) 6. The program according to configuration 5, wherein the print setting value corresponding to the document printing is plain paper, and the print setting value corresponding to the photo printing is photo paper.

[0109] (Configuration 7) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, further comprising a third display control step of controlling the display of a selection screen that allows the user to select whether to display files in the data processing device, files stored in the cloud, or files stored in another application, when photo printing is selected on the screen.

[0110] (Configuration 8) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, further comprising a fourth display control step of controlling the display of a selection screen that allows a user to select whether to display document files in the data processing device, photo files in the data processing device, or files stored in the cloud, when document printing is selected on the screen.

[0111] (Configuration 9) 9. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the file representing the photograph is a file in JPEG or PNG format.

[0112] (Configuration 10) 10. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the second display control step instructs an operating system (OS) running on the data processing device to display the file selection screen.

[0113] (Configuration 11) 11. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein when document printing is selected on the screen, a plurality of files to be printed can be selected on the file selection screen.

[0114] (Method 1) A control method executed by a data processing device, comprising: a first display control step of controlling to display a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or a photo; a second display control step of controlling to display a file selection screen for selecting a file to be printed, the file selection screen including the file corresponding to the printing selected on the screen; a transmission step of controlling the image processing device to transmit an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen, A control method characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set, when photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set, and when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file showing a photo is selected on the file selection screen.

[0115] (device 1) 1. A data processing device, comprising: a first display control means for controlling the display of a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or a photo; a second display control means for controlling to display a file selection screen for selecting a file to be printed, the file selection screen including the file corresponding to the file selected on the screen for printing; a transmission means for controlling the image processing device to transmit an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen, A data processing device characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set, when photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set, and when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file representing a photo is selected on the file selection screen.

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer of a data processing device to execute a control method, The control method a first display control step of controlling to display a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or a photo; a second display control step of controlling to display a file selection screen for selecting a file to be printed, the file selection screen including the file corresponding to the printing selected on the screen; a transmission step of controlling the image processing device to transmit an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen, A program characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set, when photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set, and when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file showing a photo is selected on the file selection screen.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the screen is a home screen that accepts a user's selection operation of a function to be executed.

3. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print setting items corresponding to document printing can be changed, and when photo printing is selected on the screen, print setting items corresponding to photo printing can be changed.

4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the print setting items corresponding to the document printing are double-sided printing settings and settings to make the same size as the original, and the print setting items corresponding to the photo printing are automatic photo correction settings, sharpness settings, and border settings.

5. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print setting values ​​corresponding to document printing are set by default, and when photo printing is selected on the screen, print setting values ​​corresponding to photo printing are set by default.

6. 6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the print setting value corresponding to the document printing is plain paper, and the print setting value corresponding to the photo printing is photo paper.

7. The program described in claim 1, further comprising a third display control process for controlling the display of a selection screen that allows the user to select whether to display files within the data processing device, files stored in the cloud, or files stored in another application when photo printing is selected on the screen.

8. The program described in claim 1, further comprising a fourth display control step for controlling the display of a selection screen that allows the user to select whether to display document files in the data processing device, photo files in the data processing device, or files stored in the cloud when document printing is selected on the screen.

9. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the file representing the photograph is a file in JPEG or PNG format.

10. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second display control step instructs an operating system (OS) running on the data processing device to display the file selection screen.

11. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein when document printing is selected on the screen, a plurality of files to be printed can be selected on the file selection screen.

12. A control method executed by a data processing device, a first display control step of controlling to display a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or a photo; a second display control step of controlling to display a file selection screen for selecting a file to be printed, the file selection screen including the file corresponding to the printing selected on the screen; a transmission step of controlling the image processing device to transmit an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen, A control method characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set, when photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set, and when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file showing a photo is selected on the file selection screen.

13. 1. A data processing device, comprising: a first display control means for controlling the display of a screen that allows a user to select whether to print a document or a photo; a second display control means for controlling to display a file selection screen for selecting a file to be printed, the file selection screen including the file corresponding to the file selected on the screen for printing; a transmission means for controlling the image processing device to transmit an instruction to print the file selected on the file selection screen, A data processing device characterized in that when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set, when photo printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to photo printing are set, and when document printing is selected on the screen, print settings corresponding to document printing are set even if a file representing a photo is selected on the file selection screen.

Images