Program set for terminal and method executed by terminal including program set

Abstract

To provide a new and useful technique for starting a plurality of applications by a certain application included in a program set.SOLUTION: The terminal supplies the first identification information to the specific Win32 application when a first condition is satisfied and supplies the second identification information to the specific Win32 application when a second condition is satisfied in accordance with the print support application. The terminal supplies a first start instruction to the first Win32 application when acquiring the first identification information from the print support application in accordance with the specific Win32 application, and supplies a second start instruction to the second Win32 application when acquiring the second identification information from the print support application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses techniques for launching applications. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a client computer, a printer, a device management software distribution server, and a device application distribution server. The client computer stores an application, a device application, and a printer driver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-184229 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification provides a novel and useful technique for allowing an application included in a program set to launch multiple applications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a program set for a terminal device. The program set may include a print support application for supporting a general-purpose print program implemented in an operating system (OS) and a specific Win32 application. The print support application may cause a computer of the terminal device to function as a first provider that provides first identification information identifying a first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a first condition is satisfied, and a second provider that provides second identification information identifying a second Win32 application different from the first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied. The specific Win32 application may cause the computer to function as a third provider that provides a first launch instruction to the first Win32 application when the first identification information is acquired from the print support application, and a fourth provider that provides a second launch instruction to the second Win32 application when the second identification information is acquired from the print support application.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the terminal device supplies first identification information to a specific Win32 application when a first condition is met, and supplies second identification information to the specific Win32 application when a second condition is met. The specific Win32 application then supplies a launch instruction to the Win32 application corresponding to the acquired identification information. Therefore, the application to be launched is switched in response to the launch instruction supplied from the specific Win32 application. Therefore, the print support application can launch multiple applications.

[0007] This specification also discloses another program set for a terminal device. The program set may include a first computer program that is a first type of computer program and a second computer program that is a second type of computer program different from the first type of computer program. The first computer program may cause a computer in the terminal device to function as a first providing unit that provides the second computer program with first identification information that identifies a third computer program that is the second type of computer program when a first condition is satisfied, and a second providing unit that provides the second computer program with second identification information that identifies a fourth computer program that is the second type of computer program when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied. The second computer program may cause the computer to function as a third supply unit that supplies a first launch instruction to the third computer program when the first identification information is obtained from the first computer program, and as a fourth supply unit that supplies a second launch instruction to the fourth computer program when the second identification information is obtained from the first computer program.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the terminal device supplies first identification information to the second computer program when a first condition is satisfied, and supplies second identification information to the second computer program when a second condition is satisfied. The second computer program then supplies a launch instruction to the computer program corresponding to the acquired identification information. Therefore, the computer program to be launched is switched in response to the launch instruction supplied from the second computer program. Therefore, the first computer program can launch multiple computer programs.

[0009] A computer-readable recording medium storing the above program set, a terminal device implemented by the above program set, and a method for controlling a terminal device are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] 1 shows a sequence diagram of a first installation process. [Figure 3] This is a continuation of Figure 2. [Figure 4] An example of an approval screen is shown. [Figure 5] 10 shows an example of an application selection screen. [Figure 6] A sequence diagram of the second installation process is shown. [Figure 7] 1 shows a sequence diagram of a printing process. [Figure 8] An example of a home screen is shown. [Figure 9] An example of a setting screen is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a PC 10, a printer 100, a first server 200, and a second server 300. The PC 10 and the printer 100 are connected to a local area network (LAN) 4. The PC 10 and the printer 100 can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 is connected to the Internet 6. The first server 200 and the second server 300 are installed on the Internet 6. The PC 10, the printer 100, the first server 200, and the second server 300 can communicate with each other via the Internet 6. Note that, hereinafter, an application, which is an abbreviation for an application program, may be referred to as an "app."

[0012] (PC10 configuration) The PC 10 is a PC such as a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, etc. The PC 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 20, and a control unit 30. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0013] The operation unit 12 is a user interface that allows a user to input various information to the PC 10. The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation area), hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 14 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The communication I / F 20 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I / F 20 may be a wired LAN I / F or a wireless LAN I / F. The communication I / F 20 may be a USB I / F.

[0014] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As an example, the main storage device includes RAM and cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with programs loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0015] An operating system (OS) program 40 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 34. Hereinafter, the OS program 40 will be referred to as "OS 40." As an example, the OS 40 is Windows. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

[0016] The OS 40 includes a generic printing program 42. For example, the generic printing program 42 is an IPP Class Driver. The generic printing program 42 can also be considered a printer driver that is standardly installed in the OS 40, and may be of specifications other than an IPP Class Driver. The generic printing program 42 has generic functions for printing on multiple models of printers provided by multiple printer vendors. Unlike printer drivers specific to each printer, the generic printing program 42 does not support functions specific to each printer. The generic printing program 42 has a function for generating intermediate image data when a print instruction and image data to be printed are acquired. For example, the intermediate image data is XPS data. The generic printing program 42 also has a function for converting the intermediate image data into print data in a format that can be printed by various printers. For example, the print data is PWGRaster data or PDF.

[0017] The auxiliary storage device of the memory 34 may store a program set 44, a print application 54, and a status monitor 56. The program set 44 includes a Print Support Application (PSA) 46, a launcher program 48, an environment checker 50, and an installer 52.

[0018] PSA 46 is a program that supports the generic printing program 42. "Supporting generic printing program 42" can also be interpreted as supporting processing in accordance with generic printing program 42. PSA may be compatible with only one model provided by a certain printer vendor, or may be compatible with multiple models provided by the same printer vendor. PSA 46 is a program compatible with a printer having the model name "MN1." PSA 46 is provided by the printer vendor of printer 100. PSA 46 is configured to be automatically downloaded from the first server 200 to PC 10 when a printer compatible with PSA 46 (e.g., printer 100) is connected to PC 10. OS 40 can detect that a printer is connected to PC 10 via a USB I / F using Plug and Play (PnP). OS 40 can also detect that a printer is connected to PC 10 via a wired LAN I / F or a wireless LAN I / F. In this embodiment, the PSA 46, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 are packaged. Therefore, when a printer compatible with the PSA 46 is connected to the PC 10, the program set 44 including the PSA 46 is automatically downloaded from the first server 200 to the PC 10. The program set 44 downloaded to the PC 10 is then deployed in the sandbox environment. Here, "deployment" does not necessarily mean that a program is installed on the PC, but also includes storing the program's executable file (EXE file), configuration file, etc. in a predetermined storage area in the PC's memory. Access to the PSA 46 outside the sandbox environment is restricted. The PSA 46 is configured to provide instructions only to one application in the sandbox environment. In this embodiment, the PSA 46 is configured to provide instructions only to the launcher program 48 in the sandbox environment.

[0019] The launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 are Win32 applications. The launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 are assigned application IDs "AP1," "AP2," and "AP3," respectively. The application ID is information for identifying an application. As described above, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 included in the program set 44 are placed in a sandbox environment. Unlike the PSA 46, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52, which are Win32 applications, can be accessed outside the sandbox environment.

[0020] The launcher program 48 launches a Win32 application in response to an instruction received from the PSA 46. The environment checker 50 checks the environment information of the PC on which the environment checker 50 is installed. The environment information includes information on applications installed on the PC 10. The installer 52 is a program for installing a print application 54, a status monitor 56, etc. The installer 52 is a program that requires user account control to execute processing with administrator privileges. User account control is one of the security features.

[0021] The print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are Win32 applications. The print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are assigned the application IDs "AP11" and "AP12," respectively. The print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are deployed outside the sandbox environment. The print application 54 is a program that causes the printer to execute a printing function. The status monitor 56 is a program for checking printer status information. For example, the status information includes the printing status and the remaining amount of consumables.

[0022] (Configuration of printer 100) Printer 100 is a peripheral device (i.e., a peripheral device such as PC 10) that can execute a printing function to print an image on paper. Printer 100 has a printing mechanism that can execute a printing function. The printing mechanism includes an inkjet, electrophotographic, or thermal print engine. An inkjet print engine has a print head that ejects ink droplets. An electrophotographic print engine has a photosensitive element and an exposure device that emits light to expose the photosensitive element. A thermal print engine has a print head that generates heat using a heater.

[0023] The printer 100 has a model name of "MN1" and is assigned an IP address of "IP1."

[0024] (Configuration of the first server 200) The first server 200 is a server installed on the Internet 6 by a vendor of the OS 42. As an example, the first server 200 is a cloud server that provides the services of the Microsoft Store. The first server 200 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers.

[0025] The first server 200 stores various programs corresponding to the OS 42. In this embodiment, the first server 200 stores a program set 44.

[0026] (Configuration of the second server 300) The second server 300 is a server installed on the Internet 6 by the printer vendor of the printer 100. The second server 300 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers.

[0027] The second server 300 stores various programs corresponding to the printer 100. In this embodiment, the second server 300 stores a print application 54 and a status monitor 56.

[0028] (First installation process; Figure 2, Figure 3) 2 and 3, a first installation process for installing the print application 54 on the PC 10 will be described. In the initial state of this process, the program set 44, the print application 54, and the status monitor 56 are not stored in the memory 34 of the PC 10. The printer 100 is not connected to the LAN 4. That is, the printer 100 is not connected to the PC 10. Hereinafter, all communications between the PC 10 and other devices are performed via the communication I / F 20 of the PC 10. Therefore, the phrase "via the communication I / F 20" will be omitted. Hereinafter, various processes implemented by the CPU 32 according to a program may be described as being performed primarily by each program (e.g., the OS 40). Furthermore, the print application 54 and other applications access various hardware, such as the display unit 14, the memory 34, and the communication I / F 20, via the OS 40 to perform various processes. Hereinafter, the description will be omitted, as appropriate, of the print application 54 and other applications performing processes via the OS 40.

[0029] In this specification, "obtaining information" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require "requesting the information." In other words, "obtaining information" is a concept that also encompasses "passively receiving information."

[0030] Furthermore, "supplying specific information to a program" can also be said to mean passing specific information to the processing of a program. An example will be explained using a case where memory is shared. "Supplying information to a program" means storing specific identification information that identifies specific information in a memory area in shared memory that is accessible by a computer that executes processing according to a certain program. Furthermore, "obtaining information from a certain program" means obtaining specific information based on the above-mentioned memory area and specific identification information. Methods for supplying / obtaining information between multiple programs include using socket communication and using pipes.

[0031] First, the printer 100 is connected to the LAN 4. As a result, the OS 40 outside the sandbox environment receives the model name "MN1" and the IP address "IP1" from the printer 100 at T10. In this case, the OS 40 determines that the model name "MN1" and the IP address "IP1" have been received for the first time, and at T12 sends a program set request including the model name "MN1" to the first server 200. The program set request is a signal for requesting the first server 200 to send a program set corresponding to the model name in the request.

[0032] At T12, when the first server 200 receives the program set request from the PC 10, it identifies the program set 44 that corresponds to the model name "MN1" in the request. At T14, the first server 200 transmits the identified program set 44 to the PC 10.

[0033] When the OS 40 receives the program set 44 from the first server 200 at T14, it executes a first installation process at T16 to install the program set 44 on the PC 10. As a result, the program set 44 is installed (placed) in the sandbox environment of the PC 10. Next, at T18, the OS 40 displays a notification screen SC2 on the display unit 14 in the form of a pop-up display. The notification screen SC2 is a screen indicating that installation of the program set 44 has been completed. The notification screen SC2 includes a model name area 400 including the model name "MN1" of the printer 100, an image 402 of the printer, and an "Apps" button 404. The "Apps" button 404 is a button for launching the PSA 46 included in the program set 44.

[0034] At T20, the user operates the "APP" button 404. As a result, at T30, the OS 40 supplies a first application launch instruction including the model name "MN1" and IP address "IP1" received at T10 to the PSA 46 in the sandbox environment. The PSA 46 is registered in the program set 44 as the application to be launched first by the OS 40 among the multiple programs included in the program set 44.

[0035] At T30, the PSA 46 is started in response to receiving a first application start instruction from the OS 40, determines that the first application start instruction is a signal transmitted due to an operation on the "APP" button 404 on the notification screen SC2, and determines that a first predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, the PSA 46 determines that the application to be started is the environment checker 50. Next, at T32, the PSA 46 supplies a second application start instruction including the application ID "AP2" that identifies the environment checker 50 to the launcher program 48 in the sandbox environment.

[0036] At T32, the launcher program 48 is launched in response to receiving a second application launch instruction from the PSA 46, and identifies the environment checker 50 identified by the application ID “AP2” included in the instruction. Next, at T34, the launcher program 48 supplies a third application launch instruction to the environment checker 50 in the sandbox environment.

[0037] The environment checker 50 is started in response to receiving a third start instruction from the launcher program 48 at T34, and provides an environment information request to the OS 40 at T40. The environment information request is a signal for requesting the OS 40 to transmit environment information. As an example, the environment information request includes an application ID of an application outside the sandbox environment and location information of a storage area where the executable file of the application is located. The environment information request may include the file name of the executable file instead of the application ID. The location information may be folder path information. When the OS 40 receives the environment information request from the environment checker 50, the OS 40 uses the received environment information request to determine whether the application corresponding to the received environment information request is already installed on the PC 10. The OS 40 then provides the determination result to the environment checker 50. If the application is already installed, the OS 40 may provide the environment checker 50 with an application ID corresponding to the application, or may provide the environment checker 50 with information indicating that the application is already installed. Furthermore, when an application is not installed, the OS 40 may supply the environment checker 50 with information "not found," or may supply the environment checker 50 with information clearly indicating that the application is not installed. Below, as an example, a case will be described in which the OS 40 supplies the environment checker 50 with an application ID as information clearly indicating that the application is installed, and a case in which the OS 40 supplies the environment checker 50 with "not installed" as information clearly indicating that the application is not installed.

[0038] When the OS 40 acquires an environmental information request from the environment checker 50 at T40, the OS 40 uses the acquired environmental information request to determine whether an application corresponding to the acquired environmental information request is already installed on the PC 10. In this process, the print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are the applications corresponding to the acquired environmental information request. In this process, the application corresponding to the acquired environmental information request is not already installed on the PC 10. Therefore, the OS 40 determines that the application corresponding to the acquired environmental information request is not already installed, and in T42, supplies environmental information including the installation information "not installed" to the environment checker 50.

[0039] When the environment checker 50 acquires the environment information from the OS 40 in T42, it supplies the environment information to the PSA 46 in T44. The environment checker 50 may supply the environment information to the PSA 46 via the launcher program 48, or may supply the environment information to the PSA 46 without via the launcher program 48.

[0040] When the PSA 46 acquires the environmental information from the environment checker 50 in T44, the PSA 46 determines that the environmental information includes the installation information "Not Installed." In this case, the PSA 46 determines in T50 that the application corresponding to the environmental information request is not already installed on the PC 10, and in T52 causes the display unit 14 to display an installation screen SC4. The installation screen SC4 includes a close button 410, a first message 412, and an "Install" button 414. The first message 412 is a message indicating that an application related to the printer 100 exists. Note that the first message 412 may be a message indicating that an application related to the printer is installable, or may be a message prompting the user to install an application related to the printer. The installation screen SC4 may include the application names of the print application 54 and the status monitor 56. This configuration allows the user to know which applications are available for installation.

[0041] 3, the user operates the "Install" button 414. In this case, the PSA 46 has accepted the operation on the installation screen SC4, and therefore determines that the application to be launched is the installer 52, and determines that the second predetermined condition is satisfied. In this case, the PSA 46 determines that the application to be launched is the installer 52. Next, in T62, the PSA 46 supplies the launcher program 48 with a fourth application launch instruction including the model name "MN1", the IP address "IP1", and the application ID "AP3" that identifies the installer 52. The fourth application launch instruction is also a signal for instructing installation of the application.

[0042] When the launcher program 48 acquires the fourth application launch instruction from the PSA 46 at T62, it identifies the installer 52 identified by the application ID "AP3" included in the instruction. Next, at T64, the launcher program 48 supplies a fifth application launch instruction including the model name "MN1," the IP address "IP1," and an instruction to obtain administrator privileges to the installer 52 in the sandbox environment. In this way, the PSA 46 can selectively launch the environment checker 50 and the installer 52 via the launcher program 48.

[0043] When the installer 52 receives the fifth application start instruction from the launcher program 48 at T64, the installer 52 determines that the instruction includes an instruction to obtain administrator authority. In this case, the installer 52 supplies an administrator authority approval request to the OS 40 at T66.

[0044] When the OS 40 acquires the administrator authority approval request from the installer 52 in T66, it displays an approval screen SC6 on the display unit 14 in T68. As shown in FIG. 4, the approval screen SC6 includes a second message 420, a "Yes" button 422, and a "No" button 424. The second message 420 is a message for confirming whether or not to allow the installer 52 to make changes to the PC 10. Note that the approval screen SC6 may also include information about the vendor that provides the first server 200 that is the issuer of the installer 52, a confirmation button for confirming the changes, and the like.

[0045] 3, the user operates the "Yes" button 422. As a result, the OS 40 provides administrator authority to the installer 52 at T72.

[0046] When the installer 52 acquires administrator privileges from the OS 40 in T72, the installer 52 determines that it is permitted to operate with administrator privileges. Specifically, the installer 52 determines that installation of an application by the installer 52 on the PC 10 is permitted. In this case, the installer 52 identifies the model name “MN1” included in the fifth application launch instruction acquired in T64, and in T80, causes the display unit 14 to display an application selection screen SC8 corresponding to the identified model name “MN1.” As shown in FIG. 5 , the application selection screen SC8 includes a model name area 430, an application selection area 432, an “Install” button 434, and a “Cancel” button 436. The application selection area 432 is an area for selecting an application to be installed on the PC 10. The application selection area 432 includes the application name of the application corresponding to the model name described in the model name area 430 and a check box for the application. In this embodiment, the application selection area 432 includes check boxes for the print application 54 and the status monitor 56 corresponding to the model name “MN1.” Since the application selection screen SC8 includes the model name "MN1", the user can know the target printer.

[0047] 3, the user performs an operation to check the check box for the "printing application" in the application selection area 432 and an operation on the "install" button 434. As a result, the installer 52 identifies the application ID "AP11" of the "printing application," and at T84, transmits an application request including the identified application ID "AP11" to the second server 300.

[0048] In T84, when the second server 300 receives the application request from the PC 10, the second server 300 identifies the application ID "AP11" in the application request and identifies the printing application 54 stored in the second server 300. Next, in T86, the second server 300 transmits the identified printing application 54 to the PC 10.

[0049] When the installer 52 receives the printing application 54 from the second server 300 in T86, the installer 52 executes a second installation process in T90 to install the printing application 54 on the PC 10. In the second installation process, the installer 52 provides the OS 40 with an installation instruction including the received printing application 54. When the OS 40 receives the installation instruction from the installer 52, the OS 40 registers an executable file corresponding to the printing application 54 in the installation instruction in a predetermined area outside the sandbox environment. The OS 40 also provides the installer 52 with an installation completion notification indicating that the installation of the printing application 54 has been completed. This completes the second installation process. Next, in T92, the installer 52 displays on the display unit 14 a startup selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not to launch the installed printing application 54. As described above, since the fifth application startup instruction includes an instruction to obtain administrator privileges (see T64), the installer 52 attempts to obtain administrator privileges. Therefore, the installer 52 operates with administrator privileges and can install the printing application 54 on the PC 10.

[0050] In this process, the installer 52 receives the print application 54 from the second server 300. In this case, the latest version of the print application 54 can be installed on the PC 10.

[0051] (Second installation process; Figure 6) The second installation process for installing the print application 54 on the PC 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The second installation process differs from the first installation process in that the print application 54 is installed on the PC 10 without the installer 52 accessing the second server 300. The initial state of this process is the same as the initial state of the first installation process in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0052] First, processes similar to T10 to T52 in FIG. 2 and T60 to T72 in FIG. 3 are executed between the PC 10, the printer 100, and the first server 200.

[0053] In T180, the installer 52 displays the application selection screen SC8 (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the model name "MN1" on the display unit 14. In T182, the user performs an operation to check the check box for "print application" in the application selection area 432 and an operation on the "install" button 434. In this process, in T190, the installer 52 supplies an installation instruction including the print application 54 possessed by the installer 52 to the OS 40 without accessing the second server 300. T192 is the same as T92 in FIG. 3.

[0054] In this process, the installer 52 installs the printing application 54 contained in the installer 52 into the PC 10 without accessing the second server 300. In this case, the time required for the second installation process can be shortened. Furthermore, even if the PC 10 and the second server 300 cannot communicate with each other when the second installation process is executed, the printing application 54 can be installed into the PC 10.

[0055] In a modified example, when the installer 52 receives the printing application 54 from the second server 300 in response to sending an application request to the second server 300, the installer 52 may execute a second installation process using the received printing application 54, and when the installer 52 does not receive the printing application 54 from the second server 300 in response to sending an application request to the second server 300, the installer 52 may execute a second installation process using the printing application 54 that the installer 52 possesses.

[0056] (Printing process; Figure 7) 7, a printing process in which printing is performed using the printing application 54 will be described. In the initial state of the printing process, the printing application 54 and the status monitor 56 have already been installed in the PC 10.

[0057] 2 are executed between the PC 10, the printer 100, and the first server 200. In this process, the OS 40 outside the sandbox environment determines that the print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are already installed on the PC 10, and in T242 supplies environment information including the installation information "AP11, AP12" to the environment checker 50 in the sandbox environment.

[0058] When the environment checker 50 acquires the environment information from the OS 40 in T242, it supplies the environment information to the PSA 46 in the sandbox environment in T244. The environment checker 50 may supply the environment information to the PSA 46 via the launcher program 48, or may supply the environment information to the PSA 46 without via the launcher program 48.

[0059] When the PSA 46 acquires the environment information from the environment checker 50 in T244, the PSA 46 determines that the environment information includes the installation information “AP11, AP12.” In this case, the PSA 46 determines in T250 that the applications corresponding to the environment information request are already installed on the PC 10, and in T252, causes the display unit 14 to display the application launch screen SC10 corresponding to the application IDs “AP11” and “AP12.” The application launch screen SC10 includes a close button 440, a device information area 442, a third message 444, a “Print application” button 446, and a “Status monitor” button 448. The device information area 442 includes the model name “MN1” and the IP address “IP1” included in the first application launch instruction (see T30 in FIG. 2). The third message 444 is a message for confirming whether or not to launch the applications already installed on the PC 10. In this way, the PSA 46 can appropriately switch between the installation screen SC4 (see FIG. 2 ) and the application startup screen SC10 to be displayed on the display unit 14 by using the environment information received from the environment checker 50 via the launcher program 48. The application startup screen SC10 may not include the “Status Monitor” button 448. In another variation, the application startup screen SC10 may include a “Launch” button for launching the print application 54, without including the “Print App” button 446 and the “Status Monitor” button 448. In this variation, when the “Launch” button is operated, the same processing as when the “Print App” button 446 is operated is executed. In these variations, the environment information request of T40 in FIG. 2 does not include the application ID “AP12” of the status monitor 56. In addition, the environment information of T242 and T244 does not include the application ID “AP12” of the status monitor 56.

[0060] In T260, the user operates the “Print App” button 446. In this case, the PSA 46 determines that the third predetermined condition is satisfied because it has accepted the operation on the “Print App” button 446 on the application launch screen SC10. In this case, the PSA 46 determines that the application to be launched is the print application 54. Next, in T262, the PSA 46 supplies a sixth application launch instruction including the model name “MN1,” the IP address “IP1,” and the application ID “AP11” that identifies the print application 54 to the launcher program 48 in the sandbox environment. Note that, when the PSA 46 accepts the operation on the “Status Monitor” button 448, it determines that the fourth predetermined condition is satisfied and determines that the application to be launched is the status monitor 56. In this case, the PSA 46 supplies an application launch instruction including the model name “MN1,” the IP address “IP1,” and the application ID “AP12” that identifies the status monitor 56 to the launcher program 48.

[0061] When the launcher program 48 acquires the sixth application launch instruction from the PSA 46 at T262, it identifies the print application 54 identified by the application ID “AP11” included in the instruction. Next, at T264, the launcher program 48 supplies a seventh application launch instruction including the model name “MN1” and the IP address “IP1” to the print application 54 outside the sandbox environment.

[0062] When the print application 54 acquires the seventh launch instruction from the launcher program 48 in T264, it displays the home screen SC12 on the display unit 14 in T270. As shown in FIG. 8 , the home screen SC12 includes a print button 460 and a printer object 464. The printer object 464 includes information related to the printer 100. The information related to the printer 100 includes the model name "MN1" of the printer 100, the IP address "IP1", and information indicating the status. Because the home screen SC12 includes the model name "MN1", the user can identify the target printer.

[0063] At T272, the user executes a print operation. The print operation includes an operation on the print button 460. As a result, the print application 54 displays a file selection screen on the display unit 14 for selecting a file to be printed. The print operation further includes an operation to select a file to be printed on the file selection screen. As a result, the print application 54 displays a print preview screen on the display unit 14, which includes a print preview image corresponding to the selected file and a print execution button. The print operation further includes an operation on the print execution button. As a result, at T274, the print application 54 supplies a first print instruction, which includes file information for identifying the file to be printed, to the general-purpose print program 42 of the OS 40.

[0064] When the general-purpose printing program 42 acquires a first print instruction from the printing application 54 at T274, it identifies a file corresponding to the file information in the first print instruction. Next, the general-purpose printing program 42 converts the file into intermediate image data at T276, and supplies a second print instruction including the intermediate image data to the PSA 46 at T278.

[0065] When the PSA 46 acquires a second print instruction from the general-purpose printing program 42 in T278, it converts the intermediate image data included in the second print instruction to generate print data in T280. The print data is data compatible with the printer 100. As an example, the print data is PDL data compatible with a printer with the model name "MN1." Next, the PSA transmits the print data to the printer 100 in T282.

[0066] When the printer 100 receives the print data from the PC 10 in T282, it executes printing using the print data in T284. In this way, printing using the print application 54 is executed.

[0067] (Settings screen; Figure 9) The first setting screen SC20 and the second setting screen SC22 displayed by the OS 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] When the OS 40 receives a device management instruction, it displays a first setting screen SC20 on the display unit 14. The first setting screen SC20 includes a search object 480, a "Printers and Scanners" button 482, a "Mouse" button 484, an "Add" button 486, and a "Printers and Scanners" area 488. The "Printers and Scanners" area 488 includes buttons corresponding to the printers and scanners registered in the PC 10. In this embodiment, the "Printers and Scanners" area 488 includes a button 490 corresponding to the printer 100.

[0069] When the OS 42 accepts an operation on the button 490 on the first setting screen SC20, it causes the display unit 14 to display a second setting screen SC22 corresponding to the printer 100. The second setting screen SC22 includes a search object 480, a "Printer and Scanner" button 482, a "Mouse" button 484, device information 500, and a printer setting area 502. The device information 500 includes information corresponding to the device selected on the first setting screen SC20. The printer setting area 502 includes a "Printer Queue" button 504 and a "Launch App" button 506. The "Launch App" button 506 is a button for launching the PSA corresponding to the selected printer. When the OS 42 accepts an operation on the "Launch App" button 506, it supplies a first application launch instruction (see T30 in FIG. 2) including the model name "MN1" and the IP address "IP1" to the PSA 46. That is, with the program set 44 stored in the memory 34 of the PC 10, the user can launch the PSA 46 by performing operations on the first setting screen SC20 and the second setting screen SC22. When the OS 40 accepts an operation on the "Add" button 486, it executes a search process to search for printers belonging to the LAN 4 and displays a printer list screen on the display unit 14 for selecting a printer to connect to the PC 10. Then, in response to accepting the selection of a specific printer, the specific printer is connected to the PC 10. In this way, the OS 40 detects that the specific printer has been connected to the PC 10 via the communication I / F 20, which is a wired LAN I / F or a wireless LAN I / F.

[0070] When the print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are not stored in the memory 34 of the PC 10, if an operation on the "Launch App" button 506 is accepted, processing similar to T30 to T52 in Fig. 2, T60 to T92 in Fig. 3, and T180 to T192 in Fig. 6 may be executed. Also, when the print application 54 and the status monitor 56 are stored in the memory 34 of the PC 10, if an operation on the "Launch App" button 506 is accepted, processing similar to T30 to T40 in Fig. 2 and T242 to T284 in Fig. 7 may be executed.

[0071] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the PC 10 receives an operation on the "APP" button 404 on the notification screen SC2 (T20 in FIG. 2), it supplies the application ID "AP2" to the launcher program 48 (T32), and when the PC 10 receives an operation on the "INSTALL" button 414 on the installation screen SC4 (T60 in FIG. 3), it supplies the application ID "AP3" to the launcher program 48 (T62). The launcher program 48 then supplies a launch instruction to the Win32 application corresponding to the acquired application ID. Therefore, the application to be launched is switched in accordance with the launch instruction supplied from the launcher program 48. This allows the PSA 46 to launch multiple applications.

[0072] (Correspondence) The PC 10 is an example of a "terminal device." The PSA 46 is an example of a "print support application." The "first predetermined condition" is an example of a "first condition." The launcher program 48 is an example of a "specific Win32 application." The environment checker 50 is an example of a "first Win32 application." The application ID "AP2" is an example of a "first identification information." The "second predetermined condition" and the "third predetermined condition" are examples of a "second condition." The installer 52, the print application 54, and the status monitor 56 are examples of a "second Win32 application." The application IDs "AP3," "AP11," and "AP12" are examples of "second identification information." The third application launch instruction T34 in FIG. 2 is an example of a "first launch instruction." The fifth application launch instruction T64 in FIG. 3 and the seventh application launch instruction T264 in FIG. 7 are examples of a "second launch instruction." The notification screen SC2 in FIG. 2 and the second setting screen SC22 in FIG. 9 are examples of a "first screen." The installation screen SC4 in FIG. 2 and the application startup screen SC10 in FIG. 7 are examples of a "second screen." The notification screen SC2 in FIG. 2 and the second setting screen SC22 in FIG. 9 are examples of a "startup screen." The print application 54 is an example of a "third Win32 application." The installation screen SC4 in FIG. 2 is an example of a "screen for installing the third Win32 application in a terminal device." The printer 100 is an example of a "printing device." The model name is an example of "device identification information." The application selection screen SC8 in FIG. 5 and the home screen SC12 in FIG. 8 are examples of a "third screen." The instruction to obtain administrator privileges in T64 in FIG. 3 is an example of an "obtainment instruction."

[0073] A program that is restricted from accessing outside the sandbox environment when placed in the sandbox environment is an example of a "first type of computer program." PSA 46 is an example of a "first computer program." A Win32 application that is allowed to access outside the sandbox environment when placed in the sandbox environment is an example of a "second type of computer program." Launcher program 48 is an example of a "second computer program." Environment checker 50 is an example of a "third computer program." Installer 52, print application 54, and status monitor 56 are examples of a "fourth computer program."

[0074] T32 in FIG. 2 is an example of a process executed by a "first supply unit." T62 in FIG. 3 and T262 in FIG. 7 are examples of a process executed by a "second supply unit." T34 in FIG. 2 is an example of a process executed by a "third supply unit." T64 in FIG. 3 and T264 in FIG. 7 are examples of a process executed by a "fourth supply unit."

[0075] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0076] (First Modification) The "terminal device" is not limited to a PC, but may be a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, or the like.

[0077] (Second Modification) The print application 54 and the status monitor 56 may be examples of a "first Win32 application" and a "second Win32 application", respectively. In this modification, the second setting screen SC22 in FIG. 9 is an example of a "first screen" and a "second screen". In other words, the "first screen" and the "second screen" may be the same screen.

[0078] (Third Modification) The installer 52 may be an example of the "first Win32 application." In this modification, the installation screen SC4 in FIG. 2 is an example of the "first screen." Also, the print application 54 or the status monitor 56 may be an example of the "first Win32 application." In this modification, the application startup screen SC10 in FIG. 7 is an example of the "first screen."

[0079] (Fourth Modification) The environment checker 50 may be an example of the “second Win32 application.” In this modification, the notification screen SC2 in FIG. 2 and the second setting screen SC22 in FIG. 9 are examples of the “second screen.”

[0080] (Fifth Modification) The "device identification information" is not limited to the model name, but may be the device name, serial number, IP address, MAC address, etc. of the "printing device."

[0081] (Sixth Modification) In the above embodiment, the PSA 46, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 are packaged. In a modification, at least one of the PSA 46, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 may be provided as a separate program. As an example, the PSA 46, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 may be provided as separate programs, or the PSA 46 and a program set including the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 may be provided as separate programs. In this modification, after the PSA 46, the launcher program 48, the environment checker 50, and the installer 52 are downloaded to the PC 10, the programs 46, 48, 50, and 52 cooperate to execute various processes.

[0082] (Seventh Variation) The "first type of computer program" is not limited to a PSA, but may be a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app or an app that runs on another framework or platform.

[0083] (Eighth Modification) The "second type computer program" is not limited to a Win32 application, but may be a WinFX application or the like.

[0084] (Ninth Modification) The installer 52, the print application 54, or the status monitor 56 may be an example of the “third computer program.” The environment checker 50 may be an example of the “fourth computer program.”

[0085] (Tenth Modification) In the above embodiment, the first server 200 and the second server 300 are physical servers. However, the first server 200 and the second server 300 are not limited to physical servers and may be virtual servers or virtual machines on a cloud. That is, the vendor may not prepare the hardware for the first server 200 and the second server 300 on its own, but may use an environment provided by an external cloud computing service. In this case, the vendor may prepare programs (i.e., software) for the first server 200 and the second server 300 and implement the first server 200 and the second server 300 by installing the programs in the above environment. In another modification, the first server 200 and the second server 300 may be installed on the Internet 6 by a business operator other than the vendor.

[0086] (Eleventh Modification) The "printing device" is not limited to a printer, but may be a device equipped with a print engine, such as a multifunction device or a copying machine.

[0087] (Twelfth Variation) The "first type computer program" is not limited to a program deployed in a sandbox environment, but may be, for example, a program deployed outside the sandbox environment, but with limited access to information (e.g., environmental information) related to the "second type computer program" due to restrictions imposed by OS 40. In this case, various programs packaged with the "first type program" may also be deployed outside the sandbox environment. Furthermore, the "second type program" is a program that can access information related to other second type programs.

[0088] (13th Modification) In each of the above embodiments, the processes of FIGS. 2 to 9 are realized by software (for example, programs 40, 42, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0089] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

[0090] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A program set for a terminal device, comprising: The program set includes a print support application for supporting a general-purpose print program implemented in an Operating System (OS) and a specific Win32 application; The print support application controls the computer of the terminal device to: a first providing unit that provides first identification information identifying a first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a first condition is satisfied; a second providing unit that provides second identification information for identifying a second Win32 application different from the first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied; It functions as The particular Win32 application may cause the computer to: a third supply unit that supplies a first launch instruction to the first Win32 application when the first identification information is acquired from the print support application; a fourth supply unit that supplies a second launch instruction to the second Win32 application when the second identification information is acquired from the print support application; A program set that functions as a (Item 2) the first condition is satisfied when a first operation on a first screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device is accepted; The program set described in item 1, wherein the second condition is satisfied when a second operation on a second screen displayed on the display unit, the second operation being different from the first operation, is accepted. (Item 3) the first screen is a startup screen for starting the print support application, The first Win32 application may include, on the computer: When the first identification information is acquired from the specific Win32 application, environmental information of the terminal device is acquired; providing the environmental information to the print support application; The print support application further configures the computer to: The program set described in item 2 functions as a display control unit that displays the second screen corresponding to the environmental information on the display unit when the environmental information is received from the first Win32 application. (Item 4) the environment information includes installation information indicating whether a third Win32 application has been installed on the terminal device; The second screen is a screen for launching the third Win32 application when the installation information indicates that the third Win32 application has been installed, Item 4. The program set according to item 3, which is a screen for installing the third Win32 application on the terminal device when the installation information indicates that the third Win32 application is not already installed. (Item 5) the second supply unit supplies the second identification information and device identification information that identifies the printing device to the specific Win32 application when the second condition is satisfied; the fourth supply unit supplies the second launch instruction and the device identification information to the second Win32 application when the second identification information and the device identification information are acquired from the print support application; The second Win32 application may include, on the computer: 5. The program set according to item 3 or 4, wherein when the second launch instruction and the device identification information are obtained from the specific Win32 application, a third screen including the device identification information is displayed on the display unit. (Item 6) the first condition is satisfied when an operation for starting the print support application is accepted; the second condition is satisfied when an operation to launch the second Win32 application, which is an installer, is accepted; the fourth providing unit, when the second identification information is obtained from the specific Win32 application, provides the second launch instruction and an acquisition instruction for instructing the second Win32 application to acquire administrator privileges; the third supply unit, when the first identification information is acquired from the specific Win32 application, supplies the first launch instruction to the first Win32 application but does not supply the acquisition instruction; The second Win32 application may include, on the computer: when the second launch instruction and the acquisition instruction are acquired from the specific Win32 application, an attempt is made to acquire the administrator privileges; 6. The program set according to any one of items 3 to 5, wherein if the acquisition of the administrator privileges is successful, a third Win32 application is installed on the terminal device. (Item 7) The program set according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the program set is downloaded to the terminal device in a packaged state. (Item 8) A method executed by a terminal device having a program set including a print support application for supporting a general-purpose print program implemented in an Operating System (OS) and a specific Win32 application, comprising: a first providing step of providing, in accordance with the print support application, first identification information identifying a first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a first condition is satisfied; a second providing step of providing second identification information to the specific Win32 application, the second identification information identifying a second Win32 application different from the first Win32 application, when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied according to the print support application; a third supplying step of supplying a first launch instruction to the first Win32 application when the first identification information is acquired from the print support application according to the specific Win32 application; a fourth supply step of supplying a second launch instruction to the second Win32 application when the second identification information is acquired from the print support application according to the specific Win32 application; A method comprising: (Item 9) A program set for a terminal device, comprising: the program set comprises a first computer program that is a first type of computer program, and a second computer program that is a second type of computer program different from the first type of computer program; The first computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to: a first supply unit that supplies first identification information for identifying a third computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a first condition is satisfied; a second supply unit that supplies second identification information for identifying a fourth computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied; It functions as The second computer program causes the computer to: a third supply unit that supplies a first activation instruction to the third computer program when the first identification information is acquired from the first computer program; a fourth supply unit that supplies a second activation instruction to the fourth computer program when the second identification information is acquired from the first computer program; A program set that functions as a (Item 10) A method executed by a terminal device having a program set including a first computer program that is a first type of computer program and a second computer program that is a second type of computer program different from the first type of computer program, a first supplying step of supplying, to the second computer program, first identification information that identifies a third computer program, which is the second type of computer program, when a first condition is satisfied in accordance with the first computer program; a second supply step of supplying second identification information for identifying a fourth computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied in accordance with the first computer program; a third supply unit that supplies a first activation instruction to the third computer program when the first identification information is acquired from the first computer program in accordance with the second computer program; a fourth supply unit that supplies a second activation instruction to the fourth computer program when the second identification information is acquired from the first computer program in accordance with the second computer program; A method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 6: Internet, 10: PC, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 20: Communication I / F, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 40: OS program, 42: General-purpose printing program, 44: Program set, 46: PSA, 48: Launcher program, 50: Environment checker, 52: Installer, 54: Printing application, 56: Status monitor, 100: Printer, 200: First server, 300: Second server

Claims

1. A program set for a terminal device, comprising: The program set includes a print support application for supporting a general-purpose print program implemented in an Operating System (OS) and a specific Win32 application; The print support application controls the computer of the terminal device to: a first providing unit that provides first identification information identifying a first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a first condition is satisfied; a second supply unit that supplies second identification information for identifying a second Win32 application different from the first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied; It functions as The particular Win32 application may cause the computer to: a third supply unit that supplies a first launch instruction to the first Win32 application when the first identification information is acquired from the print support application; a fourth supply unit that supplies a second launch instruction to the second Win32 application when the second identification information is acquired from the print support application; A program set that functions as a

2. the first condition is satisfied when a first operation on a first screen displayed on a display unit of the terminal device is accepted; The program set according to claim 1 , wherein the second condition is satisfied when a second operation on a second screen displayed on the display unit, the second operation being different from the first operation, is accepted.

3. the first screen is a startup screen for starting the print support application, The first Win32 application may include, on the computer: When the first identification information is acquired from the specific Win32 application, environmental information of the terminal device is acquired; providing the environmental information to the print support application; The print support application further configures the computer to:

3. The program set according to claim 2, wherein when the environmental information is received from the first Win32 application, the program set functions as a display control unit that displays the second screen corresponding to the environmental information on the display unit.

4. the environment information includes installation information indicating whether a third Win32 application has been installed in the terminal device; The second screen includes: a screen for launching the third Win32 application when the installation information indicates that the third Win32 application has been installed; 4. The program set according to claim 3, wherein the installation information indicates that the third Win32 application is not already installed, and the installation information is a screen for installing the third Win32 application in the terminal device.

5. the second supply unit supplies the second identification information and device identification information that identifies the printing device to the specific Win32 application when the second condition is satisfied; the fourth supply unit supplies the second launch instruction and the device identification information to the second Win32 application when the second identification information and the device identification information are acquired from the print support application; The second Win32 application may include, on the computer:

4. The program set according to claim 3, wherein when the second launch instruction and the device identification information are obtained from the specific Win32 application, a third screen including the device identification information is displayed on the display unit.

6. the first condition is satisfied when an operation for starting the print support application is accepted; the second condition is satisfied when an operation for launching the second Win32 application, which is an installer, is accepted; the fourth supply unit supplies the second launch instruction and an acquisition instruction for instructing the second Win32 application to acquire administrator authority when the second identification information is acquired from the specific Win32 application; the third supply unit supplies the first launch instruction to the first Win32 application when the first identification information is acquired from the specific Win32 application, but does not supply the acquisition instruction; The second Win32 application may include, on the computer: when the second launch instruction and the acquisition instruction are acquired from the specific Win32 application, an attempt is made to acquire the administrator authority; 4. The program set according to claim 3, wherein if the administrator authority is successfully acquired, a third Win32 application is installed on the terminal device.

7. 2. The program set according to claim 1, wherein the program set is downloaded to the terminal device in a packaged state.

8. A method executed by a terminal device having a program set including a print support application for supporting a general-purpose print program implemented in an Operating System (OS) and a specific Win32 application, the method comprising: a first providing step of providing, in accordance with the print support application, first identification information identifying a first Win32 application to the specific Win32 application when a first condition is satisfied; a second supplying step of supplying second identification information to the specific Win32 application, the second identification information identifying a second Win32 application different from the first Win32 application, when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied according to the print support application; a third supplying step of supplying a first launch instruction to the first Win32 application when the first identification information is acquired from the print support application according to the specific Win32 application; a fourth supply step of supplying a second launch instruction to the second Win32 application when the second identification information is acquired from the print support application according to the specific Win32 application; A method comprising:

9. A program set for a terminal device, comprising: the program set comprises a first computer program that is a first type of computer program, and a second computer program that is a second type of computer program different from the first type of computer program; The first computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to a first supply unit that supplies first identification information for identifying a third computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a first condition is satisfied; a second supply unit that supplies second identification information for identifying a fourth computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied; It functions as The second computer program causes the computer to: a third supply unit that supplies a first activation instruction to the third computer program when the first identification information is acquired from the first computer program; a fourth supply unit that supplies a second activation instruction to the fourth computer program when the second identification information is acquired from the first computer program; A program set that functions as a

10. 1. A method executed by a terminal device having a program set including a first computer program that is a first type of computer program and a second computer program that is a second type of computer program different from the first type of computer program, the method comprising: a first supplying step of supplying first identification information for identifying a third computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a first condition is satisfied in accordance with the first computer program; a second supply step of supplying second identification information for identifying a fourth computer program, which is the second type of computer program, to the second computer program when a second condition different from the first condition is satisfied in accordance with the first computer program; a third supply unit that supplies a first activation instruction to the third computer program when the first identification information is acquired from the first computer program in accordance with the second computer program; a fourth supply unit that supplies a second activation instruction to the fourth computer program when the second identification information is acquired from the first computer program in accordance with the second computer program; A method comprising:

Images