Information processing device, method for controlling the information processing device, and program

Abstract

To improve the usability of the portal application's display screen. [Solution] A portal application that operates on an information processing device, a program capable of arranging a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, characterized in that the information processing device functions as an arrangement means for arranging at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions on a second screen, and an arrangement control means for controlling the arrangement means so that applications with matching specific information do not overlap on the second screen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method of the information processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, applications operating on terminal devices such as PCs have been developed that display shortcuts for calling functions related to printing devices on an operation screen. Such an application is hereinafter referred to as a portal application. In the portal application, shortcuts to functions corresponding to the capabilities of the target printing device can be displayed. For example, for a printing device having a printing function and a scanner function, the portal application displays shortcuts related to the printing function and the scanner function on the operation screen.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for visually preventing confusion between shortcut buttons arbitrarily registered by a user and shortcut buttons set for performing adjustments and settings of an image forming apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Improvement of user usability in the display screen of the portal application is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a portal application that operates on an information processing device, capable of arranging a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, characterized in that the information processing device functions as arrangement means for arranging at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions on a second screen, and arrangement control means for controlling the arrangement means so that applications matching specific information do not overlap on the second screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the usability of the display screen of the portal application can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the information processing software 200. [Figure 3] This is an example of a list screen for each model. [Figure 4] This is an example of function button configuration information. [Figure 5] This is an example of a print data selection screen and a print settings screen. [Figure 6] This is an example of a scan settings screen. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of registering function button configuration information. [Figure 8] This is an example of compatibility information for external applications. [Figure 9] This is an example of a common list screen. [Figure 10] This is configuration information for the buttons on the common list screen. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart of the registration process for the configuration information of the function buttons on the common list screen. [Figure 12] This is an example of a function specification method on the model list screen. [Figure 13] This is an example of a registration instruction method to the common list screen on the print settings screen. [Figure 14] This is an example of a warning message. [Figure 15] Flowchart of the duplicate determination process. [Figure 16] This is an example of a list for determining function types. [Figure 17] This is a detailed flowchart of the duplicate determination process. [Figure 18] This is an example of a screen displayed by information processing software. [Figure 19] This is an explanatory diagram of the settings and usage counts of each function. [Figure 20] This is an explanatory diagram of the common list screen function button configuration information and the common list screen.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present disclosure.

[0010] <Embodiment 1> Generally, the shortcut list screen displayed by a portal application is often configured for each printing device. However, such a configuration is not always user-friendly for users who use the functions of multiple printing devices separately. For example, consider a case where the function of printing device A is used first and then the function of printing device B is used. In this case, the user needs to switch the screen of the portal application to the shortcut list screen of printing device B after executing the function of printing device A on the portal application and then execute the function of printing device B. Thus, in a use case where different printing devices are used separately in a portal application, a printing device switching operation is required, and there is a problem that the number of operations increases compared to users who use only one printing device.

[0011] Therefore, in the following embodiments, a method for providing a shortcut list screen that enables users who use the functions of multiple printing devices separately in a portal application to access the functions of each printing device more quickly will be described.

[0012] (Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. In this figure, the information processing device 101 has an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. Further, input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110, and display devices such as a display unit 119 are connected to the output interface 115. The NETIF 120 is a network interface and controls data transfer with external devices via a network.

[0013] The ROM 112 stores the initialization program, and the external storage device 114 stores application programs, the operating system (OS), the printer driver, and various other data. The RAM 113 is used as work memory for executing the various programs stored in the external storage device 114.

[0014] In this embodiment, the CPU 111 performs processing according to the procedures of the program stored in the ROM 112, thereby realizing the functions of the information processing device 101 described later and the processing related to the flowchart described later. The printing device 102 is connected to the information processing device 101 via the input / output interface 116.

[0015] (System configuration of information processing equipment) Figure 2 is a block diagram of the information processing software 200 that operates on the information processing device 101. Hereafter, the software and functional blocks may be described as the main components of each process, but in reality, the corresponding functions are realized by the CPU 111 executing the corresponding programs. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the explanation is based on the premise that the information processing device 101 equipped with Microsoft's Windows® operating system is used as the OS.

[0016] The information processing software 200 is a portal application that can provide users with functions related to the printing device 102, and has a function list screen for providing those functions. The information processing software 200 also includes a UI control unit 201, an operation reception unit 202, a function execution unit 203, a printing device control unit 204, and a storage unit 205.

[0017] The UI control unit 201 has the function of controlling the display of predetermined screen resources or data such as setting values ​​on the display unit 119, and can switch the display to a predetermined screen based on the operation information received by the operation reception unit 202. The operation reception unit 202 receives operations from the user via the input interface 110 from a device such as a pointing device 117 or a keyboard 118, and transmits the operation information to the UI control unit 201 or the function execution unit 203. The function execution unit 203 executes a predetermined function based on the operation information received from the operation reception unit 202. The function execution unit 203 can also start external software 206 based on the operation information received by the operation reception unit 202.

[0018] Here, the external software 206 is installed on the operating system of the information processing device 101 and is different from the information processing software 200. Examples include printing software that performs specific printing operations on the printing device 102, or maintenance software that performs maintenance on the printing device. The function execution unit 203 can also display a specific web page using a web browser that is standardly included in the operating system.

[0019] The printer control unit 204 has a control function for the printer 102 and performs processing such as acquiring printing capability information of the printer 102 or transmitting print data via the printing system that is standardly installed in the operating system. If the printer 102 has a scanning function, the printer control unit 204 can also control the scanning function. The storage unit 205 stores screen resources and setting values ​​necessary for the operation of the information processing software 200.

[0020] The information processing device 101 manages virtual printers corresponding to printing devices, called print queues. Furthermore, when the information processing device 101 is connected to multiple printing devices, it manages the print queues corresponding to each printing device. In this case, the information processing software 200 is configured to provide functions for each print queue and has a function list screen for each print queue. Hereafter, the function list screen for each printing device provided by the information processing software 200 will be referred to as the "device-specific list screen" (first screen).

[0021] Furthermore, in addition to the model-specific list screen, the information processing software 200 has a screen that displays arbitrarily selected functions from among the functions of multiple models on a single screen. Hereafter, this model-specific function list screen will be referred to as the "common list screen" (second screen). Therefore, in this embodiment, the information processing software 200 has two types of function list screens: the "model-specific list screen" and the "common list screen". Details of these "model-specific list screen" and "common list screen" will be explained below.

[0022] (Configuration of the model-specific list screen) First, we will explain an example of the configuration of the model-specific list screen displayed by the information processing software 200. In the following explanation, we will assume that multiple printing devices are connected to the information processing device 101, and for convenience, these connected printing devices will be referred to as Printer A, Printer B, and so on.

[0023] Figure 3 shows an example of a model-specific list screen. The model-specific list screens shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) consist of printer selection areas 301 and 302 and function button areas 303 and 304. Printer selection areas 301 and 302 have a printer switching function, and the printer information display units 305 and 306 display the name of the currently selected printer. In addition, function button areas 303 and 304 display function buttons corresponding to the printer selected in the printer selection area, based on the function button configuration information described later.

[0024] Figure 3(a) shows that printer A is selected in the printer selection area 301, and function buttons 310, 311, 312, 313, and 314 corresponding to printer A are displayed in the function button area 303. Similarly, in Figure 3(b), printer B is selected in the printer selection area 302, and function buttons 320, 321, and 322 corresponding to printer B are displayed in the function button area 304.

[0025] Figure 4 shows an example of function button configuration information. Function button configuration information is table information that the information processing software 200 refers to when generating a list screen for each model. The function button configuration information is stored in the storage unit 205, with the printer name (information for identifying the device) and the function name (information for identifying the application) to be displayed in the function button area when that printer is selected being associated. For example, row 401 shows that when printer A is selected in the printer selection area, the function buttons corresponding to the print function, scan function, manual display function, layout application launch function, and maintenance application launch function are displayed in the function button area. Similarly, row 402 in Figure 4 shows that when printer B is selected in the printer selection area, the function buttons for the print function, manual display function, and maintenance application launch function are displayed in the function button area.

[0026] In the function button area 303 of Figure 3(a), function buttons corresponding to the printing function, scanning function, manual display function, layout application launch function, and maintenance application launch function are arranged, based on the function button configuration information in row 401 of Figure 4. Function buttons are also called icons. Function button 310 corresponds to the printing function, function button 311 to the scanning function, function button 312 to the manual display function, function button 313 to the layout application launch function, and function button 314 to the maintenance application launch function.

[0027] Similarly, the function button area 304 in Figure 3(b) has function buttons corresponding to the printing function, manual display function, and maintenance application launch function, according to the configuration information in row 402 of Figure 402. Function button 320 corresponds to the printing function, function button 321 to the manual display function, and function button 322 to the maintenance application launch function. The method for generating the function button configuration information will be described later. Note that the function button configuration information shown in Figure 4 is just an example, and the function buttons corresponding to each printer do not have to be as shown in Figure 4. Also, the information processing software 200 is not limited to the table format of the function button configuration information as shown in Figure 4, as long as it is configured to display function buttons for each printer selected in the printer selection area.

[0028] Returning to the explanation of Figure 3, the user can switch the selected printer by pressing the toggle button 307 or 308 located in the printer selection areas 301 and 302. When the operation reception unit 202 receives a press operation of the toggle button 307 or 308 from the user, the UI control unit 201 updates the printer name displayed in the printer information display unit 305 or 306 and the function buttons displayed in the function button area according to the selection.

[0029] For example, if the selected printer is switched from printer A in the printer selection area 301 of Figure 3 to printer B, the UI control unit 201 switches the printer name displayed in the printer information display unit to printer B. Furthermore, the UI control unit 201 refers to the configuration information in row 402 of Figure 4 and switches the display of the function buttons in the function button area to the state of the function button area 304 in Figure 3. As a result, the display of the function button area switches from the state in Figure 3(a) to the state in Figure 3(b). If the selected printer is then switched back to printer A by the user, the UI control unit 201 switches the printer name displayed in the printer information display unit to printer A. Furthermore, the UI control unit 201 refers to the configuration information in row 401 of Figure 4 and switches the display of the function buttons in the function button area to the state in Figure 3(a). As a result, the display switches back from the state in Figure 3(b) to the state in Figure 3(a). In this way, the user can switch the display of the function buttons displayed in the function button area by switching printers on the model list screen.

[0030] Next, we will describe the function buttons displayed in the function button area. When a function button is pressed, the function execution unit 203 starts executing the function associated with that function button. In this embodiment, the functions corresponding to the function buttons will be described using the print function, scan function, manual display function, layout application launch function, and maintenance application launch function as examples.

[0031] First, let's explain the overview of the printing function. When the user presses the function button 310 or 320 in Figure 3, the function execution unit 203 starts processing the printing function corresponding to the function button. The printing function is a function that performs printing on the printer selected in the printer selection area. For example, when the user presses the function button 310, the information processing software 200 executes the printing function targeting printer A, which is selected in the printer selection area 301. Once the printing function is executed, the UI control unit 201 displays the print data selection screen and the print settings screen.

[0032] Figure 5 shows examples of the print data selection screen and the print settings screen. Specifically, Figure 5(a) shows a specific example of the print data selection screen. Figure 5(b) shows a specific example of the print settings screen. The user can select the document data they want to print on the print data selection screen. Furthermore, the user can set basic print settings and issue a print start command on the print settings screen. When the operation reception unit 202 receives a print start command from the user, the function execution unit 203 generates print data based on the document data and print settings received from the user and executes the print process to the printing device 102 via the printing device control unit 204. When the print process is complete, the information processing software 200 terminates the processing of this print function.

[0033] Next, an overview of the scanning function will be described. When the function button 311 in Figure 3(a) is pressed by the user, the function execution unit 203 starts processing the scanning function corresponding to the function button. The scanning function is a function that performs scanning on the printer selected in the printer selection area. Similar to the printing function, for example, when the function button 311 is pressed by the user, the information processing software 200 executes the scanning function targeting printer A, which is selected in the printer selection area 301.

[0034] Figure 6 shows an example of the scan settings screen. When the scan function is executed, the UI control unit 201 displays the scan settings screen as shown in Figure 6. The user can also set basic scan settings and initiate the scan from the scan settings screen. When the operation reception unit 202 receives a scan execution operation from the user, the function execution unit 203 executes the scan process of the printer via the printer control unit 204. Subsequently, the UI control unit 201 receives the scan results via the printer control unit 204 and displays the scan results on the scan result display unit 601. Finally, the operation reception unit 202 receives a scan result save operation from the user, and the function execution unit 203 saves the scan results to a predetermined location, ending the processing of this scan function.

[0035] Next, an overview of the manual display function will be explained. When function button 312 or 322 is pressed by the user, the function execution unit 203 starts processing the manual display function corresponding to the function button. The manual display function is a function in which the information processing software 200 displays on the display unit 119 a web page containing instructions on how to operate the printer selected in the printer selection area. In practice, when the manual display function is executed, the function execution unit 203 generates a printer-specific URL by adding the printer name selected in the printer selection area as a URL parameter to the URL string indicating the address of the manual page. After that, the function execution unit 203 displays the web page of the printer-specific URL using the web browser provided by the operating system. After the web page is displayed, the processing of this manual display function ends.

[0036] Next, an overview of the layout application launch function will be explained. When the layout application button 317 displayed in the function button area 303 is pressed by the user, the function execution unit 203 starts processing the layout application launch function corresponding to the function button. The layout application launch function is a function that launches external software different from the information processing software 200. When the layout application launch function is executed, the function execution unit 203 determines whether the layout application to be launched is installed on the operating system, and if it is installed, the function execution unit 203 issues a command to launch the layout application. If the target layout application is not installed on the operating system, the function execution unit 203 may display the download web page for the layout application using the web browser provided by the OS. After the layout application is launched or the download web page is displayed, the processing of this layout application launch function ends.

[0037] Next, an overview of the maintenance application startup function will be described. When function button 314 or 322 is pressed by the user, the function execution unit 203 starts processing the maintenance application startup function corresponding to the function button. The maintenance application startup function is a function that starts external software different from the information processing software 200. When the maintenance application startup function is executed, the function execution unit 203 determines whether the target maintenance application is installed on the operating system. If the maintenance application is installed, the function execution unit 203 issues a startup command for the maintenance application. At this time, the function execution unit 203 sends the printer name information selected in the printer selection area to the maintenance application as a startup parameter. After receiving the startup parameter, the maintenance application provides the user with maintenance functions based on the printer name information. Note that, similar to the layout application startup function, if the target maintenance application is not installed on the operating system, the function execution unit 203 may display the layout application download web page using the OS's web browser.

[0038] The above describes an example of a function corresponding to the function buttons of the information processing software 200. However, the information processing software 200 may also have functions other than those mentioned above. For example, it may have a function to print to a printer via the cloud, or a function to launch external applications other than layout and maintenance applications. In that case, the information processing software 200 will display function buttons corresponding to those functions on each model's list screen.

[0039] Here, we will explain the types of functions. The functions mentioned above include "model-specific functions" that provide functions based on the printer selected in the printer selection area, and "model-common functions" that provide functions common to all printers regardless of the printer selected in the printer selection area. For example, in the case of the functions mentioned above, the print function, scan function, manual startup function, and maintenance application startup function are "model-specific functions" that provide functions for the printer selected in the printer selection area. On the other hand, the layout application startup function mentioned above is a "model-common function" that does not depend on the printer selected in the printer selection area.

[0040] As shown in the example in Figure 3, the model-specific list screen provided by the information processing software 200 may have a mix of function buttons corresponding to "model-specific functions" and "common model functions." Furthermore, "common model functions" may exist for each printer's model-specific list screen. Hereafter, model-specific functions will also be referred to as the first type of application, and common model functions as the second type of application.

[0041] (How to generate the model-specific list screen) Figure 7 is a flowchart of the registration process for function button configuration information that the information processing software 200 references when generating a model-specific list screen. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 expanding the program code stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executing it. Therefore, each process will be described assuming that the CPU 111 is the main entity. In the following descriptions of each process, "S" means a step in the flowchart, and the same applies to subsequent embodiments. The process in the flowchart of Figure 7 starts in response to the information processing software 200 receiving an instruction to display the model-specific list screen.

[0042] First, in S701, the CPU 111 generates a list of target printers for which a model-specific list screen will be generated. As mentioned earlier, the model-specific list screen is a screen like the one shown in Figure 3. One method for generating the list of target printers is for the information processing software 200 to obtain printer enumeration information from the operating system's printer management system and generate a list of target printers from the printer enumeration information. Alternatively, the information processing software 200 may search for the printing device 102 via NETIF 120 and generate a list of target printers by enumerating the printing devices 102 that can communicate with the information processing software 200. In S702-S703, the information processing software 200 executes processing for each printer listed in the list of target printers obtained in S701.

[0043] In S702, the CPU 111 retrieves printer information for the printers listed in the target printer list. Here, printer information includes identification information such as a friendly name or device ID, printer capability information, and printer-specific capability information such as print capability information. Print capability information is capability information related to printing processes, such as the paper size, paper type, and paper feeding method that the printer can print on. Similarly, scan capability information is capability information related to scanning, such as the document size and scan resolution. Identification information and capability information can be obtained by the information processing software 200 via the device management system that is standardly installed in the operating system. Alternatively, the information processing software 200 may directly communicate with the target printers obtained in S701 and receive the identification information and capability information.

[0044] In S703, CPU111 determines whether each function button can be displayed based on the printer information acquired in S702, and registers the function button configuration information.

[0045] Here, we will explain how to determine whether each function button can be displayed. First, the information processing software 200 can determine which function buttons to display on the model-specific list screen based on the printer capability information obtained from the printer information acquired by S702. For example, when determining whether the function button for the scan function can be displayed, the information processing software 200 determines from the printer information of the target printer whether or not the target printer has a scan function. If the result of the determination is that the printer has a scan function, the information processing software 200 displays the function button for the scan function. On the other hand, if the printer does not have a scan function, the information processing software 200 hides the function button for the scan function. In this way, by determining which function buttons to display on the model-specific list screen based on the printer capability information, the information processing software 200 can display appropriate function buttons on the function list screen according to the capabilities of each printer. In addition, the information processing software 200 can also determine which function buttons to display on the model-specific list screen by communicating with an external server and referring to the correspondence information of the function buttons.

[0046] Figure 8 shows an example of correspondence information for external applications obtained by the information processing software 200 from an external server. For example, item 801 indicates that printer A is compatible with the layout application. Similarly, item 802 indicates that both printer A and printer B are compatible with the maintenance application. Based on the correspondence information in Figure 8, if the target printer is printer A, the information processing software 200 configures the function button configuration information to display the function buttons for launching the layout application and the maintenance application. If the printer is printer B, the information processing software 200 configures the function button configuration information to hide the function button for launching the layout application and display the function button for launching the maintenance application. Note that some functions may always be displayed without performing the above-described determination. Furthermore, the above-described method for determining the display of function buttons is just one example, and the information processing software 200 may make determinations based on information other than that described above, and the determination method may also differ from the example described above.

[0047] In S704, CPU111 determines whether processing has been completed for all printers in the target printer list. If it determines that processing has been completed for all printers in the target printer list, CPU111 terminates the process in this flowchart. If it determines that processing has not been completed for all printers, CPU111 returns to S702 and executes processes S702-704 until processing for all printers is completed.

[0048] The function button configuration information is registered according to the registration process flow described above. After the function button configuration information is registered, the information processing software 200 receives a command to display the model-specific list screen and, referring to the function button configuration information registered in the registration process flow of Figure 4, displays the function list screen as described in Figure 3 on the display unit 119.

[0049] Figure 7 illustrates the flow in which the information processing software 200 generates function list screens for all printers when it receives a command to display the function list screen for a particular model. However, it is also possible to configure the system to generate only the function list screen for the model for which the command was received. In that case, the CPU 202 obtains the model corresponding to the model-specific list screen for which the command was received in S701, and then executes the processes in S702 and S703 to generate only the function list screen for the model for which the command was received. Furthermore, if the function list screen for the target printer has not yet been generated when the printer is switched on the model-specific list screen, the CPU 202 similarly executes the process in Figure 7 to generate the function list screen for the target printer. After generation, the information processing software 200 displays the function list screen for the target printer.

[0050] (Configuration of the common list screen) Next, we will explain an example of the configuration of the common list screen displayed by the information processing software 200.

[0051] Figure 9 shows an example of a common list screen. Function buttons 901, 902, 903, 904, and 905 are arranged on the common list screen 900. The common list screen 900 refers to a screen where functions are selected from the model-specific list screens of each device through user operation or specific processing and arranged on the same screen. Specifically, the information processing software 200 generates the common list screen 900 based on the function button configuration information. Since the configuration differs from the function button configuration information of the model-specific list screen, the function button configuration information of the common list screen will be referred to as "common list screen function button configuration information" in this explanation.

[0052] The common list screen shown in Figure 9 may be displayed by switching to it when a specific operation, such as clicking a tab, is performed on the model-specific list screen. Alternatively, the common list screen may be displayed as an overlay on the model-specific list screen without switching screens. Details on switching between the model-specific list screen and the common list screen will be described later in Figure 18.

[0053] Figure 10 shows the configuration information for the function buttons on the common list screen. The information processing software 200 displays function buttons on the common list screen based on the common list screen function button configuration information shown in Figure 10. The method for generating the common list screen function button configuration information will be described later. Figure 10 shows an example of the common list screen function button configuration information. The common list screen function button configuration information is table information that the information processing software 200 refers to when generating the common list screen. The table information associates the function button ID, printer name (information for identifying the device), and function name (information for identifying the application), and is stored in the storage unit 205. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the common list screen function button configuration information may also be associated with function execution settings.

[0054] For example, row 1001 in Figure 10 is a function button with ID 1, indicating that the function button is associated with the print function for printer A. It also indicates that the print settings associated with the print function are "A4" for paper size, "portrait" for paper orientation, and "plain paper" for paper type. The information in row 1001 corresponds to function button 901 in Figure 9, and the information processing software 200 refers to the information in row 1001 to display function button 901 in Figure 9.

[0055] When function button 901 is pressed, the function execution unit 203 starts executing the print function corresponding to the function button. When the print function is executed, as described above, the UI control unit 201 displays the print data selection screen shown in Figure 5(6) and the print settings screen shown in Figure 5(b). At this time, if the settings for when the function is executed are stored in the common list screen function button configuration information, the UI control unit 201 reflects the settings for when the function is executed on the print settings screen. That is, the UI control unit 201 sets the settings for when the function is executed, which are stored in row 1001 of Figure 10, namely paper size "A4", paper orientation "portrait", and paper type "plain paper", as the default values ​​for the setting items and displays the print settings screen.

[0056] Furthermore, if the settings required for executing the function necessary for printing are stored in the common list screen function button configuration information, the UI control unit 201 may skip displaying the print settings screen altogether. In that case, after the function button 901 is pressed by the user, the function execution unit 203 accepts the selection of print data on the print data selection screen and executes the print process using the print settings information stored in the common list screen function button configuration information without displaying the print settings screen.

[0057] As described above, the function buttons on the common list screen can also have settings for when the function is executed, and these settings can be restored when the function is executed from the function button. This simplifies the user's process of configuring settings when executing a function.

[0058] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 10. Row 1002 in Figure 10 indicates that the function button has ID 2 and is associated with the print function for printer B. The settings associated with the function execution are "Letter" for paper size, "Landscape" for paper orientation, and "Photo paper" for paper type. Function button 902 in Figure 9 is displayed based on the information in row 1002 of Figure 10.

[0059] Similarly, row 1003 in Figure 10 indicates a function button with ID 3, and that the function button is associated with the scan function for printer A. The settings for when the function is executed indicate that the document size is "A4" and the scan resolution is "300 DPI". Function button 903 in Figure 9 is displayed based on the information in row 1003 of Figure 10.

[0060] Similarly, row 1004 in Figure 10 indicates that the function button has ID 4 and is associated with the layout application launch function. As mentioned earlier, the function type for launching the layout application is a "common function for all models," so the corresponding printer is not defined. Also, there are no settings items for when the function is executed, so the settings for when the function is executed are not stored. Function button 904 in Figure 9 is displayed based on the information in row 1004 of Figure 10.

[0061] Row 1005 in Figure 10 indicates that the function button has ID 5 and is associated with the printer A maintenance application startup function. Since there are no settings for when the function is executed, the settings for execution are not stored. Function button 905 in Figure 9 is displayed based on the information in row 1005 of Figure 10.

[0062] In the example in Figure 9, the function buttons are arranged in Z order from the top left to the bottom right, in ascending order of ID; however, the order does not necessarily have to be in ID order. Also, in the example in Figure 9, text information indicating the printer name and function name is displayed on the function buttons; however, the items displayed on the function buttons are not limited to these. For example, if the function button configuration information on the common list screen includes setting items for when the function is executed, the information processing software 200 will display the setting value on the button (on the icon) so that the setting value associated with the function button is easy to understand. In addition to text information, image icons of the target printer or the corresponding function may also be displayed.

[0063] The model-specific list screen explained in Figure 3 has a function list screen for each model, making it excellent for viewing the functions of each model at a glance. However, for users who use multiple printers, it becomes difficult to access the functions because they have to switch printers each time. On the other hand, the common list screen explained in Figure 9 allows users to select the functions of the printer they want to use with a single operation, thus improving access to functions for users who use multiple printers compared to the model-specific list screen.

[0064] However, because the common list screen displays the functions of each printer on a single screen, there is a risk that the presence of redundant function buttons will impair its usability. Therefore, when generating the common list screen, it is necessary to control the process to prevent unnecessary duplication of the same functions (between applications).

[0065] (How to generate the common list screen) This section describes the method for generating a common list screen and how to control duplicates. In this embodiment, the user selects function buttons to display on the common list screen and adds function buttons to the common list screen, thereby creating the common list screen as intended by the user. As a basic procedure for generating the common list screen, the information processing software 200 first receives a specification from the user for the functions to be registered on the common list screen, and then registers the information of those functions in the common list screen function button configuration information. At this time, the information processing software 200 performs a duplicate check to see if the same function has already been registered in the common list screen function button configuration information. If there is a duplicate, it processes the information so as not to register the information of that function in the common list screen function button configuration information. When the information processing software 200 receives a command to display the common list screen, it displays the common list screen based on the common list screen function button configuration information.

[0066] (Registration process for configuration information of function buttons on the common list screen) Next, the process for registering the configuration information of the common list screen function buttons will be explained. Figure 11 shows a flowchart of the process for registering the configuration information of the common list screen function buttons. The series of processes shown in this flowchart are performed by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101, which loads the program code stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and executes it. Therefore, each process will be explained assuming that the CPU 111 is the main entity. The process in the flowchart of Figure 11 starts when the information processing software 200 receives a function registration instruction for the common list screen from the user.

[0067] In S1101, CPU111 receives requests from the user for functions to be displayed on the common list screen. One example of how to receive function requests is to accept function selections via the function buttons displayed on the model-specific list screen.

[0068] Figure 12 shows an example of a specific method for specifying functions to be placed on the common list screen from the function buttons on the model-specific list screen. Figure 12 shows the model-specific list screen with printer A selected. The user can open a context menu on function button 1021 by right-clicking on function button 1201 with a pointing device such as a mouse. The user can then select the "Print Function" corresponding to function button 1201 to be displayed on the common list screen by pressing the "Register to Shortcut Screen" button on the context menu. At this time, the CPU 111 obtains the function name and function information selected by the user. Here, function information is incidental information associated with the function, and includes the printer name or function execution settings for the target of function execution. Function information is used for duplicate detection when registering the common list screen function button configuration information, as described later, or as information stored in the common list screen function button configuration information.

[0069] The information processing software 200 obtains the printer name to be executed as function information when the function for which it has received a request is a "model-specific function". For example, if the function button specified by the user in Figure 12 is the "Print Function" displayed on the model-specific list screen for printer A, the information processing software 200 obtains the function name "Print Function" and the function information "Printer A". In this way, when accepting button registration on the common list screen in the manner shown in Figure 12, the information processing software 200 obtains the printer name to be executed as function information, but does not obtain the settings at the time of function execution. Alternatively, as another method of accepting functions, the information processing software 200 can accept the function to be displayed on the common list screen from the settings screen at the time of each function execution.

[0070] Figure 13 shows an example of how to register a setting to the common list screen from the print settings screen. Figure 13(a) shows the print settings screen displayed when the print function is executed from the printer A model-specific list screen. By pressing the registration button 1301 located on the print settings screen, the user can select the currently running function, "print function," as the target to be displayed on the common list screen. Note that although the print settings screen displayed when the print function is executed is used as an example here, this is not the only example. By providing a similar registration button on the setting screen when other functions are executed, the information processing software 200 can accept the currently running function as a target to be displayed on the model-specific function list.

[0071] When the information processing software 200 receives the target to be displayed on the common list screen, it obtains the function name and function information selected by the user. If the function currently being executed is a "model-specific function," the information processing software 200 obtains the printer name of the target printer as function information.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, when a function to be displayed on the common list screen is accepted on the settings screen, the information processing software 200 can acquire the function execution settings as function information. For example, consider the print settings screen in Figure 13 where the print settings set when the registration button 1301 is pressed are paper size "A4", paper orientation "landscape", and paper type "plain paper". In this case, the information processing software 200 can acquire these print setting values ​​as function execution settings. Therefore, when the registration button 1301 is pressed, the information processing software 200 acquires the function name "Print Function", the printer name "Printer A", and the function information "Print Settings (Paper Size "A4", Paper Orientation "Landscape", Paper Type "Plain Paper")". The function execution settings acquired here are referenced when a function button is pressed on the common list screen and are used as default values ​​for the settings on the print settings screen, as explained in Figure 10.

[0073] Alternatively, the information processing software 200 may be configured to display a confirmation dialog as shown in Figure 13(b) when it receives a press of the registration button 1301, prompting the user for confirmation before starting the registration process for the common list screen function button configuration information.

[0074] In S1102, CPU111 determines whether the function received in S1101 overlaps with a function already stored in the common list screen function button configuration information. This overlap determination will be described later in the determination process flow in Figure 15. If the overlap determination in S1102 determines that there is an overlap, CPU111 proceeds to S1102; otherwise, it proceeds to S1103.

[0075] In S1103, CPU111 registers the function received in S1101 into the common list screen function button configuration information. At this time, CPU111 registers the function name and function information obtained in S1101 into the common list screen function button configuration information. On the other hand, in S1104, CPU111 executes the duplicate processing and then terminates this processing flow without registering the function received in S1101 into the function button configuration information.

[0076] Here, an example of the handling of duplicates in S1104 will be explained. If the information processing software 200 determines that there is a duplication of functions, it displays the warning message 1401 shown in Figure 14 on the display unit 119.

[0077] Figure 14 shows a specific example of a warning message. For example, when a user selects a function to be registered from the context menu of a function button on the model list screen, the information processing software 200 starts processing the registration process flow shown in Figure 11. If it is determined in S1102 that the target function is duplicated, the CPU 111 displays the warning message shown in Figure 14 on the model list screen shown in Figure 12. Also, if the target function is selected by pressing the registration button 1301 on the settings screen shown in Figure 13(a) and this registration process flow is executed, the CPU 111 will display the warning message shown in Figure 14 on the settings screen shown in Figure 13(a).

[0078] In this way, the information processing software 200 notifies the user of the duplicate detection result, allowing the user to understand that registration to the common list screen was canceled due to a duplication of functions.

[0079] (Detailed processing for duplicate detection) Next, we will explain the details of the duplicate detection in S1102 in Figure 11.

[0080] Figure 15 shows the duplicate detection flow in S1102 of Figure 11. First, in S1501, the CPU 111 determines whether the function received in S1101 of Figure 11 is a "model-specific function" or a "model-common function". As a method for determining the function type, for example, the CPU 111 may store a correspondence list in the memory unit 205 that associates function names with function types in advance, and refer to the correspondence list when making the determination in S1501 to determine the function type. Alternatively, the correspondence list may be obtained from a server.

[0081] Figure 16 shows an example of a correspondence list that associates function names with function types stored in the memory unit 205. For example, if the function received in S1101 in Figure 11 is "printing function", the CPU 1110 refers to item 1601 in Figure 16 and determines that the function type of "printing function" is "machine-specific function". Note that the method of determining the function type is just one example, and is not limited to this as long as the function type can be identified. If it is determined to be a machine-specific function in S1501, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1505, and if it is determined to be a machine-common function, it proceeds to S1502.

[0082] In S1502, CPU 111 determines whether a function with the same function name (information to identify the application) as the function received in S1101 is already registered in the common list screen function button configuration information. If it is determined that it is already registered, CPU 111 proceeds to S1504, determines that there is a duplicate, and terminates the processing of this flowchart. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not already registered, CPU 111 proceeds to S1503, determines that there is no duplicate, and terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0083] Furthermore, the judgment process performed in S1502 is a duplicate detection check for functions received in S1101 that are "common functions for all models." In the case of "common functions for all models," the same processing is performed regardless of the model, so it is sufficient for only one to exist on the common list screen. Conversely, having multiple functions that perform the same processing on the same screen may make it difficult for the user to read and may cause confusion. Therefore, CPU 111 performs a duplicate detection check in S1502 based on the condition that "they have the same function name."

[0084] Next, the processes S1501 to S1504 of the aforementioned duplicate detection processing flow will be explained in detail using Figure 17.

[0085] Figure 17 shows the correspondence between the configuration information for the common list screen function buttons and the common list screen displayed based on that information. Configuration information 1701 corresponds to screen 1700, configuration information 1711 to screen 1710, configuration information 1721 to screen 1720, configuration information 1731 to screen 1730, configuration information 1741 to screen 1740, and configuration information 1751 to screen 1750. Screen 1700 shows the initial state of the common list screen, where no function buttons are displayed. The configuration information for the common list screen function buttons at this time is the empty state shown in configuration information 1701.

[0086] First, suppose the user selects the "Layout Application Launch Function" on the model-specific list screen for "Printer A" as the target to be placed on the common list screen. At this time, the information processing software 200 starts the process shown in Figure 11. In S1101 of Figure 11, the CPU 111 accepts the "Layout Application Launch Function" as the target to be placed and obtains the function name "Layout Application Launch" and the function information "Printer A". Next, in S1102, the CPU 111 determines whether the "Layout Application Launch Function" accepted in S1101 overlaps with any functions included in the common list screen function button configuration information. To make this determination, the CPU 111 executes the overlap determination process shown in Figure 15. In S1501 of Figure 15, the information processing software 200 determines whether the "Layout Application Launch Function" is a "Model-Specific Function" or a "Model-Common Function". Since the "Layout Application Launch Function" is determined to be a "Model-Common Function" based on the correspondence list shown in Figure 16, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1502. Next, in S1502, the CPU 111 determines whether a function with the same name as the layout application launch function is already registered in the function button configuration information. Since no functions are yet registered in the configuration information 1701 in Figure 17, which is the initial state, the CPU 111 determines "not registered" in the determination in S1502 and proceeds to S1503. As a result, the CPU 111 determines "no duplicates" in the duplicate determination flow in Figure 15.

[0087] As a result, in S1102 of Figure 11, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1103. In S1103, the CPU 111 registers the layout activation function received in S1101 to the common list screen function button configuration information. As a result, the information in row 1712 of Figure 17 is added to the common list screen function button configuration information. This updates the common list screen function button configuration information to the state of configuration information 1711, and the common list screen is displayed as shown in screen 1710.

[0088] Next, suppose the user selects the Layout Application Launch function as the target for placement on the model-specific list screen for "Printer B". In S1101, the CPU 111 accepts the Layout Application Launch function as the target for placement and obtains the function name "Layout Application Launch" and the function information "Printer B". Next, in S1102, the CPU 111 determines whether the Layout Application Launch function accepted in S1101 overlaps with a function included in the common list screen function button configuration information. To make this determination, the CPU 111 executes the overlap determination flow shown in Figure 15. In S1501 in Figure 15, the CPU 111 determines that the Layout Application Launch function is a "model-common function" and proceeds to S1502. In S1502, the CPU 111 determines whether a function with the same name as the Layout Application Launch function is already registered in the function button configuration information.

[0089] At this point, the function button configuration information is as shown in configuration information 1711 in Figure 17, and the layout application launch function has already been registered. Therefore, in S1502, the CPU 111 determines that it is "registered" and proceeds to S1504. As a result, the information processing software 200 determines that there is a "duplicate" in the duplicate determination flow in Figure 15. Consequently, in S1102 in Figure 11, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1104.

[0090] In S1104, the information processing software 200 performs duplicate processing. Specifically, the information processing software 200 displays a warning message to the user, as shown in Figure 14 above. At this time, the model-common function button management information is not updated from the configuration information 1711 in Figure 17, and the common list screen displayed based on that information remains the same as screen 1710. The above explains an example where the function received in S1101 is a "model-common function". Returning to the explanation of the processing flow in Figure 15.

[0091] Next, we will explain how to determine if the function to be deployed in S1501 is a "model-specific function". In S1505, CPU 111 compares the function name and function information of the function received in S1101 with the function name and function information already registered in the function button configuration information on the common list screen. Then, it determines whether a function has already been registered in which the function name (information for identifying the application), the printer name associated with the function (information for identifying the device), and the function execution settings all match.

[0092] The "Model Specification Function" is a function that performs different processing depending on the model. Therefore, even if the function name is the same, if the printer name on which the function is executed is different, functions with the same function name may be placed in the common list screen. Similarly, even if the function name and the printer name on which the function is executed are the same, if the settings when the function is executed are different, functions with the same function and printer name may be placed in the common list screen.

[0093] If it is determined that the entry is already registered, CPU 111 proceeds to S1504, determines that there is a duplicate, and terminates this determination flow. If it is determined that the entry is not registered, CPU 111 proceeds to S1506, determines that there is no duplicate, and terminates this determination flow.

[0094] The determination process in S1505 will be explained again using Figure 17. For example, suppose that, from the state of configuration information 1711 in Figure 17, the user selects the print function as the target for placement on the model list screen for printer A. At this time, the information processing software 200 accepts the print function as the target for placement and obtains the function name "Print Function" and the function information "Printer A". In S1501, the CPU 111 determines that the print function is a "model-specific function" and proceeds to S1505. In S1505, the CPU 111 compares the function name and function information of the target function with the function name and function information already registered in the common list screen function button configuration information to determine if a function with a matching printer name, function name, and function execution settings associated with the function is already registered. Since there is no corresponding function in configuration information 1711, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1506 and determines that there is "no duplication". As a result, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1103 in S1102 in Figure 11.

[0095] In S1103, CPU111 registers the print function in the common list screen function button configuration information. As a result, the information in row 1722 of Figure 17 is added to the common list screen function button configuration information. This updates the common list screen function button configuration information to the state of configuration information 1721 in Figure 17, and the common list screen is displayed as shown in screen 1720.

[0096] Next, suppose the user selects the print function as the target for placement on the "Printer A" model-specific list screen, while the common list screen function button configuration information is in the state of configuration information 1721. At this time, the information processing software 200 accepts the print function as the target for placement and obtains the function name "Print Function" and the function information "Printer A". S1101 in Figure 11 and S1501 in Figure 15 are the same processes as in the previous example, so the explanation is omitted. In S1505, the CPU 111 compares the function name and function information of the target function with the function name and function information already registered in the common list screen function button configuration information. It then determines whether a function with a matching printer name, function name, and function execution settings associated with the function has already been registered. The configuration information 1721 already contains the print function in row 1722, and the function information "Printer A" matches. Therefore, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1506 and determines that it is "registered". As a result, CPU 111 proceeds to process S1104 at S1102 in Figure 11. At S1104, CPU 111 performs duplicate processing and terminates the registration process flow. At this time, the common function button management information is not updated from the configuration information 1721 in Figure 17, and the common list screen displayed based on that information remains the same as screen 1720.

[0097] Next, let's assume that the common list screen function button configuration information is in the state of configuration information 1721, and the user selects the print function as the target for placement on the printer B model-specific list screen. At this time, the information processing software 200 accepts the print function as the target for placement and obtains the function name "Print Function" and the function information "Printer B". S1101 in Figure 11 and S1501 in Figure 15 are the same processes as in the example above, so we will omit the explanation.

[0098] In S1505, the CPU 111 compares the function name and function information of the function to be placed with the function name and function information already registered in the function button configuration information on the common list screen. It then determines whether a function with a matching printer name, function name, and function execution settings is already registered. The configuration information 1721 already contains the print function in line 1722, but the printer name in the function information is different. Therefore, since the corresponding function does not exist in the configuration information 1721, the information processing software 200 proceeds to S1506 and determines that there is "no duplication". As a result, the information processing software 200 proceeds to S1103 in S1102 of Figure 11.

[0099] In S1103, CPU111 registers the print function in the common list screen function button configuration information. As a result, the information in row 1732 of Figure 17 is added to the common list screen function button configuration information. Consequently, the common list screen function button configuration information is updated to the state of configuration information 1731 in Figure 17, and the common list screen is displayed as shown in screen 1730.

[0100] Next, we will explain the registration process for the common list screen function button configuration information when the function information includes function execution settings. Assume that, with the configuration information 1731, after the user executes the print function on the printer A model-specific list screen, the information processing software 200 receives a function to display on the common list screen on the print function settings screen as shown in Figure 13. In this case, at S1101, the CPU 111 accepts "Print Function" as the target to be placed on the common list screen and obtains the function name "Print Function" and the function information "Printer A". At this time, it is also assumed that print settings (paper size "A4", paper orientation "portrait", paper type "plain paper") are obtained as function information. At S1101, the CPU 111 performs the duplication check shown in Figure 15 to determine if there is any duplication of functions. At S1501, the CPU 111 determines that the print function is a "model-specific function" and proceeds to S1505.

[0101] In S1505, the CPU 111 compares the function name and function information of the function to be placed with the function name and function information already registered in the function button configuration information on the common list screen to determine if a function with matching printer name, function name, and function execution settings has already been registered. Two print functions already exist in the configuration information 1731, and of those, line 1733 has a matching printer name in the function information, but line 1733 does not include function execution settings. On the other hand, the function information to be placed includes print settings, so the information processing software 200 determines that the function execution settings do not match. Therefore, since there is no corresponding function in the configuration information 1731, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1506 and determines "no duplication". As a result, the CPU 111 proceeds to S1103 in S1102 in Figure 11. In S1103, the CPU 111 registers the print function in the function button configuration information. As a result, the information in line 1742 in Figure 17 is added to the function button configuration information on the common list screen. As a result, the configuration information for the function buttons on the common list screen is updated to the state of configuration information 1741 in Figure 17, and the common list screen will be displayed as shown in screen 1740. That is, the printer name (information to identify the device), function name (information to identify the application), and runtime settings described in line 1742 will be displayed within the function buttons (within the icons), as shown in the icons on screen 1740.

[0102] Next, in the state of configuration information 1741, after the user again executes the print function on the printer A model list screen, the information processing software 200 accepts the function to display on the common list screen on the print function settings screen as shown in Figure 13. In S1101, the CPU 111 accepts the print function to the common list screen as the target to be placed, and acquires the information of "Printer A" and "Print Function" as function information. Furthermore, at this time, the settings for executing the print function are assumed to be paper size "L size", paper orientation "landscape", and paper type "photo paper".

[0103] In S1501, the CPU 111 determines that the printing function is a "model-specific function" and proceeds to S1505. In S1505, the CPU 111 compares the function name and function information of the function to be placed with the function name and function information already registered in the common list screen function button configuration information. It then determines whether a function with a matching printer name, function name, and function execution settings associated with the function is already registered. Since there is no function in the configuration information 1741 with a matching printer name, function name, and function execution settings associated with the function, the information processing software 200 proceeds to S1506 and determines that there is "no duplication". As a result, the CPU 111 determines in S1102 of Figure 11 that there is no duplication of functions and proceeds to S1103. In S1103, the CPU 111 registers the printing function in the function button configuration information. As a result, the information in row 1752 of Figure 17 is added to the common list screen function button configuration information. As a result, the configuration information for the common list screen function buttons is updated to the state shown in configuration information 1751 in Figure 17, and the common list screen is displayed as shown in screen 1750.

[0104] The above describes the method for generating the common list screen and the duplication control. This duplication control prevents the same processing functions from being duplicated on the common list screen provided by the information processing software 200. As a result, the information processing software 200 can be controlled so that the readability of the common list screen is not compromised.

[0105] Furthermore, the system could be configured to allow users to delete function buttons registered on the common list screen. For example, the information processing software 200 could display a delete menu as a context menu for a function button when it receives a right-click operation on the function button, and then delete the target function button when the user clicks the delete menu.

[0106] (Switching between displaying the model-specific list screen and the common list screen) After startup, the information processing software 200 displays either a model-specific list screen or a common list screen as its initial screen. The screen displayed first may be predetermined, or it may be user-configurable within the information processing software 200. Furthermore, the user can switch between displaying the model-specific list screen and the common list screen within the information processing software 200. An example of switching between the model-specific list screen and the common list screen is illustrated using Figure 20.

[0107] Figure 18 shows examples of screens displayed by the information processing software 200. Figure 18(a) shows the state where the model-specific list screen is displayed, and Figure 18(b) shows the state where the common list screen is displayed.

[0108] Buttons 1801 and 1802 are buttons for switching between the model-specific list screen and the common list screen. When the user presses button 1801, the information processing software 200 switches the displayed function list screen to the model-specific list screen 1803. When the user presses button 1802, the information processing software 200 switches the displayed function list screen to the common list screen 1804. In this way, after starting the information processing software 200, the user can switch between displaying the model-specific list screen and the common list screen.

[0109] In this embodiment, we have described information processing software 200 having a model-specific list screen and a common list screen. In this embodiment, the model-specific list screen and the common list screen have been described as separate screens, but the screen area may be divided so that the contents of the model-specific list screen and the contents of the common list screen are displayed on a single screen. Alternatively, the common list screen may be displayed as an overlay on the model-specific list screen.

[0110] As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to improve the usability of the portal application's display screen. Specifically, by controlling the arrangement of applications selected from each device-specific screen so as not to duplicate those with matching specific information, it becomes possible to create a shortcut screen with a high degree of overview. As a result, in environments where multiple printing devices are used, access to the functions of each printing device is improved, and an improvement in usability can be expected.

[0111] <Embodiment 2> Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. Embodiment 1 described a configuration in which the user selects the functions to be registered on the common list screen, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which the information processing software automatically selects the functions to be registered. In this embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the information processing software counts the number of times a function is used and displays the functions that are used most frequently on the common list screen. Configurations and processes that are not mentioned in the following description are the same as those in Embodiment 1 and will therefore not be described. In addition, in the description of this embodiment, the information processing software 200 will have a "poster printing application launch function" in addition to the functions described in Embodiment 1. This function is the same as the layout application launch function described in Embodiment 1 and will be treated as a "model-common function" that launches an external application. The information processing software 200 counts the number of times the functions that can be executed from the information processing software 200 are used in order to determine which functions to display on the common list screen.

[0112] Figure 19 is an example of a usage count management list used by the information processing software 200 to manage the number of times each function is executed. The usage count management list in Figure 19 consists of the following items: function name, printer name, function execution settings, and number of uses. For example, row 1901 indicates that the print function has been executed 10 times for printer A with the print settings set to paper size "A4", paper orientation "portrait", and paper type "plain paper". The information processing software 200 stores the execution count management list shown in Figure 19 in the storage unit 205 and manages the number of uses for each function by updating the execution count information in the list each time the function is executed. The number of uses for each function is accumulated and counted until the information processing software 200 is uninstalled from the operating system.

[0113] If the executed function is a "model-specific function," the information processing software 200 obtains the function name, the printer name at the time of execution, and the settings at the time of execution as information about the executed function, and counts the number of uses separately if the function name, printer name, and settings at the time of execution are different. If the executed function is a "model-common function," the information processing software 200 obtains the function name as information about the executed function and counts the number of uses for each function name.

[0114] For example, when the print settings are set to paper size "A4", paper orientation "portrait", and paper type "plain paper", and the print function is executed for printer A for the first time, line 1901 in Figure 19 is stored. Subsequently, when the print function is executed for printer A with the same settings as the function execution settings stored in line 1901, the information processing software 200 updates the usage count of line 1901.

[0115] Next, the information processing software 200 refers to the usage counts in the usage count management list in Figure 19 and selects the functions to be displayed on the common list screen. Furthermore, the information processing software 200 generates the common list screen function button configuration information based on the selected functions. The timing of this selection could be when the information processing software 200 is started or when a display instruction for the common list screen is received.

[0116] This section explains how to select the functions to display on the common list screen. One example of a function selection method is for the information processing software 200 to select the most frequently used functions for each printer. Here, we will explain the case where the most frequently used function is selected for each printer.

[0117] Rows 1901 and 1902 in Figure 19 store information on functions executed with printer A specified, and it can be seen that the print function in row 1901 is the most frequently used function for printer A. Based on this information, the information processing software 200 selects the print function in row 1901 as the most frequently used function for printer A. Similarly, rows 1903 and 1904 in Figure 19 store information on functions executed with printer B specified, and it can be seen that the print function in row 1903, which is set during function execution, is the most frequently used function for printer B. Based on this information, the information processing software 200 selects the print function in row 1903 as the most frequently used function for printer B. In this way, the information processing software 200 selects the most frequently used function for each printer stored in the usage count management list.

[0118] Furthermore, rows 1905 and 1906 in Figure 19 store the number of times a common function is used across all models. In the case of a common function, the information processing software 200 selects the function with the highest frequency of use from among the common functions. In Figure 19, it can be seen that the layout application launch function in row 1905 is used the most. Based on this information, the information processing software 200 selects the layout application launch function in row 1905.

[0119] Ultimately, in the case of the usage count management list in Figure 19, the information processing software 200 will select the printing function in row 1901, the printing function in row 1903, and the layout application launch function in row 1905 as functions to display on the common list screen.

[0120] Figure 20 shows the common list screen function button configuration information and the common list screen based on this embodiment. The common list screen function button configuration information generated based on the selected function is shown in Figure 20(a). The information processing software 200 then displays the screen shown in Figure 20(b) by referring to this common list screen function button configuration information.

[0121] The above describes a configuration in which information processing software counts the number of times a function is used and displays the most frequently used functions on a common list screen. In this embodiment, we described a case where the most frequently used function for each printer is selected, but it is also possible to select only the top few functions.

[0122] According to the configuration described in this embodiment, the functions to be displayed on the common list screen can be automatically determined based on the number of times they are used. This makes it possible to configure the common list screen without the user having to select the functions to be displayed on the common list screen.

[0123] <Other Embodiments> This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0124] Furthermore, this disclosure includes the following components. (Composition 1) A portal application that operates on an information processing device, a program that can place a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, and the information processing device is A placement means for arranging at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions onto the second screen, The arrangement means includes an arrangement control means that controls the arrangement on the second screen so that applications with matching specific information do not overlap, A program characterized by being designed to function as such. (Configuration 2) The first type of application is an application that performs different processing for each of the devices, The program according to configuration 1, characterized in that the second type of application is an application that performs common processing regardless of the device. (Composition 3) The program according to configuration 2, characterized in that the specific information differs depending on whether the selected application is a first type of application or a second type of application. (Composition 4) The program according to configuration 3, characterized in that the device performs a specific function, and the first type of application is an application that can pre-associate setting values ​​for the specific function. (Composition 5) The program according to configuration 4, characterized in that, when the setting value is associated with the selected first type of application, the arrangement means arranges the selected application on the second screen such that information identifying the selected first application and the setting value are displayed within an icon representing the first application. (Composition 6) The program according to configuration 4, characterized in that, if the selected application is an application of the first type, the specific information is information that identifies the application, information that identifies the device, and the setting value. (Composition 7) The program according to configuration 4, characterized in that, if the selected application is an application of the second type, the specific information is information that identifies the application. (Composition 8) The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the information processing device is further configured to function as a display control means capable of displaying the first screen and the second screen. (Composition 9) The program according to configuration 8, characterized in that the display control means switches between displaying the first screen and the second screen. (Composition 10) The program according to configuration 9, characterized in that the display control means switches between displaying the first screen and the second screen by detecting the pressing of a specific button. (Composition 11) The program according to configuration 8, characterized in that the display control means overlays the second screen on the first screen. (Composition 12) If the arrangement control means determines that the selected application overlaps with an application placed on the second screen, The program according to configuration 8, characterized in that the display control means displays a screen indicating that the selected application cannot be placed on the second screen. (Composition 13) The specific condition is that the program according to configuration 1 is one of the applications placed on the first screen that has the highest number of uses. (Composition 14) The program according to configuration 1, characterized in that the specific condition is selected from among the applications placed on the first screen by user operation. (Composition 15) The program according to configuration 4, wherein the device is a printing device, and the specific function includes a printing function. (Composition 16) The information processing device is capable of arranging a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, A placement means for arranging at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions onto the second screen, The arrangement means includes an arrangement control means that controls the arrangement on the second screen so that applications with matching specific information do not overlap, An information processing device characterized by comprising: (Composition 17) A control method for an information processing device, which allows for the placement of a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, A placement step of placing at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions onto the second screen, The aforementioned placement step includes a placement control step that controls the placement of applications on the second screen such that applications with matching specific information do not overlap, A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising the following:

Claims

1. A portal application that operates on an information processing device, a program that can arrange a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, and the information processing device is A placement means for arranging at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions onto the second screen, The arrangement means includes an arrangement control means that controls the arrangement on the second screen so that applications with matching specific information do not overlap, A program characterized by being designed to function as such.

2. The first type of application is an application that performs different processing for each of the devices, The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the second type of application is an application that performs common processing regardless of the equipment.

3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the specific information differs depending on whether the selected application is a first type of application or a second type of application.

4. The program according to claim 3, characterized in that the device performs a specific function, and the first type of application is an application that can pre-associate setting values ​​for the specific function.

5. The program according to claim 4, wherein the arrangement means arranges the selected first application on the second screen such that, when the setting value is associated with the selected first type of application, the information identifying the selected first application and the setting value are displayed within an icon representing the first application.

6. The program according to claim 4, wherein, if the selected application is an application of the first type, the specific information is information that identifies the application, information that identifies the device, and the setting value.

7. The program according to claim 4, wherein, if the selected application is an application of the second type, the specific information is information that identifies the application.

8. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the information processing device is further configured to function as a display control means capable of displaying the first screen and the second screen.

9. The program according to claim 8, characterized in that the display control means switches between displaying the first screen and the second screen.

10. The program according to claim 9, characterized in that the display control means switches between displaying the first screen and the second screen by detecting the pressing of a specific button.

11. The program according to claim 8, characterized in that the display control means overlays the second screen on the first screen.

12. If the arrangement control means determines that the selected application overlaps with an application placed on the second screen, The program according to claim 8, characterized in that the display control means displays a screen indicating that the selected application cannot be placed on the second screen.

13. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific condition is that the application placed on the first screen has the highest number of uses.

14. The program according to claim 1, characterized in that the specific conditions are selected from among the applications placed on the first screen by user operation.

15. The program according to claim 4, wherein the device is a printing device, and the specific function includes a printing function.

16. The information processing device is capable of arranging a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, A placement means for arranging at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions onto the second screen, The arrangement means includes an arrangement control means that controls the arrangement on the second screen so that applications with matching specific information do not overlap, An information processing device characterized by comprising:

17. A control method for an information processing device, which allows for the placement of a first type of application and a second type of application on a first screen provided for each device registered in the information processing device, A placement step of placing at least one application selected from the first screen based on specific conditions onto the second screen, The aforementioned placement step includes a placement control step that controls the placement of applications on the second screen such that applications with matching specific information do not overlap, A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising the following:

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