DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM AND DEVICE CONTROL METHOD

Abstract

To provide a device control program and a device control method that lightens the load on a user in registering a device for each function.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a device control program capable of controlling a plurality of functions that a device has, the program allowing a terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone to execute: a first selection process (S101-S105) of letting a user selects one of devices connected communicably with the terminal apparatus executing the device control program; a registration process (S106-S110) of registering the device selected in the first selection process, as a device to execute each of the plurality of functions, in the terminal apparatus individually for the function; and a control process (not illustrated) of controlling the device, registered in the terminal apparatus as the device to execute one of the plurality of functions, to execute the function when executing the function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are known multifunction devices that have a printer function, a scanner function, etc. In order to use such a multifunction device from a computer, it is generally necessary to run a printer driver and a scanner driver dedicated to the multifunction device on the computer (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-125773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, device drivers require the user to select the devices to be controlled by the device driver in order to register the devices to be controlled by the device driver in the computer. Conventionally, therefore, a user must register the same multifunction device for both the printer driver and the scanner driver, which is a burden for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a device control program and a device control method that reduce the burden on a user when registering a device for each function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a device control program executed by a computer of a terminal device having an operation unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit, the device control program including: a search unit for searching for a device capable of communicating by the communication unit; a first device receiving unit for receiving, from the operation unit, one of the devices searched for by the search unit as a device that executes one of a first function and a second function; a first storage unit for storing the device received by the first device receiving unit in the storage unit in association with the one function, and storing the same device in the storage unit in association with the other function; and a storage unit for selecting the execution of one of the first and second functions. This device control program is characterized in that, when received from the operation unit, the terminal device functions as a control means which causes a device capable of communicating via the communication unit to execute one of the functions, and if a device corresponding to one of the first and second functions is not stored in the memory unit, the control means causes a device searched for by the search means and accepted by the first device accepting means as a device that executes the one of the functions to be executed, to execute the one of the functions, and if a device is stored in the memory unit in correspondence with the one of the functions, the device is designated as a candidate for a device that executes the function.

[0007] According to this invention, when a device having multiple functions is registered in a terminal device individually for each function, the user only needs to select the device once, thereby reducing the burden on the user compared to searching for devices for each function. Therefore, according to the present invention, the burden on the user when registering a device for each function can be reduced.

[0008] The device control program of the first embodiment described in this specification is a device control program capable of controlling multiple functions of a device, and causes the terminal device to execute a first selection process that allows a user to select one of the devices from among devices that are communicatively connected to a terminal device executing the device control program, a registration process that registers the device selected by the first selection process in the terminal device individually as a device for executing each of the multiple functions as a device for executing that function, and a control process that, when executing any of the multiple functions, controls the device registered in the terminal device as a device for executing that function to execute that function. According to the above configuration, when a device having multiple functions is registered in a terminal device individually for each function, the user only needs to select the device once, thereby reducing the burden on the user compared to when selecting a device for each function. Therefore, this configuration can reduce the burden on the user when registering devices for each function. The first embodiment can also be expressed as follows. A device control program capable of controlling multiple functions of a device, the device control program causing a terminal device to execute the following steps: a first selection process for having a user select one of the devices communicatively connected to a terminal device executing the device control program; a registration process for registering the device selected by the first selection process in the terminal device individually for each of the multiple functions as a device for executing that function; and a control process for controlling a device registered in the terminal device as a device for executing that function when one of the multiple functions is to be executed, to execute that function.

[0009] The first selection process for making the user select any one of the devices can also be rephrased as a designation process for making the user specify any one of the devices. In other words, instead of displaying multiple devices as options and making the user select from them, the user may be allowed to directly specify a specific device without displaying options, for example, by having the user directly input information that can uniquely identify the desired device, such as the device name or IP address of the device.

[0010] A second form described in this specification is a device control program of the first form, wherein the device control program is capable of controlling a plurality of types of devices, and in the registration process, for each of the plurality of functions, the device selected by the first selection process is registered in the terminal device as a device for executing the function, with the prerequisite being that the device has the function.

[0011] When a device control program is capable of controlling a plurality of types of devices, not all of the plurality of types of devices necessarily have the above-mentioned functions, and some devices may not have all of the functions. According to this configuration, for each of a plurality of functions, a device is registered in a terminal device on the condition that the device has the function, thereby reducing the possibility that a selected device is registered as a device for executing some of the functions even though the device does not have the functions.

[0012] A third form described in this specification is a device control program of the second form, wherein the registration process includes a first determination process for determining, for each of the plurality of functions, whether or not the selected device has the function, and, if it is determined by the first determination process that the selected device has the function, a second determination process for determining whether or not the function of the selected device can be controlled from the device control program, and, if it is determined by the second determination process that the function is controllable, registers the function in the terminal device as a device for executing the function.

[0013] When a device control program is capable of controlling multiple types of devices, even if the device has multiple functions, it may not be possible to control a function from the device control program due to reasons such as different control commands depending on the model. According to this configuration, if the function cannot be controlled from the device control program, the device is not registered as a device for executing the function, thereby reducing the occurrence of a registered device being unable to be controlled in the control process.

[0014] A fourth aspect described in this specification is a device control program of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein in the first selection process, a user is prompted to select one of devices having a first function among devices communicatively connected to the terminal device, and in the registration process, the device selected by the first selection process is registered in the terminal device as a device for executing the first function, and functions other than the first function that the device has are registered as devices for executing those functions.

[0015] According to this configuration, when a user selects a device to register a device having a first function, the user can register the device not only as a device for performing the first function, but also as a device for performing other functions.

[0016] A fifth aspect described in this specification is a device control program of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a plurality of devices can be registered in the terminal device for one function, and when a new device is registered in the registration process for any of the plurality of functions, the terminal device is caused to execute a first setting process that exclusively sets the newly registered device as a device to be used to execute the function, and the control process controls, for each of the plurality of functions, a device that is set as a device to be used to execute the function among devices registered as devices for executing the function, to execute the function.

[0017] When multiple devices can be registered for one function, it is highly likely that the newly registered device is the device that the user intends to use. According to this configuration, a newly registered device is set as the "device to be used to execute the function." Therefore, when multiple devices can be registered for one function, the burden on the user to set the "device to be used to execute the function" can be reduced, while the device that the user is likely to use can be set as the "device to be used to execute the function."

[0018] A sixth aspect described in this specification is a device control program of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the terminal device is capable of registering a plurality of devices for one function, and when a new device is registered in the registration process for any one of the plurality of functions, the terminal device is caused to execute a third determination process for determining whether or not another device has already been set as a device to be used to execute a function different from the function in question, and if it is determined by the third determination process that the other device is not set as a device to be used to execute a function different from the function in question, a second setting process for exclusively setting the newly registered device as a device to be used to execute the different function, and the control process controls, for each of the plurality of functions, a device that is set as a device to be used to execute the function among the devices registered as devices for executing the function to execute the function, to execute the function.

[0019] According to this configuration, if a device to be used for executing a certain function has already been set, a newly registered device is not set as the device to be used for executing the function, so that even if a new device is registered, the user can continue to use the device that has already been set as the device to be used for executing the function.

[0020] A seventh aspect described in this specification is a device control program of any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein a plurality of devices can be registered in the terminal device for one function, and the terminal device is caused to execute a second selection process of having a user select one of the devices from one or more devices registered in the terminal device for the one function, a third setting process of exclusively setting the device selected by the second selection process as the device to be used for executing the one function, a fourth determination process of determining whether the selected device is registered as a device for executing another function, and a fourth setting process of exclusively setting the selected device as the device to be used for executing the other function if it is determined by the fourth determination process that the selected device is registered as a device for executing the other function, and the control process controls, for each of the plurality of functions, a device that is set as the device to be used for executing the function from among the devices registered as devices for executing the function to execute the function.

[0021] When a user selects a device from among devices registered for a function and sets it as the device to be used to execute that function, it is highly likely that the user will also use that device to execute other functions, because, for example, if a new, up-to-date device is installed and the newest device is set for the one function as the device to be used to execute that one function, it is expected that the user will also want to use the newest device for other functions. According to this configuration, a device set as a device to be used for executing one function is also set as a device to be used for executing another function, thereby reducing the effort required to set the device as a device to be used for executing another function.

[0022] An eighth aspect described in this specification is a device control method for controlling a plurality of functions of a device, comprising: a first selection step of having a user select one of devices communicatively connected to a terminal device; a registration step of registering the device selected in the first selection step individually in the terminal device as a device for executing each of the plurality of functions; and a control step of, when executing any of the plurality of functions, controlling a device registered in the terminal device as a device for executing the function to execute the function. This configuration can reduce the burden on the user when registering a device for each function.

[0023] A ninth aspect described in this specification is a device control program capable of controlling a printer function and a scanner function of a device, which causes a terminal device to execute the device control program, the terminal device to execute a search process for searching for a device having a printer function from among devices connected to be able to communicate with a terminal device executing the device control program, a first selection process for having a user select one of the devices searched for by the search process, a determination process for determining whether the device selected by the first selection process has a scanner function, a registration process for registering the device as a device for executing the printer function and also as a device for executing the scanner function if the determination process determines that the device has the scanner function, and a control process for controlling a device registered in the terminal device as a device for executing the function to execute the function when one of the printer function and the scanner function is to be executed. According to this configuration, if it is determined that the selected device has a scanner function in addition to a print function, the device is registered as a device for executing the printer function and also as a device for executing the scanner function, thereby reducing the burden on the user when registering a device in the device control program. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a mobile phone and a device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a mobile phone. [Diagram 3] 5 is a screen transition diagram of screens displayed by the device control program. [Figure 4] 5 is a screen transition diagram of screens displayed by the device control program. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart showing a printer registration process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a screen transition diagram according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a printer registration process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing a printer registration process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for changing a normally used printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (1) Overall structure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a mobile phone 1 (an example of a terminal device) that executes a device control program according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and various devices 2 that are communicatively connected to the mobile phone 1. The mobile phone 1 has a wireless communication function in addition to a call function, and is wirelessly connected to a communication network 5 via a wireless LAN router 4 or the like.

[0026] The multifunction devices 2a and 2b are devices equipped with multiple functions (specifically, a printer function and a scanner function). The multiple multifunction devices 2a and 2b may be made by different manufacturers, or may be different models made by the same manufacturer. The printers 2c and 2d and the scanners 2e and 2f are single-function devices each having only a printer function and a scanner function, respectively. These devices may be made by different manufacturers, or may be different models made by the same manufacturer. In the following description, when the term "device 2" is used, it refers to any one of the multiple devices.

[0027] (2) Electrical configuration of a mobile phone 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of the mobile phone 1. The mobile phone 1 is configured to include a control unit 11, a transmission / reception unit 12, an audio input / output unit 13, a wireless communication unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, an imaging unit 17, and a storage unit 18.

[0028] The control unit 11 is configured to include an application processor, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The application processor controls each part of the mobile phone 1 by executing various programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 18. The ROM stores various programs and data to be executed by the application processor. The RAM is used as a main storage device for the application processor to execute various processes.

[0029] The transceiver 12 includes an antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a baseband processor, and the like, and transmits and receives audio signals to and from the base station 3 via the antenna. The transceiver 12 is also configured to be capable of performing packet communication with the base station 3. The audio input / output unit 13 includes a microphone, a speaker, an audio processing circuit, and the like. The voice signal input by the microphone is transmitted to the base station 3 by the transmitting / receiving unit 12, and the voice signal received from the base station 3 by the transmitting / receiving unit 12 is audibly generated by the speaker.

[0030] The wireless communication unit 14 is configured in accordance with Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11a / IEEE 802.11b) (registered trademark) and is wirelessly connected to a communication network 5 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet via a wireless LAN router 4 or the like. The wireless communication standard is not limited to Wi-Fi as long as it is a standard that allows wireless connection of mobile phone 1 to communication network 5. For example, mobile phone 1 may be configured to be wirelessly connected by Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) (registered trademark), or may be configured to be wirelessly connected by infrared optical wireless data communication (IrDA). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the mobile phone 1 is wirelessly connected to the communication network 5, but the mobile phone 1 may be connected to the communication network 5 via a wire.

[0031] The display unit 15 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, a drive circuit for driving the display device, and the like. The operation unit 16 is configured to include a substantially transparent touch panel that covers the display surface of the display device, a control circuit that controls the touch panel, various operation buttons, etc. A user can input a telephone number, operate an application program, etc. by operating the operation unit 16.

[0032] The imaging unit 17 has an area image sensor, an optical system, an analog front-end unit, an image processing unit, and the like, and captures an image of a subject to generate a digital image. The storage unit 18 stores various programs and data using a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage unit 18 stores an operating system (OS), a device control program described later, and various other application programs and data.

[0033] Application programs (hereinafter referred to as "applications") such as device control programs can be downloaded from an external server via the transmission / reception unit 12 and the wireless communication unit 14. Note that a USB interface may be provided in the mobile phone 1, and applications may be downloaded from an external computer via the USB interface.

[0034] (3) Device control program The device control program is an application program capable of controlling multiple functions (specifically, printer function and scanner function) of device 2, and functions as a device driver that causes mobile phone 1 to execute processes such as controlling the printer to print images and controlling the scanner to import images. Furthermore, the device control program is an application program with multiple functions, including a program that causes the mobile phone 1 to execute processes such as organizing and managing multiple images in an album, importing images from the imaging unit 17, and passing the images to an email application.

[0035] The device control program is capable of controlling multiple models of device 2, and the user can select a device 2 to perform printing or reading of a document from one or more devices 2 connected to the communication network 5. For example, when a user selects a printer (including a multifunction printer), the device control program registers the selected printer in the memory unit 18, and when the user instructs printing, the device control program controls the registered printer to print an image.

[0036] Here, "registration" refers to obtaining information (device information) for controlling the selected printer from the printer, and writing the obtained device information to a predetermined area of ​​the storage unit 18. Specifically, the device information includes the device name, location information (IP address, domain name, etc.) indicating the location on the communication network 5, and function information indicating the functions that the device has. The function information includes information indicating whether or not a printer function, scanner function, facsimile function, etc. is available, as well as more detailed information about each function, such as the paper size supported by the printer function, whether color printing is possible, and whether double-sided printing is possible.

[0037] The same applies to reading an image; the device control program registers the scanner selected by the user in the storage unit 18, and controls the registered scanner to capture an image. In this way, the device control program can control both the printer function and the scanner function of the device 2, but some devices 2 have only one of the printer function and the scanner function. Therefore, it is desirable to register the device 2 for each function.

[0038] (3-1) User interface of device control program In the first embodiment, a case will be described in which only one device for executing the printer function and one device for executing the scanner function can be registered in the mobile phone 1. Also, in embodiment 1, the device control program sets device 2 registered as a device for performing a printer function as the device to be used for performing the printer function, and similarly, sets device 2 registered as a device for performing a scanner function as the device to be used for performing the scanner function.

[0039] 3 and 4 are screen transition diagrams of screens displayed by the device control program according to the first embodiment. 3 is a main menu. The main menu displays three menus: "Print from Photo Albums" for printing images stored in an album, "Print from Camera" for capturing an image of a subject with the imaging unit 17 and printing the image, and "Scan to cell phone" for capturing an image from a scanner. The user can select one of the menus by touching the screen 31.

[0040] Screen 32 is the screen that is displayed when "Print from Photo Albums" is selected from the main menu. As described above, the device control program can organize and manage images in albums, and screen 32 displays a list of those albums. When the user selects one of the albums, the screen transitions to screen 33, which displays a list of thumbnail images 33a (only one is labeled in FIG. 3) of the images included in that album.

[0041] When the user touches any of the thumbnail images 33a on screen 33 to select an image, the screen transitions to screen 34, where the selected image is displayed. When "Print from Camera" is selected from the main menu described above, the screen transitions to screen 34 after the subject is captured, where the captured image is displayed. The user can print the image displayed on screen 34. When printing an image, the user first touches the "Setting" button 34a to display screen 35, and then registers a printer and sets printing conditions on screen 35.

[0042] Here, the device name (DC123450) displayed to the left of the "Setting" button 34a on screen 34 is the device name of the currently registered printer. If a printer has already been registered when screen 34 is displayed, the device control program displays the device name of that printer to the left of the "Setting" button 34a. If no printer is registered, the device name is not displayed. The printer here includes both single-function printers equipped with only printer functions, and multifunction devices equipped with printer functions.

[0043] The device name of the registered printer and the default printing conditions are initially displayed on screen 35. However, if a printer has not yet been registered, the device name is not displayed. If the printer has not yet been registered, or if the user wishes to change the registered printer, the user touches field 35a that displays the printer device name to cause screen 36 to be displayed.

[0044] When the user touches field 35a, the device control program searches for printers connected to the communication network 5 and displays a list of the device names of the found printers on screen 36. This search can be performed, for example, by using a protocol for searching for devices connected to the communication network 5. When the user selects any printer on screen 36, the device control program executes a "printer registration process" to be described later, thereby registering the selected printer in the mobile phone 1. As will be described in detail later, if the selected printer is a multifunction device, the device control program registers the multifunction device not only as a printer in the "printer registration process", but also as a scanner.

[0045] When the "printer registration process" is complete, the screen returns to screen 35, and the device name of the registered printer is displayed in field 35a. Furthermore, on screen 35, printing conditions such as "Document Size (Photo, Photo 2L, A4, Letter, etc.)", "Media Type (Plain Paper, OHP, etc.)", and "Color Type (Color, GrayScale, etc.)" can be set. For example, when "Document Size" is selected, a screen (not shown) for selecting the print paper size is displayed, and the user can select one of the sizes from "Photo", "Photo 2L", "A4", "Letter", etc. on that screen.

[0046] After registering the printer and setting the printing conditions on screen 35, the user touches the "Done" button 35b to return to screen 34. When the user touches the "Print" button 34b on the screen 34, the device control program controls the registered printer (in other words, the printer set as the device to be used to execute the printer function) to print the image (Photo2) displayed on the screen 34 (an example of a control process). This control is performed based on the device information written in the storage unit 18 and the printing conditions set on the screen 35.

[0047] Here, controlling the printer means generating a print command based on the image and the printing conditions and outputting the generated print command to the printer. Note that the image and the printing conditions may be sent to the printer, and the printer may generate the print data.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the screen transition when "Scan to cell Phone" is selected on the main menu of screen 31. When the user selects "Scan to cell phone" from the main menu, the screen transitions to screen 40. Screen 40 initially displays the device name of the registered scanner and the default reading conditions. If a scanner has not yet been registered, the device name is not displayed.

[0049] However, as mentioned above, if the printer selected on screen 36 is a multifunction device, the multifunction device will also be registered as a scanner by the "printer registration process", so in that case, even if the user does not perform the operation to register the scanner, the device name of the multifunction device will be displayed in field 40a that displays the device name of the scanner.

[0050] If a scanner has not yet been registered or if the user wishes to change a registered scanner, the user can select a scanner in the same manner as for a printer. The configuration of the screen for selecting a scanner is substantially the same as the configuration of the screen for selecting a printer (screen 36), so a description thereof will be omitted. However, as shown on screen 35 (FIG. 3), if there is a device 2 that is already registered as a printer, even if the multifunction device is selected as a scanner in the scanner selection, the multifunction device will not be registered as a printer. This is because in this embodiment, the printer registered earlier is given priority, and the printer is not changed unintentionally by the user when selecting a scanner. Note that if the printer registered earlier is not given priority, the selected multifunction device may be registered not only as a scanner, but also as a printer.

[0051] Screen 40 also allows you to set reading conditions such as "Document Size (Photo, Photo 2L, A4, Letter, etc.)", "Color Type (Color High Speed, Gray Scale High Speed, Color Low Speed, Gray Scale Low Speed, etc.)", and "Duplex (Long-Edge, Short-Edge, etc.)".

[0052] After the user registers the scanner, sets the reading conditions, and places the document on the scanner, the user touches the "Scan" button 40b. When the user touches the "Scan" button 40b, the device control program controls the registered scanner (in other words, the scanner set as the device to be used to execute the scanner function) to read the document (an example of a control process). This control is performed based on the device information written in the storage unit 18 and the reading conditions set on the screen 40. Here, controlling the scanner means outputting commands to the scanner for setting the reading speed and reading resolution of the document based on the reading conditions, and causing the scanner to read the document.

[0053] When the reading is completed, the screen transitions to screen 41, where an image (Image 1) representing the read document is displayed. When the user touches "Action" button 41a on screen 41, the screen transitions to screen .

[0054] The screen 42 displays the menus "Save To Photo Albums," "Email As JPEG," and "Email As PDF." When the user selects "Email As JPEG" or "Email As PDF," the screen transitions to an email creation screen 43 with an image converted to JPEG or PDF format attached. This email creation screen 43 is a screen displayed by an application other than the device control program. On the other hand, if the user selects "Save To Photo Albums", a screen (not shown) for selecting the album in which to save is displayed, the image is saved in that album, and the screen returns to screen 41.

[0055] (3-2) Printer registration process Next, the above-mentioned "printer registration processing" will be described. Here, the "printer registration processing" will be described as including processing for searching for printers connected to the communication network 5.

[0056] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printer registration process. This process starts when the user touches field 35a on screen 35 described above. In S101, the control unit 11 that executes the device control program (hereinafter simply referred to as the "device control program") searches for a printer (an example of a first function) connected to the communication network 5 (an example of a first selection process).

[0057] Here, data requesting device information of the device 2 connected to the communication network 5 is broadcast, and the device information obtained as a response is received. The received device information is stored in the RAM. A list of device names of devices with controllable printer functions is hard-coded in the program code of the device control program, and if the device name included in the acquired device information is not on the list, the device control program determines that the printer is uncontrollable and deletes the device information from the RAM. Thus, the RAM stores device information of printers that the device control program can control. Note that the list may be updated via the communication network 5 when new controllable devices are added.

[0058] In S102, the device control program determines whether one or more printers have been searched for (whether one or more pieces of device information are stored in the RAM), and if not found, proceeds to S103, and if found, proceeds to S104 (an example of a first selection process). In S103, the device control program displays a message on the display unit 15 indicating that no printers were found, and ends the process (an example of a first selection process).

[0059] In S104, the device control program displays a list of the device names of the found printers on the screen 36 based on the device information stored in the RAM in S101 (an example of a first selection process). In S105, the device control program waits until the user selects one of the printers (an example of a first selection process). Note that, if there is only one printer, this selection can also be called "designation."

[0060] In S106, the device control program acquires device information of the printer selected by the user from the device information stored in the RAM in S101 (an example of a registration process). In S107, the device control program determines whether the selected printer has a scanner function (i.e., whether the printer is a multifunction device) based on the device information, and if it does, proceeds to S108, and if it does not, skips the processes from S108 to S109 and proceeds to S110 (an example of a registration process, a determination process, and a first determination process).

[0061] In S108, the device control program determines whether or not the scanner function of the selected printer (that is, the multifunction device) is controllable (a registration process, an example of a second determination process). Specifically, for example, a list of device names of devices with controllable scanner functions is hard-coded into the program code of the device control program, and if the device name included in the device information acquired in S106 is on the list, the device control program determines that the scanner is controllable, and if the device name is not on the list, it determines that the scanner is uncontrollable.

[0062] The reason for determining whether or not the device is controllable is that even if the device has a scanner function, the scanner function may not be controllable from the device control program due to reasons such as different control commands depending on the device model. The device control program proceeds to S109 if the device is controllable, and proceeds to S110 if the device is not controllable (an example of a registration process).

[0063] In S109, the device control program registers the selected printer (i.e., the multifunction device) as a device for executing the scanner function (an example of a registration process). Then, the device control program sets the registered printer as the device to be used for executing the scanner function.

[0064] In S110, the device control program registers the selected printer (a single-function printer or a multifunction device) as a device for executing the printer function (an example of a registration process).Then, the device control program sets the registered printer as the device to be used for executing the printer function.

[0065] (4) Effects of the embodiment According to the device control program of the first embodiment of the present invention described above, when a user selects a printer, not only is the printer registered as a printer, but if the printer has a scanner function, the printer (i.e., a multifunction device) is also registered as a scanner. Thus, according to this device control program, when a device having a printer function and a scanner function is registered to a mobile phone 1 individually for each function, the user only needs to select the device once, thereby reducing the burden on the user compared to when selecting a device for each function.

[0066] For example, if device 2 is a multifunction device, the user may want to use the multifunction device as both a printer and a scanner. Specifically, this may be the case when an image is printed on a printer, the user writes handwritten text on the printed paper, and the paper is read by a scanner. In such a case, according to this device control program, the user can register the multifunction device for each of multiple functions by simply selecting the multifunction device once, and the multiple functions of the multifunction device can be used immediately.

[0067] Furthermore, this device control program registers a printer as a scanner on the condition that the printer has a scanner function. When the device control program can control multiple models of printers, not all of the multiple models of printers have a scanner function, and some printers do not have a scanner function (e.g., printers 2c and 2d). According to this device control program, a printer is registered as a scanner on the condition that the printer has a scanner function, so that it is possible to reduce the occurrence of a selected printer being registered as a scanner even though the printer does not have a scanner function.

[0068] Furthermore, according to this device control program, if the selected printer has a scanner function and the scanner function of the selected printer cannot be controlled from the device control program, the printer is not registered as a device for executing the scanner function, thereby reducing the inability to control a registered device in the control process.

[0069] <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, only one printer and one scanner can be registered, but in the second embodiment, multiple printers and scanners can be registered. In the second embodiment, the device control program exclusively sets one of the registered printers as the "default printer (device used to execute printer functions)" and controls the printer set as the "default printer" to print images. The same applies to the scanner.

[0070] 6 is a screen transition diagram when "Print from Photo Albums" is selected in the second embodiment. The device name displayed in field 55a on screen 55 (corresponding to screen 35 in the first embodiment) is not simply the device name of a registered printer, but the device name of the registered printer that is set as the "default printer." As described above, the device control program controls the printer that is set as the "default printer" to print images.

[0071] The screen 55 is provided with a pull-down menu 55b for selecting the "default printer." When the user touches the pull-down menu 55b, a list of registered printer device names is displayed. The user can select any printer from the displayed list and set that printer exclusively as the "default printer." Since the printer is set exclusively, if another printer had been set as the "default printer" up until that point, the setting of that other printer as the "default printer" is cancelled.

[0072] 7 is a screen transition diagram when "Scan to cell phone" is selected in the second embodiment. The device name displayed in field 50a on screen 50 (a screen equivalent to screen 40 in the first embodiment) is not simply the device name of a registered scanner, but the device name of the registered scanner that is set as the "normally used scanner." As described above, the device control program controls the scanner that is set as the "normally used scanner" to read a document.

[0073] The screen 50 is provided with a pull-down menu 50b for selecting the "scanner to be used normally." When the user touches the pull-down menu 50b, a list of the device names of registered scanners is displayed. By selecting one of the scanners displayed in the list, the user sets that scanner exclusively as the "scanner to be used normally." Since the scanner is set exclusively, if another scanner had been set as the "scanner to be used normally," the setting of that other scanner as the "scanner to be used normally" is cancelled.

[0074] In the "printer registration process" according to the second embodiment, when the multifunction device "DC123450" is set as the "normally used scanner" and the multifunction device "ABC-0000" (not shown) is selected as the printer on screen 36 in Fig. 6, the multifunction device "ABC-0000" is also registered as the scanner, but is not set as the "normally used scanner." In such a case, as shown on screen 50, the multifunction device "DC123450" is displayed in field 50a, and the multifunction device "ABC-0000" is displayed in pull-down menu 50b.

[0075] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "printer registration process" according to embodiment 2. Here, the processes that are substantially the same as those in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] In S201, the device control program determines whether or not a scanner (or a multifunction device) other than the multifunction device selected in S105 is set as the "normally used scanner," and if no other scanner is set, the program proceeds to S202, and if another scanner is set, the program proceeds to S203 (an example of a third determination process). In S202, the device control program registers the selected printer (i.e., the multifunction device) as a device for performing the scanner function, and sets the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) exclusively as the "normally used scanner" (an example of a second setting process).

[0077] In S203, the device control program determines whether the number n of registered scanners is less than the maximum number N that can be registered. If it is less than the maximum number N that can be registered, the program proceeds to S204. If it has reached the maximum number N that can be registered, the program proceeds to S205 without registering the printer as a scanner.

[0078] In S204, the device control program registers the selected printer (i.e., the multifunction device) as a device for executing the scanner function. However, in this case, it is not set as the "default scanner." Therefore, the other scanner that had been set as the "default scanner" up until that point remains the "default scanner."

[0079] In S205, the device control program registers the selected printer (a single-function printer or a multifunction device) as a device for executing a printer function (an example of a registration process), and sets the device as the "default printer."

[0080] According to the device control program of the second embodiment of the present invention described above, if a device that is normally used to execute the scanner function has already been set, even if a new device is registered as a device to be used to execute the scanner function, the new device will not be set as the device that is normally used to execute the scanner function. Therefore, even if a new device is registered, the user can continue to use the device that is already set as the device that is normally used to execute the scanner function.

[0081] Furthermore, if a user wishes to have a newly registered device execute a scanner function, the user can select the device on screen 50 as the device that is normally used to execute the scanner function, thereby enabling the device to execute the scanner function. Although the present embodiment is configured to allow multiple printers to be registered, it may be configured to allow only one printer to be registered, in which case the process of S110 is executed instead of the process of S205.

[0082] <Embodiment 3> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment is a variation of the second embodiment, in which when the selected printer has a scanner function and the printer (i.e., a multifunction device) is also registered as a scanner, even if another scanner is already set as the "default scanner", the newly registered scanner is set exclusively as the "default scanner".

[0083] 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "printer registration process" according to the third embodiment. The "printer registration process" according to the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that if a positive determination is made in S203, the process proceeds to S202 (an example of a first setting process). Since the process proceeds to S202, the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) selected in S105 is set as the "default scanner" even if another scanner has already been set as the "default scanner" in the third embodiment. The "printer registration process" according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as the "printer registration process" according to the second embodiment in other respects.

[0084] According to the device control program of the third embodiment of the present invention described above, a newly registered device is set as a “device normally used to execute the scanner function.” When multiple devices can be registered for the scanner function, it is highly likely that the newly registered device is the device that the user intends to use.

[0085] According to this device control program, a newly registered device is set as the "device normally used to execute the scanner function", so that when multiple devices can be registered for the scanner function, the burden on the user to set the "device normally used to execute the scanner function" can be reduced, while a device that the user is likely to use can be set as the "device normally used to execute the scanner function".

[0086] <Change the device you normally use> Next, the process of changing the "usually used device" will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, in the second and third embodiments, the user can change the "default printer" from among the registered printers. In addition, the user can also change the "default scanner" from among the registered scanners.

[0087] When the user changes the "default printer," if the printer has a scanner function, the device control program also sets the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) as the "default scanner." Specifically, when a user changes the "usually used printer," the device control program determines whether the changed printer is also registered as a scanner (whether or not the device information of a device registered as a device for performing a scanner function contains a device name that matches the device name of the printer) (an example of a fourth determination process), and if registered, sets the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) as the "usually used scanner" as well (an example of a fourth setting process).

[0088] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "change process of the normally used device." This process begins when the user touches the pull-down menu 55b on the screen 55.

[0089] In S301, the device control program displays a list of the device names of registered printers in a pull-down menu, and waits until the user selects one of the printers from the pull-down menu 55b. In S302, the device control program acquires the device information of the selected printer from the storage unit 18. As described above, the device information of all registered printers and scanners is stored in the storage unit 18.

[0090] In S303, the device control program determines whether the acquired device information is registered in the storage unit 18 as device information for a device for executing a scanner function. That is, the device control program determines whether the printer selected in S301 is also registered as a scanner. If it is registered as a scanner, the device control program proceeds to S304, and if it is not registered as a scanner, the device control program proceeds to S306.

[0091] In S304, the device control program determines whether or not another scanner has already been set as the "default scanner." If another scanner has been set as the "default scanner," the device control program proceeds to S306, and if not, the program proceeds to S305.

[0092] In S305, the device control program exclusively sets the printer (that is, the multifunction device) selected in S301 as the "normally used scanner." In S306, the device control program exclusively sets the printer (that is, the printer or the multifunction peripheral) selected in S301 as the "default printer".

[0093] This completes the change process. Note that, in this process, if another scanner has already been set as the "scanner that is normally used", the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) selected in S301 is not set as the "scanner that is normally used", but the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) selected in S301 may be set as the "scanner that is normally used". In that case, the determination in S304 can be deleted.

[0094] According to the above-described process for changing the "normally used device," the printer selected on screen 55 is set not only as the device normally used to execute the printer function, but also as the device normally used to execute the scanner function. When a user selects a device from one or more devices registered for a function and sets the selected device as the device normally used to execute the function, the user is likely to use the device to execute other functions as well. This is because, for example, if a new, up-to-date device is installed and the newest device is set for the one function as the device to be used to execute the one function, the user is likely to want to use the newest device for other functions as well.

[0095] Also, for example, suppose that the user moves to a different location and sets the multifunction device at the new location as the "default printer." In this case, when the user wants to capture an image at the new location, in many cases the user will also set the multifunction device as the "default scanner." In other words, in a portable terminal device such as the mobile phone 1, when the "default printer" is changed, there is a high possibility that the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) will also be set as the "default scanner."

[0096] According to this device control program, when a user changes the "default printer (device used to execute printer functions)", if the new printer has a scanner function, there is a high possibility that the user will also set that printer (i.e., multifunction device) as the "default scanner (device used to execute scanner functions)", thereby reducing the effort required for the user to set that printer as the "default scanner".

[0097] <Other embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0098] (1) In the above embodiment, a printer function and a scanner function are described as examples of the multiple functions. However, the multiple functions are not limited to these. For example, one of the multiple functions may be a facsimile function.

[0099] (2) In the above embodiment, a mobile phone is used as an example of the terminal device. However, the terminal device is not limited to a mobile phone and may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or the like.

[0100] (3) In the above embodiment, the device control program is capable of controlling a plurality of models of devices. However, the device control program may be capable of controlling only one specific model of multifunction peripheral. Then, when one of one or more multifunction peripherals of that model is selected, the device control program may register that multifunction peripheral as a device for performing a printer function and a device for performing a scanner function. In this case, since the model is specified, the device control program should already know whether the multifunction device has a printer function or a scanner function, so in this case, the multifunction device may be registered without determining whether it has a printer function or a scanner function or whether the device control program can control those functions.

[0101] (4) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which an image is selected and then a printer is selected. However, for example, menus such as "Select printer" and "Set default printer" may be provided in the main menu.

[0102] (5) In the above embodiment, when a printer is selected from the searched printers and the printer has a scanner function, the printer (i.e., the multifunction device) is registered as a scanner. However, when a scanner is selected from the searched scanners and the scanner has a printer function, the scanner (i.e., the multifunction device) may be registered as a printer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1. Mobile phone 2. Device 2a, 2b...Multifunction device 2c, 2d... printer 2e, 2f... Scanner 3...Base station 4. Wireless LAN router 5. Communication network 11. Control section 12 Transmitter / receiver 13 Audio input / output section 14 Wireless communication unit 15...Display section 16...Operation unit 17 Imaging section 18...Storage section

Claims

1. A device control program executed by a control unit of a terminal device having a display unit, The control unit, a menu screen display process for displaying a menu screen for selecting a print function or a scan function on the display unit; a device selection screen display process for displaying a device selection screen for selecting a device on the display unit; a first display process for displaying, on the display unit, information indicating the first device as a device that executes the print function when the print function is selected on the menu screen in a case where a first device selected on the device selection screen has both a print function and a scan function, and for displaying, on the display unit, information indicating the first device as a device that executes the scan function when the scan function is selected on the menu screen; The second device selected on the device selection screen has a printing function and a scanning function, and executing a second display process in which, in a case where the device has only a print function, when the print function is selected on the menu screen, information indicating the second device is displayed on the display unit as a device that executes the print function, but when the scan function is selected on the menu screen, a screen in which the second device is not set as a device that executes the scan function is displayed on the display unit. A device control program comprising:

2. 2. The device control program according to claim 1, The control unit, a first print screen display process for displaying a print screen including a first image to be printed and a print execution button on a display unit when the first device is selected on the device selection screen and the print function is selected on the menu screen, the first print screen display process displaying information indicating the first device as a device that executes the print function on the print screen; a print execution process for causing the first device to print an image corresponding to the first image when an operation on the print execution button is accepted; a first scan screen display process for displaying a scan screen including a scan setting and a scan execution button on a display unit when the first device is selected on the device selection screen and the scan function is selected on the menu screen, the first scan screen display process including: the first scan screen display process in which information indicating the first device as a device that executes the scan function is displayed; a scan execution process for causing the first device to execute a scan based on the scan settings when an operation on the scan execution button is accepted; A device control program comprising:

3. 3. The device control program according to claim 2, The control unit, a second print screen display process for displaying a print screen including a second image to be printed and a print execution button on a display unit when the second device is selected on the device selection screen and the print function is selected on the menu screen, the second print screen display process displaying information indicating the second device as a device that executes the print function on the print screen; a second print execution process for causing the second device to print an image corresponding to the second image when the print execution button is operated; In the second display process, when a screen in which a second device is not set is displayed on the display unit, a process for causing the second device to execute a scan is not executed. A device control program comprising:

4. 4. The device control program according to claim 3, On a screen on which a second device is not set, information indicating the second device as a device for executing the scan function is not displayed. A device control program comprising:

5. A terminal device including a display unit and a control unit, The control unit is a menu screen display process for displaying a menu screen for selecting a print function or a scan function on the display unit; a device selection screen display process for displaying a device selection screen for selecting a device on the display unit; a first display process for displaying, on the display unit, information indicating the first device as a device that executes the print function when the print function is selected on the menu screen in a case where a first device selected on the device selection screen has both a print function and a scan function, and for displaying, on the display unit, information indicating the first device as a device that executes the scan function when the scan function is selected on the menu screen; The second device selected on the device selection screen has a printing function and a scanning function, and a second display process for, when the terminal device has only a printing function, displaying information indicating the second device as a device that will execute the printing function on the display unit when the printing function is selected on the menu screen, but displaying a screen on the display unit in which the second device is not set as a device that will execute the scanning function on the display unit when the scanning function is selected on the menu screen.

Images