Program

Abstract

To provide a technology in which a plurality of templates can be easily used.SOLUTION: A device 10 in which a catalog application 43 supporting a plurality of templates is installed, allows a user to select one template from among the plurality of templates, by the catalog application 43. The catalog application 43 acquires type information on an editing mini application 3 corresponding to the selected template from a management server 300, and acquires URL information corresponding to the acquired type information from an address DB 52. The catalog application 43 generates start information including the URL information, accesses an application server 200 on the basis of the URL information, downloads the editing mini application 3 corresponding to the acquired type information to the device 10 and starts the application. The started editing mini application 3 receives editing of the selected template, and edits the template.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program capable of printing using templates.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique is known in which a plurality of templates are prepared in advance, one of the templates is edited, and the edited template is printed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a layout editing software displays a list of templates, accepts selection of a template, reads out the selected template after accepting the selection, and accepts editing of the read template.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In an application program capable of editing and printing templates (hereinafter referred to as "editing app"), a plurality of types of programs corresponding to applications are provided, and they may have different editing functions for each type. In this case, the templates prepared in advance also differ for each type. However, some users may want to temporarily use the templates prepared in another type of editing app. In this case, by installing that other type of editing app, the desired template can be made available, but the operation of installing another editing app for temporary use is a burden on the user.

[0005] This specification discloses a program capable of printing using templates, and a technique for easily using a plurality of templates.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The device made for the purpose of solving the above problems is a device installed with a selection program that supports a plurality of templates. The device executes, by the selection program, a selection process of selecting one from the plurality of templates, and a type acquisition process of acquiring type information indicating the type of a mini app corresponding to the selected template. The mini app is a program having some functions of a full app, is a program that does not require installation, and is a program that is deleted after a predetermined period. Further, the mini app is a program that is downloaded and started on the device based on the start information of the mini app. Further, the mini app has an editing function of the template. There are a plurality of types of the mini app, and the types of the mini app that can be supported are different for each template. The full app is a program that requires installation. Further, the device generates the start information including the acquired type information, and executes a start process of downloading and starting the mini app corresponding to the type information based on the generated start information. The started mini app reads out the selected template and accepts the editing of the read template. This is the gist.

[0007] The device having the above configuration prepares a plurality of templates by a selection program and accepts selection. A plurality of templates each have a corresponding mini app. When a template is selected, the device downloads and starts the mini app corresponding to the selected template. As a result, on the device, the mini app necessary for editing the selected template is started. The mini app is a program that does not require installation. Therefore, the user does not need to install an app for temporarily selecting and using a template, and can easily use a plurality of templates.

[0008] A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program for realizing the functions of the above device are also novel and useful.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a program capable of printing using a template, in which a plurality of templates can be easily used, is realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the program according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment applies the present invention to a system that causes a printer communicably connected to a device to execute printing using a template.

[0012] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system 1 according to the first embodiment. The printing system 1 of this embodiment includes a device 10, a printer 100, an application server 200, and a management server 300.

[0013] The device 10 is connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) 600 and is communicably connected to the application server 200 and the management server 300. The management server 300 is an example of a “server”. Also, the printer 100 is a device having a communication function and a printing function, and the device 10 can also be connected to the printer 100. The printer 100 is, for example, a label printer, a label writer, a laser printer, an inkjet printer, a multifunction device, or the like.

[0014] The device 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. The device 10 includes a controller 11 including a CPU 31 and a memory 32. The device 10 further includes a communication unit 12 and a user IF 13, and these are electrically connected to the controller 11. Note that the controller 11 is a general term for software and hardware used for controlling the device 10.

[0015] The communication unit 12 includes hardware for communicating with an external device. The communication method of the communication unit 12 may be wireless or wired, and may be a method of any standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. Also, a method of directly communicating with a device such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), USB (Universal Serial Bus), or NFC (Near Field Communication) may be used.

[0016] The user IF 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and has a display function for displaying information and an operation function for receiving input of data. Note that the user IF 13 may be divided into an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display.

[0017] The memory 32 includes a volatile memory area and a non-volatile memory area. Various programs such as an operating system (OS) 41, a printing application program (hereinafter, the application program is also referred to as an "app") 42, and a catalog app 43 are stored in the memory 32. The catalog app 43 is an example of a "selected app". Apps downloaded or installed from an external device such as the app server 200 are also stored in the memory 32. In addition, various data are stored in the memory 32. The memory 32 is used as a work area when various processes are executed or as a storage area for temporarily storing data.

[0018] The CPU 31 executes various processes according to the programs read from the memory 32. The CPU 31 is an example of a "computer". The controller 11 may also be an example of a "computer".

[0019] The OS 41 is software that controls the operation of the device 10. The OS 41 manages various programs downloaded to the device 10, such as the printing app 42 and the catalog app 43. The OS 41 is, for example, iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark).

[0020] The printing application 42 is a program capable of controlling a printer. Note that the printing application 42 may have functions for editing and saving images. The printing application 42 is an example of "another program". The printing application 42 is provided by a printer manufacturer and can support multiple printer models. The printing application 42 can register a printer. That is, the printing application 42 stores printer information regarding the printer used for printing. The printer information includes, for example, unique connection information for connecting to the printer, such as an SSID or an IP address, and model information indicating the model of the printer. The printing application 42 of this embodiment supports the model of the printer 100, and the connection information unique to the printer 100 and the model information of the printer 100 are stored as printer information. Note that when the printing application 42 has a function of storing a printing history, it may manage printer information including connection information and model information based on the printing history.

[0021] The catalog application 43 is provided by a printer manufacturer that owns the management server 300. The catalog application 43 is provided by the same printer manufacturer as the printing application 42 and can share printer information with the printing application 42. The catalog application 43 stores template information 51 indicating templates used for editing printed images. The template information 51 includes sample images of a plurality of templates and a template ID for identifying the template. That is, the catalog application 43 supports a plurality of templates.

[0022] The catalog app 43 has a function to select one template to be edited from among a plurality of supported templates. However, the catalog app 43 does not have a function to edit or print templates. Therefore, in order to edit or print the template selected in the catalog app 43, it is necessary to cause the device 10 to acquire another app having a function to edit or print. Thus, the catalog app 43 has a function to launch an app capable of editing the selected template. That is, when the catalog app 43 receives an instruction to select and edit a template, it can automatically launch another app capable of editing that template. Therefore, after the user selects a template by the catalog app 43, there is no need to manually launch another app.

[0023] The app server 200 is installed on the WAN 600 by an operator (for example, Apple (registered trademark) or Google (registered trademark)) that provides a download service for application programs (apps). The app server 200 is a server that distributes an app specified by a user of a device to that device.

[0024] Apps such as the first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and the first to fourth editing mini apps 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D are stored in the app server 200. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish, the first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D may be collectively referred to as "editing app 2", and the first to fourth editing mini apps 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D may be collectively referred to as "editing mini app 3".

[0025] The editing app 2 and the mini-editing app 3 are each provided by a printer manufacturer that provides the catalog app 43. The editing app 2 is software for editing and printing templates. The editing app 2 is an app provided according to uses such as for specific industries (e.g., food industry, delivery industry, medical industry), for business, for home use, etc., and there are multiple types. The editing app 2 is provided with templates according to the use, and has a selection function for selecting a template to be edited. Also, the editing app 2 has a saving function for saving the edited template.

[0026] For example, the first editing app 2A is an app for the food industry, and templates such as processed food labels, fresh food labels, and product price labels are prepared. The second editing app 2B is an app for the delivery industry, and templates such as address labels are prepared. The third editing app 2C is an app for business, and templates such as address labels, equipment management labels, and entrance permit / business card labels are prepared. The fourth editing app 2D is an app for home use, and templates such as CD labels and New Year cards are prepared.

[0027] The editing mini app 3 is a mini app that has some of the functions of the editing app 2, and is software for simply providing some of the functions of the editing app 2 to the user. A "mini app" is an application program that has some of the functions of an application program that needs to be installed on a device (also referred to as a "full app"), and is a program that does not require installation on the device. Since installation is not required, even a device with restricted program installation can run the mini app. A mini app is a low-capacity program compared to a full app and can be downloaded in a short time. After being downloaded, the mini app is automatically deleted by the OS, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed, so the memory load is small. Also, since the information input to the mini app does not remain in the memory when the mini app is deleted, the security is high. By downloading the mini app in a necessary situation, the user can use some of the functions of the full app without downloading and installing the full app.

[0028] Examples of mini apps include Apple's AppClips (a program run on iOS) and Google's InstantApps (a program run on Android). In this embodiment, the editing app 2 is an example of a "full app", and the editing mini app 3 is an example of a "mini app" corresponding to the editing app 2. Specifically, the editing mini app 3 of this embodiment includes at least an editing function for editing a selected template and an input function for inputting a print instruction for printing the edited template among the functions provided by the editing app 2 which is a full app. The editing mini app 3 does not have the save function of the editing app 2.

[0029] In this embodiment, the first editing mini-app 3A is a mini-app corresponding to the first editing app 2A and has a function of editing a template prepared in the first editing app 2A. The second editing mini-app 3B is a mini-app corresponding to the second editing app 2B and has a function of editing a template prepared in the second editing app 2B. The third editing mini-app 3C is a mini-app corresponding to the third editing app 2C and has a function of editing a template prepared in the third editing app 2C. The fourth editing mini-app 3D is a mini-app corresponding to the fourth editing app 2D and has a function of editing a template prepared in the fourth editing app 2D.

[0030] Before installing the editing app 2, which is a full app, on the device 10, the user can try out the editing mini-app 3 and decide whether to download the editing app 2 according to the trial result. When the editing app 2 is installed while the editing mini-app 3 is stored, the previously stored editing mini-app 3 is either incorporated into the editing app 2 as it is, or deleted and replaced by the editing mini-app 3 included in the editing app 2. Also, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the download, the OS 41 automatically deletes the editing mini-app 3 from the memory 32 of the device 10.

[0031] The first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and the first to fourth editing mini-apps 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D have app IDs for identifying the apps. Based on the app ID and the URL indicating the storage destination of the app, the device 10 can identify and download any one of the first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and the first to fourth editing mini-apps 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D from the app server 200.

[0032] The template information 51 of the catalog app 43 includes, for example, the template information of the templates prepared for the first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. That is, even if the first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are not installed on the device 10, the catalog app 43 can select the templates prepared for the first to fourth editing apps 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. Also, for example, even when only the first editing app 2A is installed on the device 10, the catalog app 43 can select the templates prepared for the second to fourth editing apps 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0033] As described above, even if the catalog app 43 is installed, an app capable of editing the template is required for editing the template. The catalog app 43 of this embodiment does not manage which template corresponds to which app in order to reduce the memory load. In this embodiment, the management server 300 manages the relationship between the template and the app.

[0034] Specifically, the management server 300 is installed on the WAN 600 by a printer manufacturer that provides printers. The printer manufacturer knows the printers, consumables, apps, etc. provided by the company. That is, the printer manufacturer knows which template corresponds to which editing mini app 3. Therefore, a management DB 6 for managing the correspondence relationship between the template and the editing mini app 3 is provided in the management server 300.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the management DB 6. The management DB 6 stores, in association with a template ID for identifying a template, an app ID of the editing mini app 3 that can correspond to the template indicated by the template ID. The app ID is information indicating the type of the editing mini app 3. The template ID is an example of "template information", and the app ID is an example of "type information".

[0036] For example, for the template ID "TEMP1" of "Template A" and the template ID "TEMP5" of "Template E", the app ID "App Identification Information Y1" of the first editing mini app 3A corresponding to the first editing app 2A in which Template A and Template D are prepared is stored in an associated manner. Similarly, for the template ID "TEMP2" of "Template B", the template ID "TEMP3" of "Template C", and the template ID "TEMP4" of "Template D", the app ID "App Identification Information Y2" of the second editing mini app 3B, the app ID "App Identification Information Y3" of the third editing mini app 3C, and the app ID "App Identification Information Y4" of the fourth editing mini app 3D are stored in an associated manner, respectively.

[0037] The catalog app 43 shown in FIG. 1 passes the template ID of the selected template to the management server 300 and acquires the app ID associated with the template ID from the management server 300. That is, the catalog app 43 cooperates with the management server 300 to identify the editing mini app 3 capable of editing the selected template. Note that the app ID acquired by the catalog app 43 from the management server 300 is not limited to one, and may be a plurality.

[0038] The catalog app 43 includes an address DB 52 that manages the URLs where the editing mini apps 3 are saved. As shown in FIG. 3, the address DB 52 stores, for each app ID, the URL of the editing mini app 3 indicated by that app ID. For example, the URL "address X1" of the first editing mini app 3A is stored in association with the app ID "app identification information Y1" of the first editing mini app 3A. Similarly, the URL "address X2" of the second editing mini app 3B, the URL "address X3" of the third editing mini app 3C, and the URL "address X4" of the fourth editing mini app 3D are stored in association with the app IDs "app identification information Y2", "app identification information Y3", and "app identification information Y4" of the second, third, and fourth editing mini apps 3B, 3C, and 3D, respectively. Therefore, the catalog app 43 shown in FIG. 1 can obtain the URL of the editing mini app 3 that can edit the selected template, and download and launch the editing mini app 3 based on that URL.

[0039] <Operation Explanation> Next, the control procedure of the printing process executed in the printing system 1 will be described. FIGS. 4 and 5 are sequence diagrams showing the control procedure of the printing process. FIG. 4 shows the process until the editing mini app 3 is launched, and FIG. 5 shows the process from when the editing mini app 3 is launched until printing is executed. Note that each process performed by the device 10 is performed by the CPU 31, but for convenience of explanation, the entity performing each process will be described as the device 10, the OS 41, the printing app 42, the catalog app 43, and the editing app 3.

[0040] When the user U launches the catalog app 43 (arrow A11) and inputs an instruction to display a template to the user IF 13 (arrow A12), the device 10 causes the catalog app 43 to display a selection screen for displaying and selecting a template on the user IF 13 (arrow A13). The catalog app 43 may display all the supported templates, or may accept display conditions for narrowing down the templates to be displayed and display the templates that meet the display conditions.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen 1000. On the selection screen 1000, templates supported by the catalog application 43 are listed. The selection screen 1000 is provided with template display columns DA1, DA2, and DA3 for each template. In each of the template display columns DA1, DA2, and DA3, for example, sample images SM1, SM2, and SM3 of the template and an edit button SW1 are displayed.

[0042] For example, when the user U taps the sample image SM2 to select the template B and then taps the edit button SW1, as shown in FIG. 5, the catalog application 43 receives an instruction to select and edit the template B (arrow A14). The processes of arrows A11 to A14 are an example of the "selection process".

[0043] Thereafter, the catalog application 43 reads out the template ID "TEMP2" of the selected template B from the template information 51 and transmits it to the management server 300 via the communication unit 12 (arrow A21). The management server 300 reads out the application ID "application identification information Y2" of the second edit mini - application 3B associated with the received template ID "TEMP2" from the management DB6 shown in FIG. 2 and transmits it to the device 10 (arrow A22). Note that the application ID is not limited to one and may be plural. The processes of arrows A21 to A22 are an example of the "type acquisition process".

[0044] When the catalog app 43 receives an app ID via the communication unit 12 (arrow A22), it inquires about printer information from apps that can share printer information (arrow A23). That is, the catalog app 43 searches for the editing mini-app 3 indicated by the app ID. If the editing mini-app 3 is found, it inquires about printer information from the found editing mini-app 3. Also, the catalog app 43 searches for the editing app 2 corresponding to the editing mini-app 3 indicated by the app ID. If the editing app 2 is found, it inquires about printer information from the found editing app 2. Further, the catalog app 43 inquires about printer information from an app that is different from the editing mini-app 3 and the editing app 2 and can share printer information with the catalog app 43.

[0045] In this form, since the second editing mini-app 3B and the corresponding second editing app 2B do not exist in the device 10, the catalog app 43 inquires about printer information from the printing app 42. The printing app 42 passes printer information including the connection information of the printer 100 registered in the printing app 42 itself to the catalog app 43 (arrow A24). Note that when the printing app 42 has a function of storing a printing history, it may pass printer information (connection information) of the printer used in the most recent printing to the catalog app 43 based on the printing history. The processes of arrow A23 to arrow A24 are an example of "connection information acquisition processing".

[0046] Note that when the catalog app 43 cannot obtain connection information from the printing app 42, it inquires about printer information (connection information) from another app in the device 10 and obtains the printer information (connection information). The catalog app 43 repeats the processes of arrow A23 to arrow A24 until it obtains the connection information or there are no more apps to inquire about the connection information. Also, when the catalog app 43 obtains a plurality of app IDs, for example, it executes the processes of arrow A23 to A24 in the order of reception of the app IDs.

[0047] The catalog app 43 that has acquired printer information (connection information) generates startup information for starting the editing mini app 3 (arrow A31). Specifically, for example, the catalog app 43 reads out the URL "address X2" associated with the app ID "app identification information Y2" acquired at arrow A22 in the address DB 52 shown in FIG. 3. Then, the catalog app 43 generates startup information using the read URL "address X2". Also, the catalog app 43 attaches the template ID "TEMP2" of the template B selected at arrow A14 and the connection information of the printer 100 acquired at arrow A24 to the startup information. Note that when the catalog app 43 cannot acquire the connection information, it generates startup information that does not include the connection information.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the catalog app 43 passes the generated startup information to the OS 41 (arrow A32). The OS 41 uses the URL "address X2" of the startup information to send a download instruction to the app server 200 via the communication unit 12 (arrow A33). The app server 200 transmits the second editing mini app 3B to the device 10 based on the download instruction. The OS 41 receives the second editing mini app 3B transmitted from the app server 200 via the communication unit 12 and temporarily stores it in the memory 32 (arrow A34). Then, the OS 41 starts the downloaded second editing mini app 3B (arrow A35). The processes of arrow A31 to arrow A35 are an example of "startup processing".

[0049] In addition, when the OS 41 receives startup information from the catalog app 43 (arrow A32), if the second editing mini app 3B has already been downloaded, the processes of arrow A33 to arrow A34 may be omitted, and the downloaded second editing mini app 3B may be started (arrow A35). Also, when the OS 41 receives startup information from the catalog app 43 (arrow A32), if the second editing app 2B corresponding to the second editing mini app 3B has already been installed on the device 10, the processes after arrow A33 are not performed, and the second editing app 2B is started to edit and save the template.

[0050] Here, the catalog app 43 automatically downloads and launches the second editing mini-app 3B on the device 10 (arrow A31 to arrow A35). Therefore, the user U may not usually use the second editing mini-app 3B and may be unfamiliar with the second editing mini-app 3B. Thus, the catalog app 43 causes the manual of the second editing mini-app 3B to be displayed to the user IF13 (arrow A41). Note that instead of being provided by the catalog app 43, the manual may be provided by the second editing mini-app 3B, or an app for manual display may be provided. Also, when the second editing app 2B corresponding to the second editing mini-app 3B is already installed on the device 10, the second editing app 2B may provide the manual. Note that the process of arrow A41 is an example of "manual display process".

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, when the OS 41 launches the downloaded second editing mini-app 3B (arrow A35), the template ID "TEMP2" of the template B and the connection information of the printer 100 given to the launch information at arrow A32 in FIG. 4 are passed to the second editing mini-app 3B (arrow A101). As soon as the second editing mini-app 3B is launched, it causes a display screen for displaying the template B to be displayed to the user IF13 based on the template ID "TEMP2" (arrow A102).

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen 1001. On the display screen 1001, an image IM1 based on the template B, an edit button SW11 for receiving an edit instruction to edit the template, a transfer button SW12 for receiving a transfer instruction to transfer the template to the printer, and a print button SW13 for receiving a print instruction to print the template are displayed.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, when the second editing mini - app 3B receives an editing instruction via the editing button W11 (alt: editing), it causes the editing input screen to be displayed on the user IF13 (A111). The second editing mini - app 3B receives the editing of template B via the editing input screen (A112, A113). For example, the second editing mini - app 3B causes the user IF13 to display operators for inputting text and text settings. The second editing mini - app 3B may also cause the user IF13 to display operators for inputting the size of a printing medium such as a tape and settings of a decorative frame. The second editing mini - app 3B receives the editing of template B via those operators. For example, an editing end button is provided on the editing input screen, and when it is operated, the editing input screen is closed and the display returns to the display screen 1001. In this case, the edited content is reflected in the image IM1.

[0054] When the second editing mini - app 3B receives a transfer instruction via the transfer button SW12 shown in FIG. 7 (alt: transfer), it accesses the printer 100 using the connection information of the printer 100 acquired at A101 and transfers the information indicating the template to the printer 100 (arrow A124). The information indicating the template includes, for example, a template ID, image data based on the image IM1, and print parameters. That is, the second editing mini - app 3B transmits information based on the template and the edited content to the printer 100. Therefore, the second editing mini - app 3B transmits the original data of template B to the printer 100 before receiving the editing of template B, and transmits the information indicating the edited template B to the printer 100 after receiving the editing of template B.

[0055] When the printer 100 receives the template B transferred from the device 10, it stores it in the built-in memory (arrow A125). As a result, the printer 100 can use the template B, such as editing the template B via the operation panel of the printer 100 or another device different from the device 10 obtaining the template B from the printer. Note that the second editing mini app 3B may automatically transfer the template B to the printer 100 at startup or when a print instruction is received, for example, instead of manually transferring the template.

[0056] When the second editing mini app 3B receives a print instruction via the print button SW13 shown in FIG. 7 (alt: print), it generates a print job (arrow A133). The print job includes, for example, image data based on the edited template, print parameters, and the connection information of the printer 100 received at arrow A101. The second editing mini app 3B transmits the generated print job (arrow A134). When the printer 100 receives a print job including its own connection information, it prints the template according to the print job (arrow A135). Since the connection information included in the print job is the same as that used by the print app 42 of the device 10, there is a high possibility that the printer 100 can print.

[0057] Note that when the second editing mini app 3B receives a transfer instruction or a print instruction without receiving the connection information from the OS 41, it may display a connection information input screen for inputting the connection information of the printer on the user IF13 and request the user U to input the connection information.

[0058] As described above, the device 10 of this embodiment prepares a plurality of templates by the catalog app 43 and accepts selections. For each of the plurality of templates, there is a corresponding editing mini app 3. For example, when template B is selected, the device 10 downloads and launches the second editing mini app 3B corresponding to the selected template B. As a result, on the device 10, the second editing mini app 3B necessary for editing the selected template B is launched. The second editing mini app 3B is a program that does not require installation. Therefore, the user U does not need to install an app such as the second editing app 2B in order to temporarily select and use template B, and can easily use a plurality of templates.

[0059] (Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the control procedure of the printing process executed by the printing system according to the second embodiment. The printing system of this embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the configuration of the management DB 2006 provided in the management server 300, and the other configurations are the same as those of the printing system 1 of the first embodiment. Here, the configurations and processes different from those of the first embodiment will be described, and the configurations and processes common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the management DB 2006. As shown in FIG. 9, in addition to the app ID, the management DB 2006 stores, in association with the template ID, model information indicating the model of the printer corresponding to the template. For example, for the template ID "TEMP2" of template B, the model information "model M21", "model M22", and "model M23" are stored in association.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, when the catalog application 43 receives an instruction to select and edit, for example, template B (arrows A11 to A14), it transmits the template ID "TEMP2" of template B to the management server 300 (arrow A21). The management server 300 reads out the application ID "application identification information Y2" of the second editing mini-application 3B associated with the template ID "TEMP2", and the model information "model M21", "model M22", "model M23" from the management DB 2006, and transmits them to the device 10 (arrow B1).

[0062] When the catalog application 43 receives the application ID and the model information via the communication unit 12 (arrow B1), it inquires the printer information from the application corresponding to the application ID, or a program that can share information with the catalog application 43 (the printing application 42 in this embodiment) (arrow A23). The printing application 42 passes the printer information of the printer 100 to the catalog application 43, for example (arrow B1). The printer information includes, for example, the connection information of the printer 100 and the model information of the printer 100. Note that the model information acquired at arrow B2 is an example of "specific information". Also, the printing application 42 is an example of "the first program".

[0063] The catalog application 43 performs a model determination process to determine whether the model indicated by the model information acquired from the printing application 42 at arrow B1 matches the model indicated by the model information acquired from the management server 300 at arrow B2 (arrow B3).

[0064] When the model of the model information obtained from the printing app 42 at arrow B2 is any one of the model information "Model M21", "Model M22", and "Model M23" obtained from the management server 300 at arrow B1, the catalog app 43 determines that the models match in the model determination process at arrow B3 (alt: model match). In this case, the catalog app 43 generates startup information based on the URL "Address X2" of the second editing mini-app 3B obtained by collating the app ID "App Identification Information Y2" obtained from the management server 300 at arrow B1 with the address DB 52. At this time, the catalog app 43 assigns the connection information obtained from the printing app 42 together with the model information at arrow B2 (arrow B11).

[0065] On the other hand, when the model of the model information obtained from the printing app 42 at arrow B2 is not any of the model information "Model M21", "Model M22", and "Model M23" obtained from the management server 300 at arrow B1, the catalog app 43 determines that the models do not match in the model determination process at arrow B3 (alt: model mismatch). In this case, the catalog app 43 inquiries the printer information from another app 2002 (arrow B21). Another app 2002 is an example of "the second program".

[0066] For example, when another printer is registered with another app 2002 other than the printer 100, the catalog app 43 obtains the connection information of the other printer and the model information indicating the model of the other printer from another app 2002 (arrow B22). The catalog app 43 performs a model determination process to determine whether the model indicated by the model information obtained from another app 2002 matches the model indicated by the model information obtained at arrow B1 (arrow B3). When the catalog app 43 determines that the models match in the model determination process (alt: model match), it generates startup information with the connection information obtained from another app 2002 at arrow B22 assigned (arrow B11).

[0067] The catalog app 43 that has generated the startup information executes the processes after arrow A32 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Note that when the catalog app 43 cannot obtain connection information to the printer from an app other than the catalog app 43, or when it cannot obtain a model that matches the model indicated by the model information obtained from the management server 300 from the apps in the device 10, the catalog app 43 generates startup information that does not include the connection information.

[0068] As described above, in the device 10 of this embodiment, the catalog app 43 generates startup information including connection information of a printer of a model corresponding to the template, and activates the second editing mini app 3B with the startup information. The second editing mini app 3B accesses the printer using the connection information included in the startup information and causes the template to be printed. Therefore, according to the device 10 of this embodiment, it becomes possible to print the selected template with a printer of the model corresponding to the selected template, and the possibility of being able to print the template regardless of the use (type) is increased.

[0069] Note that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown by arrows A13 to A14 in FIG. 4, the user U directly selects a template from among a plurality of templates displayed on the selection screen 1000. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 10, the catalog app 43 may display the editing content input screen 3000 to the user IF13 and allow the user U to input the editing content. For example, on the editing content input screen 3000, editing content such as the use of the label and the presence or absence of image insertion is displayed. When the catalog app 43 receives an operation of the template search button SW31 while the editing content is selected, it automatically selects one template suitable for the selected editing content and displays it to the user IF13. When the catalog app 43 receives an editing instruction for the automatically selected template, it executes the processing after A21 in FIG. 4. According to this, even when the number of templates supported by the catalog app 43 is large, it becomes easier to select a template. However, as in the above embodiment, when the user U directly selects a template, it is easier to select a template in accordance with the intention of the user U.

[0071] Also, the process of arrow A41 in FIG. 4 may be omitted, and the device 10 may not display the manual of the editing mini app 3. Further, the editing mini app 3 may omit the transfer button SW12 on the display screen 1001 shown in FIG. 7, omit the process of transferring the template of arrow A124 in FIG. 5, and the printer 100 may not save the template.

[0072] Also, the device 10 may have a second editing app 2B corresponding to the selected template B installed. In this case, since the second editing app 2B can edit and save the template B, the image data based on the selected template can be reused instead of being temporary.

[0073] Also, before downloading the second editing mini-app 3B to the device 10 with the arrows A33 and A34 in FIG. 4, it may be notified that the template selected in the second editing app 2B corresponding to the second editing mini-app 3B can be saved. That is, it may encourage the installation of the full app for the mini-app. Also, a notification prompting the installation of the second editing app 2B may be given before downloading the second editing mini-app 3B or the like.

[0074] Also, the management server 300 may not be provided. In this case, the management DB6 in FIG. 1 is provided in the catalog app 43, and the catalog app 43 may obtain the app ID from its own management DB6 in FIG. 4 instead of the processes of the arrows A21 and A22. In this way, by having the catalog app 43 itself manage the editing mini-app 3 corresponding to the template, access to the management server 300 becomes unnecessary, and it can be expected to obtain the app ID earlier. Note that, as in the above embodiment, by providing the management DB6 in the management server 300 and having the management server 6 manage the editing mini-app 3 corresponding to the template, the editing mini-app 3 corresponding to the template can be changed collectively without individually changing the catalog app 43.

[0075] Also, the processes of the arrows A23 and A24 in FIG. 4 and the arrow A101 in FIG. 5 may be omitted, and the second editing mini-app 3B may receive the input of the connection information to the printer, so that the device 10 may obtain the connection information. However, as shown by the arrows A23 and A24 in FIG. 4, the catalog app 43 obtains the connection information of the printer before starting the second editing mini-app 3B, and as shown by the arrow A101 in FIG. 5, the second editing mini-app 3B obtains the connection information from the catalog app 43 and transfers the template B to the printer and sends a print job. In this way, the trouble of inputting the connection information can be omitted, and the connection between the device 10 and the printer 100 can be simplified.

[0076] Also, for example, when the second editing app 2B corresponding to the template B selected for the device 10 is installed, the connection information of the printer may be acquired from the second editing app 2B. Since the second editing app 2B has a printing function and registers the connection information of the printer, if the connection information is acquired from the second editing app 2B, the possibility of printing the selected template B is increased.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the catalog app 43 manages the URL of the editing mini app 3 in the address DB 52. On the other hand, for example, the management server 300 may manage the URL of the editing mini app 3. For example, the management DB 6 may store, in association with the template ID, the app ID and the URL of the editing mini app 3 indicated by the app ID. In this case, the address DB 52 may not be provided. Then, the catalog app 43 may receive the app ID and the URL from the management server 300 at, for example, arrow A22 in FIG. 4, and generate activation information using the URL. According to this, the size of the catalog app 43 can be reduced, and the load on the memory 32 can be reduced.

[0078] Also, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiment, the plurality of processes in any plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed in the execution order or executed in parallel within a range where no contradiction occurs in the processing contents.

[0079] Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the process, or a method.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0080] 2 Editing app 3 Editing mini app 10 Device 31 CPU 43 Catalog app

Claims

1. A device installed with a selection program that supports a plurality of templates, wherein the device performs a selection process of selecting one from the plurality of templates by the selection program, and a type acquisition process of acquiring type information indicating the type of the mini - app corresponding to the selected template, and the mini - app is a program having some functions of a full - app, is a program that does not require installation and is erased after a predetermined period, and further the mini - app is a program that is downloaded and launched on the device based on the launch information of the mini - app, and further the mini - app has an editing function of the template, there are a plurality of types of the mini - apps, and the type of the mini - app corresponding to each template is different, and the full - app is a program that requires installation, and further the device generates the launch information including the acquired type information, and performs a launch process of downloading and launching the mini - app corresponding to the type information based on the generated launch information, and the launched mini - app reads the selected template and accepts editing of the read template. A device characterized by the above.

2. In the device according to Claim 1, the device performs a manual display process of displaying a manual of the mini - app to be launched when downloading and launching the mini - app. A device characterized by the above.

3. In the device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the device After starting the mini - app, the mini - app receives a transfer instruction for the template, and when the transfer instruction is received, it executes a transfer process of transferring the template to a printer, and the printer saves the transferred template. A device characterized by the above.

4. In the device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, The device is When the full - app corresponding to the mini - app corresponding to the obtained type information is installed, the full - app is started without starting the mini - app, and the started full - app receives editing and saving of the selected template. A device characterized by the above.

5. A program executable by a computer of a device, the program supports a plurality of templates, On the computer of the device, A selection process of selecting one from the plurality of templates and a type acquisition process of acquiring type information indicating the type of the mini - app corresponding to the selected template are executed. The mini - app is a program having some functions of a full - app, does not require installation, is a program that is deleted after a predetermined period, and is further a program that is downloaded and started on the device based on the start information of the mini - app. Further, the mini - app has an editing function for the template, there are a plurality of types of the mini - app, the type of the mini - app corresponding to each template is different, and the full - app is a program that requires installation. Furthermore, on the computer, Generate the startup information including the obtained type information, and based on the generated startup information, execute a startup process to download and start the mini-app corresponding to the type information. The started mini-app reads the selected template and accepts editing of the read template. A program characterized by the above.

6. In the program according to claim 5, On the computer of the device, When downloading and starting the mini-app, execute a manual display process to display the manual of the started mini-app. A program characterized by the above.

7. In the program according to claim 5 or claim 6, In the type acquisition process, After sending template information indicating the selected template to the server, acquire the type information by receiving the type information sent from the server. The server stores the template information in association with the type information indicating the type of the mini-app that can be corresponded to by the template indicated in the template information. When receiving the template information from the device, read the type information associated with the received template information and respond to the device with the read type information. A program characterized by the above.

8. In the program according to claim 5 or claim 6, The selected template is associated with type information indicating the type of the corresponding mini-app. In the type acquisition process, Acquire the type information associated with the selected template. A program characterized by the above.

9. In the program according to any one of claims 5 to 8, causing the computer to after the template is selected and before the mini - app is launched, execute a printer acquisition process for acquiring printer information regarding the printer, where the printer information includes connection information used for connecting to the printer, in the launch process, generate the launch information including the acquired type information and the printer information, download and launch the mini - app corresponding to the type information based on the generated launch information, and the launched mini - app reads the selected template, accepts editing of the read template, and connects to the printer using the printer information included in the launch information, A program characterized by the above.

10. In the program according to claim 9, in the printer acquisition process, when the full - app is installed on the device, acquire the printer information from the installed full - app, the full - app has a printing function, and the printer information can be registered, A program characterized by the above.

11. In the program according to claim 9 or claim 10, causing the computer to execute a model acquisition process for acquiring model information indicating the model of the printer corresponding to the selected template, the printer information acquired in the printer acquisition process includes specific information for specifying the model of the printer, further causing the computer to acquire the printer information from the first program by the printer acquisition process, When the model specified by the specific information obtained from the first program matches the model shown in the obtained model information, the startup process generates the startup information including the printer information obtained from the first program. When the model specified by the specific information obtained from the first program does not match the model shown in the obtained model information, the printer acquisition process is performed again to obtain the printer information from the second program. When the model specified by the specific information obtained from the second program matches the model shown in the obtained model information, the startup process generates the startup information including the printer information obtained from the second program. A program characterized by the above.

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