Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus which allows a user to retrieve a printing device suitable for printing of an image desired by the user.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention has a control unit. The control unit receives a print medium kind information indicating a kind of a print medium on which an image is to be printed, and, based on the received print medium kind information, displays, on a display unit, printing apparatus information indicating each of one or more printing apparatuses satisfying a condition relating to the kind.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an information processing apparatus capable of searching for a multifunction peripheral capable of printing an image that a user wants to print among multifunction peripherals existing in the vicinity of the user's current position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The information processing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1 can collect information indicating available paper, printing costs, presence or absence of failures, etc. in each of a plurality of multifunction peripherals connected to a network and provide it to a user. However, in this information processing apparatus, the user has to determine by himself which multifunction peripheral is suitable for printing the image based on the information provided by the information processing apparatus.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that can cause a user to search for a printing apparatus suitable for printing an image desired by the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device of this embodiment has a control unit. The control unit receives print media type information indicating the type of print medium on which an image is to be printed, and based on the received print media type information, it causes the display unit to display print device information indicating one or more print devices that satisfy the conditions related to the type. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of information processing system 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the types of printing media set in each paper feed cassette of a certain printing device 20. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an image displaying a list of target printing devices. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a map displayed by the first information processing device when the first information processing device receives an operation via button BA shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 30. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the processing flow for the first information processing device to display a list of target printing devices. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of the process flow when server 10, which has acquired search information, outputs registration information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] An information processing system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals. As an example of an information processing system according to the embodiment, information processing system 1 will be described as an example.

[0009] (Configuration of the information processing system) Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the information processing system 1 will be explained. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing system 1.

[0010] Information processing system 1 causes the user to search for a printing device suitable for printing the image the user desires.

[0011] Information processing system 1 includes, for example, a server 10, N printing devices 20, and M information processing devices 30. N can be any integer as long as it is one or more integers. M can be any integer as long as it is one or more integers. For the sake of explanation, each of the N printing devices 20 is shown by the same designation. However, some or all of the N printing devices 20 may be of different types. In Figure 1, for the sake of simplicity, three printing devices 20 are shown as an example of N printing devices 20. Each of the M information processing devices 30 is shown by the same designation for the sake of explanation. However, some or all of the M information processing devices 30 may be of different types. In Figure 1, for the sake of simplicity, one printing device 20 is shown as an example of M information processing devices 30.

[0012] In the information processing system 1, the server 10 is connected to each of the N printing devices 20 via wireless or wired means. In the example shown in Figure 1, the server 10 is connected to each of the three printing devices 20 via wired means. The server 10 may communicate with some or all of the N printing devices 20 via different communication networks, or they may communicate with each other via the same communication network.

[0013] In the information processing system 1, the server 10 is connected to each of the M information processing devices 30 wirelessly or via a wired connection. In the example shown in Figure 1, the server 10 is connected to one of the information processing devices 30 wirelessly. The server 10 may communicate with some or all of the M information processing devices 30 via different communication networks, or they may communicate with each other via the same communication network.

[0014] As an example, the case where these N printing apparatuses 20 have logged in to the server 10 will be described. That is, in the present embodiment, the description of the processes related to the login of these N printing apparatuses 20 to the server 10 will be omitted. As an example, the case where these M information processing apparatuses 30 have logged in to the server 10 will be described. That is, in the present embodiment, the description of the processes related to the login of these M information processing apparatuses 30 to the server 10 will be omitted.

[0015] The server 10 receives operations from each of the M information processing apparatuses 30. For convenience of explanation, the information processing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as the first information processing apparatus. The processing performed by the server 10 in response to the operation received from the first information processing apparatus is the same as the processing performed by the server 10 in response to the operation received from the information processing apparatus 30 other than the first information processing apparatus. As an example, the configuration of the server 10 will be described by taking as an example the processing performed by the server 10 when an operation is received from the first information processing apparatus.

[0016] Registration information about each of the N printing apparatuses 20 is stored in the server 10 in advance. <000^083>

[0017] <OOO^OS>The registration information about a certain printing apparatus 20 is information in which printing apparatus identification information, first printable print medium type information, second printable medium type information, printing apparatus position information, contact information, etc. about the printing apparatus 20 are associated.

[0018] The printing apparatus identification information about a certain printing apparatus 20 is information for identifying the printing apparatus 20. The printing apparatus identification information may be any information as long as it can identify the printing apparatus.

[0019] The first printable media type information for a certain printing device 20 is information indicating the type of printing media set in each of the one or more paper feed cassettes provided by the printing device 20. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the types of printing media set in each paper feed cassette of a certain printing device 20. The printing device 20 shown in Figure 2 is equipped with four paper feed cassettes. The topmost paper feed cassette of these four is equipped with a clear file as the printing medium. The second paper feed cassette from the top of these four is equipped with a tapestry as the printing medium. The third paper feed cassette from the top of these four is equipped with a sticker as the printing medium. The bottommost paper feed cassette of these four is equipped with colored paper as the printing medium. These clear files, tapestries, stickers, and colored paper are examples of types of printing media. A magnetic sheet is also set in the manual feed tray of the printing device 20. The information processing system 1 may be configured to treat the type of print media set in the manual feed tray as the type of print media set in each of the one or more paper feed cassettes provided by the printing device 20. The information processing system 1 may also be configured not to treat the type of print media set in the manual feed tray as the type of print media set in each of the one or more paper feed cassettes provided by the printing device 20. For the sake of explanation, the print media set in each paper feed cassette of a certain printing device 20 will be referred to as the print media set in the printing device 20.

[0020] The second printable print medium type information about a certain printing device 20 is information indicating the types of print media provided to customers as printable print media by the printing device 20 in the facility where the printing device 20 is located. The facility may be a store where the printing device 20 is placed, a station where the printing device 20 is placed, a university where the printing device 20 is placed, a library where the printing device 20 is placed, etc., but is not limited thereto. In FIG. 2, the second printable print medium type information indicating the types of print media provided to customers as printable print media by the printing device 20 in the facility where the printing device 20 shown in FIG. 2 is located is shown within the frame W. In the facility, clear files, magnet sheets, tapestries, seals, colored papers, and laser illuminations are provided to customers as the types of print media printable by the printing device 20.

[0021] The difference between the first printable print medium type information and the second printable print medium type information about a certain printing device 20 indicates a certain type of print media. The type of the print media is the type of print media that is not set in the printing device 20 and is stored by the facility as a print media that can be set in the printing device 20 in the facility where the printing device 20 is located. The difference between the first printable print medium type information and the second printable print medium type information about the printing device 20 shown in FIG. 2 is laser illumination. That is, laser illumination is an example of the type of print media that is not set in the printing device 20 and is stored by the facility where the printing device 20 is installed as a print media that can be set in the printing device 20.

[0022] The printing device position information about a certain printing device 20 is information indicating the position of the printing device 20. The printing device position information may be information indicating the position of the printing device 20 itself, or may be information indicating the position of the facility where the printing device 20 is located.

[0023] Contact information for a particular printing device 20 refers to information indicating contact details for two-way communication, such as messages and voice calls, between the printing device 20 and the information processing device of the facility where the printing device 20 is located. This contact information may include, for example, an email address, an account for sending and receiving short messages, an SNS (Social Networking Service) account, or a telephone number if the information processing device is a smartphone, but is not limited to these.

[0024] Such registration information is registered with the server 10 via each printing device 20. In other words, when the server 10 receives registration information output from each printing device 20, it stores the received registration information.

[0025] When server 10 obtains search information from the first information processing device, it performs processing according to the obtained search information. The search information is information that includes print media type information, which indicates the type of print medium desired by the user of the first information processing device as the type of print medium to which the image will be printed. The print media type information may indicate one type, or it may indicate two or more types. The search information may be any information as long as it includes print media type information. As an example, we will explain the case in which the search information includes print media type information, current location information, and search range information. The current location information is information that indicates the current location of the first information processing device. The search range information is information that indicates the radius of a circular area centered on the current location indicated by the current location information. For the sake of explanation, the type of print medium desired by the user of the first information processing device as the type of print medium to which the image will be printed will be referred to as the target type.

[0026] When server 10 obtains search information, it selects one or more printing devices 20 that satisfy the selection criteria for the target type, based on the print media type information included in the obtained search information and the pre-stored registration information, as the target printing device. The selection criteria include, for example, two conditions, Condition 1 and Condition 2 below.

[0027] Condition 1: The target type of printing medium is loaded into the printing device 20. Condition 2: The target type of printing medium is stored as a printing medium that can be set in the printing device 20.

[0028] When the print media type information indicates one target type, the server 10 determines that the selection condition is met if at least one of the above conditions 1 and 2 is met. When the print media type information indicates two or more target types, the server 10 determines that the selection condition is met if both conditions 1 and 2 are met as follows: That is, the server 10 determines that the selection condition is met if condition 1 is met by a part of the print media of each of the two or more target types, and condition 2 is met by the other parts of the print media of each of the two or more target types. Each of the one or more target printing devices selected by such selection conditions is a printing device 20 installed in a facility capable of printing using the type of print media desired by the user of the first information processing device. As a result, the server 10 can select each of the one or more printing devices 20 suitable for printing the image desired by the user of the first information processing device as a target printing device.

[0029] Server 10 extracts target printing devices located around the first information processing device from among the one or more selected target printing devices. Target printing devices located around the first information processing device are those located within a search range centered on the first information processing device. This search range is circular in shape. The center of this search range is the current location indicated by the current location information included in the search information received by Server 10. The radius of this search range is the radius indicated by the search range information included in the search information received by Server 10. If the number of extracted target printing devices is zero, Server 10 outputs information indicating that no target printing devices are located within the search range as registration information to the first information processing device. This information may be, for example, null information, but is not limited to this. On the other hand, if the number of extracted target printing devices is one or more, Server 10 outputs the registration information for each of the one or more extracted target printing devices to the first information processing device as a response to the acquired search information. This allows the server 10 to output registration information to the first information processing device regarding a printing device 20 suitable for printing images desired by the user of the first information processing device.

[0030] The printing device 20 is, for example, a multifunction printer, but is not limited to this. The printing device 20 generates the aforementioned registration information in response to the received operation and outputs the generated registration information to the server 10. The process by which the printing device 20 generates the registration information may be any process.

[0031] The information processing device 30 is, for example, a multi-functional mobile phone terminal (smartphone). Alternatively, the information processing device 30 may be other information processing devices such as a tablet PC, a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a desktop PC. As an example, the configuration of the information processing device 30 will be described using the processing performed by the first information processing device as an example.

[0032] The first information processing device displays an information reception image in response to an received operation. The information reception image is an image that receives print media type information and search range information. The information reception image can be any image as long as it is capable of receiving print media type information and search range information. When the first information processing device receives print media type information and search range information via the information reception image, it determines its current location. The first information processing device generates search information that includes current location information indicating the determined current location, and the print media type information and search range information received via the information reception image. The first information processing device outputs the generated search information to the server 10. As a response from the server 10 to the search information output by the first information processing device, it obtains registration information for each of the one or more target print media. Based on this obtained registration information, the first information processing device generates a target printing device list display image that displays information about each of the one or more target printing devices. More specifically, the target printing device list display image is an image that displays a list of printing device information for each of the one or more target printing devices. The printing device information indicating a target printing device may be any information that includes printing device location information for that target printing device. For example, the printing device information indicating a target printing device may include information such as printing device location information, distance information, first printable printing medium type information, and usable printing medium type information for that target printing device. The distance information for the target printing device indicates the distance from the current position of the first information processing device to the position of the target printing device. This distance may be a straight-line distance or a distance along a movable path. The usable printing medium type information for the target printing device indicates the difference between the first printable printing medium type information and the second printable printing medium type information for that target printing device.

[0033] Figure 3 shows an example of a display image of the list of target printing devices. Image P in Figure 3 is an example of a display image of the list of target printing devices. In the example shown in Figure 3, image P displays information SD, which indicates the target type indicated by the printing media type information. In this example, information SD indicates two target types as indicated by the printing media type information: clear files and magnetic sheets. In this example, image P displays a list of printing device information for each of the four target printing devices. In image P shown in Figure 3, for example, the target printing device located at "xxx Store" is printing device 20 that satisfies condition 1 above, and is 100m away from the current location of the first information processing device. The types of printing media set in this target printing device are three types: clear files, magnetic sheets, and stickers. In the facility where this target printing device is located, the types of printing media that are not set in this target printing device but can be set in this target printing device and are stored by the facility are two types: tapestries and colored paper. In image P shown in Figure 3, for example, the target printing device located at "zzz station" is a printing device 20 that satisfies both conditions 1 and 2 above, and is located 1.2 km from the current location of the first information processing device. Furthermore, the only type of printing medium set in the target printing device is a clear file. At the facility where the target printing device is located, the only type of printing medium that is not set in the target printing device and is available in the facility's inventory as a printable medium is a magnetic sheet. By displaying such a list of target printing devices on the first information processing device, the user can easily identify a printing device 20 suitable for printing the image they desire. In other words, the first information processing device can allow the user to search for a printing device 20 suitable for printing the image they desire.

[0034] Image P may also be an image that accepts an operation to select the printing device information that represents the target printing device desired by the user from among the displayed printing device information. In Figure 3, the printing device information selected by this operation is indicated by hatching. Specifically, in Figure 3, the printing device information that represents the target printing device located at "yyy convenience store" is the printing device information selected by the user of the first information processing device. In other words, the target printing device located at "yyy convenience store" is an example of the target printing device desired by the user.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 3, image P includes buttons BA and BB as user-operable GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces).

[0036] Button BA is a button that accepts an operation to display a map on the first information processing device showing the location of the target printing device indicated by each of the one or more printing device information displayed in image P. This map is a type of image displayed on the first information processing device and is a map of the search range including the current location of the first information processing device. In the example shown in Figure 3, when this operation is accepted via button BA, the first information processing device displays a map showing the location of the target printing device indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in image P.

[0037] Button BB is a button that accepts an operation to make an inquiry to the facility where the target printing device selected by the user from among the target printing devices indicated by each of the one or more printing device information displayed in Image P is located. The inquiry is about whether the type of printing media stored at the facility is currently available. When the operation is accepted via Button BB, for example, the first information processing device identifies the registration information for the target printing device. After identifying the registration information, the first information processing device sends a predetermined message to the facility's information processing device using the contact information indicated in the contact information included in the identified registration information. The message is an inquiry about whether the type of printing media stored at the facility is currently available, for example, "Is the type of printing media stored there currently available?", but is not limited to this. Depending on the contact, the transmission of such a message may be done by a dedicated application program, by email, short message, SNS (Social Networking Service), etc., or by other methods. The first information processing device may also be configured to have the user make such an inquiry by voice call, for example, instead of sending such a message. The first information processing device may be configured to transmit predetermined voice messages instead of sending such messages. A situation in which the stored type of printing medium is unavailable is, for example, when the inventory of the stored type of printing medium is zero. A situation in which the stored type of printing medium is unavailable is, for example, when an employee is unable to set the stored printing medium in the target printing device due to a busy period. Alternatively, a situation in which the stored type of printing medium is unavailable may be any other situation in which the stored type of printing medium is unavailable.

[0038] The first information processing device may be configured to receive responses from facilities to the above inquiries via email, short message, SNS, etc., or via voice call. Such responses may include, but are not limited to, messages such as "We are currently out of stock," "We currently have the type of printing medium you requested available," or "We are currently too busy to respond."

[0039] The first information processing device determines that if the contact information included in a given registration is null, the facility where the printing device 20 for that registration is located is a facility that cannot be queried. In other words, the above-mentioned query cannot be made to all facilities. For these reasons, the contact information included in the registration may be null.

[0040] Figure 4 shows an example of a map displayed by the first information processing device when it receives an operation via button BA shown in Figure 3. Map MP shown in Figure 4 is an example of a map displayed by the first information processing device in this case. Image MKA, which shows the current position of the first information processing device, is superimposed on map MP. Image MKB, which shows the position of the target printing device closest to the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in image P, is superimposed on map MP. Image MKC, which shows the position of the target printing device second closest to the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in image P, is superimposed on map MP. Image MKD, which shows the position of the target printing device third closest to the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in image P, is superimposed on map MP. Image MKE, which shows the position of the target printing device furthest from the first information processing device among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in image P, is cut off on map MP. The user of the first information processing device can display the image MKE on the display unit 35 by scrolling or zooming out of the map MP.

[0041] On the map MP, image MKC is superimposed with image CKM, which represents the target printing device selected by the user of the first information processing device from among the target printing devices indicated by each of the four printing device information displayed in image P. For example, if a user has selected a certain printing device information in image P, the first information processing device superimposes the image representing the target printing device selected by the user onto the image representing the location of the target printing device indicated by the selected printing device information. On the other hand, if a user has not selected any printing device information in image P, the first information processing device does not superimpose the image representing the target printing device selected by the user onto any of the images representing the location of any target printing device.

[0042] On the map MP, image MKD is superimposed with image MSG indicating that the target printing medium is located at a facility where it is possible to inquire whether the type of printing medium stored therein is available, via operation via button BB. The first information processing device superimposes, for example, an image indicating that the target printing medium is located at the facility onto the image showing the location of the target printing device if the contact information for the target printing device indicated by the printing device information on image P is not null information. On the other hand, the first information processing device does not superimpose, for example, an image indicating that the target printing medium is located at the facility onto the image showing the location of the target printing device if the contact information is null information.

[0043] The first information processing device may be configured to display a list of target printing devices, such as image P, on its display unit, or it may be displayed on the display unit of another device that is communicatively connected to the first information processing device. This allows the first information processing device to allow the user to search for a printing device suitable for printing the image desired by the user of the first information processing device. The first information processing device may also be configured to acquire the list of target printing devices from the server 10. In this case, the server 10 generates the list of target printing devices based on the search information acquired from the first information processing device. The server 10 then outputs the generated list of target printing devices to the first information processing device as a response to the acquired search information.

[0044] (Functional configuration of information processing equipment) Referring to Figure 5, the functional configuration of the information processing device 30 will be explained. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 30.

[0045] The information processing device 30 includes, for example, a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input receiving unit 33, a communication unit 34, and a display unit 35. These components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with one another. The information processing device 30 also communicates with the server 10, etc., via the communication unit 34.

[0046] The control unit 31 controls the entire information processing device 30. The control unit 31 is composed of a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 31 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 32 and realizes various functions of the information processing device 30. The control unit 31 outputs search information to the server 10 via the communication unit 34, for example. The control unit 31 also obtains registration information from the server 10 via the communication unit 34, for example.

[0047] The storage unit 32 is a storage device that includes, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage unit 32 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) instead of being built into the information processing device 30. The storage unit 32 stores various types of information, various programs, various images, etc., that are processed by the information processing device 30.

[0048] The input receiving unit 33 is an input device including a touchpad, keyboard, mouse, etc. The input receiving unit 33 may also be a touch panel integrated with the display unit 35.

[0049] The communication unit 34 includes, for example, digital input / output ports such as USB, an Ethernet® port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0050] The display unit 35 is a display device, for example, including a liquid crystal display panel.

[0051] The position detection unit 36 ​​detects the current location of the information processing device 30 using a positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System). Alternatively, the position detection unit 36 ​​may be configured to detect the current location of the information processing device 30 by another method instead of the aforementioned positioning system.

[0052] (Process in which the first information processing device displays an image showing a list of target printing devices) Referring to Figure 6, the process by which the first information processing device displays the target printing device list image will be explained. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the process flow for the first information processing device to display the target printing device list image. As an example, we will explain the case in which the first information processing device receives a process start operation to start the process of displaying the target printing device list image at a time prior to when the process of ACT110 shown in Figure 6 is performed. For this reason, the control unit 31, display unit 35, and position detection unit 36 ​​that appear in the explanation of the flowchart shown in Figure 6 are each functional units provided in the first information processing device.

[0053] After receiving the processing start operation, the control unit 31 generates an information reception image and displays the generated information reception image on the display unit 35 (ACT110).

[0054] The control unit 31 waits until it receives the print media type information and the search range information via the information reception image displayed on the display unit 35 in ACT110 (ACT120). In Figure 6, the processing of ACT120 is indicated by "Information Reception?".

[0055] If the control unit 31 determines that it has received the print media type information and the search range information in ACT120 (ACT120-YES), it controls the position detection unit 36 ​​to determine the current position of the first information processing device (ACT130). The processing in ACT130 may be performed in the reverse order of the processing in ACT120 to ACT130, or it may be performed in parallel with the processing in ACT120 to ACT130.

[0056] Next, the control unit 31 generates search information (ACT140) that includes the print media type information and search range information received in ACT120, and the current location information indicating the current location identified in ACT130.

[0057] Next, the control unit 31 outputs the search information generated in ACT 140 to the server 10 via the communication unit 34. As a result, the control unit 31 obtains one or more registered information from the server 10 as a response to the search information output to the server 10 (ACT 150). Even if no target printing device is found within the search range, the control unit 31 obtains one registered information from the server 10, for example, as null information. Therefore, in ACT 150, the control unit 31 obtains one or more registered information.

[0058] Next, the control unit 31 generates a target printing device list display image (ACT160) based on one or more registration information acquired in ACT150. In Figure 6, the processing of ACT160 is shown as "image generation".

[0059] Next, the control unit 31 displays the target printing device list display image generated in ACT160 on the display unit 35 (ACT170). In Figure 6, the processing of ACT170 is shown by "image display".

[0060] Next, the control unit 31 waits until it receives an operation via the target printing device list display image displayed on the display unit 35 in ACT 170 (ACT 180). The operations that the control unit 31 receives via the target printing device list display image include, but are not limited to, operations such as selecting the printing device information desired by the user, displaying a map via button BA, or making an inquiry via button BB.

[0061] If the control unit 31 determines in ACT180 that it has received an operation (ACT180-YES), it determines whether the received operation was an operation to terminate the display of the target printer list display image on the display unit 35 (ACT190). Among the operations received by the control unit 31 via the target printer list display image, the operation to terminate the display of the target printer list display image on the display unit 35 may be any operation.

[0062] If the control unit 31 determines that the operation received in ACT180 was not an operation to terminate the display of the target printer list image on the display unit 35 (ACT190-NO), it performs processing corresponding to the operation received in ACT180 (ACT200). For example, if the control unit 31 receives an operation to select desired printer information from the user, it selects the printer information corresponding to the received operation from the printer information displayed on the target printer list image. For example, if the control unit 31 receives an operation to display a map via button BA, it displays a map like the map MP shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 35. For example, if the control unit 31 receives an operation to make an inquiry via button BB, it makes an inquiry to the information processing device of the facility where the target printer indicated by the printer information selected by the user is located. After the processing of ACT200 is performed, the control unit 31 transitions to ACT180 and waits again until it receives an operation via the target printer list image displayed on the display unit 35.

[0063] On the other hand, if the control unit 31 determines that the operation received in ACT180 was an operation to terminate the display of the target printer list image on the display unit 35 (ACT190-YES), it terminates the display of the target printer list image on the display unit 35. Then, the control unit 31 terminates the process shown in the flowchart in Figure 6.

[0064] As described above, the information processing device 30 receives search information including print media type information indicating the target type, and displays print device information on the display unit 35 indicating one or more target print devices that satisfy the selection criteria based on the received search information. In this way, the information processing device 30 allows the user to search for a print device suitable for printing the image the user desires.

[0065] (The server that retrieved the search information outputs the registration information.) Referring to Figure 7, the process by which the server 10 that has acquired the search information outputs the registration information will be explained. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the process flow in which the server 10 that has acquired the search information outputs the registration information. As an example, the case in which the server 10 has stored registration information for each of the N printing devices 20 at a time before the ACT210 process shown in Figure 7 is performed will be explained.

[0066] Server 10 waits until it can retrieve the search information (ACT210).

[0067] If Server 10 determines in ACT210 that it has obtained search information (ACT210-YES), it selects one or more target printing devices based on the print media type information included in the obtained search information and the pre-stored registration information (ACT220). The process of selecting one or more target printing devices in ACT220 has already been explained, so a further explanation is omitted here.

[0068] Next, the server 10 extracts target printing devices located near the information processing device 30, which is the source of the search information, from among the one or more target printing devices selected in ACT220 (ACT230). The process of extracting target printing devices located near the information processing device 30 in ACT230 has already been explained, so a further explanation is omitted here.

[0069] Next, the server 10 outputs the registration information for one or more target printing devices extracted in ACT230 to the information processing device 30, which is the source of the search information (ACT240). After the processing in ACT240 is completed, the server 10 transitions to ACT210 and waits again until the search information is retrieved.

[0070] As described above, the server 10 outputs one or more registered pieces of information to the information processing device 30, which is the source of the search information, based on the acquired search information. This allows the server 10 to have the user search for a printing device 20 suitable for printing the image the user desires, via the information processing device 30.

[0071] Some or all of the functions of the server 10 described above may be configured to be provided by the information processing device 30.

[0072] Some of the functions of the information processing device 30 described above may be configured to be provided by the server 10.

[0073] The server 10 described above may also serve as a content platform for storing various images that the user of the information processing device 30 wants to print on a desired type of printing medium using the printer 20. In this case, the user, for example, selects a desired printer 20 from a list of target printers displayed on the information processing device 30, operates the printer 20 to retrieve the desired image from the server 10, and has the printer 20 print the image.

[0074] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to simultaneously display a list of target printing devices, such as image P, and a map, such as map MP. In this case, the information processing device 30 makes it easier for the user to select a desired target printing device, thereby improving user convenience.

[0075] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to include search range information indicating a predetermined radius in the search information. In this case, the information processing device 30 does not accept the search range information. The server 10 described above may be configured to store the search range information in advance. In this case as well, the information processing device 30 does not accept the search range information.

[0076] The information processing device 30 described above may be configured to include information indicating a pre-accepted region or a predetermined region in the search information, instead of including the current location information in the search information. In this case, the information processing device 30 obtains registration information from the server 10 for each target printing device located within the region indicated by the information. If the region indicated by the information is a predetermined region, the search information may be configured not to include that information.

[0077] The information processing device 30 described above may, instead of acquiring registration information from the server 10, communicate directly with N printers 20 and identify a target printer that meets the selection criteria from among the N printers 20. In this case, the information processing device 30 acquires information equivalent to registration information from the identified target printer and generates a target printer list display image.

[0078] The search information described above includes at least print media type information, even if the search information does not need to include current location information and search range information. In this case, the information processing device 30 receives the print media type information and, based on the received print media type information, displays print device information on the display unit 35 indicating one or more target print devices that satisfy the selection criteria.

[0079] The information processing device 30 described above may, when it receives an operation via button BB, instead of making the above-described inquiry, display the telephone number of the facility where the target printing device indicated by the selected printing device information is located. In this case, the user can make the inquiry themselves by making a call using the telephone number.

[0080] The matters described above may be combined in any way.

[0081] (Note) [1] An information processing device comprising a control unit that receives print media type information indicating the type of print medium to which an image is to be printed, and displays on a display unit print device information indicating one or more print devices that satisfy the conditions related to the print media type based on the received print media type information. [2] The information processing apparatus according to [1], wherein the condition is that the printing apparatus is set with the printing medium of the aforementioned type. [3] The information processing apparatus according to [1] or [2], wherein the condition is that the printing medium of the type described above is stored as a printing medium that can be set in a printing device. [4] The information processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the control unit displays a map on the display unit showing the location of each of the selected one or more printing devices in response to an operation received. [5] A program that causes the computer of an information processing device to receive print media type information indicating the type of print medium to which an image will be printed, and causes the information processing device to display print device information on a display unit, indicating one or more print devices that satisfy the conditions related to the print media type information received by the information processing device.

[0082] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents.

[0083] A program to implement the functions of any component in the devices described above (for example, server 10, printing device 20, information processing device 30) may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS (Operating System) and peripheral devices. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD (Compact Disk)-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. "Computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory (RAM) inside computer systems that act as servers or clients when programs are transmitted via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines, which retains programs for a certain period of time.

[0084] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores this program in a memory device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. The above program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. The above program may also be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1... Information processing system, 10... Server, 20... Printing device, 30... Information processing device, 31... Control unit, 32... Storage unit, 33... Input receiving unit, 34... Communication unit, 35... Display unit, 36... Position detection unit

Claims

1. An information processing device that is connected to a server in a manner that enables communication with the server, which stores registration information including first printable media type information, second printable media type information, and printing device location information for each printing device corresponding to the registration information, The system includes a control unit that receives print media type information indicating the type of print medium to which an image will be printed, transmits the received print media type information to the server, then receives the registration information from the server as a response to the transmitted print media type information, and displays print device information indicating one or more printing devices on the display unit based on the received registration information. The first printable media type information is information indicating the type of printing media set in the printing device, The second printable media type information is information indicating the types of printable media that are provided to customers as printable media by the printing device at the facility where the printing device is located. When the server receives the print media type information, it determines, for each printing device corresponding to the registration information, whether or not the print media of the specified type is stored as a print media that can be set in the printing device, based on the difference between the first printable print media type information and the second printable print media type information, and transmits the registration information corresponding to each of the one or more printing devices that have been determined to store the print media of the specified type to the information processing device. Information processing device.

2. The control unit, in response to the received operation, causes the display unit to display a map showing the location of each of the selected one or more printing devices. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The computer of an information processing device, which is connected to a server that stores registration information including first printable media type information, second printable media type information, and printing device location information for each printing device corresponding to the registration information, The information processing device receives print media type information indicating the type of print medium to which the image will be printed. The information processing device receives the print media type information and transmits it to the server. Subsequently, the server receives the registration information from the information processing device as a response to the print media type information transmitted by the information processing device. Based on the registration information received by the information processing device, the device displays information on one or more printing devices on the display unit. It is a program, The first printable media type information is information indicating the type of printing media set in the printing device, The second printable media type information is information indicating the types of printable media that are provided to customers as printable media by the printing device at the facility where the printing device is located. When the server receives the print media type information, it determines, for each printing device corresponding to the registration information, whether or not the print media of the specified type is stored as a print media that can be set in the printing device, based on the difference between the first printable print media type information and the second printable print media type information, and transmits the registration information corresponding to each of the one or more printing devices that have been determined to store the print media of the specified type to the information processing device. program.

Images