JP6848410B2 - Driver program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program of an information processing terminal that causes an image output device to execute an output operation.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer driver that causes a user to set print conditions through a print setting dialog in response to obtaining a print request from an application, and causes the printer to execute printing according to the print conditions set by the user. ing. Further, the printer driver described in Patent Document 1 has a function of saving the printing condition setting result by the user as statistical data and automatically setting the printing condition based on the saved statistical data.

JP-A-2002-149365

The printer driver of Patent Document 1 requires that the setting frequency exceeds the specified frequency as a condition for automatic setting. However, since the usage mode of the printer often changes with the passage of time, it cannot be said that the printing conditions according to the user's intention are automatically set by simply totaling the setting frequency.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is a driver program for an information processing terminal capable of notifying an appropriate execution condition of a print operation according to a time change of a printer usage mode by a user. Is to provide.

Various disclosures are made herein. The driver program, which is one of the disclosure examples, can be read by an information processing terminal including a memory, a display, an input interface, and a communication interface. The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device. The driver program includes an acquisition process for acquiring designated data to be the target of the output operation from an external program installed in the information processing terminal via an OS, and a plurality of the condition information stored in the memory. , A read process for reading the recommended condition information associated with the time information including the current date and time, a display process for displaying the execution condition indicated by the recommended condition information read in the read process on the display, and the designation. A reception process that accepts a user operation that specifies an execution condition of the output operation for data through the input interface after executing the display process, and an output that transmits output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface. The information processing terminal is made to execute the instruction processing. The output instruction information is information for executing the output operation targeting the designated data according to the execution conditions designated in the reception process.

According to the driver program according to the above disclosure example, the condition information stored in the memory in advance in association with the time information including the current date and time is read out as the recommended condition information, so that the execution condition suitable for the current user's usage mode is read. Can be recognized.

The driver program, which is another disclosure example, can be read by an information processing terminal including a memory and a communication interface. The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device. The driver program includes the current date and time among the plurality of condition information stored in the memory in response to a request for notification of recommended condition information through the OS from an external program installed in the information processing terminal. The read process for reading the recommended condition information associated with the timing information, the notification process for notifying the recommended condition information read in the read process to the external program via the OS, and the target of the output operation. The designated data and the designated condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation are acquired from the external program via the OS, and the output instruction information is transmitted to the image output device through the communication interface. To the information processing terminal. The output instruction information is information for executing the output operation targeting the designated data in accordance with the execution conditions indicated by the designated condition information.

The driver program, which is another disclosure example, can be read by an information processing terminal including a memory and a communication interface. The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device. The driver program includes an acquisition process for acquiring designated data to be the target of the output operation from an external program installed in the information processing terminal via the OS, and a plurality of the condition information stored in the memory. The information processing terminal is made to execute a read process for reading recommended condition information associated with the time information including the current date and time, and an output instruction process for transmitting output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface. The output instruction information is information for executing the output operation targeting the designated data in accordance with the execution conditions indicated by the recommended condition information.

According to the driver program according to the other disclosure example, the condition information stored in the memory in advance in association with the time information including the current date and time is read out as the recommended condition information, so that the time change of the usage mode of the image output device by the user. The output operation can be executed under appropriate execution conditions according to the above.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an MFP 10 and an information processing terminal 50 constituting the system 100 according to the present embodiment. 2A and 2B are examples of information stored in the memory 62, in which FIG. 2A shows a setting condition list and FIG. 2B shows a history list. FIG. 3 is an example of a learning condition list stored in the memory 62, in which (A) shows the initial state, (B) shows the state immediately after the execution of S56, and (C) shows the state immediately after the execution of S58. Shown. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process in which the driver program 66 notifies the editing program 65 of the condition information. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process in which the driver program 66 causes the MFP 10 to execute a print operation according to the instruction of the editing program 65. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the execution condition determination process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the learning condition update process. 8A and 8B are display examples of the display 53, in which FIG. 8A shows an edit screen and FIG. 8B shows a print screen. 9A and 9B are display examples of the execution condition editing screen, in which FIG. 9A shows an initial state, and FIG. 9B shows a state in which the parameters of the items “color” and “layout” have been changed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process described later can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the system 100 according to the present embodiment. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an MFP 10 and an information processing terminal 50. Further, the system 100 may include a printer single-purpose machine instead of the MFP 10. The MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 are configured to be able to communicate with each other through the communication network 101. Specific examples of the communication network 101 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the Internet, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 may be connected by a USB cable or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 mainly includes a printer 11, a fax unit 13, a display 23, an input I / F 24, a communication I / F 25, a CPU 31, a memory 32, and a communication bus 33. Be prepared. The components constituting the MFP 10 are connected to each other through the communication bus 33. The MFP 10 is an example of an image output device. The printer 11 and the FAX unit 13 are examples of an image output unit.

The printer 11 is hardware that executes a printing operation of recording an image represented by image data on a sheet. As the recording method of the printer 11, a known method such as an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The FAX unit 13 is hardware that executes a FAX transmission operation of transmitting image data by FAX to an external device and a FAX reception operation of receiving image data by FAX from the external device. The MFP 10 may further include a scanner that reads an image recorded on a document and generates image data. The print operation and the fax transmission operation are examples of output operations.

The printer 11 executes the printing operation according to the execution conditions. The execution condition is specified by a combination of a plurality of parameters corresponding to each of a plurality of items (for example, "size", "color", "layout"). The parameter of the item "size" indicates the size of the sheet on which the image is recorded (for example, "A4", "A3", "postcard"). The parameter of the item "color" indicates the color used to record the image on the sheet (eg, "color", "monochrome"). The parameter of the item "layout" indicates the number of images to be recorded on one sheet (for example, "none", "2in1", "2x2"). However, the execution conditions of the print operation are not limited to the above-mentioned example.

Similarly, the FAX unit 13 executes the FAX transmission operation and the FAX reception operation according to the execution conditions. The execution condition of the FAX transmission operation is specified by, for example, a combination of the parameter of the item "resolution" (for example, "300 dpi" and "600 dpi") and the parameter of the item "destination" (for example, the FAX number). The execution condition of the FAX reception operation is, for example, a combination of the parameter of the item "color" (for example, "color", "monochrome") and the parameter of the item "output destination" (for example, "sheet", "memory"). Specified by.

The display 23 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and includes a display surface for displaying various information.

The input I / F 24 is a user interface that accepts input operations by the user. Specifically, the input I / F 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the input I / F 24 may have a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display surface of the display 23. The operation of designating an object displayed on the display surface of the display 23 and the operation of inputting a character string or a number string are examples of user operations. The “object” is, for example, a character string, an icon, a button, a link, a radio button, a check box, a pull-down menu, or the like displayed on the display 23.

The input I / F24 realized as a touch sensor outputs position information indicating a position on the display surface touched by the user. The term "touch" in the present specification includes all operations of bringing the input medium into contact with the display surface. Further, even if the input medium does not touch the display surface, the "hover" or "floating touch" that brings the input medium close to the position where the distance from the display surface is very small is adopted as the above-mentioned concept of "touch". May be included. Further, the input medium may be a user's finger, a stylus, or the like. The user operation of tapping the position of the object displayed on the display 23 is an example of the user operation of designating the object.

The communication I / F 25 is an interface capable of communicating with an external device through the communication network 101. That is, the MFP 10 transmits various information to the external device through the communication I / F25, and receives various information from the external device through the communication I / F25. The specific communication procedure of the communication I / F 25 is not particularly limited, but for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) can be adopted. When the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 are connected by a USB cable, the communication I / F 25 may be a USB interface to which the USB cable can be attached and detached.

The CPU 31 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10. The CPU 31 acquires various programs to be described later from the memory 32 and executes them based on various information output from the input I / F 24, various information received from the external device through the communication I / F 25, and the like. The CPU 31 and the memory 32 form an example of the controller.

The memory 32 stores the OS 34 and the device program 35. The device program 35 may be a single program or a collection of a plurality of programs. Further, the memory 32 stores data or information necessary for executing the device program 35. The memory 32 is composed of, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an HDD, a portable storage medium such as a USB memory attached to and detached from the MFP 10, a buffer included in the CPU 31, or a combination thereof.

The memory 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electric signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is a storage that can be read by a non-transitory computer. Not included in the medium. The same applies to the memory 62 of the information processing terminal 50, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing terminal 50 mainly includes a display 53, an input I / F 54, a communication I / F 55, a CPU 61, a memory 62, and a communication bus 63. The display 53, the input I / F 54, the communication I / F 55, the CPU 61, the memory 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the information processing terminal 50 are the display 23, the input I / F 24, the communication I / F 25, the CPU 31, and the communication bus 63 included in the MFP 10. Since the configuration is the same as that of the memory 32 and the communication bus 33, the description thereof will be omitted. The CPU 61 and the memory 62 are examples of a controller.

The information processing terminal 50 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like. The memory 62 stores the OS 64, the editing program 65, and the driver program 66. Further, the memory 62 can store the setting condition list shown in FIG. 2A, the history list shown in FIG. 2B, and the learning condition list shown in FIG. A part or all of the setting condition list, the history list, and the learning condition list may be stored in a server (not shown) on the Internet.

The editing program 65 is an example of an external program that edits content data according to a user operation. As shown in FIG. 8A, for example, the editing program 65 displays the image shown by the designated content data on the display 53, and accepts the user operation instructing the editing of the content data through the input I / F 54. Edit the content data according to the received user operation. Examples of the content data format include a text format, an image format, a spreadsheet format, a presentation format, and the like.

The driver program 66 is a program for causing the MFP 10 to execute a print operation targeting the image data specified by the editing program 65 installed in the information processing terminal 50. More specifically, the driver program 66 acquires the image data to be the target of the print operation from the editing program 65, and transmits the print instruction information to the MFP 10 through the communication I / F 55. The print instruction information is an example of output instruction information instructing the execution of a print operation targeting the specified image data.

The setting condition list contains one or more setting condition records. The setting condition record includes time information and setting condition information. The setting condition record may be stored in the memory 62 when the driver program 66 is installed, or may be added after the driver program 66 is installed. The combination of the timing information and the setting condition information included in the setting condition record is set by, for example, the developer of the driver program 66. The setting condition record is an example of a set of timing information and condition information.

The time information indicates a time of any length. The time refers to, for example, the time width specified by the combination of the start date and time and the end date and time. That is, from the start date and time "March 15" to the end date and time "April 15", and from the start date and time "15:00" to the end date and time "15:59" are examples of the time. However, the method for specifying the time is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may be June (June 1st to June 30th), morning (9:00 to 11:59), or the like. On the other hand, the length of time in which the start date and time and the end date and time are not specified (for example, one month, one hour, etc.) is not included in the "time" of the present specification.

The setting condition information indicates the execution condition of the print operation suitable for the time indicated by the time information. As an example, since a large amount of manuals and the like are printed during the period "March 15 to April 15" including April 1, it is specified by a combination of parameters "A4", "monochrome", and "2in1". It is considered that the execution conditions are suitable. As another example, during the period when many festivals are held, "October 1st-October 31st", a large poster will be printed, so use a combination of parameters "A3", "color", and "2x2". The specified execution conditions are considered suitable. As yet another example, during the year-end period "December 1st to December 25th", the New Year's card is prepared, so the execution conditions specified by the combination of the parameters "postcard", "color", and "none" are It is considered suitable.

The history list contains one or more history records. The history record includes date and time information and history condition information. The date and time information indicates the execution date and time of the output instruction processing described later. The history condition information indicates the execution condition of the print operation executed by the MFP 10 in the output instruction processing. The history record is registered by the driver program 66 in S51, which will be described later. The history record is an example of history information.

The learning condition list contains one or more learning condition records. The data structure of the learning condition record is the same as that of the setting condition record. On the other hand, the learning condition record differs from the setting condition record in that the driver program 66 generates it in the learning condition update process described later. The setting condition record is an example of a set of timing information and condition information.

[Operation of system 100]
The operation of the system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7. It is assumed that the learning condition list shown in FIG. 3A is stored in the memory 62 at the start of the process shown in FIG.

The flowchart of the present specification basically shows the processing of the CPUs 31 and 61 according to the instructions described in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "specification", and "control" in the following description represent the processes of the CPUs 31 and 61. The processing by the CPU 61 also includes hardware control via the OS 64. Further, the "data" in the present specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Then, data having the same substantial meaning and contents but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in the present specification.

In the present embodiment, the OS 64, the editing program 65, and the driver program 66 call the functions defined in each program in steps S12, S13, S21, S22, S31, and S32, and the information specified as the argument of the function is called. Hand over. Here, the function called in each step described above may be one or a plurality. Further, the information to be passed may be specified as an argument of the same function, or may be specified as an argument of a different function.

First, the editing program 65 of the information processing terminal 50 causes the display 53 to display the editing screen shown in FIG. 8A. The edit screen includes a read instruction icon 111, a print instruction icon 113, and an edited image 114. Then, the editing program 65 accepts a user operation on the editing screen through the input I / F 54.

The editing program 65 displays a list of readable content data on the display 53 in response to receiving the designation of the read instruction icon 111 through the input I / F 54, and the edited image 114 shown by the content data specified by the user. Is displayed on the display 53. Further, the editing program 65 edits the content data in response to receiving the user operation instructing the editing of the edited image 114 through the input I / F 54.

Further, the editing program 65 temporarily stores the data ID that identifies the content data being edited in the memory 62 in response to the designation of the print instruction icon 113 being received through the input I / F 54 (S11). Hereinafter, the data ID temporarily stored here is referred to as "designated data ID", and the content data identified by the designated data ID is referred to as "designated data". Further, the editing program 65 secures a memory area (hereinafter, referred to as “designated area”) necessary for storing the condition information in the memory 62.

Further, the editing program 65 calls the read function defined in the OS 64 by designating the first pointer as an argument (S12). The first pointer indicates the start address of the designated area secured in the memory 62. Hereinafter, the function called in step Sxx may be referred to as "function Sxx". Next, the OS 64 calls the read function S13 defined in the driver program 66 by designating the first pointer specified as the argument of the read function S12 as an argument in response to the call of the read function S12. S13).

Next, the driver program 66 acquires the first pointer designated as an argument of the read function S13 in response to the call of the read function S13. The fact that the read function S13 is called is an example of a request for notification of recommended condition information from an external program. Further, the driver program 66 acquires date and time information indicating the current date and time "2016/4/10 16:00" from a system clock (not shown).

Next, the driver program 66 reads the setting condition record whose time information includes the current date and time from the setting condition record shown in FIG. 2A from the memory 62. Then, the driver program 66 stores the setting condition information "A4", "monochrome", and "2in1" included in the read setting condition record in the designated area indicated by the first pointer as recommended condition information (S14). .. The process of S14 is an example of the read process.

Next, the driver program 66 ends the read function S13 (S15). Further, the OS 64 terminates the read function S12 (S16) in response to the termination of the read function S13 (S15). Further, the editing program 65 reads out the recommended condition information stored in the designated area in response to the termination of the read function S12 (S16). That is, the processes of S14 to S16 are an example of the notification process in which the driver program 66 notifies the editing program 65 of the recommended condition information and the like via the OS 64.

Next, the editing program 65 causes the print screen shown in FIG. 8B to be displayed on the display 53 (S17). The print screen includes pull-down menus 121, 122, 123, an [OK] icon 124, a [driver] icon 125, and a preview image 126. Then, the editing program 65 accepts a user operation on the print screen through the input I / F 54 (S18).

The pull-down menus 121 to 123 are examples of item objects for allowing the user to specify parameters corresponding to a plurality of items "size", "color", and "layout" that constitute an execution condition. The recommended condition information "A4", "monochrome", and "2in1" stored in the designated area are specified in the pull-down menus 121 to 123 of the print screen displayed first.

Further, the pull-down menu 121 corresponding to the item "size" has three options corresponding to the parameter candidates "A4", "A3", and "postcard". The pull-down menu 122 corresponding to the item "color" has two options corresponding to the parameter candidates "color" and "monochrome". The pull-down menu 123 corresponding to the item "layout" has three options corresponding to the parameter candidates "none", "2in1", and "2x2".

Then, the editing program 65 overwrites the parameters stored in the designated area with the newly designated parameters in response to receiving the change of the parameters specified in the pull-down menus 121 to 123 through the input I / F 54. .. Then, the editing program 65 causes the display 53 to display a print screen including the pull-down menus 121 to 123 on which the newly specified parameters are displayed. In the present embodiment, the user changes the parameter of the item "layout" from "2in1" to "none" through the pull-down menu 123.

Next, the editing program 65 specifies the first pointer and the second pointer as arguments in response to the reception of the designation of the [OK] icon 124 through the input I / F 54 (S18: OK), and defines it in the OS 64. The first print instruction function is called (S21). The second pointer indicates the start address of the memory area for storing the specified data. Alternatively, the designated data ID may be specified as an argument instead of the second pointer.

Next, the OS 64 specifies the first pointer and the second pointer designated as the arguments of the first print instruction function S21 as arguments in response to the call of the first print instruction function S21, and the driver program 66 The first print instruction function defined in is called (S22). Next, the driver program 66 acquires the first pointer and the second pointer designated as the arguments of the first print instruction function S22 in response to the call of the first print instruction function S22 (S22).

The driver program 66 reads the condition information "A4", "monochrome", and "none" from the designated area indicated by the first pointer, and reads the designated data from the memory area indicated by the second pointer. That is, the driver program 66 acquires the condition information and the designated data from the editing program 65 via the OS 64. The condition information stored in the designated area indicated by the first pointer acquired in step S22 is an example of the designated condition information received by the external program through the input I / F 54. The process in which the driver program 66 acquires the first pointer and the second pointer in step S22 is an example of the acquisition process.

Next, the driver program 66 executes the learning condition update process described later (S23). Further, the driver program 66 transmits print instruction information to the MFP 10 through the communication I / F 55 (S24). The print instruction information is information for instructing that the print operation targeting the designated data is executed according to the execution conditions indicated by the designated condition information. The print instruction information includes, for example, designated data and designated condition information. The process of S24 is an example of the output instruction process. Next, the driver program 66 ends the first print instruction function S22. Further, the OS 64 terminates the first print indicator function S21 in response to the termination of the first print indicator function S22.

On the other hand, although not shown, the apparatus program 35 of the MFP 10 receives print instruction information from the information processing terminal 50 through the communication I / F 25. Then, the device program 35 causes the printer 11 to execute a print operation according to the print instruction information (S25). That is, the printer 11 records the image indicated by the designated data on an A4 size sheet in monochrome.

Returning to FIG. 4, the editing program 65 specifies the second pointer as an argument according to the reception of the designation of the [driver] icon 125 through the input I / F54 (S18: driver), and defines it in the OS 64. The second print instruction function is called (S31). Next, the OS 64 is defined in the driver program 66 by designating the second pointer specified as the argument of the second print instruction function S31 as an argument in response to the second print instruction function S31 being called. The second print instruction function is called (S32).

Next, the driver program 66 acquires the second pointer designated as an argument of the second print instruction function S32 in response to the second print instruction function S32 being called (S32). Next, the driver program 66 reads the designated data from the memory area indicated by the second pointer. That is, the driver program 66 acquires the designated data from the editing program 65 via the OS 64. The process in which the driver program 66 acquires the second pointer in step S32 is an example of the acquisition process.

Next, the driver program 66 executes the execution condition determination process (S33). The execution condition determination process is a process of determining the designated condition information to be included in the print instruction information according to the user's instruction. The details of the execution condition determination process will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the driver program 66 acquires date and time information indicating the current date and time “2016/12/10 16:15” from a system clock (not shown). Next, the driver program 66 reads the setting condition record whose time information includes the current date and time from the memory 62 among the setting condition records shown in FIG. 2A (S41). Further, the driver program 66 reads the learning condition record whose time information includes the current date and time from the learning condition record shown in FIG. 3A from the memory 62 (S41).

The setting condition information "postcard", "color", "none" included in the read setting condition record, and the learning condition information "A4", "monochrome", and "2in1" included in the read learning condition record are recommended conditions. This is an example of information. The process of S41 is an example of the read process. Then, the driver program 66 temporarily stores the learning condition information included in the read learning condition record in the memory 62 as the designated condition information.

Next, the driver program 66 displays the execution condition editing screen shown in FIG. 9A on the display 53 (S42). The execution condition editing screen includes an editing area 131 for allowing the user to edit the execution conditions for the print operation, and a notification area 132 for notifying the setting condition information. Then, the driver program 66 accepts the user operation for the execution condition editing screen through the input I / F 54 (S43). The process of S42 is an example of a display process, and the process of S43 is an example of a reception process.

The editing area 131 includes pull-down menus 133, 134, 135, which are examples of item objects, and an [OK] icon 136. Further, the pull-down menus 133 to 135 are in a state in which the designated condition information "A4", "monochrome", and "2in1" temporarily stored in the memory 62 are designated. The notification area 132 includes a character string indicating the setting condition information “postcard”, “color”, and “none” read in S41, and a [batch] icon 137 which is an example of a batch object.

The driver program 66 receives, for example, a change of the parameter specified in the pull-down menus 133 to 135 through the input I / F 54 (S43: pull-down menu), and the parameter of the specified condition information temporarily stored in the memory 62. Is overwritten with the newly specified parameter (S44). Then, the driver program 66 displays the execution condition editing screen including the pull-down menus 133 to 135 on which the newly specified parameters are displayed on the display 53 (S42).

Further, the driver program 66 overwrites the setting condition information read in S42 with the specified condition information in response to receiving the designation of the [Batch] icon 137 through the input I / F 54 (S43: batch) (S45). The process of S45 is an example of a batch change process. Then, the driver program 66 causes the display 53 to display an execution condition editing screen including the pull-down menus 133 to 135 in which the setting condition information “postcard”, “color”, and “none” are displayed (S42).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user changes the parameter of the item “layout” from “monochrome” to “color” through the pull-down menu 134, and from “2in1” through the pull-down menu 135. It is assumed that it has been changed to "None". Then, the driver program 66 executes the learning condition update process described later (S46) in response to receiving the designation of the [OK] icon 136 through the input I / F 54 (S43: OK).

Further returning to FIG. 4, the driver program 66 transmits print instruction information to the MFP 10 through the communication I / F 55 (S34). The process of S34 is an example of the output instruction process. Then, the device program 35 of the MFP 10 causes the printer 11 to execute the print operation according to the print instruction information received from the information processing terminal 50 (S35). The processing of S34 and S35 may be the same as that of S24 and S25.

Next, the learning condition update process will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Hereinafter, an example of the learning condition update process executed in S46 will be described, but the same applies to the learning condition update process executed in S23.

First, the driver program 66 acquires date and time information indicating the current date and time “2016/12/10 16:15” from a system clock (not shown). Then, the driver program 66 registers the acquired date and time information and the history record including the designated condition information "A4", "color", and "none" stored in the memory 62 at the time of S46 in the history list ( S51). The process of S51 is an example of the first storage process.

Next, the driver program 66 reads the learning condition record whose time information includes the current date and time from the learning condition record shown in FIG. 3A from the memory 62. Next, the driver program 66 includes the designated condition information "A4", "color", and "none" at the time of execution of the learning condition update process, and the learning condition information "A4" and "monochrome" included in the read learning condition record. , It is determined whether or not “2in1” matches (S52).

Next, whether or not a plurality of history records matching the extraction conditions are registered in the history list according to the determination that the specified condition information and the learning condition information are different (S52: different) from the driver program 66. Is determined (S53). The extraction conditions according to the present embodiment are the date and time information within the threshold time (for example, 1 hour) from the current date and time "2016/12/10 16:15" and the designated condition information "A4", "color", and "none". Is to include the same historical condition information as.

Then, the driver program 66 determines from the history list that a plurality of history records that match the extraction conditions are registered in the history list (S53: Yes), and selects all the history records that match the extraction conditions from the history list. read out. Then, the driver program 66 sets the time information indicating the time from the earliest execution date / time "15:21" to the latest execution date / time "16:15" among the date and time information of the read history record, and sets the read history record as time information. A learning condition record is generated in which the history condition information "A4", "color", and "none" are used as learning condition information. The processes of S52 and S53 are examples of generation processes.

Next, the driver program 66 registers the generated learning condition record in the learning condition list (S54). The process of S54 is an example of the second storage process. Further, the driver program 66 determines whether or not another learning condition record whose time indicated by the time information of the learning condition record registered in S54 overlaps is registered in the learning condition list (S55). Then, the driver program 66 determines that another learning condition record whose time overlaps is registered (S55: Yes), and as shown in FIG. 3B, the learning condition record of the learning condition record The timing information is reduced so as not to overlap with the timing information of the learning condition record registered in S54 (S56).

In the above example, the driver program 66 has the timing information “15: 21 to 16:15” and the learning condition information “A4” between the learning condition records in the first and second lines of FIG. 3 (A). , "Color", and "None" are newly added as learning condition records (S54). Further, the driver program 66 reduces the end date and time of the time information in the first line of FIG. 3 (B) from "15:59" to "15:20", and the time information in the third line of FIG. 3 (B). The start date and time of is reduced from "16:00" to "16:16" (S56).

Next, the driver program 66 determines whether or not the learning condition information of the learning condition record registered in S54 and the learning condition information of another learning condition record adjacent to the learning condition record are the same (S57). Then, the driver program 66 determines that the learning condition information of the learning condition records adjacent to the timing information is the same (S57: Yes), and as shown in FIG. 3C, the timing information is adjacent. Merge a plurality of learning condition records to be performed (S58). More specifically, the driver program 66 sets the learning condition records in the first and second lines of FIG. 3B to the end of the learning condition records after the start date and time “15:00” of the earlier learning condition records. Merge into one learning condition record containing time information indicating the time until the date and time "16:15".

On the other hand, the driver program 66 skips the process of S58 and ends the learning condition update process according to the determination that the learning condition information of the learning condition records adjacent to the timing information is different (S57: No). Further, the driver program 66 skips the processes of S56 to S58 and ends the learning condition update process in response to the determination that other learning condition records having overlapping times are not registered (S55: No). To do. Further, the driver program 66 skips the processes of S54 to S58 according to the determination that a plurality of history records matching the extraction conditions are not registered in the history list (S53: No), and updates the learning conditions. End the process. Further, the driver program 66 skips the processes of S53 to S58 and ends the learning condition update process according to the determination that the designated condition information and the learning condition information are the same (S52: same).

[Action and effect of this embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, the condition information stored in the memory 62 in advance in association with the time information including the current date and time is displayed on the display 53 as the recommended condition information. This makes it possible for the user to recognize the execution conditions suitable for the current usage mode. Further, the user can specify the desired execution condition based on the recommended condition information through the print screen or the execution condition edit screen. This makes it possible to simplify the user operation for specifying the execution conditions. The condition information notified to the editing program 65 in S14 to S16 is not limited to the setting condition information, and may be learning condition information.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the setting condition information is displayed in the notification area to be recognized by the user, and the parameters included in the setting condition information can be pulled down from the pull-down menu 133 only by the user operation of designating the [Batch] icon 137. It can be set to ~ 135 all at once. This makes it possible to simplify the user operation of specifying the execution conditions suitable for the current user's usage mode. The layout of the execution condition editing screen is not limited to the above example. For example, the parameters included in the setting condition information read in S41 may be set in the pull-down menus 133 to 135, or the notification area 132 may be omitted.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the output operation is repeatedly executed using the same specified condition information within the threshold time, the time information and the specified condition information generated from the execution date and time of the output instruction process are included. The learning condition record is registered in the learning condition list. As a result, it is possible to notify the appropriate execution conditions of the output operation according to the time change of the usage mode of the MFP 10 by the user. However, the method of generating the learning condition record is not limited to the example of FIG. 7, and another method using the history list may be adopted.

In the above embodiment, an example of notifying the user of the setting condition information and the learning condition information read in S41 as recommended condition information has been described, but the handling of the recommended condition information is not limited to the above example. For example, the driver program 66 may cause the MFP 10 to execute a print operation targeting the designated data acquired from the editing program 65 according to the recommended condition information read in S41. As a result, the output operation can be executed under appropriate execution conditions according to the time change of the usage mode of the MFP 10 by the user.

Further, in the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 of the above embodiment, each process executed by the controller of the present invention is realized by executing various programs stored in the memories 32 and 62 by the CPUs 31 and 61. Explained. However, the configuration of the controller is not limited to this, and a part or all of the controller configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit.

Further, the present invention can be realized not only as the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50, but also as a program for causing the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 to execute processing. Then, the program may be recorded and provided on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium may include a storage unit mounted on a server that can be connected to the MFP 10 and the information processing terminal 50 through a communication network, in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like. Then, the program stored in the storage unit of the server may be distributed as information or a signal indicating the program through a communication network such as the Internet.

10 ... MFP
11 ... Printer 13 ... FAX unit 23, 53 ... Display 24, 54 ... Input I / F
25, 55 ... Communication I / F
31,61 ... CPU
32, 62 ... Memory 34, 64 ... OS
35 ... Device program 50 ... Information processing terminal 65 ... Editing program 66 ... Driver program

Claims (6)

A driver program that can be read by an information processing terminal having a memory, a display, an input interface, and a communication interface.
The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device.
The driver program
The acquisition process of acquiring the designated data to be the target of the output operation from the external program installed in the information processing terminal via the OS, and the acquisition process.
Of the plurality of condition information stored in the memory, a read process for reading recommended condition information associated with the time information including the current date and time, and a read process.
A display process for displaying the execution conditions indicated by the recommended condition information read in the read process on the display, and
A reception process for accepting a user operation for specifying an execution condition of the output operation for the specified data through the input interface after executing the display process, and
The information processing terminal is made to execute an output instruction process for transmitting output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface, and the output instruction information performs the output operation for the designated data in the reception process. Information for executing according to the specified execution conditions,
The condition information includes a plurality of parameters corresponding to each of the plurality of items, and includes a plurality of parameters.
In the display process, the driver program displays a plurality of item objects, each corresponding to one of the plurality of items, on the display, and the item objects are designated with the parameters included in the recommended condition information. It is in a state of being
The driver program
In the reception process, a user operation for changing the parameter specified by the item object is received through the input interface.
In the output instruction processing, a plurality of the item objects in accordance with the execution condition indicated by a plurality of combinations of the parameters specified in each driver program Ru to execute the output operation to the image output device. A driver program that can be read by an information processing terminal having a memory, a display, an input interface, and a communication interface.
The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device.
The driver program
The acquisition process of acquiring the designated data to be the target of the output operation from the external program installed in the information processing terminal via the OS, and the acquisition process.
Of the plurality of condition information stored in the memory, a read process for reading recommended condition information associated with the time information including the current date and time, and a read process.
A display process for displaying the execution conditions indicated by the recommended condition information read in the read process on the display, and
A reception process for accepting a user operation for specifying an execution condition of the output operation for the specified data through the input interface after executing the display process, and
The information processing terminal is made to execute an output instruction process for transmitting output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface, and the output instruction information performs the output operation for the designated data in the reception process. Information for executing according to the specified execution conditions,
The condition information includes a plurality of parameters corresponding to each of the plurality of items, and includes a plurality of parameters.
In the display process, the driver program includes a plurality of item objects each corresponding to one of the plurality of items, a plurality of parameters included in the recommended condition information in a region different from the item object, and a batch object. Is displayed on the display, and the item object is in a state in which one of a plurality of the parameters that can be specified for the corresponding item is specified.
The driver program
Information processing is performed on a batch change process that collectively changes a plurality of the item objects in a state in which the parameter indicated by the recommended condition information is specified in response to the designation of the batch object in the reception process. Let the terminal execute
In the output instruction processing, a plurality of the item objects in accordance with the execution condition indicated by a plurality of combinations of the parameters specified in each driver program Ru to execute the output operation to the image output device. A driver program that can be read by an information processing terminal having a memory, a display, an input interface, and a communication interface.
The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device.
The driver program
The acquisition process of acquiring the designated data to be the target of the output operation from the external program installed in the information processing terminal via the OS, and the acquisition process.
Of the plurality of condition information stored in the memory, a read process for reading recommended condition information associated with the time information including the current date and time, and a read process.
A display process for displaying the execution conditions indicated by the recommended condition information read in the read process on the display, and
A reception process for accepting a user operation for specifying an execution condition of the output operation for the specified data through the input interface after executing the display process, and
The information processing terminal is made to execute an output instruction process for transmitting output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface, and the output instruction information performs the output operation for the designated data in the reception process. Information for executing according to the specified execution conditions,
The driver program
The first storage process for storing the history information including the date and time information indicating the execution date and time of the output instruction process and the history condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation specified in the output instruction process in the memory.
A generation process for generating a set of the timing information and the condition information based on the plurality of the history information stored in the first storage process, and
Wherein the timing information generated by the generation process and the set of the condition information, a second storage processing and the driver program Ru is performed to the information processing terminal to be stored in the memory. A driver program that can be read by an information processing terminal equipped with a memory and a communication interface.
The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device.
The driver program
Corresponding to the time information including the current date and time among the plurality of the condition information stored in the memory in response to the request for notification of the recommended condition information through the OS from the external program installed in the information processing terminal. Read processing to read the attached recommended condition information and
A notification process for notifying the external program of the recommended condition information read by the read process via the OS, and a notification process.
The acquisition process of acquiring the designated data to be the target of the output operation and the designated condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation from the external program via the OS.
The information processing terminal is made to execute an output instruction process for transmitting output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface, and the output instruction information is the output operation for the designated data and the designated condition information. It is the information to execute according to the execution condition shown in.
The driver program
The first storage process for storing the history information including the date and time information indicating the execution date and time of the output instruction process and the history condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation specified in the output instruction process in the memory.
A generation process for generating a set of the timing information and the condition information based on the plurality of the history information stored in the first storage process, and
A driver program that causes the information processing terminal to execute a second storage process for storing a set of the timing information and the condition information generated in the generation process in the memory. A driver program that can be read by an information processing terminal equipped with a memory and a communication interface.
The memory stores a plurality of sets of time information indicating the time and condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation to be executed by the image output device.
The driver program
The acquisition process of acquiring the designated data to be the target of the output operation from the external program installed in the information processing terminal via the OS, and the acquisition process.
Of the plurality of condition information stored in the memory, a read process for reading recommended condition information associated with the time information including the current date and time, and a read process.
The information processing terminal is made to execute an output instruction process for transmitting output instruction information to the image output device through the communication interface, and the output instruction information is the output operation for the designated data and the recommended condition information. It is the information to execute according to the execution condition shown in.
The driver program
The first storage process for storing the history information including the date and time information indicating the execution date and time of the output instruction process and the history condition information indicating the execution condition of the output operation specified in the output instruction process in the memory.
A generation process for generating a set of the timing information and the condition information based on the plurality of the history information stored in the first storage process, and
A driver program that causes the information processing terminal to execute a second storage process for storing a set of the timing information and the condition information generated in the generation process in the memory. In the generation process, the driver program responds to the fact that a plurality of the history information including the same history condition information is stored in the memory while the execution date and time indicated by the date and time information is within the threshold time. 3. Claim 3 for generating a set of the time information indicating the time from the earliest execution date and time to the latest execution date and time of the date and time information included in the history information and the history condition information included in the history information. The driver program described in any of 5 to 5.

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