JP6421409B2 - Portable information terminals and applications - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable information terminal (including a tablet terminal and a smartphone), and a technology related thereto.

  There is a technique in which a plurality of application programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as applications) operate in cooperation (see Patent Document 1).

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for performing a cooperative operation by sharing image data in a plurality of applications executed on a mobile phone. More specifically, a technique is described in which two applications (scan / print application and gallery application (image viewing application)) running on an “Android (trademark) OS” share image data. .

JP 2012-212348 A

  By the way, due to the fact that portable information terminals (tablet-type terminals, etc.) have a relatively small display unit, in a portable information terminal, basically, among a plurality of applications, an activated state (active There is only one application having a state. In other words, in the portable information terminal, only the display screen managed by a single application among the display screens of a plurality of applications is selectively (exclusively) displayed.

  The inventors of the present application have developed an application that can be activated in two activation modes, a cooperative activation mode and a single activation mode, in such a portable information terminal.

  Of these two activation modes, the activation operation in the cooperative activation mode and the subsequent operation are performed as follows, for example. Specifically, when the application (also referred to as a cooperation destination application) is called and started from another application (also referred to as a cooperation source application), a cooperation screen based on data received from the cooperation source application is displayed in the cooperation destination application. (Screen related to cooperation processing) is displayed. When a new application call instruction (start instruction) is given in accordance with the end of the cooperation process in the cooperation destination application, the cooperation destination application shifts from the start state to the background standby state, and the cooperation destination application The screen is closed and the new application is activated. Furthermore, after that, the cooperation destination application is activated again as necessary (however, this time it is activated in the single activation mode).

  However, as described later, immediately after restarting the cooperation destination application, when the cooperation screen immediately before the transition to the background standby state is displayed as it is, the invalid display content is displayed (after restarting). May be included. Such display content may cause confusion for the user.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of appropriately determining a restart screen in an application that can be started in two modes of a cooperative start mode and a single start mode.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is a portable information terminal capable of executing an application, and is linked with a single start mode for starting the single application and an application different from the application. A holding means for holding a next display screen that is a screen to be displayed when the application having both modes of the cooperative activation mode and the activation mode is shifted from the activated state to the background standby state when returning to the activated state next time And display control means for displaying the next display screen on the display unit of the portable information terminal when the application returns from the background standby state, and the holding means is in the cooperative activation mode. Before the application started in the above transition to the background standby state, A predetermined screen other than a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode among the two modes is held as the next display screen, and the display control means is configured such that the application activated in the cooperative activation mode is the background. The predetermined screen is displayed on the display unit when starting up again after returning from the background standby state after shifting to the standby state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention, the holding means is configured so that before the application started in the single start mode shifts to the background standby state, before the shift. The first screen displayed at a predetermined time point is held as the next display screen, and the display control unit is configured to display the back after the application started in the single start mode shifts to the background standby state. The first screen is displayed on the display unit when starting up again after returning from the ground standby state.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the predetermined screen is a screen displayed when the single activation mode is used.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the predetermined screen is an initial screen displayed at the time of activation in the single unit activation mode.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the holding unit is configured to perform the operation after the cooperation processing in the application activated in the cooperation activation mode is completed. when Kiba Tsu transition to click background wait state is carried out, characterized in that for holding the predetermined screen of only non-available screen in the coordination startup mode of the two modes as the next display screen.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the holding unit is interrupted before completion of the cooperation process in the application activated in the cooperation activation mode. and that when the transition to to front Kiba click background wait state response is performed, holding the predetermined screen other than the linked launching mode only available on screen, of the two modes as the next display screen It is characterized by that.

  The invention of claim 7 is an application for causing a computer built in a portable information terminal to execute a plurality of steps, wherein the plurality of steps includes: a) a single activation mode in which the application is activated alone; For the next display, which is the screen that should be displayed at the time of returning to the next startup state before the application having both modes of the cooperative startup mode that starts in cooperation with another application transitions from the startup state to the background standby state. Holding the screen; and b) displaying the next display screen on the display unit of the portable information terminal when returning from the background standby state, and the step a) includes a- 1) The application started in the cooperative start mode is in the first background standby Before transitioning to a state, the step of holding a predetermined screen other than a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode among the two modes as the next display screen, and the step b) includes b- 1) When the application activated in the cooperative activation mode returns to the first background standby state after the transition to the first background standby state and starts again, the predetermined screen is displayed. A step of displaying on the screen.

  The invention of claim 8 is an application according to the invention of claim 7, wherein the plurality of steps are: c) before the application started in the single start mode shifts to the second background standby state. Holding the first screen displayed on the display unit at a predetermined time before transition as the next display screen; and d) the application started in the single start mode being the second background. And a step of displaying the first screen on the display unit when returning from the second background standby state and restarting after the transition to the standby state.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the application according to the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, the predetermined screen is a screen displayed when the single activation mode is used.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the application according to the seventh or eighth aspect of the invention, the predetermined screen is an initial screen displayed at the time of activation in the single activation mode.

  The invention of claim 11 is the application according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, in the step a), after the cooperation processing in the application started in the cooperation activation mode is completed, 1 to the background standby state is performed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the application according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects of the invention, in the step a), the cooperation process in the application started in the cooperation activation mode is interrupted before completion. In response to this, the transition to the first background standby state is performed.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable information terminal capable of executing an application having both a single start mode for starting an application alone and a cooperative start mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application. And after switching the application so that the first application being displayed is in the standby state with the background being displayed and the second application is displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal and is in the activated state, A display control unit configured to display the first application on a display unit of the portable information terminal to be activated when the first application returns from the standby state; and the display control unit includes the cooperation The first application started in the start mode shifts to the standby state In addition, when returning from the standby state in the single start mode and being displayed again, the screen in the single start mode of the first application or the screen showing the display in the single start mode is displayed on the display unit. It is characterized by doing.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the display control means enters the standby state after the cooperation process in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode is completed. And after that, the first application returns from the standby state in the single activation mode and is displayed again, the screen in the single activation mode of the first application or the single activation mode A screen showing the display is displayed on the display unit.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the display control means is that the cooperation process in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode is interrupted before completion. When the transition to the standby state is performed in response, and then the first application returns from the standby state and is displayed again in the single start mode, the first application in the single start mode A screen showing a screen or a display showing the single activation mode is displayed on the display unit.
A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the portable information terminal according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, wherein the display control means is configured such that the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is in the standby state. When the single activation mode returns from the standby state and is displayed again after the transition, the screen displayed when the single activation mode is used is displayed on the display unit.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to any one of the thirteenth to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, the display control means is configured such that the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode enters the standby state. When the display is resumed after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after the transition, the initial screen displayed at the time of activation in the single activation mode is displayed on the display unit.
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to any of the thirteenth to seventeenth aspects, the first application being displayed returns to the next activation state before the first application shifts to the standby state. Holding means for holding a screen to be displayed at a time, the holding means before the first application started in the stand-alone startup mode shifts to the standby state, a predetermined time before the transition And the display control means returns from the standby state and starts up again after the first application started in the single unit start mode shifts to the standby state. In this case, the first screen is displayed on the display unit.
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the portable information terminal according to any one of the thirteenth to eighteenth aspects, the screen of the first application displayed in cooperation with the other application in the cooperative activation mode is Among the screens of the first application, the screens can be used only in the cooperative activation mode.
The invention of claim 20 is an application having both a single start mode for starting a single application and a cooperative start mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application, and is built in the portable information terminal. A) the first application, which is the application that has been started in the cooperative activation mode and displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal, is set in a standby state in the background, and the second application is After the first application is displayed and activated, the first application is activated when the first application returns from the standby state in the standalone activation mode and is activated and displayed again. The screen in the mode or the screen showing the display in the single start mode Characterized in that it is an application for executing the steps, to be displayed on the display unit.
According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the application according to the twentieth aspect, in the step a), the transition to the standby state is performed after the cooperation processing in the first application started in the cooperation activation mode is completed. Is performed.
The invention according to claim 22 is the application according to claim 20, wherein, in the step a), a response is made when the cooperation processing in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode is interrupted before completion. Then, the transition to the standby state is performed.
The invention according to claim 23 is the application according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein, in the step a), the first application started in the cooperative activation mode enters the standby state. A screen displayed when the single activation mode is used is displayed on the display unit when the single activation mode is restored and displayed again in the single activation mode after the transition.
According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the application according to any one of the twenty-second to twenty-second aspects, in the step a), the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is put into the standby state. When the display is resumed after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after the transition, an initial screen displayed at the time of activation in the single activation mode is displayed on the display unit.
According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the application according to any one of the twenty-fourth to twenty-fourth aspects, b) before the first application started in the single start mode shifts to a standby state in the background In step (b), the step of holding the first screen displayed on the display unit at a predetermined time before the transition, and c) the first application started in the single start mode is the step b). An application for causing the computer to further execute a step of displaying the first screen on the display unit when the computer is later returned to the standby state and then restarted after returning from the standby state. It is characterized by.
The invention of claim 26 is the application according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the screen of the first application displayed in cooperation with the other application in the cooperative activation mode is Of the screens of the first application, the screen can be used only in the cooperative activation mode.

According to the first to twenty-sixth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine the restart screen of an application that can be started in two modes, the cooperative start mode and the single start mode.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overview of an image forming system. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of a portable information terminal. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the screen transition of the application started by the single starting mode. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the screen transition of the application started by the cooperation starting mode. It is a figure which shows the initial screen displayed immediately after starting by single-unit start mode. It is a figure which shows another screen displayed in single-start mode. It is a figure which shows another screen displayed in single-unit starting mode. It is a figure which shows the display screen of a cooperation origin application. It is a figure which shows the initial screen displayed immediately after starting by a cooperation starting mode. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the screen transition which concerns on a comparative example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. System overview>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of the image forming system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a portable information terminal 70. Here, MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) is illustrated as the image forming apparatus 10.

  The image forming system 1 further includes a server computer 30. The computer 30 is a server computer having a print server function. The computer 30 also has a pull print server function. The computer 30 is also referred to as “print server”, “pull print server”, or simply “server”.

  MFP 10, server 30, and portable information terminal 70 are connected via network 108, and can perform network communication. The network 108 is configured by a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or the like. Further, the connection form to the network 108 may be wired connection or wireless connection.

  The image forming system 1 functions as a pull print system that performs a so-called pull print operation. In this pull print system, first, after a user gives a print instruction using the portable information terminal 70 (print request source apparatus), print data is transferred from the portable information terminal 70 to the server (pull print server) 30. The print data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 35 (pull print storage area (described later)) of the server 30 or the like. Thereafter, through user authentication operation using an operation input unit or the like of the print output apparatus (MFP 10 or the like), print data is acquired (pulled) from the server 30 and print output (print) by the MFP (print output apparatus) 10 is performed. Done.

  In the image forming system 1, in addition to the normal printing operation, the above-described pull printing operation is executed.

<2. Configuration of MFP>
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the MFP 10.

  As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an input / output unit 6, a controller 9, and the like. Various functions are realized by complex operation. The MFP 10 is also expressed as an image forming apparatus or a print output apparatus.

  The image reading unit 2 optically reads (that is, scans) a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 10 and generates image data of the document (also referred to as a scanned image). It is. The image reading unit 2 is also referred to as a scanning unit.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints out an image on various media such as paper based on data related to a print target.

  The communication unit 4 is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. Further, the communication unit 4 can perform network communication via the network 108. In this network communication, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the MFP 10 can exchange various data with a desired destination.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

  The input / output unit 6 includes an operation input unit 6a that receives input to the MFP 10 and a display unit 6b that displays and outputs various types of information. Specifically, the MFP 10 is provided with an operation panel 6c (see FIG. 1). The operation panel (touch screen) 6c is configured by embedding a piezoelectric sensor or the like in a liquid crystal display panel, and functions as a part of the display unit 6b and also functions as a part of the operation input unit 6a.

  The controller 9 is a control device that is built in the MFP 10 and controls the MFP 10 in an integrated manner. The controller 9 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM). The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing predetermined software programs (hereinafter also simply referred to as programs) stored in a ROM (for example, EEPROM) in the CPU. The program may be installed in the MFP 10 via a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or a network.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 9 implements various processing units including an input control unit 11, a display control unit 12, a communication control unit 13, an authentication processing unit 14, and a job processing unit 15.

  The input control unit 11 is a processing unit that accepts an input (operation input) or the like from a user in cooperation with the input / output unit 6 (operation panel 6c or the like). The input control unit 11 receives a print output instruction (pull print operation) of print data stored in the server 30.

  The display control unit 12 is a processing unit that controls a display output operation or the like in the display unit 6b (operation panel 6c or the like).

  The communication control unit 13 is a processing unit that performs communication with an external device in cooperation with the communication unit 4.

  The authentication processing unit 14 is a processing unit that performs a user authentication operation.

  The job processing unit 15 is a processing unit that controls processing related to various jobs (for example, print output processing of the print output unit 3 and the like).

<3. Configuration of portable information terminal>
Next, the configuration of the portable information terminal 70 will be described.

  The portable information terminal 70 is a portable information input / output terminal device capable of network communication with other devices. Examples of the portable information terminal 70 include a tablet terminal and a smartphone. The portable information terminal 70 is also simply referred to as a portable terminal.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the portable information terminal 70.

  As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 3, the portable information terminal 70 includes a communication unit 74, a storage unit 75, an input / output unit 76, a controller 79, and the like. Implement various functions.

  The communication unit 74 can perform network communication via the network 108. In this network communication, for example, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the portable information terminal 70 can exchange various data with a desired partner.

  The storage unit 75 is configured by a semiconductor memory (nonvolatile memory and volatile memory) or the like. The storage unit 75 stores various data. For example, the storage unit 75 stores (holds) a display image (specifically, image data) for each application. More specifically, immediately before each application shifts from the activated state to the background standby state, the storage unit 75 stores a display screen (also referred to as a next display screen) to be displayed when returning to the next activated state. Keep it.

  The input / output unit (also referred to as an operation unit) 76 includes an operation input unit 76 a that receives an input to the portable information terminal 70 and a display unit 76 b that displays and outputs various types of information. The portable information terminal 70 has a touch screen 76c (see FIG. 1) on the front surface side of the plate-like housing. The touch screen 76c is configured by embedding a piezoelectric sensor or the like in a liquid crystal display panel. The touch screen 76c functions as a part of the operation input unit 76a and also functions as a part of the display unit 76b. A button 76d is provided on the lower side of the lower side of the substantially rectangular touch screen 76c.

  The controller 79 implements various processing units by executing a program stored in the storage unit 75 in the CPU.

  More specifically, the portable information terminal 70 is equipped with a predetermined OS (operating system) (for example, an OS such as “Android (OS)” (trademark) or “iOS” (trademark)). Can execute a plurality of application programs (also referred to as application programs or simple applications) on the OS. An application executed on the portable information terminal 70 is also referred to as a mobile application.

  In the OS of the portable information terminal 70, basically, only a single application among a plurality of applications operates in an activated state (also referred to as an active state). In other words, the plurality of applications have an activated state exclusively. Further, only the display screen under the management of a single application among the plurality of applications is selectively (exclusively) displayed on the touch screen 76c. In short, a display screen of only a single application (in an activated state) among the plurality of applications is displayed on the touch screen 76c. When another application (second application) is activated while a certain application (first application) is activated, the first application is in a standby state (inactive) in the background. State). Here, it is assumed that the application that has shifted to the background standby state temporarily suspends execution of all processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an application that has shifted to the background standby state may continue to execute some or all of the processes.

  Among the plurality of application programs, an electronic document browsing application 201 and a print management application 202 are included. The electronic document browsing application 201 is an application that can browse a plurality of electronic documents, and the print management application 202 is an application that manages a printing operation (pull print operation or the like) of the plurality of electronic documents. These applications 201 and 202 operate in cooperation. Specifically, for an electronic document specified using the electronic document browsing application 201, a pull print operation (more specifically, an operation of storing print data in the server 30) is performed using the print management application 202. The electronic document browsing application 201 is also referred to as a cooperation source application, and the print management application 202 is also referred to as a cooperation destination application.

  The portable information terminal 70 can display a plurality of electronic documents by executing the electronic document browsing application 201. Further, by executing the print management application 202, it is possible to realize a pull print operation (specifically, a part of the operation) regarding the electronic document selected by the electronic document browsing application 201. More specifically, by using the print management application 202, a pull print print data transfer / storage operation (transfer print data from the portable information terminal 70 to the server 30 and transfer the print data to the server 30 among the pull print operations). Is stored once).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 79 realizes various processing units including an input control unit 81, a display control unit 82, a communication control unit 83, and a storage control unit 85 by executing these applications 201 and 202. To do.

  The input control unit 81 is a processing unit that receives input (operation input) from the user to the portable information terminal 70 in cooperation with the input / output unit 76 (touch screen 76c and the like).

  The display control unit 82 is a processing unit that controls a display output operation and the like in the display unit 76b (touch screen 76c and the like).

  The communication control unit 83 is a processing unit that communicates with an external device in cooperation with the communication unit 74.

  The storage control unit 85 is a processing unit that controls a storage operation (holding operation) related to the next display screen in the cooperation destination application 202.

<4. Server configuration>
The server 30 is configured as a computer system (computer).

  The server 30 has a storage unit 35 (see FIG. 1). The storage unit 35 has a pull print storage area for storing print data for pull printing. The print data for pull print transmitted from the portable information terminal 70 to the server 30 is stored in the storage unit 35 (specifically, the storage area for pull print). The print data stored in the storage unit 35 is transferred from the storage unit 35 of the server 30 to the MFP 10 in response to an operation input (such as authentication information input) via the operation panel 6 c of the MFP 10. As a result, the MFP 10 executes a print output operation (pull print operation) based on the print data.

<5. Operation>
Next, the operation of the system 1, particularly the operation of the portable information terminal 70, will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 are conceptual diagrams showing screen transitions in the portable information terminal 70. FIG. FIG. 4 shows the screen transition of the application 202 initially activated in the single activation mode (described below), and FIG. 5 shows the screen transition of the application 202 initially activated in the cooperative activation mode (described below).

<5-1. Startup mode of application 202>
The application 202 can be activated in response to a call from another application 201 as described above. Such a startup mode is a mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application 202 itself, and is also referred to as a “cooperative startup mode”. The application 202 (print management application) performs pull print printing processing (specifically, processing for transferring print data to a server) for a print target file designated by the application 201 (electronic document viewing application) in the cooperative activation mode. Can be done.

  Further, the cooperation destination application 202 can be activated by the cooperation destination application 202 alone regardless of the cooperation source application 201. Such a startup mode is a startup mode in which the application 202 itself starts up (without cooperation with an application different from the application 202), and is also referred to as a “single startup mode” (or a non-cooperative startup mode). Is done. The application 202 can perform setting processing related to various settings (server information settings and default print settings) in the single activation mode. More specifically, information relating to a server (also referred to as a pull print server) 30 where pull print print data is stored is set in advance, and default values relating to various print setting items are set in advance. It is possible to leave.

  As described above, the application 202 has the single activation mode and the cooperative activation mode.

<5-2. Operation after startup in single startup mode>
In the following, the screen transition of the application 202 initially activated in the single activation mode will be described first with reference to FIG.

  A main menu screen (not shown) is displayed on the touch screen 76c of the portable information terminal 70 in accordance with an appropriate operation by the user. On the main menu screen, a plurality of menu icons corresponding to each application are arranged in a grid pattern. When a desired icon (icon corresponding to a desired application) is pressed by the user among the plurality of menu icons, the desired application is activated. Specifically, in the main menu screen displayed on the touch screen 76c, when an icon corresponding to the cooperation destination application 202 is pressed by the user (operator) of the portable information terminal 70, the cooperation destination application 202 is activated alone. Starts in mode (initial startup). In response to this, a screen 351 is displayed on the touch screen 76c (see the top row in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen 351 displayed on the touch screen 76c immediately after the activation. This screen 351 is also expressed as an initial screen (initial screen in the single activation mode) displayed at the time of activation in the single activation mode.

  The screen 351 has a total of three menu item fields of “server information setting”, “default print setting”, and “print history confirmation”.

  When the user performs a pressing operation (touch operation) on these three menu item fields, a screen corresponding to each menu item field to be pressed is displayed on the touch screen 76c.

  For example, when the menu item column “server information setting” is pressed on the screen 351, another screen 352 (FIG. 7) is displayed on the touch screen 76c instead of the screen 351 (upper center column in FIG. 4). To the second stage). In other words, a screen transition from the screen 351 to the screen 352 occurs. The screen 352 is a screen for performing “server information setting”. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the screen 352 displays information related to the communication target server 30 (specifically, “server address” and “port number”), and user authentication information to be transmitted to the server 30 (specifically, “ This is a screen for setting "user name" and "password"). When the “return” button in the screen 352 is pressed, the screen 351 is displayed again on the touch screen 76c. That is, a screen transition from the screen 352 to the screen 351 occurs.

  When the menu item column “default print setting” is pressed on the screen 351, another screen 353 (FIG. 8) is displayed on the touch screen 76c instead of the screen 351 (in the rightmost column of FIG. 4). (See the second row from the top). In other words, a screen transition from the screen 351 to the screen 353 occurs. As shown in FIG. 8, the screen 353 is a screen for performing “default print setting”. By using the screen 353, setting contents regarding various print setting items (“number of copies”, “print type (single / double-sided)”, “sort”, “color selection”, “sort”, “staple”, etc.) are set. Is done. When the “return” button in the screen 353 is pressed, the screen 351 is displayed again on the touch screen 76c. That is, a screen transition from the screen 353 to the screen 351 occurs.

  Further, when the menu item column “print history confirmation” is pressed on the screen 351, another screen 354 (not shown) is displayed on the touch screen 76c instead of the screen 351. A screen 354 is a screen for displaying a print history. The print history is acquired from the server 30 through communication with the server 30 and displayed. When the “return” button in the screen 354 is pressed, the screen 351 is displayed again on the touch screen 76c.

  By the screen transition operation as described above, any one of the screens 351 to 354 is displayed on the touch screen 76c in the single activation mode.

  Thereafter, after appropriate setting operations are performed using each screen, the user performs another desired application (here, 203) by a predetermined operation (such as a button 76d pressing operation and a menu icon pressing operation). to start.

  Specifically, when the button 76d is pressed during execution of the application 202, the main menu screen is displayed on the touch screen 76c. On the main menu screen, a plurality of menu icons corresponding to each application are arranged. When a desired icon (an icon corresponding to a desired (other) application (203)) is pressed by the user among the plurality of menu icons, the desired application 203 is activated.

  Specifically, before the separate application 203 is activated (for example, immediately after the button 76d is pressed), the application 202 shifts from the activated state to the background standby state. The application 202 holds a display screen (next display screen) to be displayed when returning to the next activation state immediately before shifting to the background standby state. Immediately before the application 202 activated in the single activation mode shifts from the activated state to the background standby state, the screen displayed at a predetermined time before the transition is held as the next display screen.

  For example, when the screen 351 is displayed on the touch screen 76c when the button 76d is pressed (immediately before the transition), the screen 351 is held as the next display screen. Alternatively, when the screen 352 is displayed on the touch screen 76c when the button 76d is pressed, the screen 352 is held as the next display screen. Similarly, when the screen 353 is displayed on the touch screen 76c when the button 76d is pressed, the screen 353 is held as the next display screen.

  Then, by pressing the menu icon, another application 203 is activated (see the third row from the top in FIG. 4), and the application 203 executes processing according to a user instruction.

  Further, the user then performs a predetermined operation (such as pressing the button 76d and pressing a menu icon) with the intention of executing a setting process using the application 202, and starts the application 202 again. (Refer to the lowest level in FIG. 4 (fourth level from the top)).

  Immediately after the return to the activated state, the application 202 displays a screen previously held (stored) as the next display screen on the touch screen 76c. For example, when the screen 351 (FIG. 6) is held as the next display screen, the screen 351 is displayed on the touch screen 76c (see the lowermost row in the leftmost column in FIG. 4). Alternatively, when the screen 352 (FIG. 7) is held as the next display screen, the screen 352 is displayed on the touch screen 76c (see the bottom row in the center row in FIG. 4). Similarly, when the screen 353 (FIG. 8) is held as the next display screen, the screen 353 is displayed on the touch screen 76c (see the lowermost row in the rightmost column in FIG. 4).

  As described above, when the application 202 activated in the single activation mode is activated again after the transition to the background standby state (transition to the activation state again), the screen immediately before the transition to the background standby state is displayed. Is done. According to this, continuity between the display screen immediately before the transition to the background standby state and the display screen after the return from the background standby state is ensured. In other words, it is possible to appropriately determine the restart screen after being started in the single start mode.

<5-3. Operation after startup in linked startup mode>
Next, the screen transition of the application 202 activated in the cooperative activation mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in the main menu screen displayed on the touch screen 76 c, when an icon corresponding to the cooperation source application 201 is pressed by the user (operator) of the portable information terminal 70, the cooperation source application 201 is displayed on the portable information terminal 70. It is activated. In response to this, the screen 310 (see FIG. 9) is displayed on the touch screen 76c (see the top row of FIG. 5 (and FIG. 11)). The cooperation source application (electronic document browsing application) 201 has a document content browsing function (preview function) of an electronic document. Specifically, the application 201 can selectively display the contents of one document among a plurality of electronic documents.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen 310 of the electronic document browsing application 201.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a document selection area 301 is provided on the left side of the display screen 310 of the electronic document browsing application 201, and a document browsing area (document 302 (also referred to as a content display area or a preview area) is provided. In the document selection area 301, document names of a plurality of documents stored in the portable information terminal 70 are listed. When the user selects an item (for example, item 312) corresponding to a desired document from among a plurality of items (311, 312, 313, etc.) corresponding to each of the plurality of documents, the selected document (selected document) Is displayed in the document browsing area 302. In FIG. 9, the document “ABC.pdf” (item 312) is selected by the user in the document selection area 301, and the content of the selected document “ABC.pdf” is displayed in the document browsing area 302.

  An action menu display button 321 is also provided in the display screen 310. When the user presses the action menu display button 321, the electronic document browsing application 201 pops up an action menu 330 (see FIG. 9) in a partial area (here, a substantially central area) of the display screen 310.

  The action menu 330 is a submenu including a plurality of menu items (“new folder”, “launch linked application”, “online (storage) transfer”, “mail”,..., “Delete”, “print”, etc.). It is a screen (menu image). Among the plurality of menu items, a menu item 332 “launch cooperative application” is included. The menu item 332 is a menu item for giving a start instruction to start (call) the cooperation destination application.

  As described above, during execution of the cooperation source application 201 (and immediately before the start of the cooperation destination application 202), the menu image (action menu 330) including the call menu item of the application is displayed on the display screen 310 of the cooperation source application 201. Is done.

  Next, when the menu item 332 “cooperative application activation” in the action menu 330 is pressed by the user, the print management application 202, which is a cooperation destination application of the application 201, is activated (initially activated) in the cooperative activation mode (FIG. 5 (and see the second row from the top) (and FIG. 11). In other words, the cooperation destination application 202 that cooperates with the cooperation source application 201 is called and started by the cooperation source application 201. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen 371 displayed on the touch screen 76c immediately after the activation. This screen 371 is also referred to as an initial screen in the cooperative activation mode.

  An information display field relating to the server 30 is provided in the uppermost part of the screen 371, and an information display field relating to the print target data is provided in the middle part of the screen 371. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the IP address of the server 30 is “192.168.0.8”, the print target data is “ABC.pdf”, and the like. In the uppermost part of the screen 371, information (the IP address of the server 30) set in advance in the single activation mode of the application 202 is displayed. In the middle of the screen 371, information (print target data file name) transferred from the cooperation source application 201 is shown.

  A print setting field is provided on the lower side of the screen 371. In these print setting fields, setting contents (default setting contents (“number of copies = 1”, “printing type = single side”, etc.) set in advance in the single activation mode of the application 202) are displayed. Note that the setting content can be changed using the print setting field on the screen 371.

  Further, a print button 381 is provided at the bottom of the screen 371.

  When the print button 381 is pressed, print target data for pull printing is transmitted to the server 30. In other words, among the pull print operations, a pull print print data transfer storage operation (an operation to transfer print data from the portable information terminal 70 to the server 30 and temporarily store the print data in the server 30) is performed. Is called.

  After that, the user moves to the location where the MFP 10 (print output apparatus) is arranged, and operates the operation panel 6c of the MFP 10 to log in to the MFP 10. The MFP 10 acquires (pulls) print data to be pulled by the logged-in user from the server 30 and performs printout (print) based on the print data. In this way, the pull print printing process is performed.

  Now, after the print button 381 is pressed and a certain period of time elapses, the user can perform another desired application (here, 203) by a predetermined operation (such as a button 76d pressing operation and a menu icon pressing operation). Is activated on the portable information terminal 70 (see the third row from the top in FIG. 5 (and FIG. 11)). At this time, before the application 203 is activated (for example, immediately after the button 76d is pressed), the application 202 that has been activated so far shifts to a background standby state. In addition, the newly activated application 203 executes processing according to a user instruction.

  Further, after that, when the user wants to execute a setting process using the application 202, the user performs a predetermined operation (such as a pressing operation of the button 76d and a pressing operation of the menu icon) and starts the application 202 again (see FIG. No. 5 (and FIG. 11) (see the fourth row from the top)). In other words, the application 202 is restarted by itself rather than being called from another cooperation source application (201), and returns from the background standby state.

  Here, just as in the screen display technique immediately after restart of the application 202 initially started in the single start mode as described above, immediately after restart of the application 202 initially started in the cooperative start mode (background standby state) A technique (also referred to as a technique according to a comparative example) in which the display screen immediately before the transition to the background standby state is displayed is also assumed at the time of returning from the standby state.

  In the technology according to this comparative example, as shown in FIG. 11, immediately after the application 202 is restarted, the display screen 371 immediately before the transition to the background standby state is displayed (see the bottom row in FIG. 11). . FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing screen transition according to the comparative example.

  This screen 371 includes information (such as print target data “ABC.pdf”) that is premised on cooperation with other applications, and is also provided with a print button 381 that presupposes the cooperation.

  However, such information is not basically valid in the single activation mode, and the print button 381 included in the screen 371 is basically not valid. In other words, the screen 371 is a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode among the single activation mode, the cooperative activation mode, and both modes.

  When the user visually recognizes the screen 371 including invalid contents, confusion occurs. In other words, viewing the screen 371 that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode causes user confusion.

  As described above, if the cooperation screen 371 immediately before the transition to the background standby state is displayed as it is immediately after the cooperation destination application is restarted, the user is confused.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, immediately after the restart of the application 202 initially started in the cooperative start mode, the display screen 371 other than the display screen 371 immediately before the transition to the background standby state is performed. A technique for displaying a predetermined screen (specifically, the initial screen 351 in the single activation mode) will be exemplified.

  Here, as described above, after the print management application 202, which is a cooperation destination application of the application 201, is activated in the cooperative activation mode (see the second row from the top in FIG. 5), the print button 381 is pressed. Assume that the transfer processing to the server (cooperation with the application 201 in the application 202) has been completed. Thereafter, the user activates another desired application (here, 203) on the portable information terminal 70 by a predetermined operation (such as a pressing operation of the button 76d and a pressing operation of the menu icon) (3 from the top in FIG. 5). (See the stage).

  More specifically, when the button 76d is pressed during execution of the application 202, the main menu screen is displayed on the touch screen 76c. When a desired icon (an icon corresponding to the application 203) is pressed by the user among the plurality of menu icons, the (different) application 203 is activated.

  At this time, before the separate application 203 is activated (for example, immediately after the button 76d is pressed), the application 202 shifts from the activated state to the background standby state. Further, immediately before the transition to the background standby state, the application 202 holds a display screen (next display screen) to be displayed when returning to the next activation state. In particular, immediately before the application 202 activated in the cooperative activation mode shifts to the background standby state, the screen designated in advance in the application 202 (here, the screen 351) is held as the next display screen (FIG. 5). (Refer to the vicinity of the middle position between the second and third steps from the top.) For example, immediately after the button 76d is pressed, the screen 351 (the initial screen in the single activation mode) is held as the next display screen. Then, by pressing the menu icon, another application 203 is activated (see the second row from the bottom of FIG. 5), and the application 203 executes processing according to the user's instruction.

  Thereafter, the user intends to execute a setting process using the application 202, etc., and performs a predetermined operation (such as a pressing operation of the button 76d and a pressing operation of a menu icon) to start the application 202 again ( (See the bottom row in FIG. 5). In other words, the application 202 is not called from another cooperation source application (201), but is restarted alone (rebooting in a so-called single start mode), and returns from the background standby state.

  Immediately after the return to the activated state, the application 202 displays the screen (here, the screen 351 (FIG. 6)) previously held as the next display screen on the touch screen 76c (see the bottom row in FIG. 5). ).

  As described above, when the application 202 activated in the cooperative activation mode is activated again after shifting to the background standby state, the screen 351 is displayed. In other words, the screen 351, which is a screen displayed when the single activation mode is used, is also displayed when the cooperative activation mode is used.

  The display screen 351 is an initial screen in the single start mode, and is an appropriate display screen in the single start mode. The display screen 351 is a screen that can be used independently of other applications (regardless of the presence or absence of cooperation with other applications). Therefore, it is possible to avoid the above-described disadvantage that may occur when the screen 371 that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode is displayed. In other words, in an application that can be started in the two modes of the cooperative startup mode and the single startup mode, the restart screen (particularly the restart screen after the initial startup in the cooperative startup mode) is appropriately determined. Is possible.

  Unlike the above-described embodiment, the screen 351 is always displayed in a fixed manner when returning from the background standby state regardless of the initial startup in either of the above-described modes (the single startup mode and the linked startup mode). Technology is also conceivable. However, in this technology, after starting in the single start mode, after transitioning to one of the plurality of screens 351 to 354, transitioning to the background standby state, and then returning from the background standby state, always The screen 351 is displayed. For example, after transitioning from the screen 351 to the screen 352 after startup in the stand-alone startup mode, the screen 351 (screen different from the screen 352) is displayed even when transitioning to the background standby state and then returning from the background standby state. It will be displayed. For this reason, the continuity of the screen before the transition to the background standby state and after the return from the background standby state is lost.

  On the other hand, in the above embodiment, when the application 202 started in the single start mode starts again after shifting to the background standby state (returns to the start state), as shown in FIG. The same screen as that immediately before the transition to the background standby state is displayed. According to this, continuity between the display screen immediately before the transition to the background standby state and the display screen after the return from the background standby state is appropriately ensured.

<6. Modified example>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a mode in which the initial screen 351 in the single activation mode is displayed when the application 202 activated in the linked activation mode is activated again after shifting to the background standby state is illustrated. However, it is not limited to this. Specifically, screens other than those that can only be used in the linked startup mode (screens that can be used only in the standalone startup mode, or screens that can be used in both the linked startup mode and the standalone startup mode) are displayed. Just do it. Specifically, instead of the screen 351, other screens in the single activation mode (screens 352, 353, etc.) may be displayed. Alternatively, a special screen other than the screen in the single activation mode (for example, a screen indicating that the cooperative activation mode has been changed to the single activation mode) may be displayed instead of the screen 351. .

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example mainly illustrates the operation when the application 202 shifts to the background standby state after the cooperation process (transfer process of print target data to the server) in the application 202 is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the application 202 is backed up in response to the cooperation processing (data transfer processing) in the application 202 activated in the cooperation activation mode being interrupted (not completed) by a user operation (for example, pressing the home button). The above concept may be applied to the operation when shifting to the ground standby state. More specifically, the cooperation destination application 202 may hold the screen 351 or the like as the next display screen immediately before shifting to the background standby state according to the interruption process. Then, when the application 202 is started again after shifting to the background standby state, the next display screen (eg, 351) may be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, the screen of the application 202 is continuously displayed even after the cooperation process in the application 202 is completed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the screen of the cooperation source application 201 may be displayed after the cooperation processing is completed. That is, after the process in the cooperation destination application 202 is completed, the application 201 may be returned to the caller (cooperation source).

  Specifically, when the cooperation process (data transfer process to the server) by the cooperation destination application 202 is completed, the original screen (the screen displayed when the application 202 is called) in the cooperation source application 201 is displayed again. May be. More specifically, when the application 202 is called from the application 201, information on the application 201 is transmitted from the application 201 to the application 202. Then, after the data transfer processing to the server by the application 202 is completed, the application 202 may call the application 201 on the contrary using the information of the application 201. Note that such a calling operation of the cooperation source application 201 may be automatically performed in response to the end (completion) of the cooperation processing in the cooperation destination application 202 or a user operation in the cooperation destination application 202. It may be performed in response to (return instruction operation to the cooperation source application 201).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 6c (MFP) operation panel 10 MFP (image forming apparatus)
30 server 70 portable information terminal 76c (mobile information terminal) touch screen 201 electronic document viewing application (cooperation source application)
202 Print management application (cooperation destination application)
203 (Other) Applications 351 to 354 Display Screen in Stand-alone Startup Mode 371 Display Screen in Cooperative Startup Mode

Claims (26)

A portable information terminal capable of executing an application,
Before the application having both the single start mode for starting the single application and the cooperative start mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application shifts from the start state to the background standby state, the next time Holding means for holding a next display screen, which is a screen to be displayed when returning to the startup state;
Display control means for displaying the next display screen on the display unit of the portable information terminal when the application returns from the background standby state;
With
The holding means is
Before the application activated in the cooperative activation mode shifts to the background standby state, a predetermined screen other than a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode among the two modes is held as the next display screen. And
The display control means includes
When the application activated in the cooperative activation mode returns to the background standby state after the transition to the background standby state and starts again, the predetermined screen is displayed on the display unit. Mobile information terminal. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein
The holding means is
Before the application activated in the single activation mode shifts to the background standby state, the first screen displayed at a predetermined time before the transition is held as the next display screen,
The display control means includes
The first screen is displayed on the display unit when the application started in the single start mode returns from the background standby state and starts again after shifting to the background standby state. A portable information terminal. In the portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
The portable information terminal, wherein the predetermined screen is a screen displayed when the single activation mode is used. In the portable information terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined screen is an initial screen displayed at the time of start-up in the single start-up mode. The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Said retaining means, when the transition to the front Fang click background wait state is executed after the cooperation process in the application started by the cooperative start mode is completed, only said linkage startup mode of the two modes available A portable information terminal characterized by holding a predetermined screen other than a possible screen as the next display screen. The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
It said retaining means, when the cooperative processing in the application started by the cooperative activation mode transition is made to Fang background concentrations standby state before in response to being interrupted before completion, of the two modes A portable information terminal, wherein a predetermined screen other than a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode is held as the next display screen. An application for causing a computer built in a portable information terminal to execute a plurality of steps,
The plurality of steps include:
a) Before the application having both the single start mode for starting the application alone and the cooperative start mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application shifts from the start state to the background standby state A step of holding a next display screen which is a screen to be displayed at the time of returning to the next activation state,
b) displaying the next display screen on the display unit of the portable information terminal when returning from the background standby state;
With
Said step a)
a-1) Before the application started in the cooperative startup mode shifts to the first background standby state, a predetermined screen other than the screen that can be used only in the cooperative startup mode among the two modes is displayed. Step to keep as the next display screen,
Have
Said step b)
b-1) When the application activated in the cooperative activation mode returns from the first background standby state after the transition to the first background standby state and starts again, the predetermined screen is displayed. Displaying on the display unit;
An application characterized by having. The application of claim 7,
The plurality of steps include:
c) Before the application started in the single start mode shifts to the second background standby state, the next display of the first screen displayed on the display unit at a predetermined time before the transition Holding as a screen for
d) When the application started in the single start mode returns to the second background standby state after the transition to the second background standby state and starts again, the first screen is displayed Displaying on the display unit;
An application characterized by further comprising: In the application according to claim 7 or claim 8,
The application, wherein the predetermined screen is a screen displayed when the single activation mode is used. In the application according to claim 7 or claim 8,
The application is characterized in that the predetermined screen is an initial screen displayed at the time of start-up in the single start-up mode. In the application according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
In the step a), the transition to the first background standby state is performed after the cooperation processing in the application activated in the cooperation activation mode is completed. In the application according to any one of claims 7 to 10,
In the step a), the transition to the first background standby state is performed in response to the cooperation processing in the application started in the cooperation start mode being interrupted before completion. Application.   A portable information terminal capable of executing an application having both a single start mode for starting an application alone and a cooperative start mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application,
  After switching the application so that the first application being displayed is in the standby state with the first application being displayed and the second application is displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal, the first application is Display control means for displaying the first application on the display unit of the portable information terminal to be in an activated state when the computer returns from the standby state;
With
  The display control means, when the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is displayed again after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after the transition to the standby state. A portable information terminal that displays a screen of the single application in the single activation mode or a screen indicating display in the single activation mode on the display unit.   The portable information terminal according to claim 13,
  The display control means shifts to the standby state after the cooperation processing in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode is completed, and then the first application is in the single activation mode. When the display is resumed after returning from the standby state, the display unit displays a screen showing the display of the first application in the single start mode or the display in the single start mode. Terminal.   The portable information terminal according to claim 13,
  The display control means shifts to the standby state in response to the cooperation processing in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode being interrupted before completion, and thereafter the first control is performed. When the application returns from the standby state in the single activation mode and is displayed again, the screen of the first application in the single activation mode or the screen indicating the display in the single activation mode is displayed on the display unit. A portable information terminal characterized by that.   The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
  The display control means uses the single activation mode when the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is displayed again after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after transitioning to the standby state. A portable information terminal characterized in that a screen displayed at times is displayed on the display unit.   The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
  When the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is displayed again after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after the transition to the standby state, the display control means uses the single activation mode. A portable information terminal, wherein an initial screen displayed at startup is displayed on the display unit.   The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 13 to 17,
  Holding means for holding a screen to be displayed at the time of returning to the next activation state before the first application being displayed shifts to the standby state;
Further comprising
  The holding means holds the first screen displayed at a predetermined time before the transition, before the first application started in the single start mode shifts to the standby state,
  The display control means displays the first screen on the display unit when the first application activated in the single activation mode returns from the standby state and starts again after shifting to the standby state. A portable information terminal characterized by displaying.   The portable information terminal according to any one of claims 13 to 18,
  The screen of the first application displayed in cooperation with the other application in the cooperative activation mode is a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode among the screens of the first application. A portable information terminal.   An application having both a single start mode for starting an application alone and a cooperative start mode for starting in cooperation with an application different from the application,
  In the computer built into the personal digital assistant,
  a) The first application, which is the application started in the cooperative activation mode and displayed on the display unit of the portable information terminal, is set in a standby state in the background, and the second application is displayed on the display unit And when the first application returns from the standby state in the stand-alone activation mode and is activated and displayed again, the screen in the stand-alone activation mode of the first application or Displaying a screen showing display in the single activation mode on the display unit;
Application to run.   The application of claim 20,
  In the step a), the transition to the standby state is performed after the cooperation processing in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode is completed.   The application of claim 20,
  In the step a), the transition to the standby state is performed in response to the cooperation processing in the first application activated in the cooperation activation mode being interrupted before completion. .   The application according to any one of claims 20 to 22,
  In the step a), when the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is displayed again after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after shifting to the standby state, the single activation mode An application characterized in that a screen displayed when used is displayed on the display unit.   The application according to any one of claims 20 to 22,
  In the step a), when the first application activated in the cooperative activation mode is displayed again after returning from the standby state in the single activation mode after shifting to the standby state, the single activation mode An application is characterized in that an initial screen displayed at startup by is displayed on the display unit.   25. An application according to any one of claims 20 to 24,
  b) Before the first application started in the single start mode shifts to the standby state in the background, the first screen displayed on the display unit at a predetermined time before the shift is held. And steps to
  c) After the first application activated in the single activation mode shifts to the standby state after the step b), the first screen is displayed when returning from the standby state and starting again. Displaying on the display unit;
An application for causing the computer to further execute.   The application according to any one of claims 20 to 25,
  The screen of the first application displayed in cooperation with the other application in the cooperative activation mode is a screen that can be used only in the cooperative activation mode among the screens of the first application. Features application.

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