Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) collecting type information representing types of the plurality of devices, the type represented by the type information indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; c) sorting the plurality of devices based on collected type information; and d) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step together with the setting positions obtained based on the collected setting position information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) collecting type information representing types of the plurality of devices, the type represented by the type information indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; c) sorting the plurality of devices based on collected type information; and d) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step together with the setting positions obtained based on the collected setting position information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of inputting a type of a desired device to be used, and wherein the step (c) includes sorting the plurality of devices on the basis of the input type, and the step (d) includes displaying a setting position of a device corresponding to the input type.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of selecting a desired device to be used from said devices displayed in the step (d).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
136 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of input devices connected to the network; c) displaying data input devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of input devices is designated in the step (b); d) selecting a desired input device from said input devices displayed in the step (c); and e) inputting data from said input device selected in the step (d).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of input devices connected to the network; c) displaying data input devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of input devices is designated in the step (b); d) selecting a desired input device from said input devices displayed in the step (c); and e) inputting data from said input device selected in the step (d).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of reserving said input device selected in the step (d).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of output devices connected to the network; c) displaying data output devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of output devices is designated in the step (b); d) selecting a desired output device from said output devices displayed in the step (c); and e) outputting data to said output device selected in the step (d).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of output devices connected to the network; c) displaying data output devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of output devices is designated in the step (b); d) selecting a desired output device from said output devices displayed in the step (c); and e) outputting data to said output device selected in the step (d).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) collecting group information representing groups to which a plurality of devices connected to a network are classified and setting position information representing setting positions of said devices; b) designating a desired group; c) collecting status information of a device corresponding to the group designated in the step (b); and d) automatically selecting a target device from a plurality of devices belonging to the designated group by referring to the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the status information collected in the step (c).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) collecting group information representing groups to which a plurality of devices connected to a network are classified and setting position information representing setting positions of said devices; b) designating a desired group; c) collecting status information of a device corresponding to the group designated in the step (b); and d) automatically selecting a target device from a plurality of devices belonging to the designated group by referring to the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the status information collected in the step (c).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the step (b) includes designating a group of a data input device or a data output device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the step (d) includes selecting a device near to a position of an operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
128 words
A network system controlling apparatus which controls a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising: collecting means for collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network and type information representing types of the plurality of devices, the type represented by the type information indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; sorting means for sorting the plurality of devices based on the collected type information; and display means for displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting means together with the setting positions obtained based on the setting position information collected by said collecting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
128 words
A network system controlling apparatus which controls a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising: collecting means for collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network and type information representing types of the plurality of devices, the type represented by the type information indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; sorting means for sorting the plurality of devices based on the collected type information; and display means for displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting means together with the setting positions obtained based on the setting position information collected by said collecting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising input means for inputting a type of a desired device to be used, and wherein said display means displays a setting position of a device corresponding to the type input by said input means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising selection means for selecting a target device from said devices displayed by said display means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: first collecting means for collecting group information representing groups to which a plurality of devices connected to a network are classified and setting position information representing setting positions of said devices; designation means for designating a desired group; second collecting means for collecting status information of devices corresponding to the group designated by said designation means; and selection means for automatically selecting a target device from a plurality of devices belonging to the designated group by referring to the setting position information collected by said first collecting means and the status information collected by said second collecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: first collecting means for collecting group information representing groups to which a plurality of devices connected to a network are classified and setting position information representing setting positions of said devices; designation means for designating a desired group; second collecting means for collecting status information of devices corresponding to the group designated by said designation means; and selection means for automatically selecting a target device from a plurality of devices belonging to the designated group by referring to the setting position information collected by said first collecting means and the status information collected by said second collecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said selection means selects a device near to a position of an operator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
72 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired device being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and b) displaying a list of devices belonging to the group designated in the step (a) so as to allow discrimination between a device used through said network and a device used without interposing said network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
72 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired device being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and b) displaying a list of devices belonging to the group designated in the step (a) so as to allow discrimination between a device used through said network and a device used without interposing said network.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of collecting group information representing groups to which each of said plurality of devices belongs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired device being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and b) displaying a list of devices belonging to the group designated in the step (a) so as to allow discrimination between interfaces of said devices.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: a) designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired device being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and b) displaying a list of devices belonging to the group designated in the step (a) so as to allow discrimination between interfaces of said devices.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of collecting group information representing groups to which each of said plurality of devices belongs.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of collecting group information from the plurality of devices, the group information representing groups classified in accordance with types of said interfaces of said plurality of devices.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: designation means for designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired device being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and display means for displaying a list of devices belonging to the group designated by said designation means so as to allow discrimination between a device used through said network and a device used without interposing said network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
73 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: designation means for designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired device being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and display means for displaying a list of devices belonging to the group designated by said designation means so as to allow discrimination between a device used through said network and a device used without interposing said network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising collecting means for collecting group information form the plurality of devices, the group information representing groups to which each of said plurality of devices belongs.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: designation means for designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired devise being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and display means for displaying a list of devices corresponding to the type input by said input means so as to allow discrimination between interfaces of said devices.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
63 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: designation means for designating a group to which a desired device to be used belongs, the desired devise being one of a plurality of devices connected to a network; and display means for displaying a list of devices corresponding to the type input by said input means so as to allow discrimination between interfaces of said devices.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising collecting means for collecting group information from the plurality of devices, the group information representing groups to which each of said plurality of devices belongs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising collecting means for collecting group information from the plurality of devices, the group information representing groups classified in accordance with said interfaces of said plurality of devices.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer readable program, stored in a storage medium, for controlling network system comprising the steps of: a) causing to input a type of a device to be used, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; b) causing to display list of devices connected to a network in accordance with the type input in the step (a); and c) causing to select a desired device from the list displayed in the step (b).
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
81 words
A computer readable program, stored in a storage medium, for controlling network system comprising the steps of: a) causing to input a type of a device to be used, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; b) causing to display list of devices connected to a network in accordance with the type input in the step (a); and c) causing to select a desired device from the list displayed in the step (b).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
96 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting an input device or an output device, comprising the steps of: a) collecting type information representing types of a plurality of devices connected to a network, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; b) sorting the plurality of devices in units of the types on the basis of collected type information; and c) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
96 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting an input device or an output device, comprising the steps of: a) collecting type information representing types of a plurality of devices connected to a network, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; b) sorting the plurality of devices in units of the types on the basis of collected type information; and c) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
85 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: collecting means for collecting type information representing types of a plurality of devices connected to a network, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; sorting means for sorting the plurality of devices in units of the types on the basis of the collected type information; and display means for displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
85 words
A network system controlling apparatus comprising: collecting means for collecting type information representing types of a plurality of devices connected to a network, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; sorting means for sorting the plurality of devices in units of the types on the basis of the collected type information; and display means for displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
69 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting position of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; and c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with setting position of each device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
69 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: a) collecting setting position information representing setting position of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; and c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with setting position of each device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of groups include a group constituted by a plurality of printers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of groups include a group constituted by a plurality of scanners.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of groups include a group constituted by a plurality of facsimile apparatus.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
65 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: a) collecting status information representing status of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; and c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with status of each device based on the status information collected in the step (a).
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
65 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: a) collecting status information representing status of a plurality of devices connected to a network; b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; and c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with status of each device based on the status information collected in the step (a).
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of groups include a group constituted by a plurality of printers.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of groups include a group constituted by a plurality of scanners.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of groups include a group constituted by a plurality of facsimile apparatus.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
185 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) collecting type information representing types of the plurality of devices, the type represented by the type information indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; (c) sorting the plurality of devices based on collected type information; (d) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step together with the setting positions based on the collected setting position information; (e) designating either a first mode or a second mode; (f) manually selecting, when the first mode has been selected in the step (e), a desired device based on information displayed in step (d) and a manual instruction; and (g) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected in the step (e), a target device based on information collected in the steps (a) and (b).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
185 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) collecting type information representing types of the plurality of devices, the type represented by the type information indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; (c) sorting the plurality of devices based on collected type information; (d) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step together with the setting positions based on the collected setting position information; (e) designating either a first mode or a second mode; (f) manually selecting, when the first mode has been selected in the step (e), a desired device based on information displayed in step (d) and a manual instruction; and (g) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected in the step (e), a target device based on information collected in the steps (a) and (b).
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
198 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of input devices connected to the network; (c) displaying data input devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of input devices is designated in the step (b); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) manually selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired input device from said input devices displayed in the step (c) based on the manual instruction; (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been set, a target input device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the group designated in the step (b); and (g) inputting data from the input device selected in the steps (e) and (f).
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
198 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting both an input device and an output device, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of input devices connected to the network; (c) displaying data input devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of input devices is designated in the step (b); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) manually selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired input device from said input devices displayed in the step (c) based on the manual instruction; (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been set, a target input device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the group designated in the step (b); and (g) inputting data from the input device selected in the steps (e) and (f).
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
185 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of output devices connected to the network; (c) displaying data output devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of output devices is designated in the step (b); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired output device from said output devices displayed in the step (c) in accordance with a manual instruction; (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been set in the step (d), a target device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the group designated in the step (b); and (g) outputting data to the output device selected in the steps (e) and (f).
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
185 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting positions of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups to which the plurality of devices are classified, the plurality of groups including a group of output devices connected to the network; (c) displaying data output devices together with the setting positions based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) when the group of output devices is designated in the step (b); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired output device from said output devices displayed in the step (c) in accordance with a manual instruction; (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been set in the step (d), a target device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the group designated in the step (b); and (g) outputting data to the output device selected in the steps (e) and (f).
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
154 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting group information representing groups of which a plurality of devices connected to a network are classified and setting position information representing setting positions of said devices; (b) designating a desired group; (c) collecting status information of devices corresponding to the group designated in step (b); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) displaying information indicating the devices corresponding to the status information collected in step (c); (f) selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (e), a desired device based on the information displayed in step (e) and a manual instruction; and (g) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected, a target device from a plurality of devices belonging to the designated group by referring to the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the status information collected in the step (c).
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
154 words
A network system control method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting group information representing groups of which a plurality of devices connected to a network are classified and setting position information representing setting positions of said devices; (b) designating a desired group; (c) collecting status information of devices corresponding to the group designated in step (b); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) displaying information indicating the devices corresponding to the status information collected in step (c); (f) selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (e), a desired device based on the information displayed in step (e) and a manual instruction; and (g) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected, a target device from a plurality of devices belonging to the designated group by referring to the setting position information collected in the step (a) and the status information collected in the step (c).
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer readable program, stored in a storage medium, for controlling a network system comprising the steps of: (a) causing to input a type of a device to be used, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; (b) causing to display list of devices connected to a network in accordance with the type input in the step (a); (c) causing to designate either a first mode or a second mode; (d) causing to select, when the first mode has been set in the step (c), a desired device from the list displayed in the step (b) in accordance with manual instruction; and (c) causing to automatically select, when the second mode has been set in the step (c), a proper device based on the type input in the step (a).
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer readable program, stored in a storage medium, for controlling a network system comprising the steps of: (a) causing to input a type of a device to be used, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; (b) causing to display list of devices connected to a network in accordance with the type input in the step (a); (c) causing to designate either a first mode or a second mode; (d) causing to select, when the first mode has been set in the step (c), a desired device from the list displayed in the step (b) in accordance with manual instruction; and (c) causing to automatically select, when the second mode has been set in the step (c), a proper device based on the type input in the step (a).
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
160 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting an input device or an output device, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting type information representing types of a plurality of devices connected to a network, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; (b) sorting the plurality of devices in units of the types on the basis of collected type information; (c) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step; (d) designating either a first mode and a second mode; (e) selecting, when the first mode has been designated in the step (d), a desired device based on information displayed in the step (c) and a manual instruction; and (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected in the step (d), a target device based on type information collected in the steps (a).
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
160 words
A network system control method of controlling a network system capable of connecting an input device or an output device, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting type information representing types of a plurality of devices connected to a network, the type indicating whether a device operates as an input device or an output device; (b) sorting the plurality of devices in units of the types on the basis of collected type information; (c) displaying information indicating the plurality of devices in units of the types in accordance with the sorting result of said sorting step; (d) designating either a first mode and a second mode; (e) selecting, when the first mode has been designated in the step (d), a desired device based on information displayed in the step (c) and a manual instruction; and (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected in the step (d), a target device based on type information collected in the steps (a).
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
142 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting position of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; (c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with setting position of each device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a); (d) setting either a first mode and a second mode; (e) manually selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired device based on information output in the step (c) and a manual instruction; and (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected in the step (d), a target device based on setting position information collected in the steps (a) and the group designated in step (b).
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
142 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: (a) collecting setting position information representing setting position of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; (c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with setting position of each device based on the setting position information collected in the step (a); (d) setting either a first mode and a second mode; (e) manually selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired device based on information output in the step (c) and a manual instruction; and (f) automatically selecting, when the second mode has been selected in the step (d), a target device based on setting position information collected in the steps (a) and the group designated in step (b).
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
137 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: (a) collecting status information representing status of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; (c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with the status of each device based on the status information collected in step (a); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) manually selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired device based on information output in the step (c) and a manual instruction; and (f) automatically selected, when the second mode has been selected in the step (d), a target device based on status information collected in the steps (a) and the group designated in step (b).
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
137 words
A network system control method comprising steps of: (a) collecting status information representing status of a plurality of devices connected to a network; (b) designating a group of devices from a plurality of groups; (c) outputting information representing devices corresponding to the group designated in the step (b) together with the status of each device based on the status information collected in step (a); (d) setting either a first mode or a second mode; (e) manually selecting, when the first mode has been set in the step (d), a desired device based on information output in the step (c) and a manual instruction; and (f) automatically selected, when the second mode has been selected in the step (d), a target device based on status information collected in the steps (a) and the group designated in step (b).