JP7175668B2 - Information processing system, information processing system control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technology for transmitting information on an electronic device to a service management server that can communicate with a service providing server that provides services.

2. Description of the Related Art Log information such as user usage information and history information obtained in a multifunction peripheral (MFP), and status information indicating the state of the MFP (for example, remaining ink information) are beginning to be utilized in various services. For example, it has been proposed to provide a new service according to the state of the MFP by transmitting status information to a server with the consent of the user and analyzing the status information on the server side. Further, a service has been proposed in which a server side refers to log information and gives a privilege to a user who uses the system frequently.

Patent Literature 1 describes a technique in which a relay device is provided to manage service license statuses, service registration statuses, and the like, and the relay device centrally manages the license status and registration status of all services. Further, it is described that when a user requests to use a service, the multi-function device inquires of the relay device about the license status and registration status.

JP 2016-45679 A

In order to utilize log information and status information, it is necessary to obtain permission from the user to the effect that such information may be transmitted. In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the relay device manages the license status. Therefore, if the MFP is not connected to a network such as the Internet when the user requests to use the service, the MFP cannot confirm the license status and cannot use the service. Thus, network conditions limit the opportunity for users to initiate use of the service.

It is an object of the present invention to provide users with the opportunity to start using services regardless of network conditions.

An information processing system according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including: a management server capable of transmitting information to a plurality of service providing servers; an electronic device capable of communicating through a network ; The electronic device transmits permission status information indicating whether or not a user has permitted transmission of device information from the electronic device by means of communication means for connecting to the network, while not connected to the network. Manageable management means, and processing for transmitting the device information to the management server in a state where the device information is connected to the network by the communication means when the permission status information indicates that the user has given permission. means, wherein the management server transfers, among the device information, information necessary for services provided by the service providing server to the service providing server, and the service providing server communicates with the user If the first service providing server does not require registration for use of the service, the management server receives the first service provided by the first service providing server without receiving notification from the first service providing server. Information necessary for one service is transferred to the first service providing server periodically or irregularly .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide the user with an opportunity to start using the service regardless of the network state.

The block diagram of an information processing system. Block diagram of MFP. Block diagram of this service management server. 4 is a block diagram of a service providing server; FIG. FIG. 2 is an overall relationship diagram among the MFP, the service management server, and each service providing server; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a registration flow of an external registration push-type service; FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a registration flow of an external registration pull type service;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the present invention. In addition, the same configuration will be described by attaching the same reference numerals.

<<Embodiment 1>>
<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system. The information processing system includes MFP 100 , service management server 200 , service providing server group 400 , and communication network 300 . The service providing server group 400 is a general term for service providing servers that provide each service. In the example of FIG. 1, the service providing server group 400 has a service A providing server 420 that provides service A, a service B providing server 430 that provides service B, and a service C providing server 440 that provides service C.

<Overview of the system>
An outline of the processing performed by this system will be explained. First, an example of the services provided by this system will be described. An example of the service is a service that gives points to the user according to log information such as usage information and history information of the user in MFP 100 . More specifically, the log information is information that stores events occurring in the MFP 100, such as error occurrence status, number of prints, number of prints, and the like.

Examples of other services include services corresponding to status information indicating the state of MFP 100 . For example, an automatic delivery service for MFP 100 consumables such as ink and toner can be cited. The automatic delivery service automatically orders and delivers consumables when the remaining amount of consumables falls below a certain level. In this case, the status information is identification information for identifying the consumable and information indicating the remaining amount of the corresponding consumable.

Examples of other services include content printing services. In the content printing service, MFP 100 prints content such as a user's photo or content such as a coloring template provided by a service providing server. In this case, the status information is information indicating the state of MFP 100 and the print result.

These log information and status information can be said to be information indicating the state of the device of MFP 100 . Alternatively, it can be said that the information relates to the state in which the user uses MFP 100 . These are collectively called device provision information. Device provision information is hereinafter simply referred to as device information. The services described above are only examples and are not intended to be limiting. Any service may be used as long as the service providing server uses the device information of the MFP 100 . Also, the device information is not limited to the above example.

1, MFP 100, service management server 200, and service providing server group 400 are connected via communication network 300. FIG. However, in this embodiment, the MFP 100 transmits and receives information to and from the service management server 200 . Each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 transmits and receives information to and from the service management server 200 . That is, the MFP 100 does not directly transmit and receive information to and from each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 . Moreover, the network 300 is specifically the Internet. For example, MFP 100 is connected to a wireless LAN via an external access point, and is further connected to the Internet by a router function of the external access point (that is, when the external access point is a wireless LAN router). Therefore, MFP 100 and service management server 200 are connected via the Internet.

In this embodiment, by providing the service management server 200, for example, the information of the MFP 100 necessary for various services can be collected by the service management server 200. FIG. Since the service management server 200 exchanges information with the service providing server that provides various services, the MFP 100 does not need to directly exchange information with the service providing server.

In order to provide the above services, it is first necessary to obtain permission from the user. This is because device information such as log information and status information of MFP 100 is provided to the outside. Furthermore, in addition to permitting provision of device information to the outside, service usage registration is separately performed between the user and the service providing server through, for example, a web page. These series of processes are generally required for each service.

In this embodiment, the steps required to use the service are divided into two stages. The first stage is a process of obtaining permission from the user to transmit the device information to the outside. At this time, a permission common to all services is obtained from the user. In other words, as a permission common to all services, a permission for transmitting device information to the outside is obtained.

The second stage is a step of performing usage registration unique to each service. In this embodiment, the MFP 100 manages the information indicating the license status common to all services in the first stage. According to such a configuration, even when MFP 100 is offline, the user can set permission for transmission of device information to the outside. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the network state from restricting the lead to the use of the service by the user.

MFP 100 performs processing for transmitting the device information to service management server 200 when the information indicating the permission status indicates that transmission of the device information to the outside is permitted. If the MFP 100 has not been registered by the service management server 200 , the MFP 100 performs device registration processing with the service management server 200 . When the registration process is completed in service management server 200, device information is transmitted from MFP 100 to service management server 200 periodically or irregularly.

Transmission of information from the service management server 200 to each service providing server included in the service providing server group 400 is performed when the use condition of each service is satisfied. The usage conditions include, for example, that service usage registration processing is performed between the user and each service providing server. When the service usage conditions are satisfied, each service providing server receives information (part of the device information) necessary for providing the service from the service management server 200 and provides the service. Each communication is controlled through HTTP, XMPP, or the like. As for the protocol, other protocols may be used.

<Block diagram>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the MFP 100 according to this embodiment. MFP 100 is a type of information processing apparatus. Also, MFP 100 is a type of electronic device. The MFP 100 of this embodiment has information processing functions such as generation, storage, and transmission of device information including log information and status information. It also has an image forming function of forming an image on a recording medium by means of a recording control unit 113 and a recording unit 114, which will be described later.

MFP 100 includes CPU 101 , ROM 102 , RAM 103 , image memory 104 , data conversion section 105 , reading control section 106 , reading section 107 , operation display section 108 , LCD 109 , communication control section 110 and resolution conversion section 111 . Further, it includes an encoding/decoding unit 112 , a recording control unit 113 , a recording unit 114 , a USB function control unit 115 , a USB host control unit 116 and a bus 117 .

A CPU 101 is a system control unit and controls the entire MFP 100 . The ROM 102 is a non-volatile memory that stores fixed data such as a control program executed by the CPU 101, a data table, and an embedded operating system (OS). In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 102 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the control of the built-in OS stored in the ROM 102 . The ROM 102 stores information indicating permission status indicating whether or not to provide the device information to the outside. The RAM 103 is composed of an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like that requires a backup power supply, and power supply to the RAM 103 is guaranteed by a primary battery (not shown) for data backup. The RAM 103 stores program control variables and the like. The image memory 104 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and can accumulate image data. A partial area of the image memory 104 is reserved as a work area for executing software processing. The data conversion unit 105 can convert image data such as page description language (PDL) analysis and CG (computer graphics) expansion of character data.

A reading unit 107 optically reads a document using a CIS image sensor and converts it into an electrical image signal. The reading control unit 106 performs various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing on the image signal, and outputs high-definition image data. The method of optically reading the document can be either a sheet reading control method that reads the document with a fixed CIS image sensor or a book reading control method that reads the document fixed on the platen with a moving CIS image sensor. It's okay.

The operation display unit 108 is composed of minimum necessary keys such as a numeric input key, a mode setting key, an enter key, and a cancel key, an LED (light emitting diode), a 7-segment display, and the like. The various keys described above are realized by so-called soft keys displayed on the LCD 109, and can receive operations from the user. When the user does not operate the LCD 109 for a certain period of time, the backlight of the LCD 109 is turned off in order to reduce power consumption.

Communication control unit 110 controls communication between MFP 100 and communication network 300 , connects to an Internet service provider, and communicates various data with service management server 200 . Further, communication control unit 110 can determine whether MFP 100 is connected to the Internet or only to a LAN. Note that the connection between the communication control unit 110 and the communication network 300 is based on a known method such as HTTP or XMPP. A resolution conversion unit 111 performs resolution conversion processing such as mutual conversion between millimeter-based image data and inch-based image data. Note that the resolution conversion unit 111 can also execute enlargement/reduction processing of image data. The encoding/decoding unit 112 performs encoding/decoding processing and enlargement/reduction processing on image data (uncompressed, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100 . The recording control unit 113 converts the image data to be printed into high-definition image data by performing various image processing such as smoothing processing, recording density correction processing, and color correction, and outputs the data to the recording unit 114 . The recording control unit 113 also plays a role of periodically acquiring the state information data of the recording unit 114 . A recording unit 114 is configured by a laser beam printer, an inkjet printer, or the like, and prints the image data generated by the recording control unit 113 on a recording medium such as paper.

The USB function control unit 115 performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard. The USB host control unit 116 is a control unit for performing communication according to the protocol defined by the USB communication standard. This USB communication standard is a standard for two-way high-speed data communication, and according to this USB communication standard, a plurality of hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). It is defined. That is, the USB host control unit 116 provides host functions in USB communication. Components other than the reading unit 107 and the LCD 109 are interconnected via a bus 117 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the service management server 200 in this embodiment. The service management server 200 is an information processing device, and includes a CPU 201 , a ROM 202 , a RAM 203 , an internal storage device 204 , an external storage device 205 , an operation section 207 , a display section 208 and a communication section 209 .

The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the service management server 200 according to programs read from the ROM 202 , the RAM 203 , the internal storage device 204 , or the external storage medium 206 to the external storage device 205 . The ROM 202 stores control programs for the CPU 201 and the like. The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs and various data, and allows the service management server 200 to operate at high speed. The internal storage device 204 stores an operating system, various application programs, various data, and the like. Device information (log information and status information) sent from the MFP 100 is stored in the internal storage device 204 . Device information will be described later. In addition, application software for transmitting and receiving various control commands and data is installed in the internal storage device 204 . The operation unit 207 is an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and receives instruction inputs from the operator of the service management server 200 . A display unit 208 provides various displays to the operator. Communication unit 209 is connected to communication network 300 , connects to an Internet service provider, and communicates various data between MFP 100 and each service providing server included in service providing server group 400 . It is assumed that the connection to the communication network 300 is made by a known method such as HTTP or XMPP.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of each service providing server included in the service providing server group 400 in this embodiment. Specifically, it is a diagram showing a configuration example of a service A providing server 420, a service B providing server 430, and a service C providing server 440. FIG. Each service providing server includes a CPU 401 , a ROM 402 , a RAM 403 , an internal storage device 404 , an external storage device 405 , an operation section 407 , a display section 408 and a communication section 409 .

Configurations other than the internal storage device 404 and the communication unit 409 are the same as the configuration of the service management server 200 in FIG. 3, so description thereof will be omitted. The internal storage device 404 stores an operating system, various application programs, various data, and the like. Further, in the internal storage device 404, application software and the like for transmitting and receiving various control commands and data to and from the service management server 200 are installed. The communication unit 409 is connected to the communication network 300 and performs connection to the Internet service provider and communication of various data with the service management server 200 .

<Description of system functions>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship of the entire system including the service providing servers of the MFP 100, service management server 200, and service providing server group 400 in this embodiment. MFP 100 and service management server 200 also include functional block diagrams.

MFP 100 includes permission setting management section 130 , processing section 140 and notification section 150 . The processing section 140 includes a management server registration processing section 141 and a device information transmission section 142 . The CPU 101 of the MFP 100 functions as each part shown in FIG. 5 by reading out the program stored in the ROM 102 to the RAM 103 and executing it.

The permission setting management section 130 can manage information indicating a permission state indicating whether or not the user has permitted transmission of device information (hereinafter referred to as “permission state information”). Device information includes, for example, log information and status information of MFP 100, as described above. The permission status information is permission status information common to the services provided by each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 . The license setting management section 130 can manage the license status information even when the communication in the communication network 300 is not valid, that is, even in the offline state. Also, the permission setting management section 130 can change the permission status information in the offline state. The permission state information is, for example, information indicating any one of the initial state of unset, the permission setting indicating permission, and the cancellation setting indicating that the permission has been cancelled.

The processing unit 140 performs processing for transmitting the device information to the service management server 200 when the common permission status information managed by the permission setting management unit 130 is a value indicating the permission setting. The management server registration processing unit 141 included in the processing unit 140 services the MFP 100 when the permission status information managed by the permission setting management unit 130 indicates permission setting, that is, when the user performs common permission setting. Processing for registration in the management server 200 is performed. Device information transmission section 142 included in processing section 140 sends the device information as a service when the permission status information managed by permission setting management section 130 indicates permission setting and MFP 100 has been registered in service management server 200. Processing for transmission to the management server 200 is performed. The device information transmission unit 142 periodically or irregularly transmits the device information to the service management server 200 at an arbitrary timing.

The notification unit 150 notifies the user of the permission setting. For example, the notification unit 150 displays on the operation display unit 108 a notification prompting permission setting. If the common permission status information managed by the permission setting management unit 130 is a value indicating the permission setting, the notification unit 150 does not send the notification again. For example, when using the first service, if the user inputs permission status information to change the value indicating the permission setting, when using the second service different from the first service, It is not necessary to input the permission setting again. Therefore, when the permission status information managed by the permission setting management unit 130 indicates permission setting, the notification unit 150 does not issue a notification prompting permission setting.

Thus, the MFP 100 has a device transmission function of transmitting device information to the service management server 200 . The device transmission function is enabled/disabled according to the permission status information managed by the permission setting management section 130 . When enabled, device information including all information required by each service is sent to the service management server 200 .

The common license status information is managed by the license setting management unit 130 inside the MFP 100, and the user can input the license settings without communicating with the service management server 200 or the like. That is, in this embodiment, common permission status information can be set offline. The common permission status information can be changed by the user's input through the operation display unit 108 of the MFP 100, for example. Alternatively, settings can be changed through a PC application or smartphone application that can communicate with MFP 100 . When it is detected that the common permission status information has been changed (updated to a value indicating permission), the management server registration processing unit 141 registers the MFP 100 with the service management server 200 . After the registration process is performed, transmission of device information from the device information transmission unit 142 to the service management server 200 is started. Note that if the setting of the common license status information is changed offline, the management server registration processing unit 141 performs registration processing with the service management server 200 at the timing when the MFP 100 is connected to the network.

Next, the service management server 200 will be explained. The service management server 200 includes a registered device management section 220 , a device information collection section 230 , a service cooperation management section 240 and an information transfer section 250 . The CPU 201 of the service management server 200 reads programs stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executes them, thereby functioning as the units shown in FIG. The service management server 200 is configured to be able to transmit at least part of the information included in the device information to each service providing server that provides services.

Registered device management unit 220 manages MFP 100 registered in service management server 200 . For example, the registered device manager 220 assigns predetermined identification information to the MFP 100 that has undergone registration processing with the management server registration processor 141 of the MFP 100 and manages the MFP 100 .

Device information collection unit 230 collects device information transmitted from MFP 100 managed by registered device management unit 220 . Device information is stored in internal storage device 204 , external storage device 205 , or external storage medium 206 .

The service cooperation management unit 240 cooperates with each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 and the service management server 200 . In the present embodiment, license and registration processing regarding use of the service are performed between the user and the service providing server. This usage permission is a permission different from the common permission setting described above. In other words, it corresponds to a license to use individual services. The service cooperation management unit 240 receives the device identification information of the device (MFP 100) for which use permission and registration processing have been performed from each service providing server, and updates the device list that uses each service. Note that in this embodiment, there is also a service providing server that provides a service that does not require a license. Details will be described later.

The information transfer unit 250 transmits device information required for each service to each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 . In the present embodiment, the device information collected by the device information collecting unit 230 is information that covers information necessary for each service provided by each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 . On the other hand, the service providing server does not necessarily use all device information. Therefore, the information transfer unit 250 transfers the information necessary for the target service among the device information to the service providing server.

Next, services provided by each service providing server of the service providing server group 400 will be specifically described. In this embodiment, service providing servers are classified into three types according to the type of service provision.

The service A providing server 420 is a first service providing server that provides a first service. The first service is a service-free service that does not require user registration to receive the service. An example of the first service is a failure/maintenance support service.

Of the device information collected from MFP 100, service management server 200 transfers only the information required for failure and maintenance support service to service A providing server 420 that provides the first service. The device information transferred here includes information necessary for failure and maintenance support, such as consumption information of expendable parts of the MFP 100, ink remaining amount information, and device error information.

The service A providing server 420 provides a user or a serviceman with a report for identifying the cause of failure from the consumption information and error information. In addition, the service A providing server 420 provides the user with countermeasure proposals by, for example, predicting the time of failure and the timing at which maintenance is required.

The service B providing server 430 is a second service providing server that provides a second service. The second service is an external registration type service that requires service registration through another route (for example, on a web page displayed on a PC or smart phone) instead of processing through the MFP 100 . In this type of service, the service management server 200 is notified that the device (MFP 100) has been registered with the service as a result of performing the service license and registration processing 431 together with the device identification information of the device (MFP 100). The service management server 200 manages the device identification information notified from the service B providing server 430 as a service B registered device list. An example of the second service is a point service that gives points according to the user's usage. In this case, in order to receive the point service, the user registers user information and device identification information for identifying MFP 100 used by the user in service B providing server 430 via a website or a registration application. At this time, the user also consents to the usage license of the service B presented by the service B providing server 430 . When the registration is completed, service B providing server 430 that provides the point service transmits to service management server 200 a notice of completion of registration and device identification information for identifying the device (MFP 100). The registered devices notified in this manner are included in the service B registered device list and managed by the service management server 200 . On the other hand, as described above, the user makes permission settings for transmitting device information to the service management server 200 . If the common permission status information managed by the permission setting management unit 130 has been changed to a value indicating permission, it is not necessary to input the setting again.

Of the device information collected from MFP 100 , service management server 200 transfers only the information required for the point service to service B providing server 430 that provides service B. FIG. The device information transferred here includes job information executed by the user, tank information attached, and the like. The service B providing server 430 gives points to the user according to the job information executed by the user and the tank information attached. The user can use the given points for benefits such as discounts on the purchase of ink and media.

The first service (service A) and the second service (service B) described above are services of the type in which the service management server 200 transmits information necessary for the service to each service providing server in a Push type. be. That is, it is a type of service in which information is periodically or irregularly transmitted from the service management server 200 to the service providing server. On the other hand, a third service (service C) described below is a pull-type service that transmits information necessary for the service. That is, it is a type of service in which information is transmitted from the service management server 200 in response to a request from the service providing server.

Service C providing server 440 is a third service providing server that provides a third service. The third service, like the second service, is an external registration type service that requires service registration through a different route than processing through the MFP 100 . However, unlike the second service, in the third service, the service management server 200 is not notified that the service license and registration processing 441 has been performed. The service C providing server 440 requests information from the service management server 200 as necessary, and the service management server 200 transfers necessary information in response to the information request. In this type of service, the service management server 200 cannot manage the service C registration list. Therefore, the service management server 200 transfers information in response to a request from the service C providing server 440. FIG. An example of the third service (service C) is an automatic ink transport service in cooperation with other systems (other servers). In this case, the user registers user information and device identification information for identifying the MFP 100 used by the user on the system that provides the automatic ink transport system. At this time, the user also agrees on the usage license presented by the service C providing server 440 . When registration is completed, the device (MFP 100 ) for which registration is completed is managed by service C providing server 440 . On the other hand, as described above, the user makes permission settings for transmitting device information to the service management server 200 . If the common permission status information managed by the permission setting management unit 130 has been changed to a value indicating permission, it is not necessary to input the setting again.

Service management server 200, which collects device information transmitted from MFP 100, receives a list of target devices and a request for device information from service C providing server 440. FIG. In response to the received request, the service management server 200 transfers to the service C providing server 440 only the information required for the automatic ink transfer service among the collected device information. The device information transferred here is information necessary for the automatic ink transfer service, such as remaining ink amount information.

In the external registration type service, in order to receive the service, both the common license status information managed by the MFP 100 indicating the license setting and the service use license and registration on each service are required. Must be running. If either one is released, the service cannot be received.

<Sequence diagram>
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow from use registration to service provision of service B, which is an external registration push type service. A series of processes shown in the sequence of FIG. 6 is performed by each CPU of MFP 100, service management server 200, and service B providing server 430 expanding program code stored in ROM into RAM and executing the program code. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 6 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. Note that the symbol "S" in the description of each process means a step in the flowchart.

In step S<b>601 , the MFP 100 receives an input from the user through the operation display unit 108 for changing the common permission status information regarding transmission of device information to a value indicating permission setting. Note that the initial value of the permission status information is a value indicating unset. In S602, the MFP 100 changes the permission status information to a value indicating the permission setting according to the change in S601, and stores the value in the permission setting management unit 130 (ROM 102). The processing from S601 to S602 can be executed both when the MFP 100 is offline and online. In S<b>603 , the MFP 100 performs processing for registering the MFP 100 with the service management server 200 . Note that if steps S601 to S603 have already been executed when using another service, these processes are skipped.

When device registration with the service management server 200 is completed, the MFP 100 transmits device information necessary for service provision to the service management server 200 as needed in S604. For example, the MFP 100 periodically or irregularly transmits device information to the service management server 200 . Also, the device information does not have to be transmitted all at once, and for example, the transmission of the log information and the transmission of the status information may be performed separately. At this point, the registration for use of the service B has not yet been completed, so the information transmitted to the service management server 200 remains stored in the service management server 200 and is not transmitted to the service B providing server 430. .

In S605, the service B providing server 430 receives a service B registration request from the user. For example, a registration request for service B is accepted through a website, a registration application, or a registration tool dedicated to service B. In S606, the service B providing server 430 requests the user to enter service license and registration information for using the service B. FIG. The user requested by the service B providing server 430 to enter the service license and registration information enters them. In S607, the service B providing server 430 accepts input from the user. In S608, the service B providing server 430 performs authentication and the like, and then performs registration processing of the information input by the user. In S609, the service B providing server 430 notifies the service management server 200 that the service B has been registered together with information identifying the device (MFP 100). Service management server 200 notified that service B has been registered stores MFP 100 as a device registered in service B in the service B registered device list.

After completing the registration, the service management server 200 extracts the information required to provide the service B from the device information sent from the MFP 100 in S610. Information stored in S604 may also be extracted. Then, in S<b>611 , the service management server 200 collects the extracted information (information required for service B) each time or periodically and transfers it to the service B providing server 430 . In S<b>612 , the service B providing server performs processing for providing service B to the user according to the information transferred from the service management server 200 .

In this way, in the Push-type service, the service management server 200 manages the registration status of each service. Then, the service management server 200 transfers necessary information to the service providing server according to the registration status.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow from registration of service C, which is an external registration pull type service, to service provision. The processing from S701 to S704 can be the same as the processing from S601 to S604 in FIG. 6, so the description is omitted.

In S705, the service C providing server 440 receives a service C registration request from the user. For example, a registration request for service C is accepted through a website, a registration application, or a registration tool dedicated to service C. In S706, the service C providing server 440 requests the user to enter service license and registration information for using the service C. FIG. The user requested by the service C providing server 440 to enter the service license and registration information enters them. In S707, the service C providing server 440 accepts input from the user. In S708, the service C providing server 440 performs registration processing of the information input by the user after authentication.

In the case of the pull-type service C, the service management server 200 cannot know the device registered in the service C (device identification information). Therefore, the device information sent from the MFP 100 in S<b>709 remains stored in the internal storage device 204 or the like, and is not sent to the service C providing server 440 . In S710, the service C providing server 440 transmits to the service management server 200 a request for information necessary for providing service C together with information identifying the device. In S<b>711 , the service management server 200 transfers the stored information to the service C providing server 440 . In S<b>712 , the service C providing server 440 performs processing for providing service C to the user according to the information transmitted from the service management server 200 .

As described above, in the present embodiment, the MFP 100 does not manage the license for transmitting device information for each service, but manages it as common license status information. Therefore, the user only needs to enter the common permission setting once as a permission procedure for providing information to the outside, and does not need to perform the permission setting procedure again when receiving the provision of other services. Become. As a result, convenience is improved when the user adds a service.

Further, in this embodiment, the MFP 100 manages common license status information. Therefore, even when the MFP 100 is offline, the MFP 100 can refer to the permission status information, and can prompt the user to input the permission setting when the permission status information is not set. Therefore, it is possible to request the user to use the service without depending on the state of the network communication function of the MFP 100 . As a result, there is no longer a restriction on installing leads to use services, and it becomes easier to implement various measures to improve the utilization rate.

Further, in this embodiment, the service management server 200 does not manage common license status information for the MFPs 100, but the MFPs 100 themselves manage the license status information. This eliminates the need for the MFP 100 to inquire of the service management server 200 about the status of the device, such as the license status. Registration of individual services is performed between the service providing server and the user. Therefore, the service management server 200 does not need to receive an inquiry from the MFP 100 about the service registration status and device license status. In other words, the service management server 200 does not centrally manage the license status of devices and the registration status of services. Therefore, the service management server 200 can transfer necessary information even to a service providing server that provides a pull-type service that does not send a registration notification to the service management server 200, for example.

<<other embodiments>>
In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 100 is described as an example of an electronic device, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any electronic device may be used as long as the electronic device periodically or irregularly transmits information on the state of use or history of use of the electronic device by the user to the server. Alternatively, any electronic device may be used as long as the electronic device periodically or irregularly transmits the status information of the electronic device to the server. In the above-described embodiment, a relatively large device such as the MFP 100 has been described as an example, but electronic devices worn by humans (eg, glasses, watches, etc.) may also be used. Also, the electronic device may be a sensor installed at an arbitrary location. Also, other home appliances (for example, refrigerators, lights, televisions, vacuum cleaners, home speakers) and the like may be used. Also, the electronic device may be mounted on various vehicles such as automobiles, trains, airplanes, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the service management server 200 is composed of one information processing device, but it is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of information processing apparatuses may work together to function as the service management server 200 . Although each of the service providing servers 420, 430, and 440 is also composed of one information processing device in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. Each service providing server may be composed of a plurality of information processing devices.

The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by processing to It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

100 MFPs
200 service management server 300 communication network 420 service A providing server 430 service B providing server 440 service C providing server

Claims (13)

An information processing system including a management server capable of transmitting information to a plurality of service providing servers, an electronic device capable of communicating through a network, and the management server ,
The electronic device
a communication means for connecting to the network;
a management means capable of managing permission status information indicating whether or not a user has permitted transmission of device information from the electronic device in a state in which the communication means is not connected to the network;
a processing means for performing a process for transmitting the device information to the management server while the device is connected to the network through the communication means when the permission status information indicates that the user has granted permission;
with
The management server is
Transferring, among the device information, information necessary for a service provided by the service providing server to the service providing server;
When the service providing server is a first service providing server that does not require registration of use of the service with the user, the management server receives the notification from the first service providing server, An information processing system , characterized in that information necessary for a first service provided by a first service providing server is regularly or irregularly transferred to the first service providing server. The processing means registers the electronic device in the management server if the electronic device is not registered in the management server, and periodically or irregularly transfers the device information to the management server after the registration is completed. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein, when the electronic device is registered in the management server, the processing means periodically or irregularly transmits the device information to the management server. . The management server is capable of transmitting at least first information among information included in the device information to a first service providing server that provides a first service among the plurality of service providing servers; At least second information included in the device information can be transmitted to a second service providing server that provides a second service different from the first service among the service providing servers, and the license status information 4. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein is license status information common to services provided by each service providing server. further comprising notification means for outputting a notification asking the user whether to approve the transmission of the device information before the user uses the first service;
5. The information according to claim 4, wherein when the user uses the second service and the permission status information indicates that the user has given permission, the notification means does not make the notification. processing system . 6. An information processing system according to claim 4, wherein said device information transmitted by said processing means includes information necessary for any one of each service. 7. The device information of claim 6, wherein the device information transmitted by the processing means includes at least one of error occurrence status, number of prints, number of prints, remaining amount of consumables, and consumables identification information. information processing system . When the service providing server is a second service providing server that requires registration of use of the service with the user, the management server receives a notification that the registration has been completed from the second service providing server. 2. After that, information necessary for the second service provided by said second service providing server is transferred to said second service providing server periodically or irregularly. information processing system. When the service providing server is a third service providing server that requires service usage registration with the user, the management server manages the electronic device from the third service providing server for which the registration has been completed. Information necessary for the third service provided by the third service providing server is transferred to the third service providing server on the condition that information for identifying the The information processing system according to claim 1 . The service is provided by the service providing server on condition that the permission status information indicates that the user has given permission and that the user's registration with the service providing server is completed. The information processing system according to claim 8 or 9 . A control method for an information processing system comprising a communication means for connecting to a network and including a management server capable of transmitting information to a plurality of service providing servers, an electronic device connectable through the network, and the management server ,
to the electronic device,
a step of acquiring permission status information indicating whether or not a user has permitted transmission of device information from the electronic device while not connected to the network by the communication means;
a step of performing processing for transmitting the device information to the management server while the device is connected to the network through the communication means when the permission status information indicates that the user has consented;
and
to the management server,
transferring to the service providing server, among the device information, information necessary for the service provided by the service providing server;
When the service providing server is a first service providing server that does not require registration of use of the service with the user, the management server receives the notification from the first service providing server, periodically or irregularly transferring information necessary for a first service provided by a first service providing server to said first service providing server;
A control method for an information processing system, characterized by executing A program for causing a computer to execute each step executed by the electronic device in the information processing system control method according to claim 11 . A program for causing a computer to execute each step executed by the management server in the information processing system control method according to claim 11 .

Images