JP2015132897A - System and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information on a device capable of using a service related to a service use request.SOLUTION: A system configured of one or more information processors for providing a service using one or more devices among a plurality of devices connected via a network includes: management means for managing identification information for identifying users and devices available to the users in association for each user; device specification means for, when receiving a service use request for using the service from a terminal, specifying the device capable of using the service related to the service use request among the devices managed by the management means in association with the identification information for identifying the user related to the service use request on the basis of the capability information of each device; and device information provision means for providing information on the device specified by the device specification means to the terminal as the request source of the service use request.

Description

  The present application relates to systems and methods.

  There is known a method for providing a user with information on a device at a distance close to the position of the user among a plurality of devices using position information of a terminal possessed by the user. In this method, user location information is acquired from a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal carried by the user, and the location of the user and the layout of peripheral printing devices are displayed on the user terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1 described above, information on devices that are close to the user's position and devices connected to the same network is simply provided to the user. The method of Patent Document 1 does not consider, for example, what service the user is requesting or whether the device satisfies the user's request. For this reason, the provided device may not satisfy the user's request.

  In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide information on a device that can use a service related to a service use request from a user.

  In one aspect, a system that provides a service using one or more devices among a plurality of devices that are configured by one or more information processing apparatuses and are connected via a network, the user being identified for each user Identification information for identifying the user associated with the service use request upon receiving a service use request for using the service from a terminal Among the devices managed by the management means in association with the device, the device specifying means for specifying a device that can use the service related to the service use request based on capability information of each device, and the device Information on the device specified by the specifying means is sent to the terminal requesting the service use request. And a device information providing means for providing.

  It is possible to provide information about a device that can use a service related to a service use request.

It is a lineblock diagram of an example of an information processing system concerning this embodiment. It is a function block diagram of an example of an application server. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an application server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a device information presentation process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a device selection process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the device selection process in consideration of the priority. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of various data. It is a flowchart which shows another device selection process. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on an information terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the text of the mail which an information terminal receives.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an information terminal 10 as an example of a terminal, an application server 20 as an example of an information processing apparatus, a management server 30 as an example of a management unit, and devices 40A to 40C ( Hereinafter referred to as “device 40” as appropriate.

  The information terminal 10, the application server 20, and the management server 30 are connected in a state where data can be transmitted and received via a communication network N typified by, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Note that the communication network N may be wired or wireless, or a combination thereof. Further, the number of information terminals, servers, and devices shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to this.

  The information terminal 10 is, for example, a mobile terminal (smart phone, tablet, mobile phone, etc.), a PDA (Personal Data Assistance), a client PC (Personal Computer), or the like, and is operated by a user. The information terminal 10 executes various processes using, for example, a general-purpose OS (Operating System).

  When the information terminal 10 wants to receive provision of a predetermined service using the device 40, the information terminal 10 makes a service use request for using the service to the application server 20. For example, when the information terminal 10 desires to perform print output from the device 40, it makes a service use request for using the print output service to the application server 20 via a Web browser or the like. At this time, the information terminal 10 uploads and stores data to be printed to the application server 20.

  Information related to the device 40 that can use the service related to the service use request is presented from the application server 20 to the information terminal 10. Therefore, the user can select the device 40 to be used from among the devices 40 that can be used for the service related to the service use request, for example, by referring to the information about the device 40 presented on the information terminal 10. It becomes possible.

  The information terminal 10 may install, for example, an application program that executes each process described above, and execute each process using the application program.

  The application server 20 executes various processes using a general-purpose OS (for example, Windows (registered trademark), Unix (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), etc.). For example, the application server 20 receives a service use request for receiving provision of a predetermined service using the device 40 from the information terminal 10.

  The application server 20 acquires information about a device that can be used by the user from the management server 30 based on identification information (user information) that identifies the user who has made a service use request. In addition, the application server 20 selects a device that can be used for a service related to the user's service use request, among the devices that can be used by the user, based on the position information of the information terminal 10. For example, a plurality of devices are specified and information about the device is provided to the information terminal 10.

  The management server 30 manages user authentication information for performing user authentication and devices that can be used for each user in association with the user information. Here, the management server 30 may manage information related to devices that can be used by the user based on, for example, usage contract information of a device contracted by an organization to which the user belongs.

  Note that the application server 20 and the management server 30 can be configured by, for example, a cloud service realized by cloud computing having one or more information processing devices connected to the communication network N. The application server 20 may have a function of the management server 30 so that the management server 30 is omitted.

  The device 40 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) equipped with a scan function, a copy function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like in one housing, but is not limited thereto. For example, a copier, a scanner, a printer, a laser printer, or the like may be used. For example, when receiving a data output request from a user based on user information, the device 40 acquires data (print data or the like) from the application server 20 and outputs (prints or the like).

<Functional configuration of application server 20>
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the application server. As shown in FIG. 2, the application server 20 includes service usage request acquisition means 21, user information acquisition means 22, device information acquisition means 23, device identification means 24, and device information as an example of device information provision means. It has a presentation means 25 and a storage means 26.

  The service use request acquisition unit 21 acquires a service use request for receiving provision of a predetermined service using the device 40 from the information terminal 10 via the communication network N. The service use request acquisition unit 21 acquires, as a service use request, specific setting information for receiving service provision using the device 40, for example. For example, in a service use request for receiving provision of a print output service using the device 40, print setting information (paper size, color mode, print quality, number of sheets, etc.) for printing output from the information terminal 10 with the device 40 is acquired. To do.

  Further, the service use request acquisition unit 21 acquires the current position information obtained from the information terminal 10 that has made the service use request as the position information of the user. Here, as the position information of the information terminal 10, it is possible to acquire position information (coordinates) composed of latitude and longitude using, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) built in the information terminal 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The location information of the information terminal 10 can also be acquired using a standardized wireless communication interface such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), RFID communication, or the like.

  The user information acquisition unit 22 acquires identification information (user information) for identifying a user who has made a service use request. The user information acquisition unit 22 acquires, as user information, for example, user authentication information used for user authentication at the time of login from the information terminal 10.

  Based on the user information obtained from the user information obtaining unit 22, the device information obtaining unit 23 obtains information on available devices managed in association with the user from the management server 30. For example, the device information acquisition means 23 is based on the content of the device usage contract managed in association with the user information in the management server 30 and the information related to the device that can be shared in the public space set by the contract. Get information about available devices.

  The device specifying unit 24 selects devices that can use the service related to the service use request obtained by the service use request obtaining unit 21 among the devices that can be used by the user obtained by the device information obtaining unit 23, respectively. Based on device capability information. The device specifying unit 24 can use the service related to the service use request by using, for example, the device usable state, information on the contents executable by the device, device performance information, etc. as the device capability information. Identify the device.

  For example, when the device 40 is an MFP, the usable state of the device indicates, for example, that the device has a remaining amount of ink or paper for executing print output. Information on the contents that can be executed by the device includes, for example, whether the device can execute color printing, the width of the paper size that the device can print out, whether the device can execute functions such as stapling, etc. Shows the contents that can be set by the user. The device performance information indicates, for example, the number of printed sheets per minute and the cost per sheet.

  For example, the device specifying unit 24 may specify a device that can use the service related to the service use request based on the contents of the priority items set in the service use request (for example, print cost priority). The device specifying unit 24 can use a service related to a service use request that exists at a distance close to the current position of the information terminal 10 based on the position information of the information terminal 10 obtained together with the service use request. You may identify a device.

  The device information presentation unit 25 transmits information on a device that can use the service related to the service use request obtained by the device identification unit 24 to the information terminal 10 (application program). Thereby, it is possible to provide information on the device 40 that can use the service related to the service use request to the user who operates the information terminal 10.

  The storage unit 26 stores data and setting information uploaded from the information terminal 10, user device usage contract information acquired from the management server 30, and the like, but is not limited thereto. For example, log data such as usage history used in the present embodiment can be stored.

<Example of Hardware Configuration of Application Server 20>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the application server. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the application server 20 includes a control unit 101, a main storage unit 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, an external storage device I / F unit 104, and a network I / F unit 105.

  The control unit 101 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each device, calculates data, and processes in a computer. The control unit 101 is an arithmetic device that executes a program stored in the main storage unit 102. The control unit 101 receives data from the input device or the storage device, calculates and processes the data, and outputs the data to the output device or the storage device.

  The main storage unit 102 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or the like, and a storage device that stores or temporarily stores programs and data such as an OS and application software that are basic software executed by the control unit 101 It is.

  The auxiliary storage unit 103 is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and is a storage device that stores data related to application software or the like.

  The external storage device I / F unit 104 is an interface between the application server 20 and a recording medium 106 (for example, CD-ROM, DVD, flash memory, etc.) connected via a data transmission path such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). It is.

  The application server 20 can store a predetermined program in the recording medium 106. Further, the program stored in the recording medium 106 is installed in the application server 20 via the external storage device I / F unit 104, and the installed predetermined program can be executed by the application server 20.

  The network I / F unit 105 includes a peripheral device having a communication function connected via a network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network) constructed by a data transmission path such as a wired and / or wireless line, and the application. It is an interface with the server 20. Note that the hardware configuration of the information terminal 10 and the management server 30 is the same as that of the application server 20 shown in FIG.

<Device information presentation process>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the device information presentation process. As shown in FIG. 4, the application server 20 receives a service use request for using a predetermined service from the information terminal 10 by the service use request acquisition unit 21 (S01).

  The application server 20 uses the user information acquisition unit 22 to acquire user information for identifying the user who has made a service use request. The application server 20 acquires the device usage contract information of the user from the management server 30 based on the user information by the device information acquisition unit 23, and acquires information (device information) about the available device (S02).

  Based on the position information of the information terminal 10 received together with the service use request in the process of S01, the application server 20 extracts the device 40 existing in the vicinity of the user's position from the information related to the available device by the device specifying unit 24. (S03). In the process of S03, the device existing near the position of the user is, for example, a device whose distance from the information terminal 10 is included in a predetermined range (for example, a radius of several meters to several kilometers). A predetermined number of devices that are relatively closer to the device.

  Further, the application server 20 determines whether there is a sharable device by the device specifying unit 24 based on the device usage contract information of the user acquired in the process of S02 (S04). When the application server 20 determines that there is no sharable device by the device specifying unit 24 (NO in S04), the application server 20 creates a device candidate list to be displayed on the information terminal 10 (application) (S05).

  If the application server 20 determines that there is a sharable device by the device specifying unit 24 (YES in S04), the sharable device near the user's position is extracted (S06), and the process proceeds to S05.

  The application server 20 uses the device specifying unit 24 to specify a device 40 (a device that can respond to the service use request) that can use the service related to the service use request from the device candidate list created in S05. (S07). In the processing of S07, the device specifying unit 24 may select an appropriate device based on, for example, the device capability corresponding to the service use request, the user priority, the user use history, and the like. Details of the processing in S07 will be described later.

  The application server 20 transmits the information on the device 40 specified in the process of S07 to the information terminal 10 by the device information presentation unit 25 (S08), and ends the process.

<Device selection processing example>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of device selection processing. The example of FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the process of S07 of FIG. 4 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the application server 20 creates a service usage request verification list based on the service usage request acquired from the information terminal 10 in the process of S01 shown in FIG. S11).

  Further, the application server 20 creates a capability information list of devices listed in the device candidate list created in the process of S06 shown in FIG. 4 by the device specifying unit 24 (S12).

  The application server 20 extracts one device from the device candidate list by the device specifying unit 24, and determines whether it matches the service use request of the user (can be handled) (S13). In the process of S13, the device capability information extracted from the device candidate list with reference to the device capability information list created in S12 matches the service usage request collation list created in S11. Is determined (executable).

  When the application server 20 determines that the extracted device capability matches the user's service use request by the device specifying unit 24 (YES in S13), the application server 20 adds the device to the selection candidate list (S14).

  If the application server 20 determines that the extracted device capability does not match the user's service use request by the device specifying unit 24 (NO in S13), is there a device that has not been extracted from the device candidate list? Judgment is made (S15).

  If the application server 20 determines that there is a device that has not been extracted from the device candidate list by the device specifying unit 24 (YES in S15), the application server 20 returns to the process of S13 and continues the process. If the application server 20 determines that there is no device that has not been extracted from the device candidate list (NO in S15), the process ends.

<Example of device selection process taking priority into consideration>
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a device selection process considering priority items. The example of FIG. 6 also shows a specific example of the process of S07 of FIG. 4 described above. Since the processes of S21 to S25 shown in FIG. 6 are the same as the processes of S11 to S15 shown in FIG. 5, a specific description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 6, after the process of S25, the application server 20 determines whether there is a priority designation in the service use request verification list created in the process of S21 by the device specifying unit 24 (S26). .

  Here, the priority designation is, for example, the item of “priority” provided in the service use request matching list, for example, printing speed, cost per sheet, distance (positional relationship) with the device, device This is a case where the usage frequency or the like is set.

  When the device specifying unit 24 determines that the priority is specified (YES in S26), the application server 20 reconfigures the selection candidate list created in the process of S24 according to the priority item contents. (S27). In the process of S27, for example, the selection candidate list is configured to display the devices in the order in which the information terminals 10 are ranked.

  In the process of S26, when the application server 20 determines that the priority is not specified (NO in S26), the process ends.

<Examples of various data>
Next, various data examples used in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining various data examples. FIG. 7A shows an example of a device capability information list, and FIG. 7B shows an example of a service use request verification list.

  The device capability information list illustrated in FIG. 7A indicates, for example, the device availability status, information on the contents executable by the device, device location information, device performance information, and the like. In the example of FIG. 7A, for example, it is constituted by items such as “item”, “color availability”, “width correspondence”, “installation location”, “number of printed sheets per minute”, “cost per sheet”, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The “item” shown in FIG. 7A is information indicating whether the device is in a usable state (for example, the remaining amount of ink or paper). “Color availability” is information indicating whether the device can perform color printing. “Width correspondence” indicates the width of the paper size that can be printed by the device, and is information such as A2, A3, and A4.

  The “installation location” indicates a business place where the device is installed, but may be position information such as coordinates where the device is installed. “Number of printed sheets per minute” is information indicating the number of sheets that the device can print per minute. “Cost per sheet” is information indicating the cost required for the device to print per sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the service use request collation list includes, for example, output setting information (number of sheets, quality, etc.) when a print service use request is made from the information terminal 10, and information terminal 10 Position information and the like are shown. In the example of FIG. 7B, for example, it is configured by items such as “item”, “color”, “width”, “position”, “number of printed sheets”, “priority”, but is not limited thereto. is not.

  “Color” shown in FIG. 7B is information indicating whether the user designates color printing in the color mode setting. “Width” is information indicating whether or not the user specifies the width of the paper to be printed (for example, A3). “Position” is information indicating where the information terminal 10 is located (for example, the A office), but may be position information indicating coordinates acquired from the information terminal 10.

  “Number of printed sheets” is information indicating the number of printed sheets printed by the user. “Priority” indicates a matter that is most prioritized when the user selects a device (for example, cost per device). For example, when there are a plurality of candidate devices, selection candidates in the order of priority content A list should be constructed.

  When the application server 20 selects a service providing device in the process of S07 shown in FIG. 4, the device capability information list shown in FIG. 7A and the service use request shown in FIG. 7B are collated. Check against the list for use. Thereby, it becomes possible to select a device suitable for the service related to the user's service use request. In the example of FIG. 7, for example, a device capable of A3 width color printing at the A office is selected in the selection candidate list.

  In addition, since the item “priority” shown in FIG. 7B indicates “cost per sheet”, the selection candidate list is rearranged in the order of devices with the lowest cost per sheet. The information may be transmitted to the information terminal 10.

<Other device selection processing examples>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another device selection process. In the example of FIG. 8, an example is shown in which the device specifying unit 24 selects a device list of another office that may be used in the future.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the application server 20 determines the business location where the user is located based on the location information of the information terminal 10 obtained together with the service use request from the information terminal 10 by the device specifying unit 24 (S31).

  Next, the application server 20 refers to the usage history of the user stored in the storage unit 26 by the device specifying unit 24 and acquires, for example, a list of establishments where devices frequently used by the user are located from the management server 30. (S32).

  The application server 20 determines whether or not one or more business establishments exist in the business establishment list acquired in the process of S32 by the device specifying unit 24 (S33).

  If the application server 20 determines that the device specifying unit 24 has one or more offices (YES in S33), the application server 20 excludes the offices where the user acquired in the process of S31 from the office list is located. Another device list is set as a selection candidate list (S34).

  When the application server 20 determines that one or more offices do not exist by the device specifying unit 24 (NO in S33), the device list for each office of the organization to which the user belongs is selected as a selection candidate list ( S35), the process ends.

<Screen example>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the information terminal. In the example of FIG. 9, for example, the file A is selected by the user on the screen on which a list of uploaded files of files uploaded to the application server 20 as data to be printed from the information terminal 10 is displayed. .

  FIG. 9A shows an example in which a default recommended device is selected on the upload screen, and FIG. 9B shows an example in which printing cost priority is selected. FIG. 9C shows an example in which usage history priority is selected, and FIG. 9D shows an example in which a device at another office is selected.

  The example of FIG. 9A shows an example in which “default recommended device” is selected on the upload screen of the information terminal 10 and a device corresponding to the default recommended device is presented. Here, the default recommended device can be set by default for each user in advance. For example, a device that is frequently used, a device that satisfies a service use request (print request), a device that can print most quickly, and the like are set. Is possible.

  The example of FIG. 9B shows an example in which “printing cost priority” is selected on the upload screen of the information terminal 10 and devices arranged in order of printing cost are presented.

  In the example of FIG. 9C, “usage history priority” is selected on the upload screen of the information terminal 10, and a user's usage log (usage history) is referred to to find a place that is frequently used recently or a familiar device. The presented example is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 9D, “device of other office” is selected on the upload screen of the information terminal, and it is not the office where the user is located, but the device of the other office that the user may use in the future. However, it shows an example presented for each office.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D described above, the item selected on the upload screen is used with priority, for example, in the service use request from the information terminal 10 to the application server 20. Is set as a priority designation for the. In addition, the example of a screen displayed on the information terminal 10 is not limited to the example of FIG. 9 (A)-(D).

<Example text of email>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a text of an email received by the information terminal. The data that the information terminal 10 wants to print (document file to be output to the device 40) may be sent to the application server 20 via a UI (User Interface) such as a Web application, for example, and sent as an email attachment. May be.

  The example of FIG. 10 illustrates a text example of a mail returned from the application server 20 when the information terminal 10 transmits a document file to the application server 20 as a mail attachment file. In the example of FIG. 10, a list of devices that can use the service related to the service use request requested by the user (list of compatible devices) is shown in the mail text for each business office near the current position of the user. ing.

  According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to provide information regarding a device that can use a service related to a service use request. For example, it is possible to provide an optimal service-compatible device for the user by considering the device service contract status, device availability status, device executable content, device location, device capability, etc. It becomes possible. The above-described embodiments can be used in combination.

  The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing system 10 Information terminal 20 Application server 21 Service utilization request acquisition means 22 User information acquisition means 23 Device information acquisition means 24 Device specification means 25 Device information presentation means (an example of device information provision means)
26 Storage means 30 Management server 40 Device 101 Control unit 102 Main storage unit 103 Auxiliary storage unit 104 External storage device I / F unit 105 Network I / F unit 106 Recording medium

JP 2007-249939 A

Claims (7)

A system that provides a service using one or more devices among a plurality of devices configured by one or more information processing apparatuses and connected via a network,
Management means for associating and managing identification information for identifying each user for each user and a device usable by the user;
When a service use request for using the service is received from a terminal, it relates to the service use request among the devices managed by the management means in association with identification information for identifying a user related to the service use request. Device identification means for identifying a device that can use the service based on capability information of each device;
And a device information providing means for providing information relating to the device specified by the device specifying means to the terminal that has requested the service use request. A system that provides a service using one or more devices among a plurality of devices configured by one or more information processing apparatuses and connected via a network,
Management means for associating and managing identification information for identifying each user for each user and a device usable by the user;
When a service use request for using the service is received from an application program, the service use request among the devices managed by the management means in association with identification information for identifying a user related to the service use request. Device identification means for identifying a device that can use the service based on capability information of each device;
And a device information providing means for providing information related to the device specified by the device specifying means to the application program that requested the service use request. The device specifying means includes
The service related to the service use request is used by using at least one of the device availability information, information on contents executable by the device, and performance information of the device as the device capability information. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by identifying possible devices. The device specifying means includes
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein a device that can use the service related to the service use request is specified based on the content of the priority item set in the service use request. The device specifying means includes
Based on the location information of the terminal obtained together with the service usage request, a device capable of using the service related to the service usage request that is present at a location close to the current location of the terminal is identified. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The device specifying means includes
Of the devices managed by the management means in association with identification information for identifying the user, use a service related to the service use request based on the contents of the use contract of the device or information on a sharable device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a device that can perform the operation is specified. A method in a system configured to provide a service using one or more devices among a plurality of devices configured by one or more information processing apparatuses and connected via a network,
For each user, a management procedure for managing identification information for identifying the user in association with a device that can be used by the user;
When a service use request for using the service is received from a terminal, among the devices managed in the management procedure in association with identification information for identifying a user related to the service use request, the service use request A device identification procedure for identifying devices that can use the service based on capability information of each device;
A device information providing procedure for providing information related to the device specified in the device specifying procedure to the terminal that is a request source of the service use request.

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