JP2019215648A - Information processing apparatus, information processing program, information processing method and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To notify a user using a multi-function machine installed in each convenience store, of the latest information about the convenience store.SOLUTION: A store management system 10 relating to this invention comprises multi-function machines 20, 20... installed in individual stores, a server 30 installed in a management center, and a terminal device 40 held by a user. The server 30 has a store master 32 in which store information about each of the stores is stored. If a prescribed event such as trouble or maintenance occurs in one of the multi-function machines 20, the store information is updated so that contents of the event is reflected on the store information. When a store search is requested from the terminal device 40, the server 30 searches for a store on the basis of the store information in response to the store search request and notifies the terminal device 40 of a search result. Thus, the user can obtain the latest information about each of the stores.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, an information processing method, and an information processing system. It relates to an information processing system.

  As an information processing system including this type of information processing apparatus, for example, a printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. According to the printing system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a plurality of printing apparatuses as devices are connected to a network. In addition, a server as an information processing device and a PC as a terminal device on the user side are connected to the network. The user can select and use an arbitrary printing device. At that time, the server displays a list of information on stores where the respective printing apparatuses are installed on the user's PC. The store information includes at least one of information on paper usable by each printing device and information on printing fee. The user selects an arbitrary printing device with reference to the information on the store. When an arbitrary printing device is selected by the user, the server displays the advertisement information of the store where the selected printing device is installed on the user's PC.

JP 2004-46720 A

  By the way, in the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is unclear how to cope when at least one of the printing apparatuses cannot be used due to some trouble such as a failure. It is. For example, even in such a case, assuming that the above-mentioned store information relating to all the printing devices including the printing device in an unusable state is displayed as a list on the user's PC, the user's PC may It is possible that a printing device in a disabled state is selected. In this case, inconvenience such as improper printing occurs. It is desirable that the user always be notified of the latest (current) information so that such inconvenience does not occur.

  Therefore, the present invention realizes an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and an information processing system capable of notifying a terminal device on the user side of the latest device information about the device including the status of the device. That is the purpose.

  A first invention of the present invention is an invention relating to an information processing device. This information processing device notifies the terminal device on the user side of device information about the device. The information processing device includes a storage unit, an acquisition unit, and an update unit. The storage unit stores device information. The acquisition unit acquires status information indicating the status of each device from each of the plurality of devices. The updating unit reflects the status information acquired by the acquiring unit on the device information stored in the storage unit.

  That is, the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes storage means. The storage unit stores device information about the device. Then, the device information stored in the storage means is notified to the terminal device on the user side. Further, status information indicating the status of the device is obtained from each device by the obtaining unit. Then, the device information is updated by the updating device so that the status information acquired by the acquiring device is reflected in the device information stored in the storage device.

  Note that the acquisition unit may acquire, from the device where the predetermined event has occurred, status information including the content of the event.

  Further, the acquisition unit may perform steady communication with each device, and acquire the state information in the communication that is constantly performed. The communication mentioned here is performed by, for example, a polling method.

  In the first invention, a notification unit may be further provided. The notification means notifies the terminal device of the device information when receiving a request for device information on any device from the terminal device.

  Here, the request for device information may include, for example, position information indicating a specific position. In this case, the notifying unit notifies the terminal device of the device information on the devices arranged in the predetermined area based on the specific position according to the position information.

  The specific position mentioned here may be, for example, the current position of the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device is notified of the device information on the devices arranged in the predetermined area based on the current position of the terminal device.

  The specific position mentioned here may be, for example, a specified position specified by the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device is notified of the device information about the device arranged in the predetermined area based on the designated position designated by the terminal device.

  Further, it is desirable that the terminal device has, for example, a display surface. In this case, the notification unit may display the device information on the display surface of the terminal device.

  However, the notification unit may not display the device information about the device in which the predetermined event has occurred.

  Further, the notifying unit may not display the device information about the device in which the predetermined specific event among the predetermined events has occurred.

  In addition, the notifying means displays a map representing an area including the arrangement position of the device on the display surface of the terminal device, and displays an indicator representing the device at a position corresponding to the arrangement position of the device on the map. May be displayed. According to this configuration, the arrangement positions of the devices are graphically displayed on the map. Thus, the user can intuitively grasp the arrangement position of the device.

  Furthermore, the notification means may display an indicator representing a device in which the predetermined event has occurred in a different form from an indicator representing a device in which the predetermined event has not occurred. According to this configuration, the user can intuitively grasp from the aspect of the indicator whether or not a predetermined event has occurred in the device represented by the indicator.

  Further, the notifying means may display an indicator representing a device in which the predetermined event has occurred in a manner according to the content of the predetermined event. According to this configuration, the user can intuitively grasp the content of the predetermined event from the form of the indicator indicating the device in which the predetermined event has occurred.

  Then, the notifying means may hide the indicator corresponding to the device in which the predetermined event has occurred on the above-mentioned map.

  Further, the notifying means may hide the indicator corresponding to the device in which the predetermined specific event among the predetermined events has occurred, on the map.

  The device information referred to here includes, for example, information on at least a part of the functions of each device.

  Here, the predetermined event is, for example, a phenomenon in which at least a part of the function of each device cannot be used.

  Such predetermined events include some trouble such as equipment failure, maintenance of the equipment, and the arrival of replacement or replacement of consumables.

  Further, the device referred to here may include, for example, a multifunction peripheral. The MFP is a so-called MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  A second invention of the present invention is an information processing program for an information processing device, and causes a computer of the information processing device to execute a storage procedure, an acquisition procedure, and an update procedure. Here, the information processing device notifies the terminal device on the user side of device information about the device. Then, in the storage procedure, the device information is stored in a predetermined storage unit. In the acquisition procedure, status information indicating the status of each device is obtained from a plurality of devices. In the update procedure, the status information acquired in the acquisition procedure is reflected on the device information stored in the storage unit.

  That is, the second invention is an invention relating to a program corresponding to the first invention relating to the information processing apparatus.

  A third aspect of the present invention is an information processing method in an information processing apparatus, including a storage step, an acquisition step, and an update step. Here, the information processing device notifies the terminal device on the user side of device information about the device. Then, in the storage step, the device information is stored in a predetermined storage unit. In the obtaining step, status information indicating the status of each of the devices is obtained from the plurality of devices. In the updating step, the status information acquired in the acquiring step is reflected in the device information stored in the storage unit.

  That is, the third invention is an invention relating to a method corresponding to the first invention.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, including a plurality of devices and a terminal device. Here, the plurality of devices correspond to the plurality of devices according to the first invention. The terminal device corresponds to the terminal device on the user side according to the first invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the latest apparatus information about the said apparatus including the state of an apparatus can be notified to a user side terminal device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a store management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a memory map conceptually showing a configuration in the main storage unit of the multifunction peripheral in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a memory map conceptually showing a configuration in the main storage unit of the server in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a smartphone as a terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a memory map conceptually showing the configuration in the main storage unit of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of the search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the search result screen displayed on the display of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure between the MFP and the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a report process executed by the main control unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the store management process executed by the main control unit of the server in the first embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure between the smartphone and the server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a store search request process executed by the main control unit of the smartphone according to the first embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the information providing process executed by the main control unit of the server in the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure between the multifunction peripheral and the server according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a reporting process executed by the main control unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a store management process executed by the main control unit of the server in the second embodiment.

[First embodiment]
First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described using the store management system 10 shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the store management system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of multifunction peripherals 20, 20,..., A server 30 as an information processing device, a user terminal device 40, Is provided.

  Each MFP 20 is an example of the device according to the present invention, and has a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multifunction peripheral 20 is installed, for example, in each convenience store (A, B, C,...) On the assumption that it is used by an unspecified number of users. The server 30 is installed, for example, in a management center that comprehensively manages each store. The server 30 has a database called a store master 32 in which store information on each store is stored. The terminal device 40 is, for example, a device owned by a user. Examples of such a terminal device 40 include a smartphone, a tablet computer, and a personal computer. Each of the multifunction peripherals 20, the server 30, and the terminal device 40 are connected to a network 50. The network 50 is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited thereto, and may be a VPN (Virtual Private Network), a dedicated line, or the like. Although only one terminal device 40 is connected to the network 50 in FIG. 1, strictly speaking, the number of terminal devices 40 corresponding to the number of users at each time is connected to the network 50. Further, depending on the scale of the store management system 10, a plurality of servers 30 may be provided, but here, it is assumed that only one server 30 is provided.

  Each MFP 20 includes an image reading unit 202, an image forming unit 204, and a paper feeding unit 206, as shown in FIG. In addition, the multifunction peripheral 20 includes a communication unit 208 and an input / output interface (I / O) unit 210. Further, the MFP 20 includes a main control unit 212, an auxiliary storage unit 214, and an external storage medium connection unit 216. Further, the multifunction peripheral 20 includes a display unit 218 and an operation unit 220. These are connected to a common bus 222.

  The image reading unit 202 is an image reading unit that performs an image reading process of reading an image of a document (not shown) and outputting two-dimensional image data corresponding to the image of the document. For this purpose, the image reading unit 202 includes a document table (not shown), a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, and the like.

  The image forming unit 204 is an image forming unit that performs an image forming process of forming an image on a sheet-like image recording medium such as a sheet of paper (not shown) by an electrophotographic method. For this purpose, the image forming unit 204 includes a photosensitive drum (not shown), a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like (not shown). The image data provided for the image forming process by the image forming unit 204 includes, for example, image data output from the image reading unit 202. Further, as described later, image data based on various files fetched from the terminal device 40, an external storage medium (not shown), and a server (site) for a network print service (not shown) are also provided to the image forming process by the image forming unit 204. May be done. Note that the image forming unit 204 can perform not only monochrome image forming processing but also color image forming processing. Further, the image forming unit 204 is not limited to the electrophotographic system, and may perform image forming processing by, for example, an inkjet system.

  The paper supply unit 206 is a paper supply unit that includes a paper supply cassette (not shown) and feeds the sheets stored in the paper supply cassette to the image forming unit 204 one by one. Examples of the paper include a plurality of types of plain papers having different sizes such as A3 size, B4 size, A4 size, and B5 size, and glossy paper suitable for photo printing by the above-described electrophotographic method. As the glossy paper, for example, an A4 size is prepared, but in addition to or separately from the glossy paper, a size other than the A4 size may be prepared.

  The communication unit 208 is a communication unit that performs bidirectional communication processing via the network 50. Although not shown, a sublimation type photo printer may be attached to (provided with) the MFP 20 in some stores. This photographic printer can realize higher quality photographic printing than the MFP 20 (image forming unit 204). When the photo printer is attached, the communication unit 208 also performs communication processing with the photo printer. In addition, at least one of two types of paper, for example, an L size size and a 2L size size, is prepared as the paper for the photo printer. In addition, the communication unit 208 performs communication processing by a wireless method such as the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) method. This wireless communication process is performed, for example, with the terminal device 40 near the multifunction device 20 (that is, possessed by the user who came to the store).

  The input / output interface unit 210 is connected to various sensors, motors, and the like (not shown), and strictly to their drive circuits. The various sensors referred to here are sensors provided for detecting the presence or absence of paper in the above-described paper feed cassette, and are appropriately provided in a paper transport path from the paper feed cassette to a paper discharge unit (not shown). There is a sensor for detecting paper. Examples of the motor include a paper transport motor provided appropriately in a paper transport path and a motor for driving the above-described photosensitive drum. Output signals from the respective sensors are sent to the main control unit 212 via the input / output interface unit 210, and control signals are sent from the main control unit 212 to the respective motors.

  The main control unit 212 is a control unit that controls the overall control of the MFP 20. For this purpose, the main control unit 212 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown. In addition, the main control unit 212 includes a main storage unit 212a as a main storage unit that can be directly accessed by the CPU. The main storage unit 212a includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) not shown. A conceptual configuration in the main storage unit 212a is shown in a memory map 60 in FIG.

  As shown in the memory map 60, the main storage unit 212a has a program storage area 62 and a data storage area 64. In the program storage area 62, a control program 620 for controlling the operation of the CPU is stored. The control program 620 includes a display control program 622, an operation detection program 624, an image reading program 626, an image forming program 628, a communication control program 630, a report program 632, and the like.

  The display control program 622 is a program for generating display screen data necessary for displaying various screens on a display surface of a display 218a described later of the display unit 218. The operation detection program 624 is a program for detecting an operation state of a user (strictly speaking, a user of the multifunction device 20) on a touch panel 220a described later of the operation unit 220. The image reading program 626 is a program for controlling the image reading unit 202. The image forming program 628 is a program for controlling the image forming unit 204. The communication control program 630 is a program for controlling the communication unit 208. The report program 632 is a program for causing the main control unit 212 (CPU) to execute a report process described later.

  On the other hand, various data 640 is stored in the data storage area 64. The various data 640 includes display image generation data 642, operation data 644, image data 646, transmission / reception data 648, and the like.

  The display image generation data 642 is data such as polygon data and texture data used for generating the above-described display screen data. The operation data 644 is data representing a user's operation state on the touch panel 220a, and is, for example, time-series data representing a user's touch position (coordinates) on the touch panel 220a. The image data 646 is various image data such as image data output from the image reading unit 202 and image data provided for image forming processing by the image forming unit 204. The transmission / reception data 648 is data transmitted / received between the server 30 and the terminal device 40. The transmission / reception data 648 includes store information sent to the server 30 as described later.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the auxiliary storage unit 214 is an auxiliary storage unit including a hard disk and a flash memory (not shown). In the auxiliary storage unit 214, various types of image data such as image data output from the image reading unit 202 and various types of data other than the image data are appropriately stored under the control of the CPU.

  The external storage medium connection unit 216 has a connection port to which an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory (not shown) can be connected, and transmits / receives data such as various files to / from the external storage medium. I do. Therefore, for example, data such as various files recorded in the external storage medium can be taken into the multifunction peripheral 20 or data such as various files can be sent from the multifunction peripheral 20 to the external storage medium and stored. It is.

  The display unit 218 has a display 218a as a display unit. The display 218a constitutes a display with a touch panel (touch screen) in cooperation with the touch panel 220a of the operation unit 220. The display 218a is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), but is not limited thereto, and may be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display or the like. The display unit 218 includes an appropriate light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (not shown), in addition to the display 218a.

  The operation unit 220 has a touch panel 220a as an operation receiving unit. The touch panel 220a forms a display with a touch panel in cooperation with the display 218a as described above. For this reason, the touch panel 220a is provided so as to overlap on the display surface of the display 218a. The touch panel 220a is, for example, of a capacitance type, but is not limited thereto, and may be of another type such as an electromagnetic induction type, a resistive film type, or an infrared type. The operation unit 220 includes an appropriate hardware switch such as a push button switch (not shown) in addition to the touch panel 220a.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the server 30 in FIG. 1 includes a main control unit 302, a communication unit 304, and an auxiliary storage unit 306. These are connected to a common bus 308.

  The main control unit 302 is a control unit in the server 30 that controls the entire control of the server 30. For this purpose, the main control unit 302 includes a CPU (not shown). In addition, the main control unit 302 includes a main storage unit 302a as a main storage unit in the server 30. The main storage unit 302a includes a RAM and a ROM (not shown). A conceptual configuration in the main storage unit 302a is shown in a memory map 70 in FIG.

  As shown in the memory map 70, the main storage unit 302a has a program storage area 72 and a data storage area 74. The program storage area 72 stores a control program 720 for controlling the operation of the CPU of the main control unit 302. The control program 720 includes a communication control program 722, a store management program 724, an information notification program 726, and the like.

  The communication control program 722 is a program for controlling the communication unit 304. The store management program 724 is a program for causing the main control unit 302 (CPU) to execute a store management process described later. The information notification program 726 is a program for causing the main control unit 302 to execute an information notification process described later.

  On the other hand, various data 740 is stored in the data storage area 74. The various data 740 includes transmission / reception data 742 and the like.

  The transmission / reception data 742 is data transmitted / received between the respective multifunction peripherals 20 and the terminal devices 40. The transmission / reception data 742 includes store information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 20, position information transmitted from the terminal device 40, and information on a search result transmitted to the terminal device 40, as described later.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the communication unit 304 is a communication unit in the server 30 that performs bidirectional communication processing via the network 50.

  The auxiliary storage unit 306 is an auxiliary storage unit in the server 30 including a hard disk and a flash memory (not shown). The auxiliary storage unit 306 is also an example of a storage unit according to the present invention, and stores the store master 32 in the auxiliary storage unit 306. Store information on each store is stored in the store master 32 as described above. Specifically, information on the name (store name), location (GEO: Geolocation), address, telephone number, available services, and the like of each store is stored. It is memorized. This store information is stored (registered) by, for example, initial settings performed when each multifunction device 20 is installed in the store. That is, when the multifunction peripheral 20 is installed in a certain store, initial settings for the multifunction peripheral 20 are performed. In this initial setting, store information regarding the store is input to the multifunction device 20. The store information is sent from the multifunction device 20 to the server 30 via the network 50 and stored in the store master 32. When the multifunction device 20 is provided with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, information on the latitude and longitude obtained by the GPS function may be applied as information on the location of the store.

  As described above, in the store information, information on services that can be provided in each store is stored. One of the information is whether or not a photo print (photo print) service can be provided in each store. Information is included. For example, a store in which the glossy paper is prepared as the paper for the multifunction device 20 can perform photo printing by the multifunction device 20, that is, can provide a photo printing service using the multifunction device 20. . The store information of such stores includes information indicating that a photo print service using the multifunction peripheral 20 can be provided. The shop information of the shop that can provide the photo print service using the multifunction device 20 also includes information on what size glossy paper is prepared. A store in which the above-mentioned photo printer is attached to the multifunction device 20 can perform high-quality photo printing by the photo printer, that is, a high-quality photo printing service using the photo printer is provided. It is possible. The store information of such stores includes information indicating that a high-quality photo print service can be provided. The store information of stores that can provide this high-quality photo print service also includes information on what size paper is prepared as a photo printer paper.

  Further, the above-mentioned store information includes information on whether or not each store can provide a print service based on a predetermined document file, for example, a PDF print (PDF print) service based on a PDF (Portable Document Format) file. Is included. The store information of stores that can provide the PDF print service also includes information on what size plain paper is prepared.

  In short, the above-mentioned store information includes device information on the multifunction peripherals 20 installed in the respective stores, and specifically includes information on at least a part of the functions of the multifunction peripherals 20. I have.

  Furthermore, the device information also includes status information indicating the status of each MFP 20. For example, when the multifunction device 20 installed in a certain store is in a state where at least part of its functions cannot be used due to some trouble such as a failure or paper jam, the content of the trouble is shown. Information is included as state information. The troubles mentioned here include the arrival of a so-called consumable replenishment time such as running out of paper and the arrival of a so-called consumable replacement time such as running out of toner. The same applies to a case where a photo printer is attached to the multifunction device 20 and some trouble such as a failure, running out of paper, or running out of ink occurs in the photo printer. Further, in addition to the trouble, the MFP 20 may be temporarily disabled due to maintenance or updating of a built-in program. The device information about the MFP 20 in such a state includes information indicating that fact as state information. That is, the device information about the multifunction peripheral 20 in which at least a part of the functions cannot be used due to a predetermined event such as a trouble or maintenance includes status information indicating that fact.

  Note that the server 30 may be configured to be divided into an application server that mainly performs control based on the above-described control program 720 and a database server that mainly stores the store master 32. Although not shown, the server 30 may include an operation unit such as a keyboard and a mouse as an operation receiving unit in the server 30 and a display unit such as a display as a display unit in the server 30. In this case, the operation unit and the display unit are connected to the bus 308 via an input / output interface unit (not shown).

  The terminal device 40 in FIG. 1 is a smartphone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or the like as described above. For example, when the terminal device 40 is a smartphone, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a main control unit 402, an auxiliary storage unit 404, A communication unit 406. In addition, the smartphone as the terminal device 40 includes a display unit 408 and an operation unit 410. These are connected to a common bus 412.

  The main control unit 402 is a control unit in the terminal device 40 that controls the overall control of the terminal device 40. For this purpose, the main control unit 402 includes a CPU (not shown). In addition, the main control unit 402 includes a main storage unit 402a as a main storage unit in the terminal device 40. The main storage unit 402a includes a RAM and a ROM (not shown). A conceptual configuration in the main storage unit 402a is shown in a memory map 80 in FIG.

  As shown in the memory map 80, the main storage unit 402a has a program storage area 82 and a data storage area 84. In the program storage area 82, a control program 820 for controlling the operation of the CPU of the main control unit 402 is stored. The control program 820 includes a display control program 822, an operation detection program 824, a communication control program 826, a store search request program 828, and the like.

  The display control program 822 is a program for generating display screen data necessary for displaying various screens on a display surface of a display 408a described later of the display unit 408. The operation detection program 824 is a program for detecting a user's operation state on a touch panel 410a described later of the operation unit 410. The communication control program 826 is a program for controlling the communication unit 406. The store search request program 828 is a program for causing the main control unit 212 (CPU) to execute a store search request process described later. This store search request program 828 is incorporated in a store search application described later.

  On the other hand, various data 840 is stored in the data storage area 84. The various data 840 includes display image generation data 842, operation data 844, transmission / reception data 846, and the like.

  The display image generation data 842 is data such as polygon data and texture data used for generating display screen data based on the display control program 822 described above. The operation data 844 is data indicating a user's operation state on the touch panel 410a, and is, for example, time-series data indicating a user's touch position on the touch panel 410a. The transmission / reception data 846 is data transmitted / received to / from the server 30. The transmission / reception data 846 includes position information sent to the server 30 as described later, information on search results sent from the server 30, and the like.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the communication unit 406 is a communication unit in the terminal device 40 that performs bidirectional communication processing via the network 50. The communication unit 406 can perform communication processing by a wireless method such as a Wi-Fi method, but can also perform the communication processing by a wired method. Further, the communication unit 406 may be responsible for communication processing with an arbitrary multifunction peripheral 20 (communication unit 208) by a wireless method.

  The display unit 408 has a display 408 a as a display unit in the terminal device 40. The display 408a forms a display with a touch panel in cooperation with the touch panel 410a of the operation unit 410. The display 408a is, for example, a liquid crystal display, but is not limited thereto, and may be an organic electroluminescent display or the like. The display unit 408 includes an appropriate light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (not shown), in addition to the display 408a.

  The operation unit 410 has a touch panel 410 a as an operation receiving unit in the terminal device 40. The touch panel 410a forms a display with a touch panel in cooperation with the display 408a as described above. For this reason, the touch panel 410a is provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display 408a. The touch panel 410a is of a capacitance type, for example, but is not limited thereto, and may be of another type such as an electromagnetic induction type, a resistive type, or an infrared type. The operation unit 410 includes an appropriate hardware switch such as a push button switch (not shown) in addition to the touch panel 410a.

  By the way, according to the store management system 10 according to the first embodiment, when the user intends to use at least one of the above-described photo print service and PDF print service, he / she selects the store where the service is provided. Can be searched. This store search is performed using the terminal device 40, for example. For this purpose, dedicated application software called a store search application is installed in the terminal device 40 in advance. This store search application can be downloaded from a dedicated server (not shown) connected to the network 50, for example. Further, in order to perform the store search, it is necessary to turn on a position information service function (a function of presenting information indicating the current position of the terminal device 40 as necessary) of the terminal device 40.

  In this store search, first, the store search application is activated with the above-described position information service function of the terminal device 40 turned on. Then, a search result screen (not shown) is displayed on (display surface of) the display 408a of the terminal device 40. The search result screen includes a list of stores located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40, and specifically includes a list of schematic information on the store. Therefore, from the contents of the list included in the search result screen, the user can recognize general information about a store located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40. The general information on the store referred to here includes, for example, the name of the store and information on whether each of the photo print service and the PDF print service can be provided in the store.

  Further, the above-described search result screen is provided with a switch button for switching the search result screen to a screen of a map display format. When the switching button is operated, in detail, when the tap is tapped, the search result screen is switched to a screen 100 in a map display format as shown in FIG.

  The search result screen 100 in the map display format shown in FIG. 8 includes a title bar display area 110, a map display area 120, and a detailed display area 130. The search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8 is based on the premise that the display 408a of the terminal device 40 is in the vertical direction. However, depending on the design, it is also possible to realize the search result screen 100 corresponding to the case where the display 408a is in the landscape orientation.

  The title bar display area 110 is a horizontally long band-shaped area, and is provided at the top of the search result screen 100. In a substantially central portion of the title bar display area 110, a character string representing the title of the search result screen 100, for example, a horizontally written character string 112 of "Nearby convenience store" is displayed. In the left part of the title bar display area 110, a horizontally written character string 114 "list" is displayed. The character string 114 has a function as a switching button for switching the display format of the search result screen 100 to the list display format in which the above-described list is displayed. That is, when the character string 114 is tapped, the display format of the search result screen 100 is switched from the map display format shown in FIG. 8 to the list display format. In the right part of the title bar display area 110, a horizontally written character string "Close" is displayed. This character string 116 has a function as an end button for ending the store search application. That is, when this character string 116 is tapped, the store search application ends. Note that a similar end button is also provided on the search result screen in the list display format, and the store search application ends when this end button is tapped.

  The map display area 120 is a rectangular area that occupies approximately a half of the upper part of the part other than the title bar display area 110 in the search result screen 100 in the map display format. In the map display area 120, a map 122 of the above-described predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40, that is, centered on the current position of the user is displayed. At the same time, an icon 124 as a display representing the store is displayed at a position on the map 122 corresponding to the actual location of each store. In other words, the icon 124 is a type of object that indirectly represents the MFP 20 installed in each store. Each icon 124 has a store mark 124a imitating a symbol of a convenience store chain to which the store represented by the icon 124 belongs. Each of the icons 124 also functions as an operator that can accept an operation by the user. Further, when a plurality of stores are crowded, a plurality of icons 124, 124,... Representing the stores are displayed in an overlapping manner. In this case, the icon 124 representing the store closer to the current position of the terminal device 40 is displayed on the front (front) side of the display 408a. Therefore, for example, the icon 124 representing the store closest to the current position of the terminal device 40 is displayed on the foreground.

  That is, in the map display area 120, a store located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40, in other words, the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in the store is graphically displayed. Therefore, from the graphical display contents in the map display area 120, that is, from the map 122 and the icon 124 on the map 122, the position of the store located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40 is determined. Can be intuitively recognized. This greatly contributes, for example, to the user finding a store near his / her current location.

  The detailed display area 130 is a portion of the search result screen 100 in the map display format excluding the title bar display area 110 and the map display area 120, that is, a lower part of the search result screen 100 except the title bar display area 110. It is a rectangular area that occupies about half. In the detailed display area 130, a list 132 similar to that in the search result screen 100 in the above-described list display format is displayed. That is, the list 132 includes schematic information about stores located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40.

  Specifically, the list 132 displays horizontally written character strings 134 representing the names of the stores in order from the top of the detail display area 130 to the bottom. The character string 134 is displayed more upward as the name of the store closer to the current position of the terminal device 40 is displayed. Therefore, for example, the character string 134 representing the name of the store closest to the current position of the terminal device 40 is displayed at the uppermost position. At the same time, a store mark 136 imitating the symbol of the store represented by the character string 134 is displayed to the left of each character string 134.

  Further, on the right side of each character string 134, a symbol 138 indicating whether or not the photo print service can be provided in the store represented by the character string 134 is displayed. For a store where the symbol 138 is, for example, “$”, both a photo printing service using the multifunction device 20 and a high-quality photo printing service using the above-described photo printer can be provided. It represents that. For a store where the symbol 138 is “３８”, only a photo print service using the multifunction device 20 can be provided, and a high-quality photo print service using a photo printer cannot be provided. Represents In addition, although illustration is omitted, there is a store where the symbol 138 is “x”. For a store where the symbol 138 is “x”, it indicates that neither the photo printing service using the multifunction device 20 nor the high-quality photo printing service using the photo printer can be provided. In such a store, the glossy paper described above is not prepared as a sheet for the multifunction peripheral 20 and a photo printer is not attached to the multifunction peripheral 20. Is also not available.

  In addition, on the right side of the symbol 138, a symbol 140 indicating whether the PDF printing service can be provided in the store represented by the character string 134 is displayed. A store where the symbol 140 is “$” indicates that a PDF print service can be provided. Although not shown, there are some stores where the symbol 140 is “x”. For a store where the symbol 140 is “x”, it indicates that the PDF printing service cannot be provided, that is, that the MFP 20 installed in the store does not have a function of performing PDF printing.

  From the contents of such a list 132, the user can recognize general information about a store located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40. That is, the user can recognize the name of each store and information on whether each of the photo print service and the PDF print service can be provided in the store. Further, as for the photo print service, it is possible to recognize whether or not a high-quality photo print service using a photo printer can be provided. Information that can be recognized from the contents of the list 132 can be similarly recognized from the contents of the list on the search result screen 100 in the above-described list display format. In addition, when the number of stores located in the above-described predetermined area is large and general information about those stores is not uniformly displayed in the detailed display area 130, a swipe operation in the vertical direction in the detailed display area 130 is performed. Is performed, the display content of the list 132 is scrolled up and down. As a result, general information about all stores located in the predetermined area is sequentially displayed in the detailed display area 130, that is, sequentially displayed in the list 132.

  On the search result screen 100 in the map display format shown in FIG. 8, for example, when an arbitrary icon 124 on the map 122 is tapped, if a store represented by the icon 124 is selected, the search result screen 100 is displayed. Transitions to the state shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the icon 124 located substantially at the center on the map 122 in FIG. 8 is tapped, that is, a state in which the store represented by the icon 124 is selected. The icon 124 located substantially at the center on the map 122 in FIG. 8 corresponds to the character string 134 displayed at the top of the list 132 in FIG. A character string 134 displayed at the top of the list 132, a store mark 136 on the left of the character string 134, and symbols 138 and 140 on the right of the character string 134 are displayed. The search result screen 100 also transitions to a state as shown in FIG. 9 by tapping a certain part including the search result. That is, any store can be selected in the list 132.

  On the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 9, an icon 124 representing the store selected on the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, ie, the selected store, is displayed in a large size. At the same time, the detailed information 150 indicating the details of the selected store is displayed in the detail display area 130 instead of the list 132 displayed in the detail display area 130 in FIG.

  The detailed information 150 includes store basic information 152 that is basic information about the selected store, and detailed print information 154 that is detailed information of each of the photo print service and the PDF print service that can be provided at the selected store. .

  Of these, the store basic information 152 is displayed in the upper part of the detail display area 130. Specifically, the name, address, and telephone number of the selected store are displayed as the store basic information 152, and strictly speaking, horizontally written character strings 156, 158, and 160 representing them are displayed. In addition, a store mark 162 imitating the symbol of a convenience store chain to which the selected store belongs is displayed on the left side of the character string 156 representing the name of the selected store.

  On the other hand, the detailed print information 154 is displayed in a lower portion of the detailed display area 130. Specifically, a symbol 164 indicating whether the photo print service can be provided at the selected store is displayed. This symbol 164 is, like the symbol 138 in the list 132 in FIG. 8, indicated by “〇”, “△”, and “×”, and indicates the photo print service using the multifunction device 20 and the photo print service using the photo printer. Indicates whether each of the high quality photo printing services can be provided. In addition, a symbol 166 indicating whether the PDF print service can be provided at the selected store is displayed. This symbol 166 indicates whether or not the PDF print service can be provided by “Δ” and “×”, similarly to the symbol 140 in the list 132 in FIG. Further, when a high-quality photo printing service using a photo printer can be provided, a horizontal character string indicating what size paper is prepared as the paper for the photo printer. 168 is displayed. When a photo print service using the multifunction device 20 can be provided, a horizontal character string 170 indicating what size glossy paper is prepared is displayed. Further, when the PDF print service can be provided, a horizontally written character string 172 indicating what size of plain paper is prepared is displayed.

  Note that a character string 168 in FIG. 9 indicates that two types of paper, an L size size and a 2L size size, are prepared as paper for a photo printer. Incidentally, when a high-quality photo print service using a photo printer cannot be provided, the character string 168 is not displayed or is grayed out (light gray). A character string 170 in FIG. 9 indicates that glossy paper of A4 size is prepared as a paper for a photo print service using the MFP 20. If the photo print service using the multifunction device 20 cannot be provided, the character string 170 is not displayed or is grayed out. Further, a character string 172 in FIG. 9 indicates that four types of plain papers of A3, B4, A4, and B5 are prepared as PDF printing service paper. If the PDF print service cannot be provided, the character string 172 is not displayed or is grayed out.

  From the contents of such detailed information 150, the user can recognize basic information about the selected store and detailed information of each of the photo print service and the PDF print service that can be provided at the selected store. This greatly contributes, for example, when a user uses a photo print service and / or a PDF print service, in particular, finds a store that can provide a service that the user intends to use. In particular, since the detailed information 150 is displayed separately from the map 122, in other words, it is displayed large in the detailed display area 130 provided separately from the map display area 120, so that it is easy for the user to see. Therefore, the user can reliably recognize the contents of the detailed information 150.

  In the search result screen 100 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the map 122 (strictly, a display target area which is an actual area displayed by the map 122) is moved (shifted), You can change the scale. For example, when a swipe operation is performed in an arbitrary direction on the map 122, the map 122 moves in the swipe operation direction. When the pinch-in operation is performed on the map 122, the scale of the map 122 is reduced. Conversely, when a pinch-out operation is performed on the map 122, the scale of the map 122 increases. Further, when the map 122 is moved or the scale of the map 122 is changed, the position and the number of the icons 124 on the map 122 may change, that is, the icons 124 are represented by the icons 124. Stores themselves may change. In particular, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, when the store represented by the icon 124 on the map 122 changes, the contents of the schematic information about the store displayed in the list 132 accordingly. Also changes.

  In addition, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 9, the map 122 moves so that the icon 124 representing the selected store is located at substantially the center on the map 122. For example, when an arbitrary store is selected on the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, the map 122 is moved so that the icon 124 representing the selected store is located substantially at the center of the map 122. . Specifically, when an arbitrary icon 124 on the map 122 is tapped, the map 122 moves so that the tapped icon 124 is located substantially at the center of the map 122. The same applies when a portion corresponding to an arbitrary store in the list 132 in FIG. 8 is tapped. Then, the search result screen 100 transits to a state similar to that shown in FIG. 9 so that the icon 124 representing the selected store is displayed in a larger size.

  Further, when a store other than the selected store is selected on the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 9, the selected store becomes a new selected store. That is, when the icon 124 representing a store other than the selected store on the map 122 is tapped, the store represented by the tapped icon 124 becomes a new selected store. Then, the map 122 moves so that the icon 124 representing the new selected store, that is, the tapped icon 124 is located at substantially the center of the map 122. At the same time, the icon 124 representing the newly selected store is displayed larger. Accordingly, the icon 124 representing the selected store up to that point is displayed in the original size, that is, the same size as the icon 124 representing the store other than the selected store. Then, the detailed information 150 on the new selected store is displayed in the detailed display area 130 instead of the detailed information 150 on the previously selected store.

  By the way, if any trouble such as a failure, running out of paper, running out of toner, or paper jam occurs in the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in any of the stores, it becomes impossible to use at least a part of the functions of the multifunction peripheral 20. Become. The same applies to the case where a photo printer is attached to the multi-function device 20 and some trouble such as a failure, running out of paper, or running out of ink occurs in the photo printer. In addition, as described above, the multifunction peripheral 20 may temporarily become unusable due to maintenance or updating of a built-in program in addition to the trouble. When at least a part of the functions of the multifunction device 20 cannot be used, provision of services using these functions, that is, provision of at least one of the photo print service and the PDF print service is hindered. Come. It is desirable that the user can reliably recognize the store in such a situation.

  Therefore, in the store management system 10 according to the first embodiment, the following measures are taken.

  That is, the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed, for example, in a form as shown in FIG. In the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, an attention mark 124 b is attached to some of the icons 124 on the map 122, for example, to the icon 124 located at substantially the center on the map 122. In other words, the icon 124 located substantially at the center on the map 122 is displayed in a different mode from the other icons 124. An appropriate picture, for example, a picture imitating an appropriate tool (spanner) is written on the alert mark 124b. In the store represented by the icon 124 to which the warning mark 124b is attached, since the MFP 20 installed in the store is out of order, any of the photo print service and the PDF print service can be provided. Also indicates that it is not possible.

  From the content of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, that is, since the attention mark 124b is attached to some of the icons 124 on the map 122, the user is given the attention mark 124b. It is possible to recognize (imagine) that at least some inconvenience has occurred in the store represented by the icon 124. In other words, the user has some inconvenience in the store represented by at least one of the icons 124 because the icon 124 with the alert mark 124b and the icon 124 that is not exist are present. You can recognize that.

  Then, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, when the icon 124 with the alert mark 124b is tapped, that is, when the store represented by the icon 124 is selected, the search result screen 100 is displayed. , Transitions to the state as shown in FIG. In the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, when a store represented by the icon 124 with the alert mark 124b is selected in the list 132, that is, when the store corresponding to the store in the list 132 is selected. Even when a part is tapped, the search result screen 100 transitions to a state as shown in FIG.

  In the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 11, the icon 124 representing the selected store is displayed in a large size, similarly to the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. That is, the icon 124 to which the alert mark 124b is attached is displayed larger. Accordingly, the alert mark 124b is also displayed larger than that shown in FIG. At the same time, the map 122 moves so that the icon 124 representing the selected store is located substantially at the center on the map 122. Further, as the detailed print information 154 of the detailed information 150, for example, instead of the symbols 164 and 166 and the character strings 168, 170 and 172 in FIG. Is displayed. In addition, for example, a slightly larger horizontally written character string 176 expressing appreciation of "I'm sorry for the inconvenience" is displayed. Note that an appropriate character may be displayed instead of or in addition to these character strings 174 and 176.

  From the contents of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 11, and particularly from the contents of the large character string 174 of “under breakdown” displayed as the detailed print information 154, the user can find that the MFP 20 has failed in the selected store. It is possible to intuitively and reliably recognize that the user is in the middle, that is, that the provision of the photo print service and the PDF print service is impossible. In other words, the user recognizes that in the stores other than the selected stores, the attention mark 124b is not attached to the icon 124 representing those stores, so that no inconvenience such as the failure of the multifunction peripheral 20 has occurred. be able to.

  Separately from this, for example, in a case where the MFP 20 installed in the selected store is under maintenance at the selected store and neither the photo print service nor the PDF print service can be provided, A search result screen 100 as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed.

  In the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 12, the icon 124 representing the selected store has an alerting mark 124c in a different form from that in FIG. 11, for example, an alerting mark 124c in which a symbol "!" Is attached. This alerting mark 124c is provided at the store represented by the icon 124 to which it is attached, that is, at the selected store, for at least one of the photo print service and the PDF print service due to some cause other than the failure of the multifunction peripheral 20. Indicates that there is an obstacle. Then, information indicating the details of the trouble is displayed as detailed print information 154. Here, for example, a character string 178 of a large horizontal character “Currently under maintenance” is displayed. At the same time, for example, a slightly larger horizontally written character string 180 expressing appreciation of "I'm sorry for the inconvenience" is displayed. Note that an appropriate character may be displayed instead of or in addition to these character strings 178 and 180.

  From the contents of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 12, and especially from the contents of the large character string 178 of “Now under maintenance” displayed as the detailed print information 154, the user can select the MFP 20 at the selected store. Can be intuitively and reliably recognized that the printer is under maintenance, that is, the photo print service and the PDF print service cannot be provided. In other words, the user recognizes that in the stores other than the selected stores, since the alert mark 124c is not attached to the icons 124 representing the stores, the trouble such as the failure of the multifunction peripheral 20 does not occur. can do.

  For example, when the multifunction peripheral 20 is under maintenance and the time to finish the operation is generally known (expected), appropriate information such as a character string representing the time is described in the detailed print information 154. May be displayed. Also, for example, in the case of updating the built-in program of the multifunction peripheral 20, the time period during which the update is executed is known in advance, and appropriate information for giving notice thereof may be displayed as the detailed print information 154. .

  Further, although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, when the MFP 20 installed in the store represented by any of the icons 124 is under maintenance, the icon 124 is noted. The alerting mark 124c is attached in the same state as the alerting mark 124b in FIG.

  For example, when the MFP 20 installed in the selected store is out of paper, a search result screen 100 as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. In the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 13, the same alerting mark 124c as that during maintenance shown in FIG. 12, that is, the alerting mark 124c in which the symbol "!" Is attached. Then, as the detailed print information 154, for example, in addition to the contents shown in FIG. 9, a character string 182 of a horizontal character "paper out" is displayed. FIG. 13 shows that the A4 size glossy paper for the multifunction peripheral 20 is out of paper. In this case, an appropriate modification is applied to a portion representing the A4 size in the character string 170 indicating that glossy paper is prepared, for example, a double strikethrough 184 is added. As another modification, a blur display, a gray-out display, or the like may be given. Also, the character string 182 of "out of paper" is displayed in a state where an appropriate modification has been made, and is displayed in red, for example.

  Therefore, from the content of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 13, particularly from the content of the detailed print information 154, the user can determine that the glossy paper of A4 size is out of paper at the selected store, that is, It can be intuitively and surely recognized that the provision of the photo print service using the device 20 is impossible. However, in this state, at the selected store, services other than the photo printing service using the multi-function device 20, that is, the high-quality photo printing service using the photo printer and the multi-function device 20 are used. PDF print service can be provided. Therefore, the user provides the high-quality photo print service using the photo printer and the PDF print service using the multi-function device 20 at the selected store from the contents of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. It is possible to recognize that it is possible.

  Although not shown, when the selected store is out of paper other than the A4 size glossy paper, a search result screen 100 similar to that shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. That is, an alert mark 124c is attached to the icon 124 representing the selected store. For example, when one of the two types of paper of the L size and the 2L size of the photo printer is out of paper, the character string 168 indicating that the paper of the photo printer is ready is provided. A double strikethrough 184 is added to a portion indicating the size of the out-of-paper sheet. When any size of the plain paper for the MFP 20 is out of paper, the paper in the character string 172 indicating that the plain paper for the MFP 20 is ready is provided. A double strikethrough 184 is added to a portion indicating the size of the cut sheet.

  However, if the paper is out of paper, it is expected that the out-of-paper state will be resolved relatively early, that is, the MFP 20 will return to a normal state. Therefore, appropriate information such as a character string indicating that may be displayed as the detailed print information 154.

  Although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, when the MFP 20 installed in the store represented by any of the icons 124 is out of paper, the icon 124 is displayed. Is attached in the same state as shown in FIG.

  Further, for example, when the MFP 20 installed in the selected store is out of toner, particularly when the color toner is out of toner, the search result screen 100 as shown in FIG. Is displayed. In the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 14, for example, a store mark 124a attached to the icon 124 representing the selected store is displayed in black and white. At the same time, as the detailed print information 154, in addition to the contents shown in FIG. 9, for example, a character string 186 of horizontal characters "color printing is not possible" is displayed. This character string 186 is displayed in a state where an appropriate modification has been made, and is displayed, for example, in red.

  In FIG. 14, the store mark 124a of the icon 124 representing the selected store is hatched to indicate that the selected store is out of color toner. Incidentally, the store mark 124a of the icon 124 representing the store in which the toner has not run out is displayed in color. For example, in FIG. 9, a lattice pattern is attached to the store mark 124a of the icon 124 representing the selected store to indicate that the store mark 124a is displayed in color, that is, that the color toner has not run out of toner. are doing.

  Therefore, from the contents of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 14, and particularly from the contents of the detailed print information 154, the user can use the multifunction device 20 to determine that the selected store is in a state where color printing is not possible. It can be intuitively and surely recognized that the provision of all color photo print services and PDF print services is impossible. However, in this state, at the selected store, services other than color printing, that is, a black-and-white only photo print service and a PDF print service using a multifunction machine, and a high-quality photo print service using a photo printer are provided. Can be provided. Therefore, based on the content of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 14, the user can select a black-and-white only photo print service and a PDF print service using the multifunction peripheral and a high quality using the photo printer at the selected store. It can also recognize that the photo print service can be provided.

  Although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, when the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in the store represented by any of the icons 124 is in a state of running out of color toner, the icon is displayed. The store mark 124a attached to 124 is displayed in black and white. Therefore, the user can recognize that at least some inconvenience has occurred in the store represented by the icon 124 in which the store mark 124a is displayed in black and white. In other words, since the user has the icon 124 in which the store mark 124a is displayed in black and white and the icon 124 in which the store mark 124a is displayed in color, the user is represented by at least one of the icons 124. It is possible to recognize that some inconvenience has occurred in a store.

  Further, for example, in a selected store, when the multifunction device 20 installed in the store is out of black toner, the photo printing service using the multifunction device 20 regardless of black and white and color is provided. None of the PDF printing services can be provided. In this case, though not shown, the icon 124 representing the selected store on the map 122 on the search result screen 100 is provided with the same alerting mark 124c as in FIGS. 12 and 13, for example. In addition, as the detailed print information 154, for example, instead of the character string 186 in FIG. 14, a character string of horizontal characters indicating an appropriate message such as "printing by the multifunction peripheral is not possible" is displayed. This character string is displayed with an appropriate modification, for example, displayed in red. However, in this state, at the selected store, a service other than the photo print service using the multifunction device 20 and the PDF print service, that is, a high quality photo print service using the photo printer can be provided. is there.

  Although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8 as well, when the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in the store represented by any of the icons 124 is out of black and white toner, A warning mark 124c is attached to the icon 124 in a state similar to that shown in FIG.

  In the case of running out of toner, the running out of toner is expected to be resolved relatively early as in the case of running out of paper. Therefore, appropriate information such as a character string indicating that may be displayed as the detailed print information 154.

  Further, when a paper jam occurs in the MFP 20 installed in the selected store at the selected store, although not shown, an icon 124 representing the selected store on the map 122 on the search result screen 100 is displayed. The same alerting mark 124c as in FIGS. 12 and 13 is attached. In addition, as the detailed print information 154, for example, instead of the character string 186 in FIG. 14, a character string of a horizontal character representing an appropriate message such as "paper jam has occurred" is displayed. This character string is displayed with an appropriate modification, for example, displayed in red.

  Although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, if a paper jam occurs in the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in the store represented by any of the icons 124, the icon is displayed. Attention mark 124c is added to 124 in the same state as shown in FIG.

  In the case of a paper jam, it is expected that the state of the paper jam will be resolved relatively early. Therefore, appropriate information such as a character string indicating that may be displayed as the detailed print information 154.

  In addition, when the photo printer is out of order at the selected store, the illustration is omitted, but the icon 124 representing the selected store on the map 122 on the search result screen 100 is displayed, for example, in FIG. 12 and FIG. The same alerting mark 124c is attached. At the same time, instead of the character string 186 in FIG. 14, for example, a character string of horizontal characters representing an appropriate message such as "high-quality photo printing is not possible" is displayed as the detailed print information 154. This character string is displayed with an appropriate modification, for example, displayed in red. Further, the character string 168 indicating that the paper for the photographic printer is prepared is appropriately modified, for example, a double strikethrough is added thereto. As another modification, a blur display, a gray-out display, or the like may be given.

  Although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, if the photo printer of the store represented by any of the icons 124 is out of order, the icon 124 is marked with a warning mark. 124c is attached in a state similar to that shown in FIG.

  Also, in the case where the photo printer is out of ink at the selected store, although not shown, an icon 124 representing the selected store on the map 122 on the search result screen 100 is displayed, for example, in FIG. 12 and FIG. The alert mark 124c similar to the above is attached. At the same time, instead of the character string 186 in FIG. 14, for example, a character string of horizontal characters representing an appropriate message such as "high-quality photo printing is not possible" is displayed as the detailed print information 154. This character string is displayed with an appropriate modification, for example, displayed in red.

  If the photographic printer is out of ink, it is expected that this out of ink condition will be resolved relatively early. Therefore, appropriate information such as a character string indicating that may be displayed as the detailed print information 154.

  Although not shown, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 8, if the photo printer installed in the store represented by any of the icons 124 is out of ink, A warning mark 124c is attached to the icon 124 in a state similar to that shown in FIG.

  As described above, in a store represented by any one of the icons 124, when there is an obstacle in providing at least one of the photo print service and the PDF print service, the content is reflected on the search result screen 100. Then, the reflection on the search result screen 100 is immediately performed. In other words, the latest information is always displayed on the search result screen 100, that is, the latest information is always provided to the user.

  In order to realize the provision of the latest information to the user, communication is performed between the MFP 20 and the server 30 installed in each store according to a procedure as shown in FIG.

  For example, if a certain event such as a trouble or maintenance occurs in the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in any of the stores at a certain time point t1, this is detected by the multifunction peripheral 20 at a time point t3 immediately thereafter. Is done. Then, at a time point t5 after the time point t3, the MFP 20 in which the predetermined event has occurred is reported to the server 30, and strictly, predetermined report data is transmitted. The report data includes the above-described status information indicating the content of the predetermined event. That is, when a predetermined event such as a trouble or maintenance occurs in any one of the multifunction peripherals 20, report data including status information indicating the content is spontaneously transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 20 to the server 30.

  Then, at a time point t7 after the time point t5, the server 30 receives a report from the MFP 20, that is, receives report data transmitted from the MFP 20. Strictly speaking, this report data is received by the communication unit 304 of the server 30. The communication unit 304 that receives the report data is an example of an acquisition unit according to the present invention. Then, at time t9 after time t7, the server 30 sends the report strictly so that the status information included in the report data received at time t7 is reflected in the store information stored in the store master 32. The store information is updated so as to be reflected in the device information of the multifunction device 20 that is the data transmission source. Strictly, the update of the store information is performed by the main control unit 302 of the server 30. The main control unit 302 that updates the store information is an example of an updating unit according to the present invention.

  In short, according to the procedure shown in FIG. 15, the store information stored in the store master 32 of the server 30 is triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event in the MFP 20 installed in any store. Automatically updated to the latest information, so to speak, in real time.

  In order to realize the real-time update of the store information, the main control unit 212 (CPU) of each MFP 20 performs a report process according to the above-described report program 632 (see FIG. 3). FIG. 16 shows the flow of this reporting process.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the main control unit 212 of each MFP 20 first determines in step S1 whether a predetermined event such as some trouble or maintenance has occurred. This determination is repeated until a predetermined event occurs (S1: NO). When detecting that a predetermined event has occurred (S1: YES), the main control unit 212 proceeds with the process to step S3.

  In step S3, the main control unit 212 reports to the server 30, and transmits to the server 30 report data including state information representing the predetermined event detected in step S1. After that, the main control unit 212 returns the processing to step S1.

  In step S1, it is determined whether a predetermined event has newly occurred. Therefore, the predetermined event that has already occurred is not notified to the server 30 in step S3.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 302 (CPU) of the server 30 executes a store management process according to the above-described store management program 724 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 17 shows the flow of this store management process.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the main control unit 302 of the server 30 first determines in step S11 whether report data has been transmitted from any of the MFPs 20. This determination is repeated until report data is transmitted from any of the multifunction peripherals 20 (S11: NO). Then, when report data is transmitted from any one of the multifunction peripherals 20 (S11: YES), the main control unit 302 advances the processing to step S13.

  In step S13, the main control unit 302 updates the store information so that the status information included in the report data received in step S11 is reflected in the store information stored in the store master 32. After that, the main control unit 302 returns the processing to step S11.

  The store information updated in real time in this manner is provided to the terminal device 40 on which the above-described store search application is activated, and between the terminal device 40 on which the store search application is activated and the server 30, Communication is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  That is, at a certain time point t11, when the store search application is activated on any of the terminal devices 40, at a time point t13 immediately after that, a store search request is issued from the terminal device 40 to the server 30, and strictly , Store search request data is transmitted. The store search request data includes position information indicating the current position of the terminal device 40 that has transmitted the store search request data. Note that the store search request mentioned here is an example of a request for device information according to the present invention.

  Then, at time t15 after time t13, the server 30 receives the store search request from the terminal device 40, that is, receives the store search request data transmitted from the terminal device 40. At the subsequent time point t17, the server 30 recognizes the current position of the terminal device 40 that is the transmission source of the store search request data from the position information included in the store search request data received at the time point t15. Then, the server 30 performs a store search process for searching for a store located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40. This store search process is performed based on store information stored in the store master 32. Then, at time point 19 after time point t17, server 30 transmits the result of the store search process to terminal device 40 that is the transmission source of the store search request data, and strictly transmits the search result data. Here, for example, when a predetermined event such as some trouble or maintenance has occurred in any of the stores searched by the store search process, state information indicating the content is incorporated into the search result data.

  Strictly speaking, the search result data is transmitted by the main control unit 302 of the server 30 via the communication unit 304 of the server 30 to the terminal device 40 that is the transmission source of the store search request data. The main control unit 302 and the communication unit 304 of the server 30 responsible for transmitting the search result data are an example of a notification unit according to the present invention.

  The terminal device 40 that is the transmission source of the store search request data receives the search result data transmitted from the server 30 at time t21 after time t19. Then, at a time point t23 after the time point t21, the terminal device 40 displays a search result based on the search result data received at the time point t21 on the display 408a, that is, displays the search result screen 100 on the display 408a.

  In order to realize the communication according to the procedure shown in FIG. 18, the main control unit 402 (CPU) of the terminal device 40 on which the store search application has been started operates according to the store search request program 828 (see FIG. 7). Execute search request processing. FIG. 19 shows the flow of this store search request processing.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the main control unit 402 of the terminal device 40 on which the store search application has been activated first makes a store search request to the server 30 in step S21. The store search request data including the position information indicating the current position is transmitted to the server 30. Then, the main control unit 402 proceeds with the process to step S23.

  In step S23, the main control unit 402 determines whether search result data has been transmitted from the server 30. Here, for example, when the search result data is transmitted from the server 30 (S23: YES), the main control unit 402 advances the processing to step S25. On the other hand, when the search result data has not been transmitted from the server 23 (S23: NO), the main control unit 402 advances the processing to step S27.

  In step S25, the main control unit 402 displays the search result screen 100 based on the search result data received in step S23 on the display 408a. Then, the main control unit 402 proceeds with the process to step S29.

  When the main control unit 402 has proceeded from step S23 to step S27, it waits for search result data to be transmitted from the server 30 in step S27. Determine whether This fixed time is, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds. Here, when the fixed time has not elapsed (S27: NO), the main control unit 402 returns the process to step S23. On the other hand, if the certain time has elapsed (S27: YES), the main control unit 402 advances the processing to step S31.

  In step S31, the main control unit 402 displays a suitable error message (not shown) on the display 408a indicating that the reception of the search result data from the server 30 has failed. Then, the main control unit 402 proceeds with the process to step S29.

  In step S29, the main control unit 402 determines whether any operation by the user has been received. This determination is repeated until some operation by the user is received (S29: NO). Then, when any operation by the user is received (S29: YES), the main control unit 402 advances the processing to step S33.

  In step S33, the main control unit 402 determines whether the operation received in step S29 is an operation for terminating the store search application. Here, for example, when the operation received in step S29 is an operation for ending the store search application (S33: YES), the main control unit 402 ends the store search process. On the other hand, when the operation received in step S29 is not an operation for ending the store search application (S33: NO), the main control unit 402 advances the process to step S35.

  In step S35, the main control unit 402 determines whether the operation received in step S29 is an operation requesting a re-search for a store. The operation of requesting a re-search for a store includes an operation of moving the map 122 or changing the scale of the map 122. Here, for example, if the operation received in step S29 is a store re-search request operation (S35: YES), the main control unit 402 returns the process to step S21. On the other hand, when the operation received in step S29 is not a store re-search request operation (S35: NO), the main control unit 402 advances the process to step S37.

  In step S37, the main control unit 402 performs a process according to the operation received in step S29 described above. After performing step S37, the main control unit 402 returns the process to step S29.

  In response to such a store search request process by the main control unit 402 of the terminal device 40, the main control unit 302 (CPU) of the server 30 executes the information notification process according to the above-described information notification program 726 (see FIG. 5). I do. FIG. 20 shows the flow of this status notification processing.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the main control unit 302 of the server 30 first determines whether or not the store search request data has been transmitted from any of the terminal devices 40 in step S41. This determination is repeated until store search request data is transmitted from any of the terminal devices 40 (S41: NO). Then, when store search request data is transmitted from any of the terminal devices 40 (S41: YES), the main control unit 302 advances the process to step S43.

  In step S43, the main control unit 302 recognizes the current position of the terminal device 40 that is the transmission source of the store search request data from the position information included in the store search request data received in step S41. Then, the main control unit 302 performs a store search process for searching for a store located in a predetermined area centered on the current position of the terminal device 40. As described above, the store search process is performed based on the store information stored in the store master 32. After executing the store search process in step S43, the main control unit 302 advances the process to step S45.

  In step S45, the main control unit 302 transmits the result of the store search process in step S43, that is, the search result data to the terminal device 40 that is the source of the store search request data. Here, for example, when a predetermined event such as some trouble or maintenance has occurred in any of the stores searched by the store search process, state information indicating the content is incorporated into the search result data. After performing step S45, the main control unit 302 returns the process to step S41.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the user intends to use at least one of the above-described photo print service and PDF print service, the user obtains information on the shop where the service is provided, Strictly, the latest information about the store can be obtained. Therefore, for example, the user can recognize in advance whether or not he / she can reliably receive the service he or she intends to use. This is extremely beneficial for the user.

  Note that the user transfers various files such as image files and PDF files stored in the terminal device 40 (the auxiliary storage unit 404) to the multifunction peripheral 20 at a store where the user can receive a desired service. Thus, printing based on the various files can be performed. Instead, the user can transfer various files stored in an external storage medium (not shown) such as a USB memory to the MFP 20 and perform printing based on the various files. Further, by operating the multifunction device 20, the user can fetch various files registered in advance from a network print service server (not shown) and perform printing based on the various files. Since these printing procedures are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the communication procedure between the MFP 20 and the server 30 installed in each store and the store master 32 of the server 30 are different. Only the procedure for updating the stored store information is different. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a communication procedure between each MFP 20 and the server 30 according to the second embodiment, and a procedure for updating the store information stored in the store master 32 of the server 30. .

  First, at time t101, a report request is made from the server 30 to the multifunction peripheral 20 installed in any of the stores, and more specifically, report request data is transmitted.

  Then, at a time point t103 after the time point t101, the multifunction peripheral 20, which is the transmission destination of the above-described report request data, receives the report request, that is, receives the report request data. The multifunction peripheral 20 that has received the report request data checks the state of the multifunction peripheral 20 itself at time t105 after time t103, and determines whether a predetermined event such as any trouble or maintenance has occurred. Confirm and report the result to the server 30. Strictly speaking, report data including state information indicating the state of the multifunction peripheral 20 is transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 20 to the server 30.

  At a time point t107 after the time point t105, the server 30 accepts a report from the MFP 20, that is, receives report data transmitted from the MFP 20. If the status information included in the report data is different from that of the store information stored in the store master 32, that is, if there is a change in the status of the multifunction device 20 that has transmitted the report data, the server 30 Updates the store information at time t109 after time t107. Then, the server 30 makes a report request to another MFP 20. Thereafter, communication is performed between the server 30 and each of the multifunction peripherals 20 in a similar procedure, and if necessary, the store information stored in the store master 32 of the server 30 is updated.

  In short, according to the procedure shown in FIG. 21, communication is performed between the server 30 and each of the multifunction peripherals 20, 20,. 20, 20,..., The respective status information is transmitted to the server 30. The periodic communication between the server 30 and each of the MFPs 20, 20,... Is performed by, for example, a polling method. When necessary, that is, when a predetermined event occurs in any one of the multifunction peripherals 20, the store information stored in the store master 32 of the server 30 is updated to the latest information. , So to speak, updated in real time.

  Note that also in the second embodiment, report data transmitted from each MFP 20 to the server 30 is received by the communication unit 304 of the server 30. The communication unit 304 according to the second embodiment that receives the notification data is another example of the acquisition unit according to the present invention.

  In the second embodiment, the main controller 212 (CPU) of each MFP 20 performs a report process in accordance with the report program 632 (see FIG. 3) in order to realize real-time update of store information according to the above-described procedure. Execute. FIG. 22 shows the flow of the reporting process in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the main control unit 212 of each MFP 20 first determines whether or not report request data has been transmitted from the server 30 in step S101. This determination is repeatedly performed until the report request data is transmitted from the server 30 (S101: NO). Then, when report request data is transmitted from server 30 (S101: YES), main control unit 212 proceeds with the process to step S103.

  In step S103, the main control unit 212 reports to the server 30, and transmits the report data to the server 30 in detail. This report data includes state information indicating the state of the multifunction peripheral 20. After that, the main control unit 212 returns the process to step S101.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 302 (CPU) of the server 30 executes a store management process according to the store management program 724 (see FIG. 5). FIG. 23 shows the flow of the store management process in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the main control unit 302 of the server 30 first sets the MFP 20 to which a report request is to be made in step S111. Then, the main control unit 302 advances the processing to step S113. When step S113 is executed for the first time, for example, a predetermined MFP 20 is set as a target of the report request.

  In step S113, the main control unit 302 issues the report request to the MFP 20 set as the target of the report request in step S111, and transmits the report request data in detail. Then, the main control unit 302 advances the processing to step S115.

  In step S115, the main control unit 302 determines whether the report data has been transmitted from the multifunction peripheral 20, which is the destination of the report request data. Here, for example, when the report data is transmitted from the MFP 20 that is the transmission destination of the report request data (S115: YES), the main control unit 302 advances the process to step S117. Otherwise (S115: NO), main controller 302 advances the process to step S119.

  In step S117, the main control unit 302 determines whether it is necessary to update the store information stored in the store master 32, that is, changes to the state of the multifunction device 20 that is the transmission source of the report data received in step S115. It is determined whether or not there is. Here, for example, when it is necessary to update the store information (S117: YES), the main control unit 302 advances the processing to step S121. On the other hand, when it is not necessary to update the store information (S117: NO), the main control unit 302 advances the processing to step S123.

  In step S121, the main control unit 302 updates the store information so that the status information included in the report data received in step S115 is reflected in the store information. Then, the main control unit 302 advances the processing to step S123.

  In step S123, the main control unit 302 changes the MFP 20 for which the report is requested, and strictly prepares for it. Then, the process returns to step S111 in order to set the MFP 20 to be the target of the new report request.

  In step S119, the main control unit 302 waits for report data to be transmitted from the MFP 20 that is the target of the report request, that is, from the MFP 20 that is the destination of the report request data. Specifically, it is determined whether a certain time has elapsed. This fixed time is, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds. Here, if the certain time has not elapsed (S119: NO), the main control unit 402 returns the process to step S115. On the other hand, if the certain time has elapsed (S119: YES), the main control unit 402 determines that the multifunction peripheral 20 that is the source of the report request data has failed, and advances the process to step S121.

  According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the user wants to use at least one of the photo print service and the PDF print service, the user is provided with a store providing the service. You can get the latest information about

[Other application examples]
Each of the above embodiments is a specific example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can be applied to aspects other than these embodiments.

  For example, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the icon 124 on the map 122 representing a store where a predetermined event such as a trouble or maintenance has occurred is different from the other icons 124. It was displayed, but it is not limited to this. As an example, in the list 132 of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, an appropriate character string or a mark such as a mark is used so that a store where a predetermined event such as a trouble or maintenance has occurred can be recognized. Information may be displayed.

  Further, for example, in the search result screen 100 shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, an icon 124 on a map 122 representing a store where a predetermined event such as a trouble or maintenance has occurred is different from other icons 124. Instead of being displayed, it may be hidden. In this case, in the list 132 of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, information such as the character string 134 about a store where a predetermined event such as a trouble or maintenance has occurred may be hidden.

  Further, for example, among the predetermined events, only a store which is in a state where it is impossible to provide all of the above photo print service and PDF print service due to the occurrence of a specific (so-called serious) event such as a failure. In the search result screen 100 shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the icon 124 may be hidden. In addition, in the list 132 of the search result screen 100 shown in FIG. 10, information such as the character string 134 representing the store may be hidden only for the store where the specific event has occurred.

  In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, when the terminal device 40 issues a store search request to the server 30, information indicating the current position of the terminal device 40 is transmitted as position information. However, it is not limited to this. As the position information, for example, information indicating a position arbitrarily specified by the terminal device 40 may be transmitted.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the terminal device 40 is a smartphone has been described in detail. However, the same applies to the case where the terminal device 40 is a tablet computer or a personal computer.

  The terminal device 40 that receives the search result from the server 30 may output the search result as audio information or print information instead of displaying the search result.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the photographic printer is configured to be attached to the MFP 20, but the photographic printer may be integrated into the MFP 20.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the store management system 10 shown in FIG. For example, the present invention may be applied to a system that manages devices such as multifunction peripherals installed in convenience stores other than convenience stores such as supermarkets, libraries, post offices, and public facilities. And, of course, the present invention can be applied to a system for managing devices other than the multifunction peripheral.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Store management system 20 ... MFP 30 ... Server 32 ... Store master 40 ... Terminal device 50 ... Network 302 ... Main control unit 304 ... Communication unit 306 ... Auxiliary storage unit 408a ... Display

Claims (21)

An information processing device for notifying device information about the device to a user-side terminal device,
Storage means for storing the device information,
An information processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire status information indicating a status of the device from each of the plurality of devices; and an update unit configured to reflect the status information acquired by the acquisition unit on the device information in the storage unit. apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains the state information including the content of the predetermined event from the device in which the predetermined event has occurred.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit communicates constantly with the plurality of devices, and acquires the state information in the communication that is constantly performed.   The information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the terminal device of the device information when a request for the device information about any one of the devices is received from the terminal device. Processing equipment. The request for the device information includes position information indicating a specific position,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notifying unit notifies the device information about the device arranged in a predetermined area based on the specific position according to the position information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the specific position is a current position of the terminal device or a specified position specified by the terminal device. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the terminal device has a display surface, and the notifying unit displays the device information on the display surface.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the notifying unit does not display the device information on the device in which a predetermined event has occurred on the display surface.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the notifying unit does not display the device information on the device in which a predetermined specific event among the predetermined events has occurred on the display surface.   The notification means displays a map representing an area including the arrangement position of the device on the display surface, and displays an indicator representing the device at a position on the map corresponding to the arrangement position of the device. Item 8. The information processing device according to item 7.   The method according to claim 10, wherein the notifying unit displays the indicator representing the device in which the predetermined event has occurred in a different form from the indicator representing the device in which the predetermined event has not occurred. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the notifying unit displays the indicator representing the device in which the predetermined event has occurred in a form according to the content of the predetermined event.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the notifying unit does not display the indicator corresponding to the device in which a predetermined event has occurred on the map.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the notifying unit does not display the indicator corresponding to the device in which the predetermined specific event among the predetermined events has occurred on the map. .   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the previous device information includes information on at least a part of functions of the device.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 8, 9, 11 to 14, wherein the predetermined event is a phenomenon in which at least a part of functions of the device cannot be used.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined event includes at least one of a failure of the device, maintenance of the device, and a time of replenishment or replacement of a consumable used for the device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a multifunction peripheral. An information processing program for an information processing device for notifying device information about a device to a terminal device on a user side,
In the computer of the information processing device,
A storage procedure for storing the device information in a predetermined storage unit,
An acquisition procedure for acquiring state information representing the state of the apparatus from each of the plurality of apparatuses, and an update procedure for reflecting the state information acquired in the acquisition procedure on the apparatus information in the storage unit, Processing program. An information processing method in an information processing device for providing device information about a device to a user-side terminal device,
A storage step of storing the device information in a predetermined storage unit;
An information processing method, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring state information indicating a state of the device from each of the plurality of devices; and an updating step of reflecting the state information acquired in the acquiring step on the device information of the storage unit. Method. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
An information processing system comprising the plurality of devices and the terminal device.

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