JP2020052491A - Control apparatus and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control apparatus and control program configured to omit complicated registration operation of information processing apparatuses when multiple users participate in one chat room.SOLUTION: A control apparatus includes an execution control unit 302 which causes one of information processing apparatuses 40 to execute specific processing, the information processing apparatus 40 being associated with a user different from a user who has posted information out of users participating in a chat room where a plurality of participating users can post and browse information, when the user posts the information on an instruction for causing the information processing apparatus 40 to execute the specific processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The technology of the present invention relates to a control device and a control program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses that an operation instruction for operating an external device is detected from a message in a communication service that displays a message written by a member in chronological order, and the member who wrote the message is identified by the operation instruction. An operation instruction detecting means for specifying the instructor, an external device control means for controlling the external device according to the operation instruction detected by the operation instruction detection means, and a result of the operation of the external device under the control of the external device control means Operation report obtaining means for obtaining a report message, which generates a report message reporting the result of the operation obtained by the operation result obtaining means, and a report message generated by the report message generating means. Output to the server to provide There while specified as destined for identified instructor, the message notification device, characterized in that it comprises a report message display means for displaying the message to the communication service are disclosed.

JP 2014-164522 A

  In recent years, chatbots, which are automatic conversation programs, have been known. The chatbot automatically posts a message in response to a user posting a message in the talk room. As a further example of use, the chatbot executes a process necessary for executing an instruction included in a message posted by a user. For example, when the user posts a message related to an instruction to cause the information processing device to execute a specific process, the chatbot causes the information processing device to execute the specific process. The user can register the information processing device used by the user in the chatbot in advance.

  When a plurality of users participate in one talk room together with the chatbot described above, each user wants to use an information processing device that is not registered by himself and registered by another user. There is a situation. In such a situation, each user needs to separately register the information processing device registered by another user. In this case, a registration operation is required every time the above situation occurs, and the registration operation of the information processing apparatus is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a control program that can omit a complicated information processing device registration operation in a situation where a plurality of users participate in one talk room.

  A first aspect of the present disclosure is a control device, and information about an instruction for causing an information processing device to execute a specific process in a talk room in which each of a plurality of participating users can post and view information. Is posted by the user, the user who posted the information among the users participating in the talk room, one of the information processing devices associated with a different user than the user, the information processing device, the specific An execution control unit that controls the processing to be executed is provided.

  In the first aspect, the execution control unit, even when the information is posted to the talk room by a user not associated with the information processing device, the one information processing device, the specific information Control to execute the process.

  In the first aspect, a user not associated with the information processing device executes a specific process on an information processing device associated with a user participating in the talk room outside the talk room. I can't give you instructions.

  In the first aspect, the execution control unit, when a user participates in the talk room, when there is an information processing device associated with the user, the information processing device associated with the user, the talk room Confirm whether to share with other users who are participating in.

  In the first aspect, when it is confirmed that the information processing apparatus associated with the user participating in the talk room is shared by another user, the information processing apparatus confirmed to be shared is associated with the talk room. Can be

  In the first aspect, at least one of a user who has created the talk room and a user who is participating in the talk room can invite a user who is not participating in the talk room, and the execution control unit includes When a user who has been invited and participated has posted the information, the information processing device associated with the user who invited the user is controlled to execute the specific process.

  In the first aspect, the execution control unit acquires exchange information indicating an exchange between users participating in the talk room, and associates the user who posted the information with a user who is allowed to interact based on the exchange information. The specified information processing apparatus is controlled to execute the specific processing.

  A second embodiment of the present disclosure is a control program that causes a computer to function as the control device of the first embodiment.

  According to the invention according to claim 1, in a situation where a plurality of users participate in one talk room, it is possible to omit a complicated information processing device registration operation.

  According to the invention according to claim 2, even if the user is not associated with the information processing device, the specific process can be executed by one information processing device as long as the user posts in the talk room.

  According to the invention according to claim 3, it is possible to restrict a user who is not associated with the information processing device from causing the information processing device to execute the process outside the talk room.

  According to the invention according to claim 4, when the user participates in the talk room, it is possible to select whether or not to allow another user to share the information processing device.

  According to the invention according to claim 5, the information processing apparatus can be registered in association with the talk room for sharing.

  According to the invention according to claim 6, the user invited to the talk room can use the information processing device of the invited user.

  According to the invention according to claim 7, the user can use the information processing device of another user having an exchange relationship.

  According to the invention according to claim 8, in a situation where a plurality of users participate in one talk room, a complicated registration operation of the information processing device can be omitted.

It is a figure showing the schematic structure of the control system concerning the embodiment of the art of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a talk room server. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a chatbot server. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a function structure of a talk room server. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a chatbot server. 6 is an example of a table showing a correspondence between a user registered in a registration unit and an image forming apparatus. 7 is an example of a table registered in a registration unit and showing a correspondence between a talk room and an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control processing by a chatbot server. It is a figure showing a situation of contribution in a talk room. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an automatic selection priority process. It is a figure showing other examples showing a situation of a contribution in a talk room. It is a figure which shows the further another example which shows the mode of contribution in a talk room. It is a figure showing a situation of a talk room when a user participates.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the technology of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent components and portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of description, and may be different from the actual ratios.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system according to an embodiment of the technology of the present invention.

  The control system includes a user terminal 10, a talk room server 20, a chatbot server 30, and an information processing device 40. The user terminal 10, the talk room server 20, and the chatbot server 30 (control device) are interconnected by the Internet 50.

  The user terminal 10 is a terminal used by the user, and may be any terminal such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. In FIG. 1, it is assumed that the user A uses the user terminal 10A, the user B uses the user terminal 10B, the user C uses the user terminal 10C, and the user D uses the user terminal 10D. The user terminals 10A to 10D are collectively referred to as a user terminal 10.

  The talk room server 20 provides a talk room. The talk room is a virtual space in which a user and a chatbot described later can participate together and post and share information such as messages, symbol strings, images, stamps, and buttons as a chat. Here, chat means that a plurality of members enter information and exchange conversations on a computer network in real time. Here, the members include both a user associated with a real person and a software robot that operates according to a specific rule. A chatbot is a software robot that controls a specific process to be executed based on information posted by a user in a talk room.

  The user can post information or speak in the talk room through the user terminal 10. In the talk room, it is possible for users to share information, and for the chatbot to respond to information posted by the user in response. Further, the user can also give an instruction for causing the information processing device 40 to execute a specific process to the chatbot in the talk room. The chatbot extracts an instruction to execute a specific process from information such as a posted message by natural language processing, and controls the information processing device 40 to execute the specific process. Note that a user and a chatbot can participate in the talk room on a one-to-one basis, or a plurality of users and a chatbot can participate. There can be a plurality of talk rooms as many as the number set.

  The chatbot server 30 is a server that manages a chatbot. As described above, the chat bot participates in the talk room, responds to the message of the user, and causes the information processing device 40 to execute a specific process according to an instruction included in the message.

  When information related to an instruction to cause the information processing device 40 to execute a specific process is posted in the chat room in which the chatbot is participating, the chatbot registers information associated with the user participating in the chat room. It controls the processing device 40 to execute a specific process. Note that the information processing device 40 may be a device that performs any information processing. Here, the information processing includes, for example, a process of executing printing from character data or image data, a process of generating or processing data using equipment included in the information processing device 40, and a process of processing the information processing device 40 and other devices. And the like for exchanging data with the server. Hereinafter, a case will be described as an example where the information processing apparatus 40 is an image forming apparatus and the instruction to execute a specific process is an instruction to execute printing. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus will be described with reference numeral 40. The instruction to execute printing includes not only an instruction for direct printing to the image forming apparatus 40 but also information necessary for generating a print job, for example, image data to be printed or print specifications. It can also include providing in a room.

  The image forming apparatus 40 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper based on a print job, and may be any apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral. In the example of the control system of FIG. 1, the image forming apparatuses 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are managed by the chatbot server 30. The image forming apparatus 40A and the image forming apparatus 40B are collectively referred to as an image forming apparatus 40. In the illustrated example, the image forming apparatus 40 is connected to the chatbot server 30. However, the image forming apparatus 40 may be connected to the chatbot server 30 via the Internet 50.

  Next, the hardware configurations of the talk room server 20 and the chatbot server 30 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the talk room server.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the talk room server 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a storage 24, an input unit 25, a display unit 26, and a communication interface. It has 27 configurations. The components are connected to each other via a bus 29 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The CPU 21 is a central processing unit, and executes various programs and controls each unit. That is, the CPU 21 reads the program from the ROM 22 or the storage 24, and executes the program using the RAM 23 as a work area. The CPU 21 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processes according to a program stored in the ROM 22 or the storage 24. In the present embodiment, the ROM 22 or the storage 24 stores a talk room providing program for providing a talk room.

  The ROM 22 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 23 temporarily stores a program or data as a work area. The storage 24 is constituted by a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data.

  The input unit 25 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various inputs. The display unit 26 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information. The display unit 26 may function as the input unit 25 by adopting a touch panel method. The communication interface 27 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the Internet 50. For example, standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) are used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the chatbot server.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the chatbot server 30 has a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage 34, an input unit 35, a display unit 36, and a communication interface 37. The components are connected to each other via a bus 39 so that they can communicate with each other. Each configuration of the chatbot server 30 has the same function as each configuration of the talk room server 20 of FIG.

  Next, the functional configuration of the talk room server 20 and the chatbot server 30 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the talk room server.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the talk room server 20 includes a providing unit 201 as a functional configuration. The functional configuration is realized by the CPU 21 reading the talk room providing program stored in the ROM 22 or the storage 24, developing the program in the RAM 23, and executing the program.

  The providing unit 201 provides a talk room in which a plurality of users can participate and post information such as messages. The talk room server 20 provides a talk room in which a user and a chatbot participate one-on-one, a talk room in which a plurality of users and a chatbot participate, and the like. A plurality of talk rooms can be opened according to an opening request from a user. Also, for example, when a certain user accesses the talk room server 20 and makes a request to open a talk room and opens a specific talk room, the user who is the opener invites another user to the opened talk room. , Can participate. Alternatively, if the user is participating in the talk room, another user who has not participated in the talk room can be invited to the talk room to newly participate.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the chatbot server. FIG. 6 is an example of a table showing the correspondence between the users registered in the registration unit and the image forming apparatuses. FIG. 7 is an example of a table registered in the registration unit and showing the correspondence between the talk room and the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the chatbot server 30 has a registration unit 301 and an execution control unit 302 as a functional configuration. Each functional configuration is realized by the CPU 31 reading out a control program stored in the ROM 32 or the storage 34, developing the control program in the RAM 33, and executing it.

  The registration unit 301 registers the user and the image forming apparatus in association with each other, as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 6, basic print settings when instructing each user to print are also associated. Further, the registration unit 301 registers the talk room and the image forming apparatus in association with each other, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a user and basic print settings for each user are associated with each talk room.

  The association table shown in FIG. 6 is provided for registering settings when a user and a chatbot participate in a talk room on a one-to-one basis, that is, when the user instructs an image forming apparatus that is mainly used. On the other hand, the association table shown in FIG. 7 is provided for registering settings when a plurality of users participate in the talk room, that is, when the talk room is shared. In the association table shown in FIG. 7, users who are participating in the talk room are associated with each talk room, and print settings in the talk room are associated with each user. A table shown in FIG. 7 is formed by registering the image forming apparatus 40 associated with the user in the table shown in FIG. 6 in association with the talk room due to the participation of the user in the talk room. .

  The execution control unit 302 participates in the talk room as a chatbot. Then, when information regarding an instruction to cause the image forming apparatus (information processing apparatus) 40 to print in the talk room is posted by the user, the execution control unit 302 is associated with the user participating in the talk room. Control is performed so that one of the image forming apparatuses 40 performs printing. The execution control unit 302 controls one image forming apparatus 40 to execute printing even when information is posted in the talk room by a user not associated with the image forming apparatus 40. Note that a user who is not associated with the image forming apparatus 40 cannot issue a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 40 associated with a user participating in the talk room outside the talk room.

  Next, the operation of the chatbot server 30 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a control process performed by the chatbot server. The CPU 31 reads out the control program from the ROM 32 or the storage 34, expands the control program in the RAM 33, and executes the read out control program, thereby performing control processing. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of posting in the talk room.

  The CPU 31 as the execution control unit 302 determines whether or not information has been posted in the talk room by the user (step S101). When there is no post in the talk room (step S101: NO), the CPU 31 waits until there is a post. When the information has been posted to the talk room (step S101: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the posted information is information relating to a print instruction (step S102). Here, the CPU 31 analyzes the posted information by a natural sentence, and determines that the information is related to the print instruction when “print” or a term related to the print setting is included.

  When the posted information does not relate to the print instruction (step S102: NO), the CPU 31 posts response information matching the posted information to the talk room (step S103). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when information M100 asking for weather is posted, CPU 31 obtains weather information from the Internet as a chatbot, and posts information M101 for answering weather to the talk room. Thereby, a conversation between the user and the chatbot is established in the talk room.

  If the posted information relates to a print instruction (step S102: YES), CPU 31 determines whether or not there is a registered image forming apparatus 40 of the poster of the information (step S104). Here, the registered image forming apparatus 40 is the image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the user in the table shown in FIG. The CPU 31 refers to the table shown in FIG. 6 and determines whether or not there is an image forming apparatus registered in association with the user who is the poster. In the talk room, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when information M102 and M103 related to a print instruction are posted, the CPU 31 searches for the registered image forming apparatus 40.

  When there is no registered image forming apparatus of the poster (step S104: NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to the processing of step S106. If there is an image forming apparatus 40 for which the poster has been registered (step S104: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not a print instruction from the registered image forming apparatus 40 has been received (step S105). Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 31 posts information M <b> 104 for selecting whether or not to print by the registered image forming apparatus 40 of the poster in the talk room. When the user posts the selection result as information M105, CPU 31 receives a print instruction.

  When the print instruction from the registered image forming apparatus is not received (step S105: NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to the processing of step S106. When a print instruction from the registered image forming apparatus has been received (step S105: YES), the CPU 31 executes a print process (step S111). The printing process is a process for causing the image forming apparatus 40 to print based on a print instruction posted by the poster. Here, the CPU 31 refers to the table shown in FIG. 7 and causes the image forming apparatus 40 to perform printing based on the print setting for the talk room set by the user in the corresponding talk room.

  The CPU 31 determines whether there is only one image forming apparatus 40 associated with the talk room (step S106). Here, the CPU 31 refers to the table shown in FIG. 7 to refer to the number of the image forming apparatuses 40 associated with the talk room.

  If there is only one image forming apparatus 40 associated with the talk room (step S106: YES), the CPU 31 proceeds to the processing of step S111. In this case, there is no other way than to print by one associated image forming apparatus 40.

  When there are two or more image forming apparatuses 40 associated with the talk room (step S106: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether to automatically select the image forming apparatus 40 (step S107). Here, for example, the CPU 31 posts information for selecting whether or not to automatically select the image forming apparatus 40 to the talk room, and receives an instruction for automatic selection according to a user's selection. Alternatively, a talk room may be set in advance so that the image forming apparatus 40 is automatically selected.

  If the image forming apparatus 40 is to be automatically selected (step S107: YES), the CPU 31 executes a process of giving priority to the automatic selection and selects an image forming apparatus to be printed (step S108). This processing is hereinafter referred to as automatic selection priority processing. Details of the automatic selection priority processing will be described later with reference to FIG. The CPU 31 causes the image forming apparatus 40 selected in the automatic selection priority processing to execute the printing processing (step S111).

  When the image forming apparatus 40 is not automatically selected (step S107: NO), the CPU 31 presents the plurality of image forming apparatuses 40 registered in the talk room in the talk room as candidates for performing printing (step S109). . Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 31 posts information M106 for asking which image forming apparatus to print in the talk room, and further posts information M107 indicating options. In the information M107, a user associated with the image forming apparatus is also presented. This is for indicating to whom the image forming apparatus 40 belongs. Alternatively, the position of the image forming apparatus 40 may be presented together.

  Then, CPU 31 accepts a selection of an arbitrary image forming apparatus 40 from the presented options of image forming apparatus 40 (step S110). In the information M107 of FIG. 9, when the selection of any one of the image forming apparatuses is received by the user, the CPU 31 causes the received image forming apparatus 40 to execute printing (step S111). Here, the CPU 31 specifies, for example, the image forming apparatus 40 used for printing together with the user name registered in association with it, as in information M108 in FIG. Thereby, it becomes clear to whom the associated image forming apparatus 40 is to be used.

  The CPU 31 determines whether or not it is necessary to register the image forming apparatus 40 that has executed printing in association with the user (step S112). Here, the CPU 31 posts information for confirming whether or not to register the image forming apparatus 40 to the talk room, for example, as information M109 in FIG.

  If the registration of the image forming apparatus 40 is unnecessary (step S112: NO), the CPU 31 ends the control processing shown in FIG.

  If the registration of the image forming apparatus 40 is necessary (step S112: YES), the CPU 31 associates the image forming apparatus 40 that has executed the printing with the contributor as the registration unit 301 (step S113). Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the information M110 affirming the registration of the image forming apparatus 40 is posted, the CPU 31 associates and registers the image forming apparatus 40 with the user A who instructed the printing.

  Next, the automatic selection priority processing in step S107 in FIG. 8 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the automatic selection priority processing. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of a state of posting in the talk room.

  The CPU 31 determines whether or not there is an invitee who invited the user who posted the information in step S101 of FIG. 8 to the talk room (step S201). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that a certain user C has posted information M120 and M121 regarding a print instruction to a talk room. Here, the CPU 31 posts information M122 indicating that the invitee is searched, and searches for the invitee.

  When there is no invitee (step S201: NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S205. If an invitee exists (step S201: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the inviter exists (step S202). Here, the CPU 31 refers to the table of FIG. 6 to determine whether or not the image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the individual invitee exists.

  If there is no image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the invitee (step S202: NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to the processing of step S205.

  If there is an image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the invitee (step S202: YES), the CPU 31 presents the image forming apparatus 40 of the invitee (step S203). Further, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the printing by the presented image forming apparatus 40 has been instructed by the user (step S204). Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 31 posts information M123 for selecting whether or not to print on the image forming apparatus 40 of the invitee. When the user posts information M124 that affirms or denies information M123, the intention of printing is confirmed.

  When printing is instructed (step S204: YES), the CPU 31 terminates the automatic selection priority processing and returns to the control processing of FIG.

  When printing is not instructed (step S204: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the friend of the user who posted the information in step S101 in FIG. 8 exists in the talk room (step S205). Here, the CPU 31 uses, for example, an SNS (Social Networking Service) provided by an external server via the Internet 50, and checks exchange information indicating an exchange between users in the SNS. When a user who has established an exchange relationship in the SNS exists in the talk room, the CPU 31 determines that a friend exists. If the talk room server 20 has a function of registering an AC relationship, the CPU 31 may refer to the AC information of the talk room server 20 without using the SNS of the external server. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 31 posts information M125 indicating that a user having a friend relationship in the talk room is searched.

  If there is no friend-related user in the talk room (step S205: NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to the process of step S209. If there is a friend-related user in the talk room (step S205: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether there is an image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the friend (step S206). Here, the CPU 31 refers to the table of FIG. 6 and determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the user who is a friend is present.

  If there is no image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the friend (step S206: NO), the CPU 31 proceeds to the processing of step S209. When there is the image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the friend (step S206: YES), the CPU 31 presents the friend's image forming apparatus 40 in the talk room (step S207). Further, the CPU 31 determines whether or not printing by the presented image forming apparatus 40 has been instructed by the user (step S208). Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 31 posts information M126 for selecting whether or not to print with the friend's image forming apparatus 40. When the user posts information M127 that affirms or denies information M126, the intention of printing is confirmed.

  If printing has been instructed (step S208: YES), the CPU 31 ends the automatic selection priority processing, and returns to the control processing of FIG.

  When printing is not instructed (step S208: NO), the CPU 31 presents the image forming apparatus 40 registered in association with the talk room in the talk room (step S209). Here, the CPU 31 posts the information M107 in FIG. Then, CPU 31 accepts that any one of image forming apparatuses 40 is selected in the talk room (step S210). When the selection of the image forming apparatus 40 is accepted, the CPU 31 ends the automatic selection priority processing, and returns to the control processing of FIG. As described above, when the user does not instruct the automatically selected image forming apparatus 40 to perform printing, the options of the image forming apparatus 40 are indicated, and the user selects the image forming apparatus 40.

  The control system according to the present embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications or improvements are possible. Hereinafter, modified or improved examples will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing still another example of a state of posting in the talk room.

  In the example of posting in the talk room shown in FIG. 11, as a result of the CPU 31 searching for friends in the talk room, the user confirms with the information M126 whether or not to print the image forming apparatus 40B of Mr. B. However, when there are a plurality of applicable friends and a plurality of image forming apparatuses 40 registered in association with each friend, the CPU 31 selects an appropriate image forming apparatus 40 from the corresponding plurality of image forming apparatuses 40. May be presented to the user.

  For example, as shown in information M130 in FIG. 12, the CPU 31 presents the image forming apparatus 40 closest to the user among the corresponding image forming apparatuses 40. Here, in order to present the image forming apparatus 40 closest to the user, position information indicating the position of the user and position information indicating the position of the image forming apparatus 40 are required. The position information can be registered in advance in the chatbot server 30 as, for example, a user attribute and an attribute of the image forming apparatus 40. Alternatively, since the position of the image forming apparatus 40 is usually fixed, only the position of the image forming apparatus 40 may be registered in advance, and the position information of the user may be acquired from the user terminal 10 every time a print instruction is issued. In this case, the user terminal 10 confirms its own position using, for example, a GPS antenna and transmits the position to the chatbot server 30. Alternatively, the positions of the user and the image forming apparatus 40 may be estimated based on attribute data indicating the affiliation of the user and the image forming apparatus 40. For example, if the user A has an attribute belonging to a company or a department of a company, the location of the company or the department of the company can be estimated as the position of the user.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state of a talk room when a user participates.

  In the above embodiment, the case has been described where the image forming apparatus 40 associated with the user who has participated in the talk room is automatically shared by the users in the talk room.

  However, the user may be able to determine whether the image forming apparatus 40 is shared.

  In this case, the CPU 31 of the chatbot server 30 determines whether the image forming apparatus 40 associated with the user is shared by other users in the talkroom when the user participates in the talkroom as a chatbot. Check if. As shown in FIG. 13, CPU 31 posts information M140 to the talk room.

  By posting the information M141 that the user affirms or denies with respect to the information M140, the user can select whether or not to share the image forming apparatus 40 associated with the user with other users.

  Only when the user affirms the sharing of the image forming apparatus 40, the CPU 31 registers the image forming apparatus 40 associated with the individual user in the table shown in FIG. CPU 31 posts information M142 to the effect that the image forming apparatus 40 has been registered to the talk room.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the talk room server 20 and the chatbot server 30 are different devices has been exemplified. However, the talk room server 20 and the chatbot server 30 may be realized by one device.

  The above processing can also be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit. In this case, it may be executed by one piece of hardware, or may be executed by a plurality of pieces of hardware.

  The program for operating the chatbot server 30 may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or may be provided on the Internet. It may be provided online via a network such as. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a memory or a storage. Further, this program may be provided, for example, as independent application software, or may be incorporated in software of each device as one function of the chatbot server 30.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D User terminal 20 Talk room server 21, 31 CPU
22, 32 ROM
23, 33 RAM
24, 34 Storage 25, 35 Input unit 26, 36 Display unit 27, 37 Communication interface 29, 39 Bus 30 Chatbot server 40, 40A, 40B Information processing device (image forming device)
50 Internet 201 Provision unit 301 Registration unit 302 Execution control unit

Claims (8)

  In a talk room in which each of a plurality of participating users can post and view information, when information relating to an instruction to cause the information processing apparatus to execute a specific process is posted by a user, the user joins the talk room. Control having an execution control unit that controls one of the information processing devices associated with another user different from the user who posted the information to execute the specific process apparatus.   The execution control unit may cause the one information processing device to execute the specific process even when the information is posted in the talk room by a user not associated with the information processing device. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed in the following manner.   The user not associated with the information processing device, outside of the talk room, the information processing device associated with the user participating in the talk room, the instruction to execute a specific process, 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device cannot be used.   The execution control unit, when a user participates in the talk room, when there is an information processing device associated with the user, the information processing device associated with the user is added to the talk room. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined whether or not to share with another user.   The information processing apparatus, which is confirmed to be shared by another user when the information processing apparatus associated with the user participating in the talk room is shared with another user, is associated with the talk room. Control device. At least one of the user who created the talk room and the user participating in the talk room can invite a user who is not participating to the talk room,
The execution control unit, when a user who has been invited and participated in the talk room has posted the information, controls the information processing apparatus associated with the user who invited the user to execute the specific process. The control device according to claim 1.   The information processing device, wherein the execution control unit obtains exchange information indicating an exchange between users participating in the talk room, and a user who has posted the information and a user who is allowed to interact based on the exchange information. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein control is performed such that the specific process is executed.   A control program for causing a computer to function as the control device according to claim 1.