JP6226023B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present specification discloses a control device used in a system including a content server and a plurality of printers that download content from the content server and execute printing.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system for outputting document information stored in a server on the Internet. In this system, when the image forming apparatus installed in the print shop cannot print using the same print settings specified by the user when binding the first edition, the output function of the image forming apparatus is used. Suggest alternative print settings to the user.

JP 2004-362486 A

  The present specification discloses a technique for executing printing using appropriate print settings.

  The present specification discloses a control device used in a system including a content server that stores a plurality of contents and a plurality of printers that download the contents from the content server and execute printing. The control device includes a determination unit and a print control unit. When the first instruction for executing printing of the specific content of the plurality of contents is input to the specific printer of the plurality of printers, the determination unit determines the type of the specific printer. Depending on the specific type relationship information involved and the specific content relationship information related to the specific content, the specific printer is recommended to be used for printing the specific content Specific print setting related information related to the print settings is determined. The print control unit causes the print execution unit of the specific printer to execute printing of the specific content using the specific print setting according to the determined specific print setting relation information.

  According to the above configuration, the control device uses at least two types of information including the specific type relationship information and the specific content relationship information when determining the specific print setting relationship information. For this purpose, the control device can determine appropriate print setting relation information (that is, specific print setting relation information). Therefore, the control device can cause the print execution unit to execute printing of specific content using appropriate print settings (that is, specific print settings).

The print control unit may include a display control unit that displays specific print settings on a display unit of a specific printer in accordance with the determined specific print setting relation information. The specific print setting related information may be a specific print setting. The determination unit may further determine an alternative print setting different from the specific print setting from among a plurality of print settings that can be used by the specific printer. The display control unit may cause the display unit to display the determined alternative print setting when a second instruction for displaying the alternative print setting is input to a specific printer. According to this configuration, the control device can display specific print settings on the display unit of the specific printer. For this reason, a user of a specific printer can select a specific print setting, and as a result, the control apparatus can cause the print execution unit to print a specific content using the specific print setting. it can. In addition, when the second instruction is input to the specific printer, the control device can display an alternative print setting on the display unit of the specific printer. For this reason, the control device can provide the user with alternative print settings.

  The determination unit may determine an alternative print setting using a prohibition setting table. The prohibition setting table may be a table in which content-related information related to content is associated with prohibition settings that are print settings that are prohibited from being used for printing the content. . The determination unit may determine an alternative print setting different from the specific prohibition setting associated with the specific content-related information in the prohibition setting table. According to this configuration, the control device can display an alternative print setting different from the specific prohibition setting on the display unit of the specific printer. For this reason, the control device can provide the user with appropriate alternative print settings.

  The control device may be a control server configured separately from the content server and the plurality of printers. The control device further relates to type relationship information indicating the type name of the printer, content relationship information related to the content, and print settings recommended for the printer to use for printing the content. A memory for storing a recommended setting table associated with the print setting relation information, and a type name acquisition unit for acquiring specific type relation information indicating the type name of the specific printer from the specific printer. It may be. The determination unit may determine specific print setting relationship information associated with specific type relationship information and specific content relationship information in the recommended setting table. According to this configuration, the control device (that is, the control server) can appropriately determine the specific print setting relation information using the recommended setting table.

  The specific print setting related information may be a specific print setting. The determination unit may determine specific print setting relation information using a priority table. The priority table may be a table in which content-related information related to content is associated with the priority of print settings recommended to be used for printing the content. The specific type relation information may be a plurality of print settings that can be used by a specific printer. The determining unit may determine a specific print setting having the highest priority indicated by the specific priority associated with the specific content-related information in the priority table from the plurality of print settings. Good. According to this configuration, the control device can appropriately determine specific print settings using the priority order table.

  The control device may be a control server configured separately from the content server and the plurality of printers. The control device may further include a memory that stores a capability table and a priority order table, and a type name acquisition unit that acquires a type name of a specific printer from a specific printer. The capability table may be a table in which a printer type name is associated with type relationship information that is a plurality of print settings that can be used by the printer. The determining unit determines a specific print setting having the highest priority indicated by the specific priority from a plurality of print settings associated with the specific printer type name in the capability table. Also good. According to this configuration, the control device (that is, the control server) can appropriately determine specific print settings by using the capability table and the priority order table.

  The control device may be a controller mounted on a specific printer. The control apparatus may further include a table acquisition unit that acquires a priority table from a control server that is configured separately from the content server and the plurality of printers. According to this configuration, the control device (that is, the controller of the specific printer) can appropriately determine the specific print setting using the priority order table acquired from the specific server.

  The plurality of contents may be classified into two or more groups. Content-related information may be assigned to each of two or more groups. The specific content relationship information may be content relationship information assigned to a specific group including specific content.

  The plurality of contents may be classified into two or more groups based on a category to which each of the plurality of contents belongs. In addition, the content server may be configured by two or more servers that store a plurality of contents in a distributed manner. The plurality of contents may be classified into two or more groups based on a server in which each of the plurality of contents is stored. Further, content-related information may be assigned to each of a plurality of contents. The specific content related information may be content related information assigned to the specific content.

  A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program for realizing the control device are also novel and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. An example of a plurality of contents is shown. An example of a category table is shown. An example of a recommendation setting table is shown. An example of a capability table is shown. An example of a prohibition setting table is shown. The sequence diagram of each process performed by each device is shown. Shows the transition of each screen displayed on the multi-function device. An example of the priority order table of 2nd Example is shown. The sequence diagram of each process which each device of 3rd Example performs is shown. An example of the recommendation setting table of 4th Example is shown. An example of the content table of 5th Example is shown.

(First embodiment)
(System configuration)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of multi-function devices 10 and 50, a mediation server 60, and a plurality of content servers 100 and 110. Each multi-function device 10, 50 is connected to the LAN 4. The mediation server 60 and the content servers 100 and 110 are connected to the Internet 6.

(Configuration of multi-function device 10)
The multi-function device 10 can execute multi-functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a FAX function. The multi-function device 10 has a model name “M10”. The multi-function device 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a network interface 16, a print execution unit 18, a scan execution unit 19, and a control unit 20. The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the multi-function device 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The network interface 16 is connected to the LAN 4. The print execution unit 18 includes a printing mechanism such as an inkjet method or a laser method. The scan execution unit 19 includes a scan mechanism such as a CCD or CIS.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU 22 and a memory 24. The CPU 22 executes various processes according to programs stored in the memory 24. The functions of the determination unit 30, the print control unit 32, and the table acquisition unit 36 are realized by the CPU 22 executing the process according to the above program. The print control unit 32 includes a display control unit 34. Each unit 30 to 36 is used in a third embodiment described later.

  The memory 24 stores capability information C10 in addition to the above programs. The capability information C10 is information including a plurality of print settings that the multi-function device 10 is capable of. Specifically, the multi-function device 10 can perform printing with high image quality (that is, relatively high print resolution) and normal image quality (that is, relatively low print resolution). The multi-function device 10 can execute printing using only plain paper. The multi-function device 10 can print on postcard size, A4 size, and B5 size printing paper. Accordingly, the multi-function device 10 has two types of settings (high image quality and normal image quality) as the print image quality, only one type of setting (plain paper) as the paper type, and three types of settings as the paper size ( Postcard, A4, B5). Therefore, the multi-function device 10 can use a total of six print settings (2 × 1 × 3). That is, the capability information C10 is information including the above six print settings.

  The multi-function device 50 can also execute multi-functions such as a print function and a scan function. In this embodiment, the vendor of the multi-function device 50 is the same as the vendor of the multi-function device 10. However, the multi-function device 50 has a model name “M50” different from that of the multi-function device 10. Therefore, the capability information of the multi-function device 50 is different from the capability information C10 of the multi-function device 10.

(Configuration of Mediation Server 60)
The mediation server 60 is a server configured separately from the multi-function devices 10 and 50 and the content servers 100 and 110. The mediation server 60 is a server for mediating provision of content from the content servers 100 and 110 to the multi-function devices 10 and 50. The mediation server 60 is a server provided by the vendor of the multi-function devices 10 and 50. The mediation server 60 includes a network interface 62 and a control unit 70. The control unit 70 includes a CPU 72 and a memory 74. The CPU 72 executes various processes according to the program stored in the memory 74. The functions of the determination unit 90, the print control unit 92, and the type name acquisition unit 96 are realized by the CPU 72 executing processing according to the above-described program. The print control unit 92 includes a display control unit 94.

  The memory 74 stores a recommended setting table 76, a capability table 78, and a prohibition setting table 80 in addition to the above programs. The contents of each table 76-80 will be described in detail later. The priority order table 82 is used in a second embodiment to be described later.

(Configuration of content servers 100 and 110)
The content server 100 is a server provided by a vendor of the multi-function devices 10 and 50. The content server 100 stores a plurality of contents 102 and a category table 104. The content table 106 is used in a fifth embodiment to be described later.

  The vendor stores a plurality of contents 102 that can be used by users of the multi-function devices 10 and 50 in the content server 100 in advance. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of contents 102 are classified into two or more groups based on the category. For example, the category “greeting card” includes a group of contents related to various greeting cards such as Christmas cards and New Year cards. The category “lesson” includes a group of contents related to various lessons such as English teaching materials and mathematical teaching materials.

  The vendor further stores the category table 104 in the content server 100 in advance. As shown in FIG. 3, the category table 104 is a table in which category names and setting IDs are associated with each other. The setting ID is used by the mediation server 60 to determine a default print setting (that is, a recommended print setting) to be described later when printing of content included in the category corresponding to the setting ID is to be executed. ID.

  The content server 110 is not a server provided by the vendor of the multi-function devices 10 and 50. The content server 110 may be a known content server such as “Evernote (registered trademark)”, “Google (registered trademark) Docs”, “PICASA (registered trademark)”, or “FACEBOOK (registered trademark)”.

As described above, the content server 100 is a server provided by a vendor of the multi-function devices 10 and 50, and the content server 110 is a server provided by a business operator different from the vendor. The vendors of the multi-function devices 10 and 50 receive a first API (Application Program Interface) for receiving content from the content server 100.
The above-mentioned business operators have released a second API for receiving content from the content server 110. Usually, the first API and the second API are different. For example, in order to receive content provided from each of the content servers 100 and 110, the communication device needs to support both the first and second APIs (that is, use the first API). And a program for using the second API are required).

  In order for the multi-function devices 10 and 50 to receive content from each of the plurality of content servers 100 and 110, the multi-function devices 10 and 50 need to support a plurality of APIs. You need to store the program. However, compared with a PC or the like, the memory capacity of the multi-function devices 10 and 50 is small. Therefore, in this embodiment, the multi-function devices 10 and 50 can receive content from each of the plurality of content servers 100 and 110 without storing many programs in the multi-function devices 10 and 50. In addition, a mediation server 60 is provided. That is, the mediation server 60 corresponds to a plurality of APIs for the plurality of content servers 100 and 110. In a situation where the multi-function devices 10 and 50 are to receive content from a specific content server (for example, the content server 100) among the plurality of content servers 100 and 110, the mediation server 60 may For example, the following various communications (for example, communications of the requests R4, R6, R14, etc. shown in FIG. 7) are executed with a specific content server. Accordingly, the multi-function devices 10 and 50 can download content from a specific content server even if the multi-function devices 10 and 50 do not support the API for the specific content server.

(Content of each table 76, 78, 80)
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the recommended setting table 76 is a table in which model names, setting IDs, and setting contents are associated with each other. The model name indicates the model name of the multi-function device 10, 50 or the like. The setting ID is the same as the setting ID in FIG. The setting content indicates a print setting that is recommended to be used by the multi-function devices 10, 50 and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the setting ID “ID1” is assigned to the category “greeting card”. In order to send a greeting card to others, the user usually desires to obtain a high-quality print result. From this point of view, the recommended setting table 76 in FIG. 4 is associated with the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 and the setting ID “ID1” assigned to the category “greeting card”. The image quality is
"High image quality". Note that the multi-function device 50 can execute printing not only with high image quality and normal image quality, but also with super high image quality, in which the print resolution is higher than the high image quality print resolution. Therefore, in the recommended setting table 76 of FIG. 4, the image quality associated with the model name “M50” of the multi-function device 50 and the setting ID “ID1” assigned to the category “greeting card” is “super”. "High image quality". Since the multi-function device 10 can use only plain paper, the paper associated with “M10” and “ID1” is “plain paper”. On the other hand, since the multi-function device 50 can use glossy paper capable of printing with higher image quality than plain paper, the paper associated with “M50” and “ID1” is “glossy”. Paper ". The greeting card is preferably printed on a postcard-sized printing paper. From such a viewpoint, the size associated with “M10” (or “M50”) and “ID1” is “postcard”.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the setting ID “ID2” is assigned to the category “lesson”. The user does not usually want to obtain a high-quality print result because the lesson teaching material is not shown to others. From this point of view, in the recommended setting table 76 of FIG. 4, the model name “M10 (or M50)” of the multi-function device 10 (or multi-function device 50) and the setting ID “lesson” assigned to the category “Lesson”. The image quality associated with “ID2” is “normal image quality”. Since the multi-function device 10 can use only plain paper, the paper associated with “M10” and “ID2” is “plain paper”. On the other hand, since the multi-function device 50 can use recycled paper, the paper associated with “M50” and “ID2” is “recycled paper”. The lesson teaching material is preferably printed on A4 size printing paper that can be accommodated in a general file. From such a viewpoint, the size associated with “M10” (or “M50”) and “ID2” is “A4”.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the capability table 78 is a table in which a model name and capability information are associated with each other. The model name indicates the model name of the multi-function device 10, 50 or the like. The capability information indicates a plurality of print settings that can be used by the multi-function devices 10, 50, and the like. For example, the capability information associated with the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 is the same as the capability information C10 (ie, six print settings) in FIG. For example, the capability information associated with the model name “M50” of the multi-function device 50 indicates 36 print settings (3 × 3 × 4).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the prohibition setting table 80 is a table in which setting IDs and prohibition settings are associated with each other. The setting ID is the same as the setting ID in FIG. The prohibition setting indicates a print setting that is prohibited from being used by the multi-function devices 10 and 50. For example, when the lesson teaching material is printed on a small size printing paper (for example, a postcard size printing paper), the usability is poor. From this point of view, in the prohibition setting table 80 of FIG. 6, the size “postcard” is associated with the setting ID “ID2” assigned to the category “lesson”.

(Each process executed by each device 10, 60, 100; FIG. 7)
The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display a main screen stored in advance in the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the main screen includes a plurality of character strings (for example, “Internet”, “Copy”, “FAX”, etc.) indicating a plurality of functions to be selected by the user. When the user desires to receive content from the content server 100, the user selects the character string “Internet” included in the main screen. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits the request R <b> 2 to the mediation server 60. The request R2 includes the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10.

  The type name acquisition unit 96 of the mediation server 60 acquires the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 by receiving the request R2 from the multi-function device 10. When receiving the request R2 from the multi-function device 10, the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 transmits a server name selection screen stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 to the multi-function device 10.

  When receiving the server name selection screen from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display the server name selection screen. As shown in FIG. 8, the server name selection screen includes the server names (eg, “Server 100”, “Server 110”) of the plurality of content servers 100 and 110, respectively. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select the server name of the content server to which the multi-function device 10 should receive the content from the server name selection screen. In this embodiment, the description will be continued by taking as an example a case where the user selects the server name “Server 100” (that is, the server name of the content server 100). As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits the server name “Server 100” to the mediation server 60.

  Upon receiving the server name “Server 100” from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits a request R 4 to the content server 100.

  Upon receiving the request R4 from the mediation server 60, the content server 100 transmits a category list to the mediation server 60. The category list includes all category names included in the category table 104 (see FIG. 3) stored in the content server 100.

  Upon receiving the category list from the content server 100, the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 writes all category names included in the category list in the category name selection screen template stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60. . Thereby, a category name selection screen is generated. Next, the display control unit 94 transmits a category name selection screen to the multi-function device 10.

  When receiving the category name selection screen from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display the category name selection screen. As shown in FIG. 8, the category name selection screen includes category names such as “greeting card” and “lesson”. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select one category name from the category name selection screen. Hereinafter, the category name selected here is referred to as “category name CA”. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits the category name CA to the mediation server 60.

  When receiving the category name CA from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits a request R6 to the content server 100. The request R6 includes a category name CA.

  When the content server 100 receives the request R6 from the mediation server 60, the content server 100 first refers to the category table 104 and identifies the setting ID (for example, “ID2”) associated with the category name CA included in the request R6. . Next, the content server 100 specifies the URLs of thumbnails of all the contents included in the category indicated by the category name CA (hereinafter referred to as “M (M is an integer of 1 or more) thumbnail URLs”). Next, the content server 100 transmits the specified M thumbnail URLs and the specified setting ID to the mediation server 60.

The control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 acquires the setting ID by receiving the setting ID from the content server 100. When the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 receives M thumbnail URLs from the content server 100, the display control unit 94 receives a number of thumbnail selection screen templates stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 and M thumbnail URLs. Transmit to the functional unit 10.

  Upon receiving the thumbnail selection screen template and M thumbnail URLs from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a request R8 to the content server 100 without passing through the mediation server 60. The request R8 includes M thumbnail URLs.

  When the content server 100 receives the request R8 from the multi-function device 10, the content server 100 stores the M thumbnails stored at the positions specified by the M thumbnail URLs included in the request R8 without using the mediation server 60. It transmits to the multi-function device 10.

  When the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives (that is, downloads) M thumbnails from the content server 100, the control unit 20 writes the M thumbnails in the thumbnail selection screen template. Thereby, a thumbnail selection screen is generated. Next, the control unit 20 causes the display unit 14 to display a thumbnail selection screen. As shown in FIG. 8, the thumbnail selection screen includes M thumbnails. FIG. 8 shows an example in which thumbnails of contents such as English teaching materials and math teaching materials are displayed when the category name “Lesson” is selected on the category name selection screen. The user operates the operation unit 12 to select at least one thumbnail from the thumbnail selection screen. As illustrated in FIG. 7, when a thumbnail is selected by the user, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a request R <b> 10 to the mediation server 60.

(Decision process)
When receiving the request R10 from the multi-function device 10, the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 executes determination processing. In the determination process, the determination unit 90 first determines a default print setting (that is, a recommended print setting) using the recommended setting table 76 (see FIG. 4). As described above, the type name obtaining unit 96 obtains the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 by receiving the request R2 from the multi-function device 10. Further, the control unit 70 acquires the setting ID from the content server 100. The determination unit 90 determines the default print setting by specifying the print setting associated with the acquired model name “M10” and the acquired setting ID from the recommended setting table 76. For example, when the acquired setting ID is “ID2”, the determination unit 90 determines a default print setting indicating “normal image quality−plain paper−A4”.

  In the determination process, the determination unit 90 further determines an alternative print setting different from the default print setting by using the capability table 78 and the prohibition setting table 80. First, the determination unit 90 specifies six print settings associated with the acquired model name “M10” from the capability table 78. Next, the determination unit 90 identifies the prohibition setting associated with the acquired setting ID from the prohibition setting table 80. For example, when the acquired setting ID is “ID2”, the determination unit 90 specifies the prohibition setting indicating “postcard”. In this example, the determination unit 90 selects four print settings (high image quality−plain paper−A4, high image quality) that are different from the default print setting and the specified prohibition setting from the six specified print settings. -Four plain print settings are determined by specifying plain paper-B5, normal image quality-plain paper-A4, normal image quality-plain paper-B5). Hereinafter, the description will be continued by taking as an example the case where the above four alternative print settings are determined.

Subsequently, the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 writes the default print settings determined in the determination process in a print selection screen template stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60. Thereby, a default print setting screen is generated. The display control unit 94 displays a default print setting screen and option information indicating the above four alternative print settings.
Send to.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the tables 76, 78, and 80 are stored in the mediation server 60, and the mediation server 60 executes the determination process using the tables 76, 78, and 80. Determine default print settings and alternative print settings. Instead, if each table 76, 78, 80 is stored in advance in each multi-function device 10, 50, each multi-function device 10, 50 may determine a default print setting and an alternative print setting. it can. However, when such a configuration is employed, for example, when an event occurs in which the content category stored in the content server 100 increases or a new model multi-function device is sold, each multi-function device 10, It is necessary to rewrite the 50 tables 76, 78, and 80. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even if the above-described event occurs, the tables 76, 78, and 80 in the mediation server 60 may be rewritten without changing the multi-function devices 10 and 50. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily follow the above event.

  When the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives the default print setting screen and option information from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 first displays the default print setting screen on the display unit 14. As shown in FIG. 8, the default print setting screen shows a default print setting “normal image quality−plain paper−A4”. In the multi-function device 10, a default print setting screen is displayed first, not a screen showing other print settings. Therefore, the user can use the default print settings for the category “lesson”. It can be seen that it is preferable to execute printing of the content included in. The user can select a button (for example, an OK button) indicating that the default print setting is used by operating the operation unit 12 while the default print setting screen is displayed (hereinafter referred to as “OK selection”). "). In this case, the content is printed without displaying an alternative print setting screen described later.

  On the other hand, the user can select a button (for example, a change button) indicating that the print setting is to be changed by operating the operation unit 12 while the default print setting screen is displayed (hereinafter referred to as “change button”). Called change selection). In this case, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 causes the display unit 14 to display an alternative print setting screen indicating the alternative print setting included in the option information. As shown in FIG. 8, the alternative print setting screen shows, for example, “normal image quality−plain paper−B5”. As described above, the alternative print setting is a print setting different from the prohibition setting (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the size “postcard” is not displayed on the alternative print setting screen. That is, the user cannot select a print setting including the size “postcard”. The user can execute OK selection while the alternative print setting screen is displayed.

  In the modification, the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 does not first display the print setting screen indicating the recommended print setting on the display unit 14 of the multi-function device 10, but instead of the multi-function device 10. A print setting screen showing the print settings used in the previous printing stored in the memory 24 may be first displayed on the display unit 14. The display control unit 94 may cause the display unit 14 to display a print setting screen indicating recommended print settings when a change selection is executed by the user. In the modification, the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 displays a selection screen that allows the user to select which of the print settings used in the previous printing and the recommended print settings is to be displayed. You may display on the part 14 initially. Then, the display control unit 94 may cause the display unit 14 to display a print setting screen indicating the print setting selected by the user.

  When the OK selection is executed by the user, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a request R12 to the mediation server 60. The request R12 includes an image ID corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user. In the present embodiment, the request R12 includes an image ID, but the request R10 may include an image ID.

  When receiving the request R12 from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits a request R14 to the content server 100. The request R14 includes the same image ID as the image ID included in the request R12.

  When the content server 100 receives the request R14 from the mediation server 60, the content server 100 transmits the URL of the content corresponding to the image ID included in the request R14 (that is, the content corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user) to the mediation server 60. .

  When receiving the content URL from the content server 100, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits the content URL to the multi-function device 10.

  When receiving the content URL from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a request R <b> 16 to the content server 100 without using the mediation server 60. The request R16 includes a content URL.

  When the content server 100 receives the request R16 from the multi-function device 10, the content server 100 stores the content (for example, English teaching material) stored at the position specified by the content URL included in the request R16 without using the mediation server 60. Transmit to the functional unit 10.

  When the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 receives (that is, downloads) content from the content server 100, the control unit 20 executes print processing. In other words, the control unit 20 causes the print execution unit 18 to print content using the print settings (default print settings or alternative print settings) selected by the user. As a result, the user can obtain a print result in which the content is printed according to the desired print setting.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
As described above, for example, the content included in the category “greeting card” is preferably printed with a relatively high image quality, and the content included in the category “lesson” is printed with a relatively high image quality. There is no need. In view of such a viewpoint, it is preferable to change the recommended print setting if the category of the content to be printed changes. In the multi-function device 10 having the model name “M10”, the highest print image quality is “high image quality”, and in the multi-function device 50 having the model name “M50”, the highest print image quality is “super high image quality”. (See FIG. 5). In view of such a point of view, it is preferable to change the recommended print setting if the model of the multi-function device that should execute printing changes. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the recommended setting table 76, appropriate print settings corresponding to the model name and setting ID are described. For this purpose, for example, the mediation server 60 recommends a setting when an instruction (thumbnail selection in FIG. 7) for executing printing of content included in the category “greeting card” is input to the multi-function device 10. The table 76 can be used to determine default print settings (ie, recommended print settings) including high image quality. Further, for example, when an instruction for executing printing of content included in the category “greeting card” is input to the multi-function device 50, the mediation server 60 uses the recommended setting table 76 to “ Default print settings including “high quality” can be determined. Then, the mediation server 60 can display a default print setting screen indicating the default print setting on the display unit 14 of the multi-function device 10 (or the multi-function device 50). As a result, the mediation server 60 (that is, the print control unit 92) can cause the print execution unit 18 of the multi-function device 10 to execute printing of content using the default print setting.

The mediation server 60 transmits option information indicating alternative print settings to the multi-function device 10 together with the default print setting screen. For this reason, the mediation server 60 can provide the user with alternative print settings. In particular, the mediation server 60 refers to the prohibition setting table 80 and determines an alternative print setting different from the prohibition setting (for example, the size “postcard” associated with “ID2”). For this reason, the mediation server 60 can provide appropriate alternative print settings to the user.

(Correspondence)
The mediation server 60 is an example of “control device” and “control server”. The multi-function devices 10 and 50 are an example of “a plurality of printers”, and the multi-function device 10 is an example of a “specific printer”. The thumbnail selection and the change selection in FIG. 7 are examples of “first instruction” and “second instruction”, respectively. The model name “M10” and the setting ID “ID2” are examples of “specific type relationship information” and “specific content relationship information”, respectively. The default print setting determined in the determination process is an example of “specific print setting related information”. The capability information C10 is an example of “a plurality of print settings that can be used by a specific printer”.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, a priority order table 82 is stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 in place of the recommended setting table 76. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the priority order table 82 is a table in which setting IDs and priority orders are associated with each other. The setting ID is the same as the setting ID in FIG. The priority order indicates the priority order of print settings to be used by the multi-function devices 10, 50 and the like. For example, in the setting ID “ID1”, with regard to the print image quality, the priority is determined so that the priority of “super high image quality” is the highest and the priority of “normal image quality” is the lowest.

  In the second embodiment, the content of the determination process is different from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 first identifies capability information C10 associated with the acquired model name “M10” from the capability table 78. Next, the determination unit 90 specifies the priority order associated with the acquired setting ID from the priority order table 82. Subsequently, the determination unit 90 determines the default print setting by specifying the print setting with the highest priority in the specified priority among the six print settings included in the specified capability information C10. To do. For example, the capability information C10 includes “high image quality” and “normal image quality” regarding the print image quality. Therefore, for example, when the acquired setting ID is “ID1”, the determination unit 90 specifies “high image quality” having the highest priority among “high image quality” and “normal image quality”. Similarly, the determination unit 90 selects “plain paper” and “postcard”. Accordingly, the determination unit 90 can determine the default print setting “high image quality−plain paper−postcard” as in the first embodiment. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, as is clear from comparison between FIGS. 4 and 9, when the priority order table 82 is used, the amount of information in the table can be reduced as compared with the case where the recommended setting table 76 is used. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the amount of information to be stored in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the priority table 82 is used as in the second embodiment. The capability table 78 is not stored in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the units 30 to 36 of the multi-function device 10 function. As shown in FIG. 10, the processes until the request R <b> 10 is transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60 are the same as those in FIG. 7.

  Upon receiving the request R10 from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 does not execute the determination process, and the print setting screen template stored in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 and the prohibition setting table 80. And the priority table 82 and the setting ID (that is, the setting ID acquired from the content server 100) are transmitted to the multi-function device 10.

  The table acquisition unit 36 of the multi-function device 10 acquires the tables 80 and 82 by receiving the tables 80 and 82 from the mediation server 60. Next, the determination unit 30 of the multi-function device 10 executes determination processing. In the determination process, the determination unit 30 uses the acquired priority table 82, the capability information C10 (stored in advance in the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10), and the acquired setting ID. Determine the default print settings. In the determination process, the determination unit 30 further determines an alternative print setting by using the acquired prohibition setting table 80 and the capability information C10. The specific determination method is the same as in the second embodiment.

  Next, the display control unit 34 of the multi-function device 10 writes the default print settings determined in the determination process in the print setting screen template acquired from the mediation server 60. Thereby, a default print setting screen is generated. Subsequently, the display control unit 34 causes the display unit 14 to display a default print setting screen. Although not shown in FIG. 10, as in the first and second embodiments, the display control unit 34, when a change selection is executed by the user, replaces the default print setting screen with an alternative print setting screen. Can also be displayed. Each process after the request R12 is transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60 is the same as that in FIG. That is, when the user selects OK while the default print setting screen is displayed, the print control unit 32 causes the print execution unit 18 to print content using the default print settings.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained. Moreover, in the third embodiment, since the mediation server 60 does not need to execute the determination process, the processing load on the mediation server 60 can be reduced. Therefore, in a system where the number of multi-function devices using the mediation server 60 is enormous, the configuration of the third embodiment functions effectively. In the third embodiment, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 is an example of a “control device”. The capability information C10 and the setting ID (for example, “ID1”) are examples of “specific type relationship information” and “specific content relationship information”, respectively.

(Fourth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 11, in the fourth embodiment, the content server 100 stores content included in the category “greeting card”, and the content server 110 stores content included in the category “lesson”. ing. In the fourth embodiment, the recommended setting table 76 shown in FIG. 11 is used instead of the recommended setting table 76 shown in FIG. The recommended setting table 76 in FIG. 11 is a table in which model names, server names, and setting contents are associated with each other.

In the fourth embodiment, if the user selects a server name on the server name selection screen, the user need not select a content category. Accordingly, communication such as request R4, category list, category name selection screen, category name CA, request R6, and setting ID in FIG. 7 can be omitted. When the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 receives the request R10 from the multi-function device 10, the determination unit 90 receives the model name “M10” acquired from the multi-function device 10 and the server name “Server 100” acquired from the multi-function device 10. (Or Server 110) ”and the recommended setting table 76 of FIG. 11 are used to determine the default print settings. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Effect of the fourth embodiment)
In the first to third embodiments, the plurality of contents 102 are classified into two or more groups based on the category to which each of the plurality of contents 102 belongs. In contrast, in the fourth embodiment, the plurality of contents 102 are classified into two or more groups based on the servers 100 and 110 in which the plurality of contents 102 are stored. For example, when the content servers 100 and 110 are not servers provided by the vendors of the multi-function devices 10 and 50, the content servers 100 and 110 to the mediation server 60 as in the first to third embodiments described above. It is difficult to cause the content servers 100 and 110 to transmit the setting ID to the server. Even in such a situation, according to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the intermediary server 60 defaults according to the model name of the multi-function device 10 and the server name selected by the user without the setting ID. The print setting can be determined appropriately. In the fourth embodiment, the server name in FIG. 11 is an example of “content-related information”. For example, when the server name “Server 100” of the content server 100 is selected in the multi-function device 10, the server name “Server 100” is an example of “specific content related information”.

(5th Example)
In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the content table 106 stored in the content server 100 is a table in which content names and setting IDs are associated with each other. That is, in the fifth embodiment, a setting ID is not assigned to each category but a setting ID is assigned to each content.

  Even when the content server 100 receives the request R6 (see FIG. 7) from the mediation server 60, the content server 100 does not transmit the setting ID to the mediation server 60. In addition, when the thumbnail selection is executed, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 transmits a request R10 including an image ID to the mediation server 60. When receiving the request R10 from the multi-function device 10, the control unit 70 of the mediation server 60 transmits a request including an image ID to the content server 100. In this case, the content server 100 specifies the setting ID assigned to the content name of the content corresponding to the image ID from the content table 106 and transmits the setting ID to the mediation server 60. As a result, the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 determines the default print setting according to the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 and the setting ID from the recommended setting table 76 of FIG. Can do. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Effect of 5th Example)
As described above, in the fifth embodiment, a setting ID is assigned to each content. For this reason, in the recommended setting table 76, an appropriate print setting can be assigned for each content. As a result, the mediation server 60 can determine an appropriate default print setting for each content selected by the user. In particular, when the appropriate print setting changes for a plurality of contents included in the same category, the configuration of the fifth embodiment functions effectively. In the fifth embodiment, the setting ID assigned to each content is an example of “content-related information”. For example, when a thumbnail of the content “English teaching material” is selected in the multi-function device 10, the setting ID assigned to the content “English teaching material” is an example of “specific content related information”.

In the above first to fifth embodiments, HTTP Cookie is used to associate a series of communications between the multi-function device 10 and the mediation server 60. Specifically, it is realized by the following two methods. In the first method, when the mediation server 60 receives the request R2 first transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60, the mediation server 60 issues a cookie including the model name “M10” included in the request R2, and the cookie is issued. Is transmitted to the multi-function device 10. Upon receiving the cookie from the mediation server 60, the multi-function device 10 transmits a request with the cookie attached in subsequent communications with the mediation server 60. In the second method, when the mediation server 60 receives a request R2 that is first transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60, the mediation server 60 issues a cookie including a random number (Session ID). An area for storing information (model name, etc.) communicated with the. Further, the mediation server 60 transmits the cookie to the multi-function device 10. Upon receiving the cookie from the mediation server 60, the multi-function device 10 transmits a request with the cookie attached in subsequent communications with the mediation server 60. The mediation server 60 reads / writes information from / to the storage area corresponding to the Session ID included in the cookie. As described above, by using HTTP Cookie, a series of communications between the multi-function device 10 and the mediation server 60 can be associated. Therefore, even when a plurality of multi-function devices are connected to the mediation server 60, the mediation server 60 can appropriately communicate with the target multi-function device.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modifications are included.

(Modification 1) In each of the above embodiments, the print control units 32 and 92 include the display control units 34 and 94, respectively. Then, the display control units 34 and 94 cause the default print setting screen to be displayed on the display unit 14 of the multi-function device 10, so that the print control units 32 and 92 print the content using the default print settings. 18 is executed. Instead, the print control units 32 and 92 may cause the print execution unit 18 to execute printing of content using the default print settings without displaying the default print setting screen on the display unit 14. For example, in the first embodiment, the print control unit 92 of the mediation server 60 may transmit the default print setting itself to the multi-function device 10 without transmitting the default print setting screen to the multi-function device 10. In this case, when receiving the default print setting from the mediation server 60, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 executes the printing of the content using the default print setting to the print execution unit 18 without displaying the print setting screen. You may let them. Generally speaking, the print control unit does not have to include the display control unit, and the print execution unit may execute printing of specific content using specific print settings.

(Modification 2) In each of the above embodiments, the setting ID assigned to each category (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the server name (see FIG. 11), or the setting ID assigned to each content ( FIG. 12) is an example of “content-related information”. Instead, the “content-related information” may be a category name or a content name, for example. Generally speaking, the “content related information” may be information related to content.

(Modification 3) In the first embodiment, the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 is transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60. Instead of this, the serial number, MAC address, etc. of the multi-function device 10 (that is, unique identification information assigned to each multi-function device) may be transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60. In this case, a table for specifying the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 from the serial number or the like of the multi-function device 10 may be stored in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 in advance. In the determination process, the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 specifies the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10 from the serial number of the multi-function device 10, and uses the specified model name “M10” as a default. Print settings may be determined. Generally speaking, the control device may acquire specific type relationship information (for example, model name “M10”) from a specific printer, as in the first embodiment, or as in this modification. In addition, the specific identification information of the specific printer may be acquired from the specific printer without acquiring the specific type relationship information from the specific printer.

(Modification 4) For example, in the second embodiment, the capability table 78 (see FIG. 5) may not be stored in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 in advance. In this case, for example, the capability information C10 of the multi-function device 10 may be transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60. The determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 may determine default print settings by using the capability information C10 acquired from the multi-function device 10 and the priority order table 82. Further, the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 may determine an alternative print setting by using the capability information C10 acquired from the multi-function device 10 and the prohibition setting table 80. Similarly, in the first embodiment, the capability information C10 of the multi-function device 10 may be transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the mediation server 60. The determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 may determine an alternative print setting using the capability information C10 acquired from the multi-function device 10 and the prohibition setting table 80. Generally speaking, the control device may store in advance a plurality of print settings (for example, capability information C10) that can be used by a specific printer, as in the first and second embodiments described above. As in this modification, a plurality of print settings that can be used by a specific printer may be acquired from a specific printer.

(Modification 5) For example, in the first embodiment described above, a table in which a model name, a setting ID, and a prohibition setting are associated with each other in advance in the memory 74 of the mediation server 60 instead of the recommended setting table 76. It may be stored. In this case, the determination unit 90 of the mediation server 60 may determine the prohibition setting using the model name “M10” of the multi-function device 10, the setting ID, and the above table. In this case, the display control unit 94 of the mediation server 60 may transmit the determined prohibition setting and the print setting screen template to the multi-function device 10. The control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 identifies a default print setting that is different from the prohibition setting acquired from the mediation server 60, from among a plurality of print settings included in the capability information C10 of the multi-function device 10. The default print setting screen may be generated by writing the specified default print setting in the print setting screen template. Also according to this modification, the display control unit 94 can display the default print setting screen on the multi-function device 10. Generally speaking, the “specific print setting related information” may be a specific print setting (that is, a recommended print setting) as in each of the above embodiments, or as in the present modification. It may be a prohibition setting. That is, the “specific print setting related information” may be information related to a specific print setting.

(Modification 6) For example, the mediation server 60 and the content server 100 may be configured as an integrated server. In the present modification, the integrated server is an example of a “control device”. Further, for example, the tables 76 to 82 may be stored in advance in the memory 24 of the multi-function device 10. In this case, the determination unit 30 of the multi-function device 10 may determine default print settings using the tables 76 to 82. In the present modification, the control unit 20 of the multi-function device 10 is an example of a “control device”.

(Modification 7) A table in which two or more of the tables 76 to 82 are combined may be used. For example, a table in which the recommended setting table 76 in FIG. 4 and the capability table 78 in FIG. 5 are combined (that is, a table in which model names, setting IDs, setting contents, and capability information are associated with each other). ) May be used. Further, for example, a table in which the recommended setting table 76 in FIG. 4 and the prohibited setting table 80 in FIG. 6 are combined (that is, the model name, setting ID, setting contents, and prohibited setting are associated with each other). Table) may be used. Generally speaking, the recommended setting table (or priority order table), the capability table, and the prohibition setting table may be tables that are configured separately as in the above-described embodiments. The table may be configured integrally as in the present modification.

(Modification 8) In each of the above-described embodiments, the functions of the units 30 to 36 and 90 to 96 are realized by the CPUs 22 and 72 of the multi-function device 10 and the mediation server 60 executing processes according to software. Instead, at least a part of the functions of the units 30 to 36 and 90 to 96 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

  10, 50: Multi-function device, 60: Mediation server, 76: Recommended setting table, 78: Capability table, 80: Prohibition setting table, 82: Priority table, 100, 110: Content server, 102: Multiple contents ,

Claims (10)

A specific content server storing a plurality of contents; a plurality of printers that download contents from the specific content server and execute printing; and an intermediary server capable of communicating via the Internet,
A type-related information receiving unit that receives specific type-related information related to the type of the specific printer from a specific printer of the plurality of printers;
After receiving the specific type related information, the specific content server, sending the information request to transmit a specific content relationship information related to the content of specific the particular content server you are stored An information request transmitter to
A first content-related information receiving unit that receives the specific content-related information from the specific content server in response to transmitting the information request to the specific content server;
The specific content is printed by the specific printer according to the specific type relationship information received from the specific printer and the specific content relationship information received from the specific content server. A determinator that determines specific recommended settings to be used when
A setting information transmitting unit that transmits specific recommended setting information indicating the determined specific recommended setting to the specific printer;
A URL acquisition unit that acquires a URL indicating the storage location of the specific content in the specific content server from the specific content server, and the URL is not transmitted to the specific printer via the mediation server. The URL acquisition unit, which is information for acquiring the specific content from the specific content server,
A URL transmission unit that transmits the URL acquired from the specific content server to the specific printer;
An intermediary server comprising The mediation server further includes:
It is possible to communicate with a plurality of content servers including the specific content server,
Wherein after receiving the specific type related information, to the specific printer, a screen information for displaying a selection screen for selecting a content server to use from among the plurality of content servers, A screen information transmitting unit for transmitting the screen information including a plurality of server information indicating server names of the plurality of content servers;
In the selection screen displayed on the specific printer according to the screen information, the specific content is selected from the specific printer in response to the user selecting the specific content server storing the specific content. A server information receiving unit for receiving specific server information indicating the server name of the server;
With
In response to receiving the specific server information, the information request transmission unit causes the specific content server to transmit the specific content-related information indicating identification information assigned to the specific content. The mediation server according to claim 1, wherein the information request is transmitted. The mediation server further includes:
A memory for storing a recommended setting table, wherein the recommended setting table is used when type relation information relating to a printer type, content relation information relating to content, and the printer printing the content. A table in which recommended settings, which are recommended print settings, are associated with each other,
3. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the specific recommended setting associated with the specific type relationship information and the specific content relationship information in the recommended setting table. 4. Mediation server. A plurality of content servers including a specific content server storing a plurality of contents, and a plurality of printers that download and download contents from the plurality of content servers can communicate via the Internet. An intermediary server,
A type-related information receiving unit that receives specific type-related information related to the type of the specific printer from a specific printer of the plurality of printers;
Wherein after receiving the specific type related information, to the specific printer, a screen information for displaying a selection screen for selecting a content server to use from among the plurality of content servers, a screen information transmitting unit that transmits the screen information including a plurality of content relationship information indicating each of the server name of the plurality of content servers,
In the selection screen displayed on the specific printer in accordance with the screen information, in response to the particular content server that stores the content of the specific is selected by the user, from the specific printer, the specific a second content relationship information receiving unit that receives a specific content relationship information indicating the server name of the content server,
It is recommended that the specific content be used when the specific printer is printed according to the specific type relationship information and the specific content relationship information received from the specific printer. A decision part to determine specific recommended settings;
A setting information transmitting unit that transmits specific recommended setting information indicating the determined specific recommended setting to the specific printer;
A URL acquisition unit that acquires a URL indicating the storage location of the specific content in the specific content server from the specific content server, and the URL is not transmitted to the specific printer via the mediation server. The URL acquisition unit, which is information for acquiring the specific content from the specific content server,
A URL transmission unit that transmits the URL acquired from the specific content server to the specific printer;
An intermediary server comprising The mediation server further includes:
A memory for storing a recommended setting table, the recommended setting table, the type related information relating to the type of printer, the content relationships information indicating the server name of the content server, the printer is stored in the content server A table in which recommended settings that are recommended to be used when printing content to be printed are associated with each other;
The mediation server according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines the specific recommended setting associated with the specific type relationship information and the specific content relationship information in the recommended setting table. Before SL determination unit is further the specific printer among the plurality of print settings available, to determine an alternate configuration is a different print settings and the specific recommended settings,
The setting information transmitting unit, the specific printer, from among the specific recommendations set and the margin Kawa設 constant, for selecting a print setting to be used when printing the specific content to the user Sending the specific recommended setting information and the alternative setting information for displaying the print setting screen,
The mediation server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the alternative setting information is information indicating the determined alternative setting . The mediation server further includes:
A memory for storing a prohibition setting table, wherein the prohibition setting table is prohibited from being used when printing the content and content-related information related to the content for each of the plurality of contents. A table in which prohibition settings that are print settings are associated with each other;
The determination unit includes the alternative setting that is different from the specific prohibition setting associated with the specific content-related information in the prohibition setting table among the plurality of print settings that can be used by the specific printer. The intermediary server according to claim 6, wherein: The mediation server further includes:
In the print setting screen displayed on the specific printer according to the specific recommended setting information and the alternative setting information, a print setting used when printing the specific content is selected by the user. In response, a specific information receiving unit that receives specific information for transmitting the URL indicating the storage location of the specific content in the specific content server to the specific printer from the specific printer. ,
The mediation server according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the URL acquisition unit acquires the URL from the specific content server in response to receiving the specific information from the specific printer. A specific content server storing a plurality of contents, a plurality of printers that download contents from the specific content server and execute printing, and an intermediary server that can communicate via the Internet;
A type relationship information receiving process for receiving specific type relationship information related to the type of the specific printer from a specific printer among the plurality of printers;
After receiving the specific type related information, the specific content server, sending the information request to transmit a specific content relationship information related to the content of specific the particular content server you are stored Information request transmission processing to be performed;
A first content related information receiving process for receiving the specific content related information from the specific content server in response to transmitting the information request to the specific content server;
The specific content is printed by the specific printer according to the specific type relationship information received from the specific printer and the specific content relationship information received from the specific content server. A decision process to determine specific recommended settings to be used when
Setting information transmission processing for transmitting specific recommended setting information indicating the determined specific recommended setting to the specific printer;
URL acquisition processing for acquiring a URL indicating the storage location of the specific content in the specific content server from the specific content server, and the URL is not transmitted to the specific printer via the mediation server. And the URL acquisition process, which is information for acquiring the specific content from the specific content server,
URL transmission processing for transmitting the URL acquired from the specific content server to the specific printer;
A computer program that executes A plurality of content servers including a specific content server storing a plurality of contents, and a plurality of printers that download and download contents from the plurality of content servers can communicate via the Internet. To an intermediate broker server
A type relationship information receiving process for receiving specific type relationship information related to the type of the specific printer from a specific printer among the plurality of printers;
Wherein after receiving the specific type related information, to the specific printer, a screen information for displaying a selection screen for selecting a content server to use from among the plurality of content servers, a screen information transmission process of transmitting the screen information including a plurality of content relationship information indicating each of the server names of the plurality of content servers,
In the selection screen displayed on the specific printer in accordance with the screen information, in response to the particular content server that stores the content of the specific is selected by the user, from the specific printer, the specific a second content relationship information reception process of receiving a particular content relationship information indicating the server name of the content server,
It is recommended that the specific content be used when the specific printer is printed according to the specific type relationship information and the specific content relationship information received from the specific printer. A decision process to determine specific recommended settings;
Setting information transmission processing for transmitting specific recommended setting information indicating the determined specific recommended setting to the specific printer;
URL acquisition processing for acquiring a URL indicating the storage location of the specific content in the specific content server from the specific content server, and the URL is not transmitted to the specific printer via the mediation server. And the URL acquisition process, which is information for acquiring the specific content from the specific content server,
URL transmission processing for transmitting the URL acquired from the specific content server to the specific printer;
A computer program that executes

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