JP6417656B2 - DATA PROCESSING DEVICE, DATA PROCESSING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND DATA PROCESSING DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing device, a data processing device control method, and a data processing device control program, and more specifically, a data processing device that mediates communication between a terminal and a server, a data processing device control method, And a control program for a data processing apparatus.

  In recent years, cloud services, which are services provided via a network such as the Internet, have become widespread. By using the computer resource of the cloud service provider through the network, the user can enjoy the service without owning the computer resource in his / her terminal.

  Technologies related to cloud services are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 listed below. Patent Document 1 below discloses a service providing server that provides a web service in response to a request from a user device, an image processing apparatus that executes image processing using the web service in cooperation with the service providing server, and a service providing server. An information processing system including an intermediary server that mediates provision of authentication information used by an image processing apparatus when linking is disclosed. The intermediary server receives a link instruction for linking the service providing server and the image processing apparatus from the user device via the network, generates a script for authenticating with an authentication method corresponding to the service providing server, The script is transmitted to the service providing server of the cooperation destination indicated by the cooperation instruction. The user apparatus displays the authentication information input screen displayed by executing this script, and transmits authentication information or an authentication token corresponding to the input operation on the authentication information input screen to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus receives and stores this authentication information or authentication information.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a cloud relay server that mediates information between the image forming apparatus and the cloud system in order to use the service proposed by the cloud system in the image forming apparatus. The cloud relay server acquires a storage request for information in the cloud system and information to be stored from the image forming apparatus, and transmits the information to be stored and the storage request to the cloud system. The cloud relay server stores information to be stored in the primary storage unit when communication with the cloud system is impossible.

  Patent Document 3 below discloses an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a terminal device connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), and a document server connected to the cloud and communicating with the image forming apparatus and the terminal device. doing. The document server receives an instruction to provide an image forming service to the image forming apparatus from the terminal device, presents a test of human interaction certification to the image forming apparatus, and requests a response. The document server provides a service to the image forming apparatus when accepting the human interaction certificate. When the image forming apparatus is requested to respond, the terminal apparatus acts as a proxy for the image forming apparatus in response to a user operation.

  Patent Document 4 below discloses an image processing apparatus having a memory. The memory includes an image processing apparatus OS (Operating System), software resources for the image processing apparatus operable on the image processing apparatus OS, a thin client OS obtained by downloading from the server, and software usable on the OS Thin client software including resources and a virtual machine execution environment forming a virtual computer that operates with the thin client software are loaded. As a result, two virtual computers that operate on the OSs of the image processing apparatus OS (host OS) and the thin client OS (guest OS) are formed on the memory. Each virtual computer executes an application included in each software resource while cooperating.

JP 2013-088801 A JP 2013-025387 A JP 2012-175623 A JP 2009-049679 A

  There are many cloud service providers, and the specifications of cloud servers that provide services to users vary depending on the cloud service providers. On the other hand, the specifications of user terminals used when using cloud services are also diverse. For this reason, a mismatch between the specifications of the cloud server and the specifications of the user terminal may occur. This mismatch may cause the following problems.

  As a first problem, depending on the type and version of the OS of the user terminal, there are cases where the cloud server cannot be handled or there is no guarantee of the operation of the cloud server.

  As a second problem, there is a case where the language used on the user terminal does not correspond to the operation menu of the cloud server or the website of the cloud service provider.

  A third problem is that the cloud server does not support the format of the file used on the user terminal.

  As a fourth problem, when a file used in the user terminal includes a specific language code (for example, a Japanese character code), the cloud server may not support the language code.

  All of the above-mentioned problems are technical problems that can be technically avoided on the user side by changing the specifications of their own terminals to specifications that the cloud server can handle.

  Specifically, when facing the first problem, the user needs to prepare another terminal in which the type and version of the OS that the cloud server can handle is installed. Alternatively, the user needs to update the OS version of his / her terminal to a version compatible with the cloud server.

  When faced with the second problem, the user needs to understand the contents and cautions of the operation menu of the cloud server by performing translation using a website or dictionary that provides a translation service. Alternatively, the user needs to understand the contents and precautions of the operation menu of the cloud server by referring to a website or magazine article written in a language that the user can understand.

  When faced with the third problem, the user converts the file format used on his / her device to one that can be supported by the cloud server, or installs the software (add-on software) that converts the format on his / her device. It is necessary to do. Alternatively, when multiple users share the file after service provision (file after cloud processing), if it is difficult to prepare file format conversion software for the number of users sharing the file, another provider It is necessary to use the cloud service provided by.

  When the fourth problem occurs, a bug occurs as a result of data processing associated with the service provided by the cloud server, and the user notices that the bug has occurred when checking the file after cloud processing. Therefore, the user who has faced the fourth problem needs to check the post-cloud processing file, modify the original file, and execute the cloud service again.

  However, the above-mentioned measures involve costs and risks. In addition, troublesome work for the user occurs, resulting in a reduction in work efficiency. Furthermore, even when the above-described measures are taken, another problem such as the following may occur.

  Specifically, as a response to the first problem, when the user updates the OS version of his / her terminal to a version compatible with the cloud server, the software used up to now on the user terminal Some may not work with newer OS versions. The user needs to deal with the software.

  As a response to the second problem, when translation is performed, there is a possibility that the user misunderstands the operation menu option setting due to mistranslation and makes a setting different from the intention. Also, if the content of the referenced website or magazine article is old, the user may not be able to understand how to use the new service.

  As a response to the third problem, when software that converts the format is installed on the user terminal, there is a possibility that high costs may be incurred for purchasing the software because there are multiple data users. is there. In addition, troublesome work may occur in order to increase the cost and secure the budget.

  When the fourth problem occurs, the user may not notice that a bug has occurred in the file after cloud processing, and the user may notice just after the delivery date of the file after cloud processing. In this case, the user needs to urgently redo the cloud processing and recreate the material.

  Therefore, the conventional technique has a problem of low convenience.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a data processing device, a data processing device control method, and a data processing device control program capable of improving convenience. is there.

A data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a data processing device that mediates communication between a terminal and a server that is a cloud server that provides services to the terminal via the Internet, and the data processing device includes: Connected to the terminal through the network, connected to the server through the Internet, terminal specification acquisition means to acquire the specifications of the terminal by the input by the administrator or communication with the terminal, and service specification acquisition to acquire the specifications of the server Means for extracting information on the difference between the terminal specification acquired by the terminal specification acquisition means and the server specification extracted by the service specification acquisition means, and receiving a connection request to the server from the terminal And the server using the account of the user of the terminal when the connection request is received by the receiving means For at least one of login means for logging in, information received from the logged-in server and transmitted to the terminal, and information received from the terminal and transmitted to the logged-in server Difference elimination means for performing processing for eliminating the difference between the specifications of the terminal and the specifications of the server based on the information extracted by the means.

  Preferably, in the data processing device, first storage means for storing processing for eliminating a difference between each of the specifications of the plurality of terminals and each of the specifications of the plurality of servers, and a terminal and a server that start communication are specified. The information processing apparatus further comprises: specifying means; and search means for searching for information on a difference between the specification of the terminal specified by the specifying means and the specification of the server specified by the specifying means from the information stored in the first storage means. The difference eliminating means performs processing for eliminating the difference between the specification of the terminal specified by the specifying means and the specification of the server specified by the specifying means based on the information found by the searching means.

  Preferably, in the data processing apparatus, the specification of the terminal includes information on an operating system installed in the terminal, the specification of the server includes information on an operating system that can be supported by the server, and the extraction unit is installed in the terminal. A first extraction unit that extracts a difference between the operating system information and the operating system information that the server can handle, and the difference resolving unit includes a virtual operating unit that eliminates the difference extracted by the first extracting unit. Activating means for activating the system on the data processing device.

  Preferably, in the data processing device, the terminal specification includes information on a language used by the terminal, the server specification includes information on a language that the server can handle, and the extraction unit includes information on the language used by the terminal, A second extracting unit that extracts a difference from language information that the server can handle, and the difference resolving unit displays a display when the server provides a service based on the difference extracted by the second extracting unit; Translation means for translating the language used for the screen into the language used by the terminal is included.

  Preferably, in the data processing apparatus, the specification of the terminal includes information on a format of a file to be transmitted from the terminal to the cloud server, the specification of the server includes information on a format of a file that can be handled by the server, and the extraction unit includes: Including a third extraction means for extracting the difference between the file format information transmitted from the terminal to the cloud server and the file format information that can be handled by the server; Based on the extracted difference, first conversion means for converting the format of the file received from the terminal, and first transmission means for transmitting the file converted by the first conversion means to the server are included.

  Preferably, in the data processing apparatus, the specification of the terminal includes information on a character code of a file that can be used by an application installed in the terminal and information on a language to be used. Includes language information, and the extraction means extracts the difference between the character code and language information of the file that can be used by the application installed on the terminal, and the character code and language information of the file that the server can handle The difference extracting unit extracts, by the fourth extracting unit, the character code and the language of the language that the server cannot handle from the characters included in the file received from the terminal. Based on the difference, the second conversion that converts the character code and language used by the server Based on the difference extracted by the fourth extraction means, the second transmission means for sending the file converted by the second conversion means to the server, and the character included in the file received from the server, Third conversion means for converting the character code and language of a file usable by an application installed in the terminal, and third transmission means for transmitting the file converted by the third conversion means to the terminal Including.

  In the data processing apparatus, preferably, second storage means for storing information for identifying the server, information for account and password for communicating with the server, and account and password for allowing the terminal to communicate with the server Account extracting means for extracting the information from the information stored in the second storage means, and an account for transmitting the information extracted by the account extracting means when a request for starting communication with the server is received from the terminal Transmission means.

  Preferably, in the data processing device, the service specification acquisition means includes information for classifying the service provided by the server, information on whether or not the service provided by the server performs data processing, and the operating system of the terminal that the server can handle. Information, file format information that the server can support, terminal application information that the server can support, and language information used for the operation menu when the server provides services. get.

  Preferably, in the above data processing device, the terminal specification acquisition means transmits the product name of the terminal, information on the operating system installed in the terminal, information on the language used in the terminal, information on the application installed on the terminal, and transmits from the terminal to the server. At least one specification is acquired from information on the format of the file to be transmitted and information on the language in which the file is transmitted from the terminal to the server.

A method for controlling a data processing device according to another aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a data processing device that mediates communication between a terminal and a server that is a cloud server that provides services to the terminal via the Internet. The data processing apparatus is connected to the terminal through the network, connected to the server through the Internet, and receives a terminal specification acquisition step for acquiring the terminal specification by input from an administrator or communication with the terminal, and the server specification. Service specification acquisition step, a terminal specification acquisition step, a terminal specification acquisition step, a server specification extraction step to extract information on the difference between the server specification acquisition step, and a server connection request Received from the terminal and the connection request was received at the receiving step The login step to log in to the server using the user account of the terminal, the information received from the logged-in server and transmitted to the terminal, and the information received from the terminal and transmitted to the logged-in server. A difference elimination step for performing a process for eliminating a difference between the specification of the terminal and the specification of the server based on the information extracted in the extraction step for at least one of the information.

A data processing device control program according to still another aspect of the present invention is a data processing device control program that mediates communication between a terminal and a server that is a cloud server that provides services to the terminal via the Internet. Te, the data processing device is connected to the terminal via a network, the Internet is connected to the server through, through communication with the input or terminal administrator, and terminal specification acquisition step of acquiring specifications of the terminal, the server Service specification acquisition step for acquiring specifications, extraction step for extracting information on differences between terminal specifications acquired in terminal specification acquisition step and server specifications extracted in service specification acquisition step, and connection to server In the reception step of receiving the request from the terminal and the reception step Login step to log in to the server using the user account of the terminal when receiving a connection request, information received from the logged-in server and transmitted to the terminal, and information received from the terminal and logged in A difference elimination step for performing a process for eliminating the difference between the terminal specifications and the server specifications based on the information extracted in the extraction step for at least one of the information transmitted to the server. Let it run.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the data processing apparatus which can improve the convenience, the control method of a data processing apparatus, and the control program of a data processing apparatus can be provided.

It is a figure which shows notionally the structure of the data processing system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a terminal 200. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cloud server 300. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of terminal specification information registered in MFP 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of cloud specification information registered in MFP 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a specification difference conversion process list registered in MFP 100. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing for registering conversion processing in a specification difference conversion processing list executed by MFP 100. 6 is a diagram showing an example of cloud connection information registered in MFP 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating communication between a terminal 200 and a cloud server 300. FIG. 6 is a first half of a flowchart showing an operation of the MFP when a terminal and a cloud server communicate with each other in the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a second half of a flowchart showing an operation of the MFP when a terminal and a cloud server communicate with each other in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows typically the state as which the screen which selects the format of the file to preserve | save was displayed on the display part 260 of the terminal 200-3. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an operation | work at the time of uploading the scan image after a process to the connection destination cloud server conventionally. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a work flow when a processed scan image is uploaded to a connection destination cloud server in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the following embodiments, a case will be described in which the data processing apparatus is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a scanner function, a facsimile function, a copying function, a printer function, a data communication function, and a server function. The data processing apparatus may be other than the MFP, and may be, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), an authentication server, software operating on the terminal side, a cloud server, or a combination thereof.

  [First Embodiment]

    (Data processing system configuration)

  First, the configuration of the data processing system in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing the structure of the data processing system in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a data processing system according to the present embodiment includes MFP 100 (an example of a data processing system) and terminals 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, 200-4, 200-5, 200-. 6 and 200-7 (hereinafter, any of these may be referred to as a terminal 200), and cloud servers 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 300-4, and 300-5 (servers) (Hereinafter, any of these may be referred to as a cloud server 300). Each terminal 200 and MFP 100 are connected to each other through, for example, a network 401 in the office. A network 401 is connected to the Internet 402. The MFP 100 is connected to each of the cloud servers 300 through the Internet 402.

  The terminals 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 are all notebook PCs (Windows PCs) in which a Windows (registered trademark) OS is installed. The terminal 200-4 is a notebook PC (Mac (registered trademark)) manufactured by Apple (registered trademark). The terminal 200-5 is a mobile terminal (iPhone (registered trademark) or iPad (registered trademark)) manufactured by Apple. The terminal 200-6 is a portable terminal (for example, a tablet) in which an Android (registered trademark) OS is installed. The terminal 200-7 is a Blackberry (registered trademark) smartphone. Each of the seven terminals 200 is a terminal used by seven users in the office. The cloud server 300 is a cloud server that provides a service that seven users in an office desire to use.

  The cloud server 300 provides various services to the terminal 200 via the Internet. The service provided by the cloud server 300-1 is iCloud (registered trademark) by Apple. The service provided by the cloud server 300-2 is Sky drive (registered trademark) provided by Microsoft (registered trademark). The service provided by the cloud server 300-3 is Google-Drive (registered trademark) provided by Google (registered trademark). The service provided by the cloud server 300-4 is ubuntu-One (registered trademark) provided by Canonical (registered trademark). The service provided by the cloud server 300-5 is SpiderOak provided by SpiderOak (registered trademark).

  The network 401 uses a dedicated line such as a wired or wireless LAN. The network 401 connects various devices using a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol. Devices connected to the network 401 can exchange various data with each other.

  When the user uses a service (cloud service) provided by the cloud server 300 through the terminal 200, the MFP 100 mediates between the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300 of the connection destination (communication destination). The MFP 100 performs a conversion process for eliminating the difference between the specification of the terminal 200 and the specification of the cloud server 300 based on information regarding the difference between the specification of the terminal 200 and the specification of the cloud server 300. As a result, the MFP 100 absorbs the difference between the specifications of both, and improves the convenience for the user. MFP 100 may be connected to a terminal or a cloud server other than those shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP 100.

  2, MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a network I / F 120, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 130, a RAM (Static Random Access Memory) 140, a storage unit 150, and an operation. A panel 160, a job execution unit 170, and a conversion unit 180 are included. CPU 110 is connected to each of network I / F 120, ROM 130, RAM 140, storage unit 150, operation panel 160, job execution unit 170, and conversion unit 180.

  CPU 110 controls MFP 100 as a whole. The network I / F 120 communicates with an external device via the network 401 by a communication protocol such as TCP / IP according to an instruction from the CPU 110. The ROM 130 stores a control program executed by the CPU 110. The RAM 140 is a working memory for the CPU 110. The operation panel 160 includes a display unit, software keys, and hardware keys. The operation panel 160 displays various information and accepts various operations. The conversion unit 180 performs a conversion process for eliminating the difference between the specification of the terminal 200 and the specification of the cloud server 300.

  The job execution unit 170 executes a print job. The job execution unit 170 is roughly composed of a toner image forming unit, a fixing device, a paper transport unit, and the like. The job execution unit 170 forms (prints) an image on a sheet by, for example, electrophotography. The job execution unit 170 is configured to synthesize four color images by a so-called tandem method and form a color image on a sheet. The toner image forming unit includes a photoconductor provided for each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), and an intermediate in which a toner image is transferred (primary transfer) from the photoconductor. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer belt and a transfer unit that transfers an image from the intermediate transfer belt to a sheet (secondary transfer). The fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing device conveys the sheet on which the toner image is formed between the heating roller and the pressure roller, and heats and presses the sheet. As a result, the fixing device melts the toner adhering to the paper and fixes it on the paper to form an image on the paper. The paper transport unit includes a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and a motor that drives them. The paper transport unit feeds paper from the paper feed cassette and transports the paper inside the housing of MFP 100. The paper transport unit discharges the paper on which the image has been formed from the housing of the MFP 100 to a paper discharge tray or the like.

  The storage unit 150 stores terminal specification information (FIG. 5), cloud specification information (FIG. 6), specification difference conversion processing list (FIG. 7), cloud connection information (FIG. 8), and the like, which will be described later. The storage unit 150 stores a virtual OS program.

  The conversion unit 180 performs a conversion process (specification difference conversion process) for eliminating the difference between the specification of the terminal 200 and the specification of the cloud server 300. In the conversion process, when the terminal 200 has an OS that the cloud server 300 cannot support, the virtual OS corresponding to the OS that the cloud server 300 can support is started, and the cloud server 300 is used by using the virtual OS. Access processing, processing performed using a cloud application that can be supported by the cloud server 300, processing that translates a language that cannot be supported by the cloud server 300 into a supported language, or a file format that cannot be supported by the cloud server 300 Including the process of converting the file format into a compatible file format. These processes are performed on the OS of MFP 100 itself.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of terminal 200.

  Referring to FIG. 3, terminal 200 includes a CPU 210 that controls terminal 200 as a whole, a network I / F 220 that communicates with an external device via network 401 in accordance with an instruction from CPU 210, and a control program that CPU 210 executes. A RAM 230 that is a working memory of the CPU 210, a storage unit 250 that stores various types of information, a display unit 260 that displays various types of information, and an operation unit 270 that receives various types of operations. The CPU 210 is connected to each of the network I / F 220, the ROM 230, the RAM 240, the storage unit 250, the display unit 260, and the operation unit 270.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the cloud server 300.

  Referring to FIG. 4, cloud server 300 is made up of, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). CPU 310 that controls the entire cloud server 300 communicates with external devices via network 401 in accordance with instructions from CPU 310. Network I / F 320 to be performed, ROM 330 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 310, RAM 340 that is a working memory of the CPU 310, a storage unit 350 that stores various information, and processing related to services provided by the cloud server 300 And a process execution unit 360 to be executed. The CPU 310 is mutually connected to each of the network I / F 320, the ROM 330, the RAM 340, the storage unit 350, and the processing execution unit 360.

    (Information registered in MFP)

  Next, information registered in MFP 100 will be described.

  An administrator of an information device including the MFP 100 (such as a support person, an MFP administrator, an information system administrator, or a person who is familiar with a cloud service) makes each specification of the terminal 200 and each of the cloud servers 300 to the MFP 100. Enter the specifications and The MFP 100 registers the acquired specification of the terminal 200 as terminal specification information, and registers the acquired specification of the cloud server 300 as cloud specification information.

  Note that the specifications of the terminal 200 and the specifications of the cloud server 300 may be automatically acquired by the MFP 100 through communication with each of the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300, instead of being input by the administrator of the MFP 100.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal specification information registered in the MFP 100. Note that each of the terminals 1 to 7 in the following drawings corresponds to the terminals 200-1 to 200-7, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 5, terminal specification information is information related to terminal performance or function. The terminal specification information includes the product name of the terminal, information on the type and version of the OS installed on the terminal, information on the language used by the terminal, information on the type and version of the application installed on the terminal, such as a browser or office suite, File format information that can be used by the application installed on the device, character code and language of the file that can be used by the application installed on the device, file format information sent from the device to the cloud server, or from the device Contains information on the language used for files sent to the cloud server.

  The terminal 200-1 is equipped with a 32-bit version of Windows XP (registered trademark) as an OS, the language used is Japanese, the browser is Internet Explorer (registered trademark), and Office 2010 (registered trademark) as an office suite. ) Is installed. The terminal 200-2 is equipped with a 32-bit version of Windows XP (registered trademark) as an OS, the language used is English, the browser is Internet Explorer, and Office 2007 (registered trademark) is installed as an office suite. Yes. The terminal 200-3 is equipped with a 64-bit OS of Windows 7 (registered trademark), the language used is Japanese, the browser is Internet Explorer, and Office 2007 is installed as an office suite. The terminal 200-4 is equipped with OS X (registered trademark) of v (version) 10.8.2 as the OS, the language used is Japanese, the browser is Safari (registered trademark), and the office Office 2007 is installed as a suite. The terminal 200-5 is equipped with v5.1 iOS (registered trademark) as an OS, the language used is Japanese, the browser is Safari (registered trademark), and Office 2010 is installed as an office suite. ing. The terminal 200-6 has v2.3 Android (registered trademark) as an OS, the language used is Japanese, the browser is Chrome (registered trademark), and Office 2010 is installed as an office suite. ing. The terminal 200-7 includes BlackBerry as an OS, the language used is Japanese, the browser is a BlackBerry browser, and Office 2010 is mounted as an office suite.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of cloud specification information registered in the MFP 100. Each of the clouds 1 to 5 in the following drawings corresponds to the cloud servers 300-1 to 300-5, respectively.

  With reference to FIG. 6, cloud specification information is information regarding the performance or function of a cloud server. The cloud specification information includes cloud information and corresponding terminal information. The cloud information includes information about the cloud itself, the name of the cloud server, the type and version of the OS installed on the cloud server, the language used by the cloud server, information that classifies the services provided by the cloud server, or the cloud server Includes information on whether or not the service provided by performs data processing. Supported terminal information includes information on specifications of terminals that can be supported by the cloud server (providing services), OS type and version information that the cloud server can support, and language information that the cloud server can support , File format information that the cloud server cannot support (or compatible), character code and language information of files that the cloud server can support, or terminals that the cloud server cannot support (or can support) Includes application types and item information.

  For example, the cloud information of the cloud server 300-1 includes information on the name “iCloud”, the type of OS “Mac-OS”, and the language used by the cloud server “English and Japanese”. . Further, as the corresponding terminal information of the cloud server 300-1, information indicating that it is possible to support OS X of v10.82 or later, iOS of v6 or later, and Windows (registered trademark) Vista, 7, and 8, and the terminal When OS 200 is equipped with OS X as an OS, it is possible to support iTunes (registered trademark) after v11, iPhoto'11 after v9.4, Safari after v6, and iWork'09. And information indicating that an application with iWork'09 can be supported when the terminal 200 is installed with an OS of v6 or later as an OS. In addition, as supported terminal information of the cloud server 300-1, information that the languages that can be supported are English and Japanese, and BlackBerry's OS is not supported, and browser applications are Mozilla, Firefox, or Google Chrome. In some cases, information indicating that the information does not correspond to information added to favorites is included.

  When the specification of the terminal 200 or the specification of the cloud server 300 is registered, the MFP 100 compares the registered terminal specification information with the cloud specification information, and extracts information related to these differences. Then, the MFP 100 identifies a conversion process for eliminating the extracted difference based on the information regarding the extracted difference, and registers the identified conversion process in the specification difference conversion process list.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specification difference conversion process list registered in the MFP 100.

  Referring to FIG. 7, the specification difference conversion process list is a table describing conversion processes for eliminating differences between each of the specifications of the plurality of terminals and each of the specifications of the plurality of cloud servers.

  According to this table, for example, focusing on the difference between the specifications of the terminal 200-1 and the specifications of the cloud server 300, the specifications of the terminal 200-1 and the cloud servers 300-1, 300-2, 300-3 , 300-5, there is a difference (requires conversion processing). On the other hand, there is no difference between the specifications of the terminal 200-1 and the specifications of the cloud server 300-4 (no conversion process is required).

  Specifically, when the terminal 200-1 and the cloud server 300-1 communicate with each other, the OS of the terminal 200-1 is set to Windows 7 (registered trademark) or v10.8 that can be supported by the cloud server 300-1. It can be seen that it is necessary to convert to OS X of .2. It can be seen that when the terminal 200-1 and the cloud server 300-2 communicate, it is necessary to convert the OS of the terminal 200-1 into Windows 7 (registered trademark) that can be supported by the cloud server 300-2. . In addition, when receiving a service for a file of a format other than the Office file from the cloud server 300-3, it is understood that an update history of the file needs to be created on the terminal 200-1 side. Furthermore, when the terminal 200-1 and the cloud server 300-5 communicate, it is understood that the display screen (display menu, operation menu) of the cloud server 300-5 needs to be converted from English to Japanese. .

  When there are a plurality of OSs that can be supported by the cloud server 300, the MFP 100 preferably selects the virtual OS corresponding to the OS of the same company as the operating company of the cloud server first. Further, when the higher version OS of the OS of the terminal 200 is included in the OS that can be supported by the cloud server 300, the MFP 100 sets the second virtual OS that converts the OS of the terminal 200 to the higher version OS. It is preferable to select with priority.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of registering the conversion process in the specification difference conversion process list executed by the MFP 100.

  Referring to FIG. 8, when power of MFP 100 is turned on, CPU 110 of MFP 100 determines whether an input of terminal specifications has been accepted (S1).

  If it is determined in step S1 that terminal specification input has been received (YES in S1), CPU 110 registers the terminal specification that has received the input as terminal specification information (S3), and cloud specification information is registered in MFP 100. It is determined whether or not (S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the cloud specification information is registered in the MFP 100 (YES in S5), the CPU 110 extracts the difference between the terminal specification information of the input terminal and the registered cloud specification information. (S7), a conversion process necessary to eliminate the extracted difference is specified (S9). Subsequently, the CPU 110 registers the specified conversion process in the specification difference conversion process list (S11), and proceeds to the process of step S13.

  If it is determined in step S1 that terminal input is not accepted (NO in S1), or if it is determined in step S5 that the cloud specification information is not registered in MFP 100 (NO in S5), CPU 110 performs step The process proceeds to S13.

  In step S13, the CPU 110 determines whether or not the input of the cloud server specification has been accepted (S13).

  If it is determined in step S13 that the input of the cloud server specification has been received (YES in S13), the CPU 110 registers the input specification of the cloud server as cloud specification information (S15), and the terminal specification information is stored in the MFP 100. It is determined whether or not it is registered (S17).

  If it is determined in step S17 that the terminal specification information is registered in MFP 100 (YES in S17), CPU 110 extracts the difference between the input cloud specification information of the cloud server and the registered terminal specification information. Then (S19), a conversion process necessary for eliminating the extracted difference is specified (S21). Subsequently, the CPU 110 registers the specified conversion process in the specification difference conversion process list (S23), and proceeds to the process of step S1.

  If it is determined in step S13 that the input of the specification of the cloud server is not accepted (NO in S13), or if it is determined in step S17 that the terminal specification information is not registered in the MFP 100 (NO in S17), the CPU 110 The process proceeds to step S1.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of cloud connection information registered in the MFP 100. In each column in FIG. 9, the upper row is an account and the lower row is a password. A blank column means that the user of the terminal 200 does not have an account in the cloud server 300.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the cloud connection information includes information for identifying each of the cloud servers 300 and communication between each of the cloud servers 300 and each of the terminals 200 (each of the cloud servers 300 has the terminal 200's information). This table shows the account and password information (required for each user to log in). The cloud connection information is registered by each user of the terminal 200.

  For example, it can be seen that the user of the terminal 200-2 has an account in the cloud servers 300-1 and 300-5. Then, the user of the terminal 200-2 has set the account “nakano” and the password “imns1k” for the cloud server 300-1, and has the account “nakano” for the cloud server 300-5. It can be seen that the password “imns1k” is set. The account and password set by each terminal 200 may be arbitrary, and may be different for each cloud server 300.

    (MFP operation when the terminal communicates with the cloud server)

  Next, the operation of the MFP 100 when the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300 communicate with each other will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually illustrating communication between the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300.

  Referring to FIG. 10, a user who wants to receive a cloud service transmits an account and a password from MFP 200 to his / her own terminal 200 (hereinafter, user's terminal 200 who wants to receive the cloud service is sent to MFP 100). May be referred to as a specific terminal 200). When the login to the MFP 100 is completed, the specific terminal 200 transmits a connection request to the connection destination cloud server 300 and information on the service of the cloud server 300 to be provided to the MFP 100 (arrow P1).

  When MFP 100 receives information from specific terminal 200, MFP 100 specifies terminal 200 and cloud server 300 that start communication. Then, the MFP 100 searches the specification difference conversion process list for information on the difference between the specific terminal 200 and the connection destination cloud server 300, thereby specifying the specification of the specific terminal 200 and the specification of the connection destination cloud server 300. Identify the conversion process that eliminates the difference. If necessary, the MFP 100 performs a preparation process (for example, activation of a virtual OS) for connection to the cloud server 300. Then, the MFP 100 extracts the account and password information when the user of the specific terminal logs into the connection destination cloud server 300 from the cloud connection information, transmits the extracted information to the connection destination cloud server 300, and connects to the connection destination. To the cloud server 300 (arrow P2).

  When MFP 100 logs in, connection destination cloud server 300 transmits information about the display screen of the service provided by connection destination cloud server 300, status information of connection destination cloud server 300, and the like to MFP 100 (arrow P3). ).

  When necessary, the MFP 100 performs a conversion process on the information received from the connection destination cloud server 300. Then, the MFP 100 transmits the information received from the connected cloud server 300 to the specific terminal 200 (arrow P4).

  The specific terminal 200 displays the information received from the MFP 100. A user who wants to receive the provision of the cloud service transmits an operation command and an original file that receives the provision of the service from the terminal 200 to the MFP 100 (arrow P1).

  When the MFP 100 receives information from the specific terminal 200, the MFP 100 performs a conversion process on the information received from the user B terminal 200, if necessary. Then, the MFP 100 transmits the information received from the specific terminal 200 to the connected cloud server 300 (arrow P2).

  Based on the operation command received from MFP 100, connected cloud server 300 performs processing related to the service on the original file received from MFP 100, and transmits the processed file to MFP 100 (arrow P3).

  If necessary, the MFP 100 performs conversion processing on the file (processed file) received from the connected cloud server 300. Then, the MFP 100 transmits the file received from the connected cloud server 300 to the specific terminal 200 (arrow P4).

  The contents of the conversion process performed in the communication between the specific terminal 200 and the connected cloud server 300 are, for example, as shown in the following (1) to (4).

  (1) When the connection destination cloud server 300 is not compatible with the type and version of the OS installed in the specific terminal 200, the MFP 100 is a virtual OS corresponding to an OS that can be supported by the connection destination cloud server 300. (Virtual OS that resolves the difference between the OS of a specific terminal 200 and the OS that can be supported by the connection destination cloud server 300) is started, and a service is provided from the connection destination cloud server 300 using the virtual OS .

  (2) When the display screen of the connection destination cloud server 300 is not compatible with the language used by the specific terminal 200, the MFP 100 uses the display screen when the connection destination cloud server 300 provides a service. The language is translated into the language used by the specific terminal 200, and the translated display screen is transmitted to the specific terminal 200.

  (3) If the connection destination cloud server 300 cannot cope with the format of the original file (the file transmitted from the specific terminal 200 to the connection destination cloud server 300) that receives the service provision, the MFP 100 The file format received from the terminal 200 is converted, and the converted file is transmitted to the connected cloud server 300.

  (4) When the connection destination cloud server 300 cannot support the character code and language (for example, Japanese) of a file that can be used by an application installed in a specific terminal 200, the MFP 100 Of the characters included in the file received from the terminal 200, the character code and the language used that cannot be supported by the connected cloud server 300 are converted into the character code and used language that can be supported by the connected cloud server 300. Perform language conversion processing and code conversion processing. Then, MFP 100 transmits the converted file to cloud server 300. On the other hand, when the file after the processing related to the service is received from the connected cloud server 300, the MFP 100 converts the character included in the file into the character code of the file that can be used by the application installed in the specific terminal 200. And language conversion processing and code conversion processing for conversion into the language used. Then, MFP 100 transmits the converted file to specific terminal 200.

  As a first specific example of communication between the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300, it is assumed that the user of the terminal 200-4 attempts to use the service of the cloud server 300-1 via the MFP 100. In this case, MFP 100 determines that the conversion process is unnecessary based on the specification difference conversion process list. In this case, MFP 100 transmits information received from terminal 200-1 (for example, a service request or a data processing request) to cloud server 300-1 as it is without performing conversion processing. Also, the MFP 100 transmits the processing result by the cloud server 300-1 as it is to the terminal 200-4 without performing the conversion process.

  As a second specific example of communication between the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300, it is assumed that the user of the terminal 200-1 tries to use the service of the cloud server 300-5 via the MFP 100. In this case, the MFP 100 determines that it is necessary to convert the display screen of the cloud server 300-5 from English to Japanese based on the specification difference conversion process list. When MFP 100 receives information about the display screen from cloud server 300-5, MFP 100 performs display screen conversion processing when transmitting the information to terminal 200-1. The display screen is converted by, for example, any one of the following methods (1) to (3).

  (1) Translate English on the display screen of the cloud server 300-5 into Japanese and replace it with the translated Japanese. In particular, it is preferable to adopt this method when the cloud server 300-5 transmits a display screen in the html file format.

  (2) When the display screen of the cloud server 300-5 is image data, characters are extracted from the image data by OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing, and the extracted characters are translated into Japanese. Overwrite Japanese into the data on the display screen. Alternatively, a Japanese display screen for the cloud server 300-5 is registered in the MFP 100 in advance, and a Japanese display screen corresponding to the operation screen received from the cloud server 300-5 is transmitted to the terminal 200-1.

  (3) A Japanese display screen for the cloud server 300-5 is registered in the MFP 100 in advance, and the Japanese display screen corresponding to the operation screen received from the cloud server 300-5 is up, down, left and right of the English display screen. The Japanese display screen corresponding to the operation screen received from the cloud server 300-5 is transmitted to the terminal 200-1 so as to be displayed side by side.

  As a third specific example of communication between the terminal 200 and the cloud server 300, a case where the user of the terminal 200-7 tries to use the service of the cloud server 300-3 via the MFP 100 is assumed. In this case, based on the specification difference conversion process list, the MFP 100 determines that the cloud server 300-3 is not compatible with the OS of the terminal 200-7 and needs OS conversion on the terminal 200-7 side. The MFP 100 activates a virtual OS on its own OS and uses this virtual OS to connect to the cloud server 300-3.

  Specifically, the MFP 100 once stores information received from the terminal 200-7 (service request information, processing data, etc.) in its own storage area (memory area, etc.), and after starting the virtual OS, The information is read out by the virtual OS and transmitted to the cloud server 300-3. At this time, if some command conversion processing or data conversion processing is necessary, the MFP 100 performs these conversion processing. When the application for the cloud server 300-3 needs to be activated on the virtual OS, the MFP 100 activates the necessary application.

  The MFP 100 once stores information received from the cloud server 300-3 (response information from the cloud server 300-3, a display screen, a processed file, etc.) in its own storage area (memory area, etc.), and the MFP 100 itself. Is transmitted to the terminal 200-7. At this time, if some command conversion processing, data conversion processing, or activation of an application is necessary, the MFP 100 performs these conversion processing. Thereby, the user of the terminal 200-7 can receive a service from the cloud server 300-3.

  When the application for the cloud server 300-3 is not compatible with the OS of the terminal 200-7, the MFP 100 activates a virtual OS that can support the application for the cloud server 300-3 on the MFP 100. Accordingly, an application for the cloud server 300-3 may be used.

  11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the operation of the MFP when the terminal and the cloud server communicate with each other in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 11, CPU 110 of MFP 100 determines whether or not the user has logged into MFP 100 via the terminal (S101). CPU 110 repeats the process of step S101 until it is determined that the user has logged into MFP 100 via the terminal.

  If it is determined in step S101 that the user has logged into the MFP 100 via the terminal (YES in S101), the CPU 110 determines whether a connection request to the cloud server has been received from the user's terminal (S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that a connection request to the cloud server has been received from the user's terminal (YES in S103), the CPU 110 proceeds to the process of step S105. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that a connection request to the cloud server is not received from the user terminal (NO in S103), the CPU 110 proceeds to the process of step S139 in FIG.

  In step S105, the CPU 110 receives selection of a cloud server as a connection destination, and specifies a terminal and a cloud server that start communication (S105). Next, the CPU 110 receives information on the service selected by the user from the services provided by the connected cloud server from the user's terminal (S107), and by referring to the specification difference conversion process list, The terminal identifies a conversion process necessary for receiving the selected service from the connected cloud server (S109). Next, if necessary, the CPU 110 prepares for connection to a connection destination cloud server (for example, activation of a virtual OS) (S111), and logs in to the connection destination cloud server (S113). Subsequently, the CPU 110 receives information (for example, an operation screen or status information of the cloud server) transmitted from the connection destination cloud server (S115), and has received the information transmitted from the connection destination cloud server completed? It is determined whether or not (S117).

  If it is determined in step S117 that reception of the information transmitted from the connection destination cloud server is not completed (NO in S117), the CPU 110 proceeds to the process of step S115 and receives the information transmitted from the connection destination cloud server. To do. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S117 that reception of the information transmitted from the connected cloud server has been completed (YES in S117), the CPU 110 responds to the information transmitted to the user terminal, if necessary. Then, the specified conversion process is performed (S119). Next, CPU110 transmits information to a user's terminal (S121), and progresses to the process of step S123 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in step S123, CPU 110 receives information transmitted from the user's terminal (for example, an operation command or an original file for providing service) (S123), and is transmitted from the user's terminal. It is determined whether or not reception of information is completed (S125).

  If it is determined in step S125 that reception of information transmitted from the user's terminal is not completed (NO in S125), the CPU 110 proceeds to processing in step S123, and receives information transmitted from the user's terminal. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S125 that reception of the information transmitted from the user's terminal has been completed (YES in S125), the CPU 110 responds to information transmitted to the connected cloud server, if necessary. Then, the specified conversion process is performed (S127). Next, the CPU 110 transmits information to the connection destination cloud server (S129), and whether or not the user terminal has selected to log off from the connection destination cloud server (each of the user terminal and the connection destination cloud server). It is determined whether or not the processing is completed (S131).

  If it is determined in step S131 that the user terminal has selected logoff from the connected cloud server (YES in S131), the CPU 110 performs logoff of the user terminal from the connected cloud server (S133), It is determined whether or not the user terminal has selected logoff from MFP 100 (S135).

  If it is determined in step S135 that the user terminal has selected logoff from MFP 100 (YES in S135), CPU 110 performs logoff from MFP 100 of the user terminal (S137), and ends the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S135 that the user's terminal does not select logoff from MFP 100 (NO in S135), CPU 110 performs normal operation and processing of MFP 100 (for example, a print job that has received an execution instruction via operation panel 160) Etc.) (S139), and the process proceeds to step S135.

  If it is determined in step S131 that the user terminal does not select logoff from the cloud (NO in S131), the CPU 110 determines whether there is an additional conversion process (S141).

  If it is determined in step S141 that there is additional conversion processing (YES in S141), the CPU 110 performs additional conversion processing (for example, activation of application software that can be supported by the connected cloud server) (S143), The process proceeds to step S115 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S141 that there is no additional conversion process (NO in S141), the CPU 110 proceeds to the process of step S115 in FIG.

  [Second Embodiment]

  In the present embodiment, a situation in which the user of the terminal 200-3 creates a spreadsheet file by using the document creation service of the cloud server 300-3 via the MFP 100 and tries to save the created spreadsheet file. Suppose. The configuration of the data processing system, the contents of the specification difference conversion processing list, and the like are assumed to be the same as in the first embodiment.

  Referring to the specification difference conversion process list of FIG. 7, the conversion process is basically unnecessary for the transmission / reception of data between the terminal 200-3 and the cloud server 300-3. In addition, the information transmitted from the terminal 200-3 is transmitted to the cloud server 300-3 without being converted, and the information transmitted from the cloud server 300-3 is transmitted to the terminal 200-3 without being converted. To do.

  By the way, since the office suite used in the terminal 200-3 is Office 2007, the format of the spreadsheet file that is normally used by the user of the terminal 200-3 cannot be handled by the cloud server 300-3. xls "format. However, in a situation where the user of the terminal 200-3 intends to save the spreadsheet file, the cloud server 300-3 tries to save in a format that the terminal 200-3 cannot use, such as “xlsx”.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a screen for selecting the format of a file to be saved is displayed on the display unit 260 of the terminal 200-3 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 13, when MFP 100 displays a screen for selecting a file format to be saved on display unit 260 of terminal 200-3 (when file format selection is accepted), MFP 100 sets the format of the file to be saved to terminal 200. -3 is notified that conversion to “xls”, which is a usable format, is possible.

  Specifically, a window called “cloud operation screen” and a window called “MFP terminal 操作 cloud operation screen” are displayed on the display unit 260 of the terminal 200-3. The window “cloud operation screen” is a window of a service provided by the cloud server 300-3. The window “cloud operation screen” includes a spreadsheet file DP1 created using a cloud service and a screen DP2 that accepts selection of a file name and file format. A window “MFP terminal⇔cloud operation screen” is a window provided by MFP 100. The window “MFP terminal⇔cloud operation screen” displays a message DP3 for notifying that the file can be saved in a format such as “xls” usable by the terminal 200-3, and the format of the file to be saved. 200-3 includes a key DP4 that accepts a selection to convert to a format that can be used by 200-3, and a key DP5 that accepts a selection that the format of the file to be saved is not converted to a format that can be used by the terminal 200-3.

  Note that the MFP 100 may automatically convert the format of the file to be saved into a format that can be used by the terminal 200-3 without receiving selection by the user of the terminal 200-3. In addition, it is possible to convert the format of the file stored in the terminal 200-3 to a format that can be used by the terminal 200-3 after the file 200 is temporarily stored in the terminal 200-3 without being converted. You may make it perform notification of.

  Since portions other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  [Third Embodiment]

  In the present embodiment, the following situation is assumed. A user of terminal 200-5 scans a document (original) using MFP 100, and receives a scanned image from MFP 100. The user of the terminal 200-5 processes the scan image using the terminal 200-5, and uploads (saves) the processed scan image from the terminal 200-5 to the cloud server 300-2. The configuration of the data processing system, the contents of the specification difference conversion processing list, and the like are assumed to be the same as in the first embodiment.

  Referring to the specification difference conversion process list of FIG. 7, there is a difference between the specifications of the terminal 200-5 and the specifications of the cloud server 300-2. For this reason, if an appropriate conversion process is not performed, an error occurs during work. Conventionally, the user of the terminal has to repeat the operation of uploading the processed scan image to the connection destination cloud server while changing the setting until the error does not occur, which is complicated.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a work flow when a processed scan image is uploaded to a connection destination cloud server.

  Referring to FIG. 14, when the CPU of the conventional MFP scans a document in accordance with an instruction from the user's terminal (S1101), the scanned document image is converted into an electronic file (S1103), and the image converted into the electronic file is converted into the user's terminal. (S1105). The CPU of the user's terminal processes the image according to the user's operation (S1107), and logs in to the connected cloud server (S1109). Next, the CPU of the user terminal transmits a service use request and an image for which the service is provided to the connected cloud server (S1111). When receiving the usage request and the image, the CPU of the connected cloud server provides the service (S1113). Next, the CPU of the user terminal determines whether an error due to a difference from the cloud server has occurred (S1115).

  If it is determined in step S1115 that an error due to a difference from the cloud server has occurred (YES in S1115), the CPU of the user's terminal reprocesses the image according to the user's operation (S1117), and the process of step S1115 Proceed to In step S1115, the user needs to reprocess the image on the terminal until it is determined that an error due to the difference from the cloud server does not occur.

  If it is determined in step S1115 that an error due to a difference from the cloud server does not occur (NO in S1115), the CPU of the cloud server transmits the service result to the terminal. The CPU of the user terminal receives the service result (S1119). Subsequently, the CPU of the user terminal logs out from the cloud server (S1121) and ends the process.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is necessary to log in to the MFP 100 before processing an image or logging in to the cloud server, but between the specifications of the terminal 200-5 and the specifications of the cloud server 300-2. Since the MFP 100 automatically performs the conversion process based on the difference, the operation is simplified.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a work flow when uploading a processed scan image to a connection destination cloud server in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 15, when CPU 110 of MFP 100 scans a document in accordance with an instruction from a user's terminal (S201), it converts the scanned document image into an electronic file (S203). Next, when the terminal 200-5 logs in to the MFP 100 (S205), the CPU 110 processes the image converted into an electronic file in accordance with an operation from the terminal 200-5 (remote login terminal) (S207). Next, when the terminal 200-5 logs in to the cloud server 300-2 via the MFP 100 (S209), the CPU 110 performs necessary conversion processing on the image (S211), and requests the cloud server 300-2 to use the service. And the converted image are transmitted (S213). When receiving the use request and the image, the CPU 310 of the cloud server 300-2 provides the service and transmits the service result to the terminal (S215). The CPU 210 of the terminal 200-5 receives the service result (S217). Subsequently, the CPU 210 of the terminal 200-5 logs out from the cloud server 300-2 (S219), logs out from the MFP 100 (S221), and ends the process.

  Since portions other than those described above in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  [Effect of the embodiment]

  According to the above-described embodiment, even if the user of the terminal does not grasp the specifications of the cloud server, the MFP performs the conversion process according to the specifications of the cloud server by referring to the specification difference conversion process list. . Thereby, the efficiency and quality at the time of using the service provided by the cloud server can be kept constant regardless of the proficiency level of the user of the terminal. Terminal users can change the OS type and version of their terminal to something that can be supported by the cloud server, be confused by the display screen displayed in an unfamiliar language, or perform file format conversion work Or installing the file format conversion software on the terminal in the water. Also, by inadvertently changing the type and version of the OS, it is freed from the risk that existing software used on the terminal will not operate.

  Also, in an office where a plurality of types of terminals are used, it is not necessary for the user to use different terminals according to the specifications of the cloud server to be used. Since the user can receive the cloud service from his / her terminal regardless of the specifications of the cloud server to be used, the work efficiency of the user of the terminal can be improved. Even if the service provided by the cloud server is new, the version of the OS that the cloud server can handle is limited, and only the old version of the OS is installed on the user's terminal, the user Can receive new services on their terminals.

  Furthermore, troubles such as errors and bugs caused by language differences and format differences when using cloud services can be reduced.

  Thus, according to the above-described embodiment, troublesome work that occurs when using the cloud service can be reduced. In addition, the service provided by the cloud server can be fully utilized on the terminal side, and mistakes and risks when using the service can be reduced. Terminal users will be able to select a cloud server purely based on the content and quality of the service they want to use. As a result, it is possible to improve the convenience, satisfaction, and work efficiency of the user of the terminal.

  [Others]

  Instead of registering the specification difference conversion processing list in advance, the MFP 100 extracts information regarding the difference between the specifications of the terminal 200 and the specifications of the cloud server 300 when the terminal 200 starts communication with the cloud server 300. Then, the conversion process may be performed based on the extracted information.

  A program necessary for the conversion process may be installed in advance in the MFP 100 by an administrator or the like, or the MFP 100 may be acquired as necessary from a management server (not shown) connected to the MFP 100.

  The MFP 100 may obtain information that is not registered in the specification difference conversion process list from a terminal or a cloud server, and automatically perform a conversion process based on the obtained information difference.

  The above-described embodiments may be combined with each other. For example, the configuration of the second or third embodiment may be applied to a configuration in which the difference conversion process list is not registered in advance.

  The processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or may be performed using a hardware circuit. It is also possible to provide a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment, and record the program on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provide it to the user. You may decide to do it. The program is executed by a computer such as a CPU. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  The above-described embodiment is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

100 Image forming apparatus 110, 210, 310 CPU
120, 220, 320 Network I / F
130, 230, 330 ROM
140, 240, 340 RAM
150, 250, 350 Storage unit 160 Operation panel 170 Job execution unit 180 Conversion unit 200, 200-1, 200-2, 200-3, 200-4, 200-5, 200-6, 200-7 Terminal 260 Display unit 270 Operation unit 300, 300-1, 300-2, 300-3, 300-4, 300-5 Cloud server 360 Processing execution unit 401 Network 402 Internet DP1 Spreadsheet file DP2 screen DP3 message DP4, DP5 key

Claims (11)

A data processing device that mediates communication between a terminal and a server that is a cloud server that provides services to the terminal via the Internet,
The data processing apparatus is connected to the terminal through a network, and connected to the server through the Internet.
Terminal specification acquisition means for acquiring specifications of the terminal by input by an administrator or communication with the terminal;
Service specification acquisition means for acquiring specifications of the server;
Extraction means for extracting information on the difference between the terminal specifications acquired by the terminal specification acquisition means and the specifications of the server extracted by the service specification acquisition means;
Receiving means for receiving a connection request to the server from the terminal;
A log-in means for logging in to the server using an account of a user of the terminal when the connection request is received by the receiving means;
For at least one of information received from the logged-in server and transmitted to the terminal, and information received from the terminal and transmitted to the logged-in server, the extraction means A data processing apparatus comprising: a difference eliminating unit configured to perform a process for eliminating a difference between the specification of the terminal and the specification of the server based on the extracted information. First storage means for storing a process for resolving a difference between each of the specifications of the plurality of terminals and each of the specifications of the plurality of servers;
A specifying means for specifying the terminal and the server to start communication;
Search means for searching for information on the difference between the specification of the terminal specified by the specifying means and the specification of the server specified by the specifying means from the information stored in the first storage means; Prepared,
The difference resolving means performs processing for resolving a difference between the specification of the terminal specified by the specifying means and the specification of the server specified by the specifying means based on the information found by the searching means. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is performed. The specification of the terminal includes information of an operating system installed on the terminal,
The specification of the server includes information of an operating system that can be supported by the server,
The extraction means includes first extraction means for extracting a difference between operating system information installed in the terminal and operating system information compatible with the server,
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the difference eliminating unit includes an activation unit that activates a virtual operating system that eliminates the difference extracted by the first extracting unit on the data processing apparatus. The specification of the terminal includes information on a language used by the terminal,
The specification of the server includes information on languages that the server can handle,
The extraction means includes second extraction means for extracting a difference between language information used by the terminal and language information that the server can handle,
The difference elimination unit includes a translation unit that translates a language used for a display screen when the server provides a service into a language used by the terminal based on the difference extracted by the second extraction unit. The data processing device according to claim 1. The specifications of the terminal include information on the format of a file to be transmitted from the terminal to the cloud server,
The specification of the server includes information on a file format that the server can handle,
The extraction means includes third extraction means for extracting the difference between the file format information transmitted from the terminal to the cloud server and the file format information that the server can handle,
The difference eliminating means is
First conversion means for converting the format of the file received from the terminal based on the difference extracted by the third extraction means;
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first transmission unit that transmits the file converted by the first conversion unit to the server. The specification of the terminal includes information on a character code of a file that can be used by an application installed in the terminal and information on a language used,
The specification of the server includes character code and language information of a file that can be supported by the server,
The extraction means extracts a difference between the character code and language information of a file that can be used by an application installed in the terminal, and the character code and language information of a file that can be handled by the server. Including extraction means,
The difference eliminating means is
Of the characters included in the file received from the terminal, the server is capable of handling based on the difference extracted by the fourth extracting means for the portion of the character code and language used that the server cannot handle. A second conversion means for converting the character code and the language used;
Second transmission means for transmitting the file converted by the second conversion means to the server;
A third character that converts characters included in the file received from the server into a character code and a language used by the application installed in the terminal based on the difference extracted by the fourth extraction unit. Conversion means,
The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a third transmission unit that transmits the file converted by the third conversion unit to the terminal. Second storage means for storing information for specifying the server, and account and password information for communicating with the server;
Account extraction means for extracting account and password information for the terminal to communicate with the server from information stored in the second storage means;
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an account transmission unit that transmits information extracted by the account extraction unit when a request for starting communication with the server is received from the terminal. Data processing device.   The service specification acquisition means includes information for classifying services provided by the server, information on whether or not a service provided by the server performs data processing, information on an operating system of the terminal that can be supported by the server, Specification of at least one of file format information that can be supported by the server, information on the application of the terminal that can be supported by the server, and language information that is used for an operation menu when the server provides a service The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is acquired.   The terminal specification acquisition means transmits the product name of the terminal, information on the operating system installed on the terminal, information on the language used by the terminal, information on applications installed on the terminal, and transmits the information from the terminal to the server. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one specification is acquired from information on a file format and information on a language in which a file is transmitted from the terminal to the server. A control method for a data processing apparatus that mediates communication between a terminal and a server that is a cloud server that provides services to the terminal via the Internet,
The data processing apparatus is connected to the terminal through a network, and connected to the server through the Internet.
A terminal specification acquisition step of acquiring specifications of the terminal by input by an administrator or communication with the terminal;
A service specification acquisition step of acquiring the specification of the server;
An extraction step for extracting information on the difference between the specification of the terminal acquired in the terminal specification acquisition step and the specification of the server extracted in the service specification acquisition step;
Receiving a connection request to the server from the terminal;
A login step of logging in to the server using an account of a user of the terminal when the connection request is received in the reception step;
At least one of the information received from the logged-in server and transmitted to the terminal, and the information received from the terminal and transmitted to the logged-in server. A control method for a data processing apparatus, comprising: a difference elimination step for performing processing for eliminating a difference between the specification of the terminal and the specification of the server based on the extracted information. A control program for a data processing apparatus that mediates communication between a terminal and a server that is a cloud server that provides services to the terminal via the Internet,
The data processing apparatus is connected to the terminal through a network, and connected to the server through the Internet.
A terminal specification acquisition step of acquiring specifications of the terminal by input by an administrator or communication with the terminal;
A service specification acquisition step of acquiring the specification of the server;
An extraction step for extracting information on the difference between the specification of the terminal acquired in the terminal specification acquisition step and the specification of the server extracted in the service specification acquisition step;
Receiving a connection request to the server from the terminal;
A login step of logging in to the server using an account of a user of the terminal when the connection request is received in the reception step;
At least one of the information received from the logged-in server and transmitted to the terminal, and the information received from the terminal and transmitted to the logged-in server. A control program for a data processing apparatus, which causes a computer to execute a difference elimination step for performing a process for eliminating a difference between the specification of the terminal and the specification of the server based on the extracted information.

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