JP6597874B2 - Image output apparatus and server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus that outputs an image indicated by data received from a server.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a server that collects device data from a printer and transmits a notification generated based on the collected device data to the printer is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that provides a service in which a server obtains an integrated value of ink usage from a printer and causes the server to print a coupon image corresponding to the integrated value.

JP 2001-347734 A

  In the system configured as described above, when a printer is shared by a plurality of users, it is difficult to notify a specific user of a notification. As a typical example, there is a possibility that another user takes away the sheet on which the notification addressed to the administrator is printed, and the notification does not reach the administrator.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus capable of outputting a notification received from a server at an appropriate timing.

The image output apparatus described in the present specification includes a communication unit, a storage unit, an output unit that outputs an image, and a control unit. The storage unit can store notification destination information indicating a notification destination of the state of the output unit. The control unit executes transmission processing for transmitting identification information for identifying the image output device to a server through the communication unit, and the server is capable of communicating with a plurality of devices including the image output device, After receiving the identification information, the server selects the image output device from among the plurality of devices as a transmission destination of the notification data, and transmits the notification data to the image output device. The control unit includes a notification reception process for receiving the notification data from the server through the communication unit, a determination process for determining whether the notification destination information is stored in the storage unit, and the notification destination information. Is transmitted to the notification destination indicated by the notification destination information through the communication unit, the notification transmission processing is executed.

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ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image output apparatus which can output the notification received from the server at an appropriate timing can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 according to the first embodiment. 2A is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10, and FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the server 50. FIG. 3 shows an example of information stored in the data storage area 32B. (A) shows account information and (B) shows notification destination information. FIG. 4 shows an example of data or information stored in the data storage area 62B. (A) shows the notification data associated with the printer ID, and (B) shows the permission flag associated with the printer ID. Show. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recording system 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the output control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation reception process. FIG. 8 is a display example of the display unit 23, where (A) shows a menu screen and (B) shows a permission confirmation screen. FIG. 9 is a display example of a notification screen, where (A) shows a notification screen for coupon data, and (B) shows a notification screen for update notification data. FIG. 10 is a display example of the menu screen, where (A) shows the case where the notification flag is “ON” and (B) shows the case where the notification flag is “OFF”. FIG. 11 is a display example of the display unit 23, where (A) shows a login screen and (B) shows a login instruction screen. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the recording system 100 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of output control processing according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 according to the first embodiment. A recording system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes multifunction devices 10A and 10B (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as “multifunction device 10”) and a server 50. The multifunction machine 10 and the server 50 can communicate through a communication network. Specific examples of the communication network are not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the Internet, a wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, or a combination thereof.

  The multifunction machine 10A belongs to the LAN 102. The multifunction machine 10B belongs to the LAN 103. The LANs 102 and 103 are connected to the Internet 101 through routers 102A and 103A. The server 50 is connected to the Internet 101. The MFPs 10A and 10B communicate with the server 50 on the Internet 101 through the routers 102A and 103A. For this reason, the global IP address assigned to the routers 102A and 103A is set in the SA (abbreviation of Source Address) of the IP packet transmitted from the MFPs 10A and 10B to the server 50.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a FAX unit 13, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, a communication unit 25, a CPU 31, and a storage. The unit 32 and the communication bus 33 are mainly provided. Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is connected to each other through a communication bus 33. The multifunction device 10 is an example of an image output device. The printer unit 11, the FAX unit 13, and the display unit 23 are examples of an output unit. The configurations of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are common.

[Printer unit 11, scanner unit 12, FAX unit 13]
The printer unit 11 executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet that is an example of a sheet. As a recording method of the printer unit 11, a known method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The scanner unit 12 executes a scan process for reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and generating image data. The FAX unit 13 executes a FAX process for transmitting and receiving FAX data by a method compliant with the FAX protocol. The multi-function device 10 may further execute a copy process of reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and recording the image on another recording sheet.

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 includes a display screen that displays various types of information. As the display unit 23, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be adopted.

[Operation unit 24]
The operation unit 24 receives a user operation for selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23. Specifically, the operation unit 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the operation unit 24 may include a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 23. That is, the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel display. The operation unit 24 is an example of a reception unit.

  The “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24. As an example, the object is a character string displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted when the direction key of the operation unit 24 is pressed, and the object is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A light-displayed object may be selected. As another example, an object when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel is an icon, a button, a link, or the like displayed on the display unit 23, and the object displayed at the touch position may be selected.

  The operation unit 24 realized as a touch panel receives a user operation for touching the display screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. The position information can be expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y axis. For the touch sensor, a known method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method can be adopted.

  Note that “touch” in this specification includes all operations for bringing an input medium into contact with a display screen. That is, a tap operation to move the touched input medium away from the display screen within a predetermined time, a long touch operation to make the touched input medium stand still on the display screen, a slide operation to slide the touched input medium on the display screen, a display screen Flick operation where the acceleration of the input medium sliding above the threshold is more than a threshold, pinch-in operation to slide two input media touched at different positions on the display screen toward each other, two touched at different positions on the display screen A pinch-out operation or the like that slides the input medium away from each other is an example of a touch.

  In addition, even if the input medium is not touching the display screen, the concept of “touch” may include bringing the input medium close to a position where the distance from the display screen is very small. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger or a touch pen.

[Communication unit 25]
The communication unit 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device through a communication network. That is, the multifunction device 10 outputs various information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 and receives various data or various information from the server 50 through the communication unit 25. Although the specific communication procedure of the communication part 25 is not specifically limited, For example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) is employable.

[CPU 31]
A CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit) 31 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The CPU 31 acquires various programs described later from the storage unit 32 and executes them. The CPU 31 executes various processes based on various information output from the operation unit 24 and various information acquired from an external device through the communication unit 25 by executing various programs. The CPU 31 and the storage unit 32 constitute an example of a control unit.

[Storage unit 32]
The storage unit 32 includes a program storage area 32A and a data storage area 32B. In the program storage area 32A, an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) 34 and a control program 35 are stored. Note that the control program 35 may be a single program or an aggregate of a plurality of programs. Data or information necessary for execution of the control program 35 is stored in the data storage area 32B.

  Note that “data” and “information” in this specification are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. “Data” refers to data that can be handled by the computer without taking into account the meaning of each bit. On the other hand, “information” refers to information that the operation of the computer branches depending on the semantic content indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the “instruction” is a control signal for prompting the destination apparatus to perform the next operation, and may include information or itself has a property as information. There is also.

  In addition, even if the format (for example, text format, binary format, flag format, etc.) is changed for each computer, “data” and “information” have the same data and information as long as they are recognized as the same meaning content. Are treated as For example, information indicating “two” is stored as text information “0x32” in ASCII code in one computer, and binary information “10” in binary notation in another computer. May be.

  However, the distinction between the above “data” and “information” is not strict, and exceptional handling is allowed. For example, data may be temporarily treated as information, or information may be temporarily treated as data. Also, what is handled as data in a certain device may be handled as information in another device. Furthermore, information may be extracted from the data, or data may be extracted from the information.

  The storage unit 32 includes, for example, RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), EEPROM (abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (abbreviation of Hard CPU) 31 (HDD). It is configured by a buffer or the like or a combination thereof.

  The storage unit 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM in addition to the above examples. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in the media.

  The program stored in the program storage area 32A is executed by the CPU 31. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the CPU 31 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description that “the program A executes the process A” may indicate that “the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A”. The same applies to the server 50 described later.

  Further, the program stored in the program storage area 32A determines an event and operates according to the determination result. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the determination. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that “the control program executes process A according to condition A” is “whether or not the control program is condition A. The control program makes an affirmative determination. In response to this, the processing A may be executed.

  The OS 34 is an abbreviation of API (Application Programming Interface) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the FAX unit 13, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, and the like that are hardware constituting the multifunction peripheral 10. ) Is a basic program. That is, each of the above programs controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the OS 34 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description “the program B controls the hardware C” may refer to “the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS 34”. The same applies to the server 50 described later.

  The data storage area 32B stores account information as shown in FIG. The account information is information indicating an account for logging in to the multifunction machine 10. The general account information is registered in the multifunction machine 10 through the operation unit 24 by, for example, an administrator user who logs in with an administrator account described later. Further, the data storage area 32B can store one or a plurality of account information. Further, the account information may not be stored in the data storage area 32B.

  The account information shown in FIG. 3A is stored in a non-volatile area of the data storage area 32B. Of the account information shown in FIG. 3A, the user ID and password of the administrator account may be referred to as “registered ID information”. At the time of shipment of the multifunction machine 10, the administrator account information is not stored in the data storage area 32B. The administrator account information is registered in the multifunction machine 10 through the operation unit 24 by an administrator user in a non-login state to be described later. It is common for an administrator user to register administrator account information in the multifunction device 10 before allowing the general user to use the multifunction device 10.

  As another example, default administrator account information may be stored in the data storage area 32B when the multifunction machine 10 is shipped. In this case, the administrator user may refer to a manual or the like of the multifunction machine 10 and perform a user operation to instruct login with a default administrator account. Then, the administrator user may change default administrator account information registered in the data storage area 32B to administrator account information unique to the administrator user by an administrator operation described later.

  The account information includes a user ID, a password, and an account type. The user ID and password are information for comparison with the user ID and password received from the user in a login reception process described later. The account type is information indicating the authority of an account specified by a combination of a user ID and a password. More specifically, the account type is information for specifying an operation permitted by the multifunction device 10 for a user who has logged in using a corresponding user ID and password. Details of the concept of “permitting operation” will be described later.

  As an example, the account type “Admin” indicates the authority assigned to the administrator user of the multifunction machine 10. A user who logs in with an account of the account type “Admin” is permitted an administrator operation, a general operation, and a basic operation. As another example, the account type “User” indicates an authority assigned to a general user of the multifunction machine 10 that is not an administrator user. A user who logs in with an account of the account type “User” is not permitted to perform an administrator operation, and is permitted a general operation and a basic operation. The account information including the account type “Admin” is an example of specific account information indicating a specific account, and is an example of administrator account information indicating an administrator account. On the other hand, the account information including the account type “User” is an example of general account information indicating a general account.

  When the administrator account information is not stored in the data storage area 32B and the general account information is stored, the multifunction machine 10 may permit the general user and the administrator operation to the general user. When the administrator account information is not stored in the data storage area 32B and the general account information is not stored, the multifunction machine 10 may permit the general operation and the administrator operation to the guest user.

  The administrator operation is, for example, an operation for changing an important setting of the multifunction device 10 (for example, a setting that may be accompanied by a decrease in security or leakage of information), or important information stored in the multifunction device 10 (for example, , Business secret information, etc.). An operation for outputting a management report indicating the operation results of the MFP 10 to the printer unit 11 or the display unit 23, an operation for registering new general account information in the data storage area 32B, and an account information registered in the data storage area 32B. An operation to change, an operation to select a general operation permitted for a general account, an operation to delete account information stored in the data storage area 32B, an operation to change important settings of the multi-function device 10, and the multi-function device 10 at the time of shipment The operation of returning to the initial setting is an example of the administrator operation.

  The general operation is an operation that is less important than the administrator operation, and includes, for example, an operation for changing settings for enhancing the convenience of the multifunction machine 10. An operation for displaying a shortcut icon on the menu screen, an operation for changing the default value of the resolution of an image to be recorded on the printer unit 11, an operation for registering the FAX number of the transmission destination in the multifunction device 10, and a plurality of recording papers of different sizes. The operation of designating a preferentially used tray among the trays is an example of a general operation.

  The basic operation is an operation using basic functions of the multifunction machine 10. An operation for causing the printer unit 11 to execute a recording process, an operation for causing the scanner unit 12 to execute a scan process, an operation for causing the FAX unit 13 to execute a FAX process, and an operation for causing the printer unit 11 and the scanner unit 12 to execute a copy process are basically It is an example of operation | movement. The basic operation is an operation permitted for all users including the guest user. That is, the basic operation can be executed even in a non-login state described later.

  Here, “operation” refers to a user's movement to be executed by the multifunction device 10 in order to cause the multifunction device 10 to execute a corresponding process. For example, operating the operation unit 24 to cause the MFP 10 to execute the corresponding processing is an example of the operation. “Processing” refers to the movement of the multifunction machine 10 that is executed due to the corresponding operation. For example, the recording process, scan process, FAX process, and copy process described above are examples of processes.

  In this specification, “the MFP 10 allows the user to operate” means that the MFP 10 sets the MFP 10 itself so that the MFP 10 executes processing corresponding to the user operation. That is. For example, in response to selection of an icon corresponding to a process execution instruction, the multifunction device 10 displays a permission flag indicating that the multifunction device 10 executes a process corresponding to the selected icon in the data storage area 32B. It may be memorized. Alternatively, the multifunction device 10 may cause the display unit 23 to display an icon corresponding to a process execution instruction.

  On the other hand, “the multifunction device 10 does not allow the user to operate” means that the multifunction device 10 sets the multifunction device 10 itself so that the multifunction device 10 does not execute processing corresponding to the user operation. For example, the MFP 10 may not display the icon corresponding to the process execution instruction on the display unit 23. Further, the permission flag may be deleted from the data storage area 32B by the multifunction machine 10.

  Further, the multifunction device 10 can be changed between a login state and a non-login state. The multifunction peripheral 10 is in a login state in response to a login reception process (to be described later) being executed and being logged in with an administrator account or a general account. Further, the multifunction device 10 enters a non-login state in response to execution of a logout process to be described later, or in response to a period in which the operation unit 24 is not operated in the login state reaching a threshold period. The threshold period may be a period of about 10 seconds to 10 minutes, for example.

  The MFP 10 in the login state permits the login user to perform an operation specified by the account type of the login account. The non-logged-in multifunction device 10 permits only basic operations. The login account refers to an account specified by a combination of a user ID and a password input in the login acceptance process. The login user refers to a user of the multifunction machine 10 to which a login account is assigned. A guest user refers to a user who is not assigned an account.

  Further, the data storage area 32B can store notification destination information as shown in FIG. The notification destination information is information indicating a notification destination of state information indicating the state of the output unit. The notification destination information is, for example, the email address of the administrator user of the multifunction machine 10. The notification destination information is registered through the operation unit 24 by, for example, an administrator user who has logged in with an administrator account. The notification destination information may not be stored in the data storage area 32B. The notification destination information shown in FIG. 3B is stored in a non-volatile area of the data storage area 32B.

  For example, the multifunction machine 10 can transmit a report mail to an e-mail address registered as notification destination information. The report mail reports the status of the output unit. The content of the report mail is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, status information indicating the number of images recorded by the printer unit 11 during a predetermined period, the amount of ink or toner used, or the remaining amount. The multi-function device 10 itself may have a function as a mail client, or request another device having a mail client function (for example, the server 50 on the Internet 101) to send a report mail. May be.

[Server 50]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the server 50 mainly includes a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a communication unit 55, a CPU 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication bus 63. The display unit 53, the operation unit 54, the communication unit 55, the CPU 61, the storage unit 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the server 50 are the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, the CPU 31, and the storage included in the multifunction machine 10. Since it is common to the unit 32 and the communication bus 33, the description thereof will be omitted. The CPU 61 and the storage unit 62 are an example of a control unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the data storage area 62B can store a printer ID and notification data associated with the printer ID. The printer ID is an example of identification information for identifying the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B. In the first embodiment, the printer ID of the MFP 10A is “MFP-A”, and the printer ID of the MFP 10B is “MFP-B”. The notification data indicates notification to be notified to the user of the multifunction machine 10 identified by the corresponding printer ID. More specifically, the notification data indicates a notification image recorded on a recording sheet by the printer unit 11 and / or displayed on the display unit 23.

  The content of the notification shown in the notification image includes, for example, a description of a new function that can be added to the multifunction device 10, a description of a new function that has been added to the server 50, a product or service related to the multifunction device 10 (hereinafter “product etc.”). Or the server 50 is permitted to transmit the device data collected by the multifunction device 10 to the server 50 for the purpose of issuing the coupon. It may be an inquiry about whether or not. The product related to the multifunction device 10 is, for example, consumables (for example, ink, toner, drum, recommended paper, etc.) attached to or detached from the multifunction device 10, an upward compatible model of the multifunction device 10, or when the multifunction device 10 is used. Accessories used. The service related to the multifunction machine 10 is, for example, extension of a compensation period or paid support.

  Here, for example, the notification data is generated by the administrator of the server 50 based on the device data collected from the multifunction device 10 and registered in the server 50 in association with the printer ID of the multifunction device 10. In addition, the notification data is installed in a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as “target area”) and is a multifunction device of a predetermined model (hereinafter referred to as “target model”). Sent only to 10. Therefore, the notification data is transmitted only to the multifunction peripheral 10 for which collection of device data is permitted by the administrator user.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the data storage area 62B can store a printer ID and a permission flag associated with the printer ID. In the permission flag, either “permitted” indicating that the administrator user of the MFP 10 identified by the printer ID has already permitted transmission of the device data or “not permitted” indicating that the transmission has not yet been permitted. Is set. The initial value of the permission flag is “not permitted”. Then, “permitted” is set in the permission flag in response to permission of transmission of device data in the permission confirmation process. The permission confirmation process is a process for confirming with the administrator user of the multifunction machine 10 whether or not to permit transmission of device data. Details of the permission confirmation process will be described later.

[Operation of Recording System 100]
The operation of the recording system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the recording system 100, the server 50 transmits notification data to the multifunction device 10A, and executes processing in which the multifunction device 10A outputs a notification image indicated by the notification data at an appropriate timing and in an appropriate method. The following processing is executed similarly between the multifunction machine 10B and the server 50.

  First, the control program 35 of the multifunction peripheral 10A transmits inquiry information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S11). The inquiry information includes, for example, a printer ID “MFP-A” for identifying the multifunction peripheral 10A and model information indicating a model of the multifunction peripheral 10A. The inquiry information is information for inquiring the server 50 about the presence / absence of notification data corresponding to the printer ID. In other words, the inquiry information is information for requesting the server 50 to transmit notification data corresponding to the printer ID. The inquiry information is automatically and repeatedly transmitted by the control program 35 at an arbitrary timing. The process in which the MFP 10A transmits inquiry information is an example of an inquiry process or a transmission process. The control program 35 may transmit the inquiry information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 in response to accepting a user operation to the inquiry icon corresponding to the transmission of the inquiry information in an operation reception process described later. . Details of the inquiry icon will be described later.

  Next, the control program 65 of the server 50 receives inquiry information from the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S11). The process in which the server 50 receives the inquiry information is an example of an inquiry reception process. Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not the multifunction machine 10A is the target model and whether or not the multifunction machine 10A is installed in the target area (S12).

  For example, when the model of the multifunction device 10A indicated by the model information included in the inquiry information exists in the list of target models registered in the data storage area 62B, the control program 65 is the multifunction device 10A. Judge. Further, the control program 65, for example, includes the global IP address set in the SA of the IP packet including the inquiry information in the range of the global IP address of the target area registered in the data storage area 62B, so that the multifunction device It is determined that 10A is installed in the target area.

  Then, the control program 65 communicates in response to the fact that at least one of the MFP 10A is not the target model and the MFP 10A is not installed in the target area (S12: No). Error information is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10A through the unit 55 (S13). The error information is information indicating that the multifunction peripheral 10A is not a notification data transmission target. The control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives error information from the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S13). When the control program 35 transmits inquiry information in response to accepting a user operation for instructing transmission of inquiry information, although not shown, the content of the received error information is displayed on the display unit 23. It may be displayed.

  On the other hand, the control program 65 corresponds to the printer ID included in the inquiry information in response to the fact that the multifunction device 10A is the target model and the multifunction device 10A is installed in the target area (S12: Yes). The value of the permission flag stored in the storage area 62B is determined (S14). Then, the control program 65 sets “unauthorized” in the permission flag corresponding to the printer ID “MFP-A”, or sets the printer ID “MFP-A” in the data storage area 62B shown in FIG. "" Is not registered (S14: No), the permission notification information is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S15). The permission notification information is information for causing the multifunction device 10 to display a menu screen including a permission reception message to be described later.

  Next, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives the permission notification information from the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S15). Then, the control program 35 displays a permission acceptance message on the display unit 23 (S16). FIG. 8A is an example of a menu screen including a permission acceptance message. The menu screen shown in FIG. 8A includes a [FAX] icon, a [COPY] icon, a [SCAN] icon, a [Login] icon, and a message display area 111. The message display area 111 shown in FIG. 8A includes a permission acceptance message “There is a message!” And a [Detail] icon.

  Next, the control program 35 accepts a user operation for tapping the position of various icons included in the menu screen through the operation unit 24. Then, the control program 35 transmits permission request information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 in response to the tap of the position of the [detail] icon (S17). The permission request information is information for requesting the server 50 to execute permission confirmation processing.

  Although not shown, the control program 35 causes the FAX unit 13 to execute a FAX process when the position of the [FAX] icon is tapped. Further, the control program 35 causes the printer unit 11 and the scanner unit 12 to execute a copy process in response to the position of the [COPY] icon being tapped. Further, the control program 35 causes the scanner unit 12 to execute a scanning process in response to the tapping of the position of the [SCAN] icon. Further, when the position of the [login] icon is tapped, the control program 35 executes a login acceptance process described later.

  Note that the [Login] icon may be included in the menu screen only when the MFP 10A is in the non-login state. Then, instead of the [login] icon, a [logout] icon may be displayed on the menu screen when the MFP 10A is in the login state. Then, the control program 35 may change the state of the multifunction peripheral 10A from the login state to the non-login state in response to the position of the [logout] icon being tapped. This process is an example of a logout process.

  Next, the control program 65 of the server 50 receives permission request information from the MFP 10A through the communication unit 55 (S18). Then, the control program 65 transmits permission confirmation information to the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S19). The permission confirmation information is information for instructing the multifunction peripheral 10A to execute the permission confirmation processing. In other words, the permission confirmation information is an example of notification data for inquiring of an administrator user of the multifunction peripheral 10A whether to permit transmission of device data collected by the multifunction peripheral 10A in order to transmit the notification data. .

  Next, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives permission confirmation information from the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S19). The process in which the MFP 10A receives the permission confirmation information is an example of a notice reception process. Then, the control program 35 executes an output control process in response to receiving the permission confirmation information (S20). The output control process is a process for outputting the notification image indicated by the received notification data at an appropriate timing and in an appropriate method. Details of the output control process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control program 35 determines whether or not an administrator account is registered in the data storage area 32B shown in FIG. 3A (S31). That is, the control program 35 determines that the administrator account is registered in response to the account information including the account type “Admin” being stored in the data storage area 32B (S31: Yes). On the other hand, the control program 35 determines that the administrator account is not registered in response to the fact that the account information including the account type “Admin” is not stored in the data storage area 32B (S31: No). The process of step S31 is an example of a prior determination process.

  If the specification is that default administrator account information is stored in the data storage area 32B of the multifunction machine 10 at the time of shipment, the control program 35 is registered in the data storage area 32B in step S31. It may be determined whether the administrator account has been changed from the default administrator account. Specifically, the control program 35 compares the administrator account registered in the data storage area 32B with the default administrator account, and determines Yes if they do not match and determines No if they match. That's fine. Alternatively, the control program 35 may store the change flag in the data storage area 32B when the administrator account registered in the data storage area 32B is changed. In this case, in step S31, the control program 35 may determine Yes if the change flag is stored, and may determine No if it is not stored.

  Next, in response to determining that the administrator account is registered (S31: Yes), the control program 35 determines whether or not the administrator account is logged in (S32). Specifically, the control program 35 refers to the registration ID information shown in FIG. 3A and determines whether or not the account type corresponding to the input ID information is “Admin”. The input ID information indicates the user ID and password temporarily stored in the data storage area 32B in the login acceptance process in step S45 or step S50 described later. Details of the input ID information will be described later. The process of step S32 is an example of a first determination process.

  Then, the control program 35 determines that the MFP 10A is logged in with the administrator account when the MFP 10A is in the login state and the account type of the login account is “Admin” (S32: Yes). On the other hand, the control program 35 indicates that the MFP 10A is not logged in, or the MFP 10A is not logged in, and the login account account type is not “Admin”, and is not logged in with an administrator account. Judgment is made (S32: No).

  Then, in response to determining that the administrator account is logged in (S32: Yes), the control program 35 causes the output unit to output a notification image indicated by the received notification data (S33). The control program 35 executes the process of step S33 in response to determining that the administrator account is not registered (S31: No). The process of step S33 is an example of a notification output process.

  On the other hand, in response to determining that the administrator account is not logged in (S32: No), the control program 35 determines whether notification destination information is registered (S34). That is, the control program 35 determines that the notification destination information is registered in response to the notification destination information being stored in the data storage area 32B shown in FIG. 3A (S34: Yes). On the other hand, the control program 35 determines that the notification destination information is not registered in response to the fact that the notification destination information is not stored in the data storage area 32B shown in FIG. 3A (S34). The process of step S34 is an example of a second determination process.

  Then, in response to determining that the notification destination information is registered (S34: Yes), the control program 35 transmits an email with notification data attached to the email address indicated by the notification destination information. (S35). Alternatively, the control program 35 may transmit an e-mail in which the content of the notification data is described in the text. The specific process for sending the e-mail is the same as that for the report mail. The process of step S35 is an example of a notification transmission process.

  On the other hand, in response to determining that the notification information is not registered (S34: No), the control program 35 stores the received notification data in the data storage area 32B (S36). The process of step S36 is an example of a storage control process. Further, the control program 35 sets “ON” in the notification flag (S37). The notification flag is a flag indicating whether notification data is stored in the data storage area 32B. In the notification flag, either “ON” indicating that notification data is stored or “OFF” indicating that notification data is not stored is set. The initial value of the notification flag is “OFF”. The notification flag is set to “ON” when the storage control process (S36) is executed, and is set to “OFF” when the notification output process (S47) described later is executed. The

  The control program 35 causes the display unit 23 to display a permission confirmation screen in the notification output process for the permission confirmation information. FIG. 8B is an example of a permission confirmation screen. The permission confirmation screen shown in FIG. 8B includes a message “Can the device data collected by the MFP be sent to the server?”, A “Yes” icon, a “No” icon, including. Then, the control program 35 accepts a user operation for tapping the position of various icons included in the permission confirmation screen through the operation unit 24.

  Further, in the notification output process for the permission confirmation information, it is necessary to accept selection of a [Yes] icon or a [No] icon. Therefore, the control program 35 may transmit an e-mail notifying that the permission confirmation information has been received in the notification transmission process for the permission confirmation information, and may execute the above-described steps S36 and S37. As a result, it is possible to prompt the administrator user who has seen this e-mail to log in with the administrator account. Processing when the administrator data is logged in after the notification data is stored in the data storage area 32B will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the control program 35 transmits permission information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 in response to the position of the [Yes] icon on the permission confirmation screen being tapped (S21). The permission information is information indicating that the administrator user of the multifunction peripheral 10A has permitted the collection of device data. The license information includes the printer ID “MFP-A” of the multifunction machine 10A.

  Next, the control program 65 of the server 50 receives permission information from the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S22). Further, in response to receiving the permission information, the control program 65 displays the printer ID “MFP-A” and the permission flag “permitted” included in the permission information in the data storage area shown in FIG. 32B is stored (S23). Alternatively, when the printer ID “MFP-A” is already registered in the data storage area 32B shown in FIG. 4B, the control program 65 sets “permitted” to the corresponding permission flag. Further, the control program 65 transmits active information to the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S24). The active information is information for activating the device data collection function of the multifunction machine 10A.

  Next, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10A receives active information from the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S24). Then, the control program 35 activates the device data collection function of the multifunction machine 10A (S25). Specifically, the control program 35 stores an active flag indicating that the data collection function is active in the data storage area 32B. The control program 35 collects device data designated by the server 50 in response to the active flag being stored in the data storage area 32B, and transmits the collected device data at the timing designated by the server 50 to the communication unit. 25 to the server 50.

  In addition, the control program 65 of the server 50 transmits related information indicating at least one of the type of device data to be collected and the timing at which the device data is to be transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 10 </ b> A through the communication unit 55. The type of device data includes, for example, the number of images recorded by the printer unit 11, the consumption amount of ink or toner, the remaining amount of ink or toner, and the like. The transmission timing of the device data may be, for example, the timing at which the device data request information transmitted by the server 50 is received, or every predetermined time interval designated by the server 50. Further, the control program 65 receives device data from the multifunction machine 10 </ b> A through the communication unit 55. The control program 65 stores the received device data in the data storage area 65B and outputs it in response to a request from the administrator of the server 50.

  The related information is transmitted from the server 50 in association with the active information. For example, the related information may be included in the active information. For example, the related information may be transmitted from the server 50 continuously with the active information. For example, the related information and the active information may include a common ID.

  Although not shown, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A transmits non-permission information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 in response to the position of the [No] icon on the permission confirmation screen being tapped. The non-permission information is information indicating that the administrator user of the multifunction peripheral 10A has not permitted the collection of the device data. In addition, the control program 65 of the server 50 receives non-permission information from the multifunction machine 10 </ b> A through the communication unit 55. Then, the control program 65 stores the printer ID “MFP-A” and the permission flag “unauthorized” of the multifunction machine 10A in the data storage area 32B shown in FIG. 4B.

  On the other hand, the control program 65 of the server 50 determines that “permitted” is already set in the permission flag corresponding to the printer ID “MFP-A” in step S14 (S14: Yes). The process of S25 is skipped. Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not notification data corresponding to the printer ID “MFP-A” is stored in the data storage area 62B shown in FIG. 4A (S26). Then, in response to the notification data corresponding to the printer ID “MFP-A” being registered (S26: Yes), the control program 65 transmits the notification data to the MFP 10A through the communication unit 55 (S27). ).

  Next, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives notification data from the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S27). Then, the control program 35 executes output control processing for the received notification data (S28). The process of step S27 is an example of a notification receiving process. Further, since the output control processing of steps S20 and S28 is common, the description thereof will be omitted. Thereafter, collection of device data and transmission of notification data are repeatedly executed between the MFP 10A and the server 50.

  As an example, the control program 35 displays the notification screen shown in FIG. 9A on the display unit 23 in the notification output process for coupon data. The notification screen shown in FIG. 9A includes a message “I will issue a bargain coupon. Coupon number: 1234567”, an [OK] icon, and a [Print] icon. Then, the control program 35 ends the display of the notification screen in response to the tap of the position of the [OK] icon. Further, the control program 35 causes the printer unit 11 to record the image indicated by the coupon number “1234567” on the recording sheet in response to the position of the [print] icon being tapped.

  The administrator user can use the coupon number displayed on the display unit 23 or recorded on the recording sheet when purchasing a product or the like related to the multifunction machine 10A. Specifically, the administrator user can purchase a product or the like with a discounted amount by inputting the coupon number at a mail order site for the product or the like.

  As another example, the control program 35 causes the display unit 23 to display a notification screen shown in FIG. 9B in the notification output process for the update notification data. The notification screen shown in FIG. 9B includes a message “A new function is available. Do you want to update the MFP?”, A [Yes] icon, and a [No] icon. Then, the control program 35 updates the firmware of the MFP 10A or the control program 35 in response to the tap of the position of the [Yes] icon. On the other hand, the control program 35 terminates the display of the notification screen without updating the firmware or the like of the multifunction machine 10A in response to the tap of the position of the [No] icon.

[Operation acceptance processing]
The control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10A repeatedly executes the operation reception process shown in FIG. 7 while the power of the multifunction machine 10A is turned on. Note that the control program 35 can execute in parallel a series of processes starting with transmission of inquiry information (S11) shown in FIG. 5 and an operation reception process. In the operation reception process, the control program 35 executes a process corresponding to the operation in accordance with a user operation executed while the menu screen is displayed. Note that the MFP 10A according to the first embodiment is in a non-login state at the start of the operation reception process.

  First, the control program 35 determines the value set in the notification flag stored in the data storage area 32B in step S37 or step S48 (S41). And the control program 35 displays the menu screen according to the value of a notification flag on the display part 23 (S42, S43). Specifically, the control program 35 causes the display unit 23 to display the menu screen shown in FIG. 10A in response to the notification flag being set to “ON” (S41: Yes) (S42). ). On the other hand, the control program 35 displays the menu screen shown in FIG. 10B on the display unit 23 in response to the notification flag being set to “OFF” (S41: No) (S43). Then, the control program 35 accepts a user operation for tapping the position of various icons included in the menu screen through the operation unit 24 (S44).

  The message display area 111 shown in FIG. 10A includes a message “There is a notification!” And a [Display] icon. On the other hand, nothing is displayed in the message display area 111 shown in FIG. The message and the [display] icon included in the message display area 111 in FIG. 10A are examples of a notification object that notifies the presence of notification data. The process of step S42 is an example of a notification process.

  Next, in response to the position of the [Login] icon being tapped (S44: [Login] icon), the control program 35 executes a login acceptance process (S45). The login acceptance process is a process for changing the state of the multifunction peripheral 10 </ b> A to the login state in response to accepting the login operation through the operation unit 24. The login operation is an operation for instructing to log in. The multifunction machine 10 can also accept a login with a general account in the login acceptance process, but in this specification, an explanation will be given focusing on the administrator account.

  First, the control program 35 displays a login screen on the display unit 23. FIG. 11A is an example of a login screen. The login screen shown in FIG. 11A is input through the operation unit 24, a message “Please enter user ID and password.”, A text box displaying the user ID input through the operation unit 24. A text box for displaying the password and a [Login] icon. Then, the control program 35 receives a user operation for inputting a user ID and a password and a user operation for tapping the position of the [Login] icon through the operation unit 24.

  Next, the control program 35 accepts a user ID and password (hereinafter referred to as “input ID”) received from the user through the operation unit 24 in response to the position of the [login] icon being tapped. Information ") may be temporarily stored in the data storage area 32B. The input ID information is stored in a volatile area of the data storage area 32B. The control program 35 determines whether or not the input ID information matches the registered ID information stored in the data storage area 32B. This process is an example of an account determination process.

  Then, in response to determining that the input ID information and the registered ID information match, the control program 35 places the multifunction machine 10 in a login state with an administrator account. The control program 35 permits an administrator operation, a general operation, and a basic operation. For example, the control program 35 causes the display unit 23 to display icons that can be selected only by the management user. This process is an example of a permission process. On the other hand, the control program 35 causes the display unit 23 to display an error screen including a message such as “user ID or password is different” in response to determining that the input ID information and the registered ID information do not match. In this case, the MFP 10A remains in the non-login state. If the input ID information matches the user ID and password included in the general account information stored in the data storage area 32B, the login state of the general account is entered.

  Next, the control program 35 determines whether or not notification data is stored in the data storage area 32B in response to being in a login state with the administrator account by the login reception process (S46). Then, the control program 35 executes notification output processing in response to determining that notification data is stored in the data storage area 32B (S46: Yes) (S47). Further, the control program 35 deletes the notification data from the data storage area 32B and sets “OFF” in the notification flag (S48). On the other hand, the control program 35 skips steps S47 and S48 in response to determining that the notification data is not stored in the data storage area 32B (S46: Yes). The process of step S46 is an example of a third determination process. The notification output process (S47) is common to step S33. Note that the control program 35 does not execute the processes of steps S46 to S48 when the login acceptance process results in a login state with a general account.

  Further, the control program 35 displays the login instruction screen on the display unit 23 in response to the tapping of the position of the [Display] icon on the menu screen shown in FIG. 10A (S44: notification icon) ( S49). The process of accepting selection of the [Display] icon is an example of a selection acceptance process. The process in step S49 is an example of a login instruction process that prompts a login operation.

  FIG. 11B is an example of a login instruction screen. The login instruction screen shown in FIG. 11B shows a message “You need to log in with an administrator account to display notifications. Do you want to log in?”, [Login] icon, and [Cancel] Including icons. Then, the control program 35 receives a user operation for tapping the position of various icons included in the login instruction screen through the operation unit 24.

  Next, the control program 35 executes a login acceptance process in response to the position of the [Login] icon being tapped (S50). The process of step S50 is common to step S45. And the control program 35 performs the process of step S47, S48 according to having logged in with the administrator account. On the other hand, although not shown, the control program 35 may display a menu screen on the display unit 23 in response to the tap of the position of the [Cancel] icon (S42, S43).

  Note that the control program 35 re-executes the processes after step S41 after determining NO in step S46 or after executing the processes of steps S48 and S51. Further, in step S43, the control program 35 may display an inquiry icon corresponding to an inquiry about the presence / absence of notification data in the message display area 111. The control program 35 may execute the process of step S11 in response to receiving a user operation for tapping the position of the inquiry icon through the reception unit, and inquire the server 50 about the presence or absence of notification data.

  Furthermore, the control program 35 executes a process associated with each icon in response to the tapping of the position of the [FAX] icon, [COPY] icon, and [SCAN] icon on the menu screen (S44: other). (S51). Since step S51 is a well-known process, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[Effects of Embodiment 1]
According to the first embodiment, a notification image is output from the output unit when logged in with an administrator account. On the other hand, when not logged in with the administrator account, the notification data is stored in the data storage area 32B. Further, the notification data stored in the data storage area 32 </ b> B is output when logged in with the administrator account, that is, when the administrator user comes to the multifunction machine 10. As a result, the notification data can be output at an appropriate timing and in an appropriate method.

  In addition, by notifying the presence of notification data on the menu screen, it can be expected that the administrator user notices by looking at the menu screen, or that other users who notice the notification notify the administrator user. As a result, the notification can be quickly notified to a specific user. The notification in the message display area 111 may be executed regardless of the state of the multi-function device 10 (logged-in state, non-logged-in state, and login account), or only when logged in with an administrator account. May be.

  On the other hand, the multifunction machine 10 may be used without registering account information. In this case, there is a high possibility that account information and notification information are not registered in the multifunction machine 10. Therefore, in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the login function or the notification function is used by the prior determination process, and thus it is possible to prevent a situation in which the notification image cannot be output by the multifunction machine 10.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, when notification destination information is stored, an e-mail attached with notification data is transmitted. As a result, even when the administrator user is not near the multifunction machine 10, the notification data received from the server 50 can be notified to the administrator user. Instead of the e-mail attached with the notification data, an e-mail for notifying the reception of the notification data may be transmitted to the e-mail address indicated by the notification destination information. As a result, the administrator user can be prompted to log in to the multifunction machine 10 and check the notification data.

  Further, the notification destination information may be an IP address of an administrator terminal belonging to the LANs 102 and 103, instead of an electronic mail address. In step S35, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 may transmit notification data or notification information for notifying that the notification data has been received to a management application installed in the administrator terminal. Furthermore, the administrator terminal indicated by the notification destination information may be connected to the Internet. In step S35, the control program 35 may transmit notification data or notification information to the administrator terminal via the server 50.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the second determination process (S34) is executed after the prior determination process (S31) and the first determination process (S32) has been described. However, the prior determination process and the first determination process may be omitted, and the second determination process may be executed alone. That is, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 may execute the second determination process in response to receiving notification data from the server 50 through the communication unit 25. Then, the control program 35 may execute notification transmission processing (S35) in response to determining that the notification destination information is registered. On the other hand, the control program 35 may execute the notification output process (S33) in response to determining that the notification destination information is not registered.

  In the login acceptance process according to the first embodiment, the example in which the input of the user ID and the password is accepted through the operation unit 24 has been described. However, a specific example of the login acceptance process is not limited to this. For example, the multi-function device 10 may include a near field communication unit capable of near field wireless communication such as NFC (abbreviation of Near field communication). Then, the control program 35 may prompt the user to bring a mobile terminal (for example, a card, a smart phone, etc.) storing the user ID and password closer to the multifunction machine 10 in the login acceptance process. And control program 35 may compare with registration ID information according to having received user ID and a password from a portable terminal via a near field communication part. The near field communication unit is an example of a reception unit.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, the operation of the recording system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that a detailed description of points common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described. The recording system 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the server 50 determines the timing and method for outputting the notification image. In the second embodiment, description of the processing in steps S12 to S24 in FIG. 5 is omitted.

  First, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A transmits inquiry information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S61). Next, the control program 65 of the server 50 receives inquiry information from the MFP 10A through the communication unit 55 (S61). The process of step S61 is common to step S11 of FIG.

  Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not notification data associated with the printer ID “MFP-A” included in the inquiry information is stored in the data storage area shown in FIG. S62). The process of step S62 is an example of a first determination process. When the control program 65 determines that the notification data associated with the printer ID “MFP-A” is not stored (S62: No), the control program 65 notifies the MFP 10A of no notification information through the communication unit 55. Is transmitted (S65). The no-notification information is information indicating that there is no notification data to be transmitted to the multifunction machine 10A.

  On the other hand, when the control program 65 determines that the notification data associated with the printer ID “MFP-A” is stored (S62: Yes), the transmission request information is sent to the MFP 10A through the communication unit 55. Is transmitted (S63). The transmission request information is information for instructing the multifunction machine 10 to transmit the device information. The process in step S63 is an example of a request process. Next, the control program 35 of the MFP 10A receives transmission request information from the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S63). Then, the control program 35 transmits device information to the server 50 through the communication unit 25 (S64).

  The device information includes part or all of login information, account list information, and notification destination information. The login information is information indicating an account currently logged in to the multifunction machine 10A. The login information is account information of a login account, for example. The account list information is information indicating a list of accounts registered in the multifunction machine 10A. The account list information is, for example, a list of account types shown in FIG. The notification destination information is notification destination information registered in the multifunction machine 10A. Note that the control program 35 may not include the notification destination information in the device information when the notification destination information is not registered in the data storage area 32B illustrated in FIG.

  Next, the control program 65 of the server 50 receives apparatus information from the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S64). Then, the control program 65 executes output control processing based on the received device information (S65). Step S64 is an example of a device information reception process. Details of the output control process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control program 65 determines whether or not an administrator account is registered in the multifunction machine 10A (S71). Specifically, if the control program 65 determines that the administrator account is registered in the multi-function peripheral 10A in response to the account type “Admin” being included in the account list information of the received device information. Good (S71: Yes). On the other hand, the control program 65 may determine that the administrator account is not registered in the multifunction peripheral 10A in response to the fact that the account type “Admin” is not included in the account list information (S71: No). Step S71 is an example of a prior determination process.

  Next, the control program 65 determines whether or not the login account of the MFP 10A is an administrator account in response to determining that an administrator account is registered in the MFP 10A (S71: Yes). (S72). Specifically, the control program 65 may determine that the login account is an administrator account in response to the account type of the login information of the received specific information being “Admin” (S72: Yes). On the other hand, the control program 65 may determine that the login account is not an administrator account when the account type of the login information is not “Admin” (S72: No). The process of step S72 is an example of a second determination process.

  In response to determining that the login account of the multifunction peripheral 10A is an administrator account (S72: Yes), the control program 65 determines that the administrator account is not registered in the multifunction peripheral 10A. In response (S71: No), the output instruction information is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10A through the communication unit 55 (S73). The output instruction information is information for causing the output unit to output a notification image indicated by the notification data. The output instruction information includes notification data stored in the data storage area 62B shown in FIG. 4A in association with the printer ID “MFP-A”. In addition, the control program 65 deletes the notification data included in the output instruction information from the data storage area 62B. The process in step S73 is an example of an output instruction process.

  Further, in response to determining that the login account of the MFP 10A is not an administrator account (S72: No), the control program 65 determines whether the received device information includes notification destination information ( S74). Then, in response to determining that the received device information includes the notification destination information (S74: Yes), the control program 65 attaches notification data to the email address indicated by the notification destination information. Is transmitted (S75). In addition, the control program 65 deletes the notification data attached to the e-mail from the data storage area 62B. The process of step S74 is an example of a third determination process, and the process of step S75 is an example of a notification transmission process.

  Furthermore, the control program 65 does not execute either of the processes in steps S73 and S75 in response to determining that the received device information does not include the notification destination information (S74: No). That is, the control program 65 does not output the notification data at this time, and keeps the notification data stored in the data storage area 62B. Then, the control program 65 executes the output control process again at the timing when the inquiry information from the multifunction machine 10 is next received.

  According to the second embodiment, the notification image is transmitted to the multifunction device 10 when the multifunction device 10 is logged in with an administrator account. When the multifunction machine 10 is not logged in with an administrator account, transmission of notification data is awaited. Further, when notification destination information is registered in the multifunction machine 10, notification data is notified to the notification destination information. As a result, the notification data can be output at an appropriate timing and in an appropriate method.

  In the MFP 10 and the server 50 according to the above-described embodiment, the CPU 31 and 61 execute various programs stored in the program storage areas 32A and 62A of the storage units 32 and 62, whereby the control unit of the present invention is executed. An example in which each process to be executed is realized has been described. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of the configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit)).

  Furthermore, the present invention may be realized not only as the multifunction device 10 and the server 50 but also as a program that causes the multifunction device 10 and the server 50 to execute processing. Then, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium may include a storage unit mounted on a server that can be connected to the MFP 10 and the server 50 through a communication network, in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like. And the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the server may be distributed through communication networks, such as the internet, as the information or signal which shows the said program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multifunction machine 11 ... Printer part 23 ... Display part 24 ... Operation part 25, 55 ... Communication part 31, 61 ... CPU
32, 62 ... storage units 35, 65 ... control program 50 ... server

Claims (7)

A communication department;
A storage unit;
An output unit for outputting an image;
An image output device comprising a control unit,
The storage unit can store notification destination information indicating a notification destination of the state of the output unit,
The controller is
Transmission processing for transmitting identification information for identifying the image output device to a server through the communication unit is executed, and the server can communicate with a plurality of devices including the image output device. After receiving the information, the image output device is selected from among the plurality of devices as a transmission destination of notification data indicating a notification image, and the notification data is transmitted to the image output device,
The controller is
A notification receiving process for receiving the notification data from the server through the communication unit;
A judgment process you determining whether the notification destination information is stored in the storage unit,
An image output device that executes notification transmission processing for transmitting the notification data through the communication unit to a notification destination indicated by the notification destination information in response to determining that the notification destination information is stored. The controller is
  The storage control process of storing the notification data received in the notification reception process in the storage unit in response to determining in the determination process that the notification destination information is not stored. Image output device. The storage unit can store specific account information indicating a specific account assigned to a specific user,
  The controller is
  A pre-determination process for determining whether or not the specific account information is stored in the storage unit;
  3. A notification output process for causing the output unit to output the notification data stored in the storage unit in response to determining that the specific account information is not stored in the storage unit. The image output device described. The image output apparatus further includes a reception unit that receives a user operation,
  The storage unit can store specific account information indicating a specific account assigned to a specific user,
  The controller is
  Account determination processing for determining whether the account information input at the reception unit matches the specific account information stored in the storage unit;
  Storage determination processing for determining whether the notification data is stored in the storage unit;
  Notification output that causes the output unit to output the notification data in response to determining that the input account information matches the specific account information and determining that the notification data is stored in the storage unit The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing is executed. The image output device further includes a display unit for displaying an image,
  The control unit executes a login acceptance process for accepting a login operation through the accepting unit, and the login operation instructs to log in with the specific account,
  The controller is
  A notification process for causing the display unit to display a notification object for reporting the presence of the notification data in response to the notification data being stored in the storage unit;
  A selection accepting process for accepting the selection operation of the notification object through the accepting unit;
  A login instruction process for prompting the login operation in response to receiving the selection operation;
  The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the notification output process is executed in response to receiving the login operation. The notification destination information is an email address;
Wherein, in the Notification transmission processing, the image output apparatus according to e-mail attached with the announcement data, to any of the claims 1-5 to be transmitted through the communication unit to the destination indicated by the e-mail address . The announcement image description of additional possible functions to the image output apparatus, description of the added Function to the server, coupon discount purchase price of goods or services relating to the image output device, or to issue the coupon the image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which indicates whether the query, one of authorizing the transmission of device data collected by the image output device.

Images