KR20220114990A - Inviting users to cloud platforms - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cloud platform server includes a processor and a memory to store instructions. When executed, the instructions cause the processor to register apparatus information to be used in a first cloud platform, request user information associated with an apparatus from a second cloud platform on the basis of the apparatus information, receive the user information from the second cloud platform, and transmit a request to sign up for the first cloud platform to a user on the basis of the user information.

Description

Inviting users to the cloud platform {INVITING USERS TO CLOUD PLATFORMS}

Types of image forming apparatuses include individual devices such as printers, scanners, copiers, and facsimiles, and there is also a multi-function product (MFP) in which functions of these individual devices are integrated into one device.

Such an image forming apparatus may provide various services through a cloud platform. When the user registers the image forming apparatus in the cloud platform, for example, a service such as a consumables delivery service, a camera scan, a voice print, and a mobile fax may be used.

In order to provide a service to the image forming apparatus, the cloud platform may check user information permitted to use the image forming apparatus, device information of the image forming apparatus, and service contract information serviceable through the image forming apparatus.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including a cloud platform and an image forming apparatus according to an example.
2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an environment in which an image forming apparatus is used in a new cloud platform according to an example.
3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an environment in which an image forming apparatus can be used in a cloud platform according to an example.
4 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example.
5 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example.
6 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of creating a new user account in a cloud platform according to an example.
7 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example.
8 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example.
9 is an example of a cloud platform subscription request provided to a user according to an example.
10 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a cloud platform server according to an example.
11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a method performed on a computer-readable recording medium according to an example.

Currently, a user may receive various services related to an image forming apparatus used by the user through an existing cloud platform (also referred to as a legacy platform). However, depending on the situation, it may be necessary to introduce a cloud platform other than the existing cloud platform. In such a case, in order to provide a service to a user through the new cloud platform, since the cloud platform is different, the user is invited to the new cloud platform and information necessary for service provision (device information, user information, contract information, etc.) procedure should proceed. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to proceed with a separate subscription procedure for use of the new cloud platform. Transferring user information used in the existing cloud platform to the new cloud platform without user consent may not be permitted according to various regulations.

Accordingly, a problem to be solved according to an example is to provide a continuous service to the user regardless of whether the cloud platform is changed.

In order to solve this problem, a method for inviting a user to a new cloud platform according to an example is provided. According to the present invention, when device information to be used in the new cloud platform is registered, user information mapped with the device information is obtained from the existing cloud platform based on the device information, and based on the obtained user information, the user information is transferred to the new cloud platform. Send a subscription request. Therefore, when a device is newly connected to a new cloud platform, a subscription request is sent to the user who has the right to use the device, and the user responds to the received subscription request, thereby providing the service of the new platform without a separate subscription procedure. can receive

Hereinafter, the terms used in the present invention have been selected as widely used general terms as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe various components, but these components should not be limited by the terms. That is, the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term “and/or” includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

Throughout the specification, the term "image forming job" may mean various jobs related to images, such as image formation or image file creation, storage, and transmission, and "job" refers to an image forming job. In addition to meaning, it may mean including all a series of processes necessary for performing an image forming operation. The "image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus" may be a job related to printing, copying, scanning, faxing, storage, transmission, coating, etc., but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the term "image forming apparatus" refers to all devices capable of performing image forming operations, such as a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display device. can do. Further, the image forming apparatus may be a 2D image forming apparatus or a 3D image forming apparatus. Such an image forming apparatus may provide basic functions such as copying, printing, and scanning, as well as various additional functions.

Also, "user" may mean a person who performs an operation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus. Also, the term “administrator” may mean a person who has authority to access all functions and systems of the image forming apparatus. In some cases, "administrator" and "user" may be the same person.

Also, “electronic device”, “electronic device”, or “user device” may refer to any information processing device that can be used by a user, such as, for example, a computer, a laptop, a tablet PC, a mobile phone terminal, and the like.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an example of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement it. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the examples described herein.

Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including a cloud platform and an image forming apparatus. The system of FIG. 1 includes an image forming apparatus 100 , a legacy cloud platform 200 , and a new cloud platform 300 . A user may use the image forming apparatus 100 directly or through connection with a desktop, laptop, mobile device, or the like. The image forming apparatus 100 may be connected to a cloud platform to receive various services through the cloud platform. For example, services that can be provided through the cloud platform include, but are not limited to, mobile fax, printing, camera scan, and consumables delivery service. In order to provide a service to the image forming apparatus 200 through the cloud platform, the cloud platform provides user information (eg, user identifier, user contact information, etc.), device information (eg, device identifier of the image forming apparatus registered by the user, etc.). ), subscription service information (eg, service list information that a user can receive through the device, etc.), and the like.

In order to receive a service through the cloud platform, the image forming apparatus 200 may be connected to an existing cloud platform, for example, the legacy cloud platform 200 . Also, in addition to the legacy cloud platform 200 , a new cloud platform 300 may be introduced. The introduction of the new cloud platform 300 may be performed, for example, in order to provide a new service that has not been provided in the legacy cloud platform 200, or to upgrade the performance of the cloud platform, but this is only an example. , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to these examples.

In order to use the new service, the user may directly access the new cloud platform 300 through the image forming apparatus 100 . For example, the user accesses the new cloud platform 300 through a portal (eg, a website accessed to use a service, an application, etc.) for accessing the new cloud platform 300 , and in the new cloud platform 300 . In order to register and use the device, procedures such as user subscription, service subscription, and device registration may be performed.

Alternatively, the user may access the new cloud platform 300 through the existing cloud platform 200 . For example, a user may receive a service by simply accessing a portal that provides a cloud service for the image forming apparatus 100 without knowing which cloud platform the user accesses. In this case, the user only checks and receives the provided service, and it does not matter to which cloud platform his image forming apparatus 100 is accessing, for example, the legacy cloud platform 200 or the new cloud platform 300 . don't check

In the latter scenario, in order to provide the user with a service through the new cloud platform 300 , the new cloud platform 300 requires a subscription procedure for the new cloud platform 300 , and the user information required for the subscription process is legacy. It may be transferred from the cloud platform 200 . However, it may be undesirable to collectively transfer the user's subscription information to the new cloud platform 300 without the user's consent in consideration of various regulations such as the Personal Information Protection Act. Therefore, in order to smoothly provide new services through the new cloud platform 300 , it is necessary to receive necessary information from the legacy cloud platform while minimizing the cumbersome subscription procedure for users. This can be achieved by the techniques detailed below in the present specification.

2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an environment in which an image forming apparatus is used in a new cloud platform according to an example. According to an example, a user may use an image forming apparatus in an office, and the image forming apparatus may be connected to the legacy cloud platform 200 to provide a service. Accordingly, as the user uses the image forming apparatus registered in the legacy cloud platform 200 , various services, for example, a consumable exchange service such as toner, may be provided through the legacy cloud platform 200 . In this case, device information of the image forming apparatus and user information of a user who is authorized to use the image forming apparatus are registered in the legacy cloud platform.

Meanwhile, the user may bring the image forming apparatus used in the office to the home for use in, for example, work from home. The image forming apparatus moved to the home according to telecommuting may be connected to the new cloud platform 300 in order to receive a service through the cloud platform while telecommuting. As the image forming apparatus is connected to the new cloud platform, the user may wish to receive a service through the cloud platform, for example, a service such as a replacement service for consumables in an office or a shared printing service. For this purpose, the image forming apparatus moved to the environment of the new cloud platform is connected to the new cloud platform and services that can be provided to the image forming apparatus (for example, the image forming apparatus to which the user belongs may be provided according to the contract with the cloud platform provider. service), a subscription procedure such as device registration and user registration must be completed in the new cloud platform. When the image forming apparatus is newly connected to the new cloud platform 300 by the method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the new cloud platform 300 cooperates with the legacy cloud platform 200 without a cumbersome new subscription procedure for the user. It operates so that the service can be provided through the new cloud platform, which will be described in detail below.

3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an environment in which an image forming apparatus can be used in a cloud platform according to an example. In general, a user may access a portal providing a service in order to use the cloud platform service of the image forming apparatus. In general, it is sufficient for the user to access the portal and use the service, and it is not necessary to select which cloud platform is connected to provide the service. Accordingly, the user may receive a service through the legacy cloud platform 200 through the portal, or may receive a service through the new cloud platform 300 for a new service. The environment of FIG. 3 is only an example, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible through which a user can receive a service through a cloud platform.

4 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example.

In step S400, the legacy cloud platform 200 receives a use registration request based on the contract from the contractor. Such a use registration request is possible, for example, through a portal (not shown) accessible to use the cloud platforms 200 and 300 . As described above, the user or contractor of the image forming apparatus receiving the service through the cloud platform, for example, enters a specific website address and accesses the service through the portal, even if he does not care about which cloud platform he or she accesses. can be accessed When a new cloud platform is required to process a request received from a user through the portal, the user can be invited to the new cloud platform without a separate subscription process through the technology described in this specification, which will be described later.

Here, the contractor refers to a subject that concludes a contract with a cloud platform provider in order to receive a service through the cloud platform of the image forming apparatus. For example, a contractor may be an entity that leases one or more image forming apparatuses and enters into a contract with a cloud platform provider to receive certain services (eg, including but not limited to, consumable exchange services) through the leased image forming apparatuses. have. Such an organization may be, for example, a company, and may enter into a contract for use of a predetermined number of image forming apparatuses for use by employees belonging to the company, but is not limited thereto. For example, the contractor may be an individual user using the image forming apparatus.

The use registration request based on the contract may include contract information for use of the new cloud platform. The contract information includes, for example, information such as list information of image forming apparatuses subscribing to the new cloud platform and service authorization information to be provided to each image forming apparatus, information necessary to provide a service through the cloud platform. may include. As a non-limiting example, the contract information may be information related to a contract for providing a service through a cloud platform when an image forming apparatus previously used in a company is moved to a home for telecommuting. However, the contract information usually does not include user information authorized to use each image forming apparatus. This may take into account a situation in which a user who will use each image forming apparatus is not predetermined, or a user's personal identification information cannot be provided without the consent of each user, but is not limited thereto.

In step S410, when the legacy cloud platform 200 receives the use registration request based on the contract information from the contractor, the legacy cloud platform 200 extracts the device information requested to register with the cloud platform service from the use registration request, and uses it as a new cloud It is delivered to the platform 300 . The device information may include a device identifier (eg, S/N, UUID, etc.) for identifying each image forming apparatus.

In step S420 , the new cloud platform 300 receives the received device information, and requests user information related to the device from the legacy cloud platform 300 based on the received device information. For example, the new cloud platform 300 transmits a device identifier among the device information to the legacy cloud platform 200 and requests user information of a user permitted in the legacy cloud platform 200 to use a device corresponding to the device identifier. do. If the corresponding device is a device that has been previously registered and used in the legacy cloud platform 300 , user information about a user permitted to use the corresponding device is registered in the legacy cloud platform 200 . Such user information may include the user's contact information (eg, email address, mobile phone number, etc.) or information used to obtain the user's contact information (eg, the user's unique identifier).

In step S430, the new cloud platform 300 receives the requested user information.

In step S440, the new cloud platform 300 acquires a user contact information based on the received user information. For example, the user contact information may be included in the user information received by the new cloud platform 300 . Alternatively, for example, the user information received by the new cloud platform 300 may include only information (eg, a user's unique identifier) used to obtain a user contact information. In this case, the new cloud platform 300 may perform a separate operation for obtaining the user contact information based on the received information, and related details will be described later in this specification with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.

In step S450, a subscription request for use of the new cloud platform 300 is transmitted to the user.

In step S460, when the new cloud platform 300 receives acceptance of the subscription request from the user, in step S470, the new cloud platform 300 allows the user to provide a service through the new cloud platform 300 through the image forming apparatus. Subscription processing is performed to receive the offer. For example, the user account managed by the new cloud platform may be stored in association with an identifier of an image forming apparatus usable by the corresponding user, service related contract information applied to the corresponding user, and the like.

According to the method described above, in the present invention, when device information to be used in the new cloud platform 300 is registered, user information mapped with the corresponding device information is obtained from the legacy cloud platform 200 based on the device information, and the obtained user A subscription request may be transmitted to the new cloud platform 300 to the corresponding user based on the information. Therefore, when a device is newly connected to the new cloud platform 300, a subscription request is transmitted to a user who has the right to use the device, and the user responds to the received subscription request, thereby creating a new cloud platform without a separate subscription procedure. The service of 300 may be provided. That is, the subscription procedure to the new cloud platform 300 proceeds in such a way that a subscription request is transmitted to a user who is permitted to use the device based on the device information of the image forming apparatus to be used in the new cloud platform 300 , This can be done by each user responding to a subscription request without a separate subscription procedure.

5 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example. Steps S400, S410, and S420 shown in FIG. 5 will use the description of FIG. 4 described above, and additional description will be omitted.

In step S421 , the legacy cloud platform 200 that has received the request for user information related to the device from the new cloud platform 300, the device information (eg, device identifier) included in the user information request is not yet available to the legacy cloud platform 200 . It is confirmed that it is not registered in the , and it is notified to the new cloud platform 300 . For example, although the contractor requests the start of a new service for the image forming apparatus according to the new contract information, the user permitted to use the image forming apparatus has not yet registered the use of the image forming apparatus in the legacy cloud platform 200 . may be considered, but is not limited thereto. The legacy cloud platform 200 waits for device information to be transmitted from the user.

In step S422, the user transmits a request for registering the image forming apparatus with the legacy cloud platform including the device information. For example, a user authorized to use the image forming apparatus by a contractor may transmit a request for registering and using the apparatus to the cloud platform.

In step S423, the legacy cloud platform 200 notifies the new cloud platform 300 of an event notification indicating that the device information received from the user is registered in the existing user information managed by it (S423). The new cloud platform 300 receives the event notification, and requests user information corresponding to device information (eg, device identifier) from the legacy cloud platform 200 based on the event notification (S424).

Thereafter, the legacy cloud platform 200 proceeds to step S430. Steps S430, S440, S450, S460 and S470 will use the description of FIG. 4 described above, and additional description will be omitted.

6 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of creating a new user account in a cloud platform according to an example. In order for the new cloud platform 300 to obtain the user contact information from the legacy cloud platform 200 , user consent for the legacy cloud platform 200 to provide the user's contact information to the new cloud platform may be required. An example of a process of obtaining consent from a user for transferring his/her user information from the legacy cloud platform 200 to the new cloud platform 300 for use of a new service through the new cloud platform 300 is shown in FIG. is shown.

In step S500 , the user may access the legacy cloud platform 200 through a portal (not shown) in order to receive a service provided through the cloud platform.

In step S510, the legacy cloud platform 200 informs the user that there is a service that can be newly provided in the new cloud platform 300, and obtains an end-user license agreement (EULA) for using the service. available to users.

In step S520, if the user transmits consent, in step S530, the legacy cloud platform 200 may request the new cloud platform 300 to create a new user account for the user. Such a request may include existing user information of the corresponding user stored in the legacy cloud platform 200 . Existing user information may include a user identifier and contact information of the user.

In step S540 , the new cloud platform 300 may create a user account in the new cloud platform 300 using existing user information. Such user accounts may include user identifiers and user contacts.

The user account created in the new cloud platform 300 may be used to obtain user contact information in step S440 described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 . That is, when a user account is created in the new cloud platform 300 and a request for use registration of the image forming apparatus is requested in the new cloud platform 300 ( S410 ), based on the device information included in the use registration request, the corresponding Requests user information that can use the device to the legacy cloud platform 200 (S420), receives the user information by this (S430), and uses information such as a user identifier included in the user information from the created user account. You can search for user contacts.

7 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example.

In step S700 , the user may access the legacy cloud platform 200 through a portal (not shown) in order to receive a service provided through the cloud platform.

In step S701, the legacy cloud platform 200 notifies the user that there is a service that can be newly provided in the new cloud platform 300, and obtains an end-user license agreement (EULA) for using the service. available to users.

In step S702, if the user transmits consent, in step S703, the legacy cloud platform 200 may request the new cloud platform 300 to create a new user account for the user. Such a request may include existing user information of the corresponding user stored in the legacy cloud platform 200 . Existing user information may include a user identifier and contact information of the user.

In step S704 , the new cloud platform 300 may create a user account in the new cloud platform 300 using the existing user information. Such user accounts may include user identifiers and user contacts.

In step S710, the legacy cloud platform 200 receives a use registration request based on the contract from the contractor. Such a use registration request is possible, for example, through a portal (not shown) accessible to use the cloud platforms 200 and 300 .

The use registration request based on the contract may include contract information for use of the new cloud platform 300 . The contract information includes, for example, information such as list information of image forming apparatuses subscribing to the new cloud platform 300 and service authorization information to be provided to each image forming apparatus. It may contain necessary information for As a non-limiting example, the contract information may be information related to a contract for providing a service through a cloud platform when an image forming apparatus previously used in a company is moved to a home for telecommuting. However, the contract information usually does not include user information authorized to use each image forming apparatus. This may take into account a situation in which a user who will use each image forming apparatus is not predetermined, or a user's personal identification information cannot be provided without the consent of each user, but is not limited thereto.

In step S720, when the legacy cloud platform 200 receives the use registration request based on the contract information from the contractor, the legacy cloud platform 200 extracts the device information requested to register with the cloud platform service from the use registration request, and uses it as a new cloud It is delivered to the platform 300 . The device information may include a device identifier (eg, S/N, UUID, etc.) for identifying each image forming apparatus.

In step S730, the new cloud platform 300 receives the received device information, and requests a user identifier associated with the corresponding device from the legacy cloud platform 300 based on the device identifier included in the received device information. The user identifier is information that can uniquely identify each user. For example, the new cloud platform 300 transmits the device identifier to the legacy cloud platform 200 to request a user identifier permitted by the legacy cloud platform 200 to use the device corresponding to the device identifier. If the device is already registered and used in the legacy cloud platform 300 , user information including a user identifier for a user permitted to use the device is registered in the legacy cloud platform 200 .

In step S740, the new cloud platform 300 receives the requested user identifier.

In step S750, the new cloud platform 300 obtains a user contact based on the received user identifier and the user account created in S704. As described above, the user account created in the new cloud platform 300 is generated based on receiving existing user information from the legacy cloud platform 200 and includes a user identifier and contact information. Therefore, when a device is newly registered to itself, the new cloud platform 300 requests and receives the user ID of a user permitted to use the device from the legacy cloud platform 200, and receives a new user ID based on the received user ID. A user contact (eg, e-mail, mobile phone number, etc.) is obtained from a user account registered in the cloud platform 300 .

In step S760 , a subscription request for use of the new cloud platform 300 is transmitted to the user by using the obtained user contact information.

In step S770 , when the new cloud platform 300 receives an acceptance of the subscription request from the user, in step S780 , the new cloud platform 300 allows the user to provide a service through the new cloud platform 300 through the image forming apparatus. Subscription processing is performed so that it can be provided. For example, the user account managed by the new cloud platform may be stored in association with an identifier of an image forming apparatus usable by the corresponding user, service related contract information applied to the corresponding user, and the like.

8 is an exemplary flowchart of an operation of inviting a new user to a cloud platform according to an example. Steps S700, S701, S702, S703, S704, S710, S720, and S730 shown in FIG. 8 will use the description of FIG. 7 described above, and additional description will be omitted.

In step S731 , the legacy cloud platform 200 that has received the user identifier request associated with the device from the new cloud platform 300 does not yet have device information (eg, device identifier) included in the user identifier request to the legacy cloud platform 200 . It is confirmed that it is not registered in the , and it is notified to the new cloud platform 300 . For example, although the contractor requests the start of a new service for the image forming apparatus according to the new contract information, the user permitted to use the image forming apparatus has not yet registered the use of the image forming apparatus in the legacy cloud platform 200 . may be considered, but is not limited thereto. The legacy cloud platform 200 waits for device information to be transmitted from the user.

In step S732 , the user transmits a request for registering the image forming apparatus with the legacy cloud platform 200 including device information. For example, a user authorized to use the image forming apparatus by a contractor may transmit a request for registering and using the apparatus to the cloud platform.

In step S733 , the legacy cloud platform 200 notifies the new cloud platform 300 of an event notification indicating that the device information received from the user is registered in the existing user information managed by the legacy cloud platform 200 .

In step S734 , the new cloud platform 300 receives the event notification, and requests the legacy cloud platform 200 for a user identifier corresponding to device information (eg, device identifier) based on the event notification.

Thereafter, the legacy cloud platform 200 proceeds to step S740. Steps S740, S750, S760, S770 and S780 will use the description of FIG. 7 described above, and additional description will be omitted.

According to the method described above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 , in the present invention, when device information to be used in the new cloud platform 300 is registered, it is mapped with the corresponding device information in the legacy cloud platform 200 based on the device information. It is possible to acquire user information and transmit a subscription request to the new cloud platform 300 to the corresponding user based on the acquired user information. Therefore, when a device is newly connected to the new cloud platform 300, a subscription request is transmitted to a user who has the right to use the device, and the user responds to the received subscription request, thereby creating a new cloud platform without a separate subscription procedure. The service of 300 may be provided. That is, the subscription procedure to the new cloud platform 300 proceeds in such a way that a subscription request is transmitted to a user who is permitted to use the device based on the device information of the image forming apparatus to be used in the new cloud platform 300 , This can be done by each user responding to a subscription request without a separate subscription procedure.

9 is an example of a cloud platform subscription request provided to a user according to an example.

For example, the user may receive a subscription request to the new cloud platform 300 via the email 900 . However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the means for receiving the subscription request is not limited thereto. In the case where the image forming apparatus needs to be used in a new cloud platform, even if the user does not go through a separate subscription procedure by himself/herself by the method described above, his/her contact information (e.g., e-mail) to receive a subscription request to use the services provided by the new cloud platform. By accepting the subscription request received through the e-mail, the user's subscription process to the new cloud platform may be completed. Here, when the user accepts the subscription request, the user may request confirmation of whether the user is the correct user of the current image forming apparatus. For example, the user may be requested to input the serial number of the image forming apparatus for the purpose of user confirmation for final approval of the subscription request, or to scan a QR code displayed on the image forming apparatus instead of inputting the serial number. It is not limited, and various methods for confirming whether the user currently legally owns the image forming apparatus may be applied.

10 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration of a cloud platform server according to an example.

The cloud platform server for configuring the new cloud platform 300 may include one or more processors 310 , a memory 320 , and a communication unit 330 . However, the configuration of the cloud platform server is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 10 . For example, the cloud platform server may further include a configuration not shown in FIG. 10, for example, a power supply unit for supplying power to each component, a communication unit for providing a communication function, or other components, or FIG. At least one of the components shown in 10 may not be included. In addition, it may be understood by those skilled in the art that the cloud platform server may be configured by connecting a plurality of devices to each other unless it is limited to one device.

The processor 310 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphic processing unit (GPU), and the like as a configuration for overall controlling and performing functions that can be provided by the cloud platform server. For example, the processor 310 may execute one or more instructions stored in the memory 320 . Also, the processor 310 may read information stored in the memory 320 . In addition, the processor 310 may store new information in the memory 320 and may update previously stored information. For example, the processor 310 may perform an operation of acquiring information necessary for control of the cloud platform server from the memory 320 or storing the information in the memory 330 .

The memory 320 may be implemented by various storage media such as RAM or ROM for storing data. Various types of information may be stored in the memory 320 . For example, one or more instructions executable by the processor 310 may be stored in the memory 320 .

The communication unit 330 is provided so that the cloud platform server communicates with other devices. The communication unit 3300 may include various communication modules. For example, the communication unit 120 may include a wireless communication or a wired communication module. Among them, the wireless communication module is, for example, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth (Bluetooth), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Long Term Evolution- Advanced), 5G or NFC (Near Field Communication), etc. may be supported, and the wired communication module may be a module supporting LAN, USB or HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), but is not limited thereto. .

The cloud platform server includes a processor 310 and a memory 320 that stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor causes the cloud platform server to operate in a predetermined manner.

The cloud platform server according to an example receives and registers device information about a device to be used in the cloud platform server, and provides user information related to the device to an existing cloud platform (eg, legacy cloud platform 300) based on the device information. request. The cloud platform server then receives the requested user information, and transmits a subscription request for use of the cloud platform server to the received user information.

It is self-evident that each step performed through the legacy cloud platform and the new cloud platform described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 can be performed by the cloud platform server of FIG. The above-described parts related to the configuration or operation of the platform server will be cited.

11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a method performed on a computer-readable recording medium according to an example.

Each of the steps included in the method described above can be implemented through a computer program programmed to perform each of these steps, but the computer program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium and can be executed by a processor. 11 exemplarily shows each step of the computer program performed on the computer-readable recording medium 1100 .

Referring to FIG. 11 , the step of registering device information in the first cloud platform (eg, the new cloud platform 300 ) ( S1100 ) is performed.

Also, based on the device information, a step S1200 of requesting user information associated with the device to the second cloud platform (eg, the legacy cloud platform 200) is performed.

In addition, receiving user information from the second cloud platform (S1300) is performed.

In addition, a step (S1400) of transmitting a subscription request for the first cloud platform to the user based on the user information is performed.

Each step described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8, including each step (S1100, S1200, S1300, S1400) according to this figure, is one according to the execution of the computer program stored in the computer-readable recording medium 1100 It is obvious that the process can be performed by a computer including the above processor, and therefore, the parts not described below will refer to the parts described above related to the configuration or operation of the cloud platform server.

Meanwhile, the computer-readable recording medium 1100 described above may be a non-transitory readable medium. In this case, the non-transitory readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently, not a medium that stores data for a short moment, such as a register, cache, memory, etc., and can be read by a device. Specifically, the programs for performing the above-described various methods may be provided by being stored in a non-transitory readable medium such as a CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disk, USB, memory card, ROM, and the like.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the methods according to various examples disclosed in this document may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (eg compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)) or online through an application store (eg Play Store ^TM ). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily created in a storage medium such as a memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

As described above, although the examples have been described with reference to a limited example and drawings, those skilled in the art can understand that various modifications and variations are possible from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components Or substituted or substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.

Although the example of the present invention has been described in the context of an image forming apparatus and a cloud platform, the present invention is not limited to just an image forming apparatus, as those skilled in the art will understand. It may be understood by those skilled in the art that the spirit of the present invention may be applied in an environment in which a user device or an electronic device is provided with a service through a cloud platform.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described example, but should be defined by the claims described below as well as the claims and equivalents.

Claims (15)

processor and
a memory for storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to
Register device information to be used in the first cloud platform,
based on the device information, requesting user information associated with the device from the second cloud platform;
receiving the user information from the second cloud platform;
to transmit a subscription request for the first cloud platform to the user based on the user information;
Cloud platform server. The method of claim 1,
the device information includes a device identifier of a device registered for use in the first cloud platform;
The requesting operation includes requesting the existing user information when the device identifier is registered in the existing user information stored in the second cloud platform.
Cloud platform server. The method of claim 1,
the device information includes a device identifier of a device registered for use in the first cloud platform;
The requesting operation includes: receiving an event notification from the second cloud platform indicating that the device identifier is registered in existing user information stored in the second cloud platform; Including the operation of requesting the corresponding existing user information,
Cloud platform server. The method of claim 1,
The instructions, when executed, cause the processor to
obtaining, from the first cloud platform, existing user information of a user accessing the second cloud platform stored in the second cloud platform, from the second cloud platform;
operating to create a user account in the first cloud platform using the acquired existing user information,
Cloud platform server. 5. The method of claim 4,
The existing user information includes the user identifier and contact information of the user, and the user account information created in the first cloud platform includes the user identifier and the contact information,
The instructions, when executed, cause the processor to:
When receiving the user identifier in response to the requesting operation, based on the user identifier, operate to search for the user's contact information in the user account created in the first cloud platform,
Cloud platform server. The method of claim 1,
The instructions, when executed, cause the processor to:
operate to receive contract information for use of the first cloud platform;
the contract information includes the device information and service permission information allowed for the device in the first cloud platform, and the device information includes a device identifier of a device registered for use in the first cloud platform,
Cloud platform server. The method of claim 1,
The instructions, when executed, cause the processor to:
to allow the user to use the device on the first cloud platform based on a response from the user to the subscription request;
Cloud platform server. obtaining, in a first cloud platform, existing user information of a user accessing the second cloud platform stored in the second cloud platform from a second cloud platform;
creating a user account in the first cloud platform using the acquired existing user information;
registering device information in the first cloud platform;
requesting a user identifier associated with a device from the second cloud platform based on the device information;
receiving the user identifier from the second cloud platform;
sending a subscription request to the first cloud platform to a user based on the received user identifier and the user account;
How to invite users on the cloud platform. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising the step of receiving contract information for use of the first cloud platform,
The contract information includes the device information and service permission information allowed for the device in the first cloud platform,
wherein the device information includes a device identifier of a device registered for use in the first cloud platform;
How to invite users on the cloud platform. 9. The method of claim 8,
based on a response from the user to the subscription request, further comprising allowing the user to use the device on the first cloud platform;
How to invite users on the cloud platform. 9. The method of claim 8,
The requesting includes requesting the user identifier of the existing user information when the device identifier is registered in the existing user information of the second cloud platform,
How to invite users on the cloud platform. 9. The method of claim 8,
The requesting may include receiving an event notification indicating that the device identifier is registered from the second cloud platform, and requesting the user identifier from the existing user information corresponding to the device identifier based on the event notification. comprising steps,
How to invite users on the cloud platform. 9. The method of claim 8,
The device information includes a device identifier of a device registered for use in the first cloud platform, and the existing user information includes a user identifier and contact information for the user,
After receiving the user identifier, further comprising: searching for a contact corresponding to the user identifier in the user account of the first cloud platform based on the user identifier
How to invite users on the cloud platform. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program, comprising:
The computer program, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform an operation, wherein the operation is
registering device information in the first cloud platform;
requesting user information associated with the device from a second cloud platform based on the device information;
receiving the user information from the second cloud platform;
and transmitting a subscription request for the first cloud platform to the user based on the user information.
A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program. 15. The method of claim 14,
the action is
obtaining, in the first cloud platform, from the second cloud platform, existing user information of a user accessing the second cloud platform stored in the second cloud platform;
Further comprising the operation of creating a user account in the first cloud platform by using the acquired existing user information,
A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program.

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