Print control apparatus, processing method, and computer program product

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a technology whereby the language of a chat can be easily changed. The invention provides a print control apparatus, a processing method, and a computer program product. A printing control device (100) is provided with: a submission unit (111) that submits information relating to printing to a chat room (50); and a change instruction acquisition unit (112) that acquires a change instruction that is input to the chat room (50) and that instructs a change in the submission language used in the chat room (50), and when the change instruction is acquired, the submission language used in the chat room (50) is changed in the submission language used in the chat room (50). The submission unit (111) changes a submission language from a first language used before the acquisition of the change instruction to a second language and performs submission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing control device, a processing method, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a chat service for posting messages and the like has become popular. In addition, a chatbot that responds to posts from users is known. In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the chatbot receives a printing instruction from a user via the chat service, a process for causing a printer to print a document is implemented.

[0003] There are cases where a user wishes to change the language when chatting with a chat robot. In the system described in Patent Document 1, the language of the chat cannot be changed, so the convenience is low. Therefore, it is required to provide a technology that can easily change the language of the chat.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-60698 Summary of the invention

[0005] The printing control device involved in the present disclosure comprises: a posting unit, which posts information related to printing to a chat room; a change instruction acquisition unit, which acquires a change instruction input into the chat room and indicates a change of a posting language used in the chat room, and when the change instruction is acquired, the posting unit changes the posting language from a first language used before acquiring the change instruction to a second language and implements the posting.

[0006] In addition, the processing method involved in the present disclosure is a processing method implemented by a device for implementing posting to a chat room, wherein a change indication is input into the chat room to indicate a change in the posting language used in the chat room, and when the change indication is obtained, the posting language is changed from a first language used before obtaining the change indication to a second language, and posting is implemented to the chat room.

[0007] In addition, the computer program product involved in the present disclosure enables a computer to execute the following steps, namely: a posting step of posting information related to printing to a chat room; a change instruction acquisition step of acquiring a change instruction input into the chat room to indicate a change of a posting language used in the chat room, and in the posting step, when the change instruction is acquired, the posting language is changed from a first language used before acquiring the change instruction to a second language, and the posting is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 A block diagram showing an example of the structure of an information processing system according to an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the printing control device according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of transition of the screen of the terminal device when a posting language is changed.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen of a terminal device when a posting language is changed.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen of a terminal device when a user posts a printing instruction to a chat room.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations of the print control device according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen of a terminal device when a posting language is changed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following describes the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity, the following description and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified. In addition, in each of the drawings, the same elements are marked with the same symbols, and repeated descriptions are omitted as needed.

[0016] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the information processing system 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 1 In the example shown, the information processing system 10 includes a terminal device 200, a chat server 300, a web server 400, a print control device 100, and an image forming device 500. The terminal device 200, the chat server 300, the web server 400, the print control device 100, and the image forming device 500 are connected to a network N such as the Internet.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the terminal device 200 is connected to at least the chat server 300 in a communicable manner. In addition, the printing control device 100 is connected to at least the chat server 300, the web server 400, and the image forming device 500 in a communicable manner. However, when it is not necessary to print a file stored in the web server 400, the information processing system 10 may not include the web server 400.

[0018] The terminal device 200 is a device operated by a user U, such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, etc. In the terminal device 200, an application software (also called a chat application) for utilizing the chat service provided by the chat server 300 is installed. The user U is a user with an account for utilizing the chat service, and the user U uses the terminal device 200 to utilize the chat service. The account includes identification information for identifying the user and other information associated with the identification information. Specifically, for example, in addition to the user ID, the account also includes a password, etc. In addition, although in Figure 1 The middle figure shows one terminal device 200 and one user U, but the information processing system 10 may be used by a plurality of users. Therefore, the information processing system 10 may include a plurality of terminal devices 200 .

[0019] The chat server 300 is a server that provides a chat service. In addition, the chat server 300 may also be composed of a plurality of servers. In the chat service, members participating in the same chat room can chat with each other by making them post to the chat room. A chat room is a virtual place where members post to each other. A chat room is also called a conversation room, a channel, or a workspace. In the present embodiment, when a user U makes an input to a chat room in which the printing control device 100 participates as a member, the chat server 300 sends the input content to the chat room together with the identification information of the user U who made the input to the printing control device 100. Therefore, the printing control device 100 receives the identification information and input content of the user U who made the input from the chat server 300. In addition, the input made by the user U to the chat room may be a posting of text or a file to the chat room, a function call instruction or a change instruction described later, or a printing instruction. Furthermore, since the input (posting) to the chat room by the user U is performed using terminal device 200 , it can also be said that the input (posting) to the chat room is performed by terminal device 200 .

[0020] The printing control device 100 is a device that functions as a chat robot. Here, a chat robot refers to a software robot that receives data posted in a chat service and performs processing corresponding to the data. The printing control device 100 has an account for utilizing the chat service, and participates as a member in a chat room in which the user U participates as a member. In addition, the printing control device 100 performs processing for causing the image forming device 500 to print a file. The printing control device 100 is, for example, a server, but is not limited to a server, and only needs to be a device that functions as a computer. In addition, the printing control device 100 may also be composed of multiple computers (multiple servers). The printing control device 100 may also be called an information processing device.

[0021] The web server 400 is a server where any file that can be a printing target is stored. The web server 400 may also be a cloud storage for storing files. In this embodiment, the printing control unit 114 described later of the printing control device 100 may also obtain the file of the printing target from the web server 400 using, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) posted to a chat room.

[0022] The image forming device 500 is a device having a function of performing printing processing, and specifically, is a printer, for example. The image forming device 500 is pre-registered in the printing control device 100 as an image forming device used for printing. Figure 1 The middle figure shows one image forming apparatus 500, but a plurality of image forming apparatuses 500 may be registered in the printing control apparatus 100 as image forming apparatuses that can be used for printing. For example, in the printing control apparatus 100, an image forming apparatus 500 may be registered for each user U. In the present embodiment, the printing control apparatus 100 causes the image forming apparatus 500 associated with the account of the user U to print the file designated by the user U as a printing target.

[0023] Next, the specific configuration and processing of the print control device 100 will be described. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the printing control device 100. Figure 2 As shown, the print control device 100 includes a processor 110, a memory 130, and a network interface 150. Thus, the print control device 100 has a function as a computer.

[0024] The network interface 150 is used for communication via the network N. The network interface 150 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC).

[0025] The memory 130 is constituted by a combination of a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory, for example, and is used to store programs executed by the processor 110 and data used in various processes.

[0026] The processor 110 reads the program from the memory 130 and executes it. Thus, the processor 110 realizes the functions of the posting unit 111, the change instruction acquisition unit 112, the printing instruction acquisition unit 113, and the printing control unit 114 described later. The processor 110 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 110 may also include a plurality of processors.

[0027] The program includes a command group (or software code) for causing the computer to implement one or more functions described in the embodiment when read by the computer. The program may also be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a storage medium having a physical body. As non-limiting examples, the computer-readable medium or the storage medium having a physical body includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Blu-ray disc or other optical disc storage, cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be sent on a temporary computer-readable medium or communication medium. As a non-limiting example, the temporary computer-readable medium or communication medium includes a propagation signal in an electrical, optical, acoustic, or other form.

[0028] The posting unit 111 , the change instruction acquisition unit 112 , the print instruction acquisition unit 113 , and the print control unit 114 will be described below.

[0029] The posting unit 111 posts data (information) such as text to the chat room in which the printing control device 100 as a chat robot participates. Specifically, the posting unit 111 sends the data of the posting object to the chat server 300. For example, the posting unit 111 posts information related to printing to the chat room. The information related to printing can be a message that prompts the input of instructions implemented by the user U related to the execution of printing or the setting of printing, or a reply message to the instructions implemented by the user U related to the execution of printing or the setting of printing. In addition, these are only examples of information related to printing, and the information related to printing is not limited to the above information. Therefore, the information related to printing posted by the posting unit 111 includes advertisements related to printing services and any information related to printing. In addition, the posting unit 111 can also post various information other than the information related to printing. In addition, in particular, in the present embodiment, when the user inputs a change instruction or a function call instruction related to the posting language into the chat room, the posting unit 111 will perform a predetermined process. The processing of the posting unit 111 when a change instruction or a function call instruction is input into the chat room will be described later. In addition, the posting language refers to the natural language used by the printing control device 100 as a chat robot when posting to the chat room. The posting language can also be a language such as the natural language displayed in the chat room. The posting unit 111 uses a predetermined natural language (for example, Japanese) as the default posting language and implements the posting.

[0030] The change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires an instruction related to the change of the posting language input into the chat room participated by the printing control device 100 as a chat robot. In the present embodiment, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a function call instruction and a change instruction input into the chat room. Here, the function call instruction is an instruction to call the posting language change function. In addition, as described later, since the candidate of the language that can be set as the posting language is called by the function call instruction, the function call instruction can also be called a candidate call instruction. The function call instruction is posted to the chat room by the user U. In the present embodiment, the function call instruction is a text containing a keyword that is predetermined as a keyword meaning the function call instruction. By posting the text containing the keyword to the chat room, the function call instruction is acquired by the change instruction acquisition unit 112. For example, when a text such as "Set posting language" is posted to the chat room by the user U, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the text as a function call instruction. The change instruction instructs the change of the posting language used in the chat room, and is input into the chat room by the user U. In the present embodiment, for example, the change instruction is a selection operation for the posting language option provided through the input form posted by the posting unit 111 according to the function call instruction. That is, the change instruction is acquired by the change instruction acquisition unit 112 by the user U selecting the posting language option displayed in the chat room.

[0031] Below, in reference Figure 3 At the same time, the processing of the posting unit 111 and the change instruction acquisition unit 112 will be described. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the transition of the screen of the terminal device 200 when the posting language is changed. Figure 3 In the example shown, the posting language before the change was Japanese, and the posting language was changed to English (correspondingly translated into Chinese in the drawings of this application). When user U wants to change the posting language currently used by the printing control device 100 as a chat robot, he inputs a function call instruction to the chat room 50 in which the user U and the printing control device 100 participate. Specifically, user U operates the terminal device 200 to post a text 51a of the function call instruction to the chat room 50. Figure 3 In the example shown, the text 51a is posted in Japanese, but when a keyword in another language is used as a keyword meaning a function call instruction, the function call instruction may be posted in a language other than Japanese. Figure 3In the example, screen 210 shows a screen displaying the chat room 50 at the time when the text 51a as the function call instruction is posted. In this way, since the function call instruction implemented by the user U is an instruction input to the chat room 50 using the terminal device 200, it can also be called a function call instruction from the terminal device 200, and can also be called a function call instruction implemented by the terminal device 200, etc. When the function call instruction is input to the chat room 50, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the function call instruction via the chat service. That is, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the function call instruction input to the chat room 50 participated by the user U and the printing control device 100 as a chat robot from the chat server 300.

[0032] When the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a function call instruction, the posting unit 111 posts a candidate language that can be used as a posting language to the chat room 50. Thus, even if the user U does not know the configurable posting language in advance, he can perform an operation for changing the posting language. Specifically, the posting unit 111 posts a predetermined input form 51c to the chat room 50. The predetermined input form 51c is an input form that provides candidates of languages ​​that can be used as posting languages ​​as options, and accepts input of selecting any one of the options. The input form can be recorded in the currently set posting language or in a predetermined language. Figure 3 In the example, screen 211 shows a screen displaying the chat room 50 at the time when the input form 51c is posted by the posting unit 111. In addition, as shown in screen 211, when the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the function call instruction, the posting unit 111 may also post the reply message 51b to the function call instruction to the chat room 50 in the currently set posting language, that is, the currently used posting language. Figure 3 In the example shown, the reply message 51b is posted in Japanese and contains a message such as "Change the posted language". By posting the reply message using the posting unit 111, the user U can appropriately understand the progress of the posting language change procedure.

[0033] When the candidate languages ​​that can be used as the posting language are posted to the chat room 50, the user U performs an input to designate any one of the languages ​​listed in the candidate languages ​​to the chat room 50. Specifically, the user U performs an operation of selecting any one of the options provided in the input form 51c on the terminal device 200. That is, the selection of the option performed by the user U is input to the chat room 50 as a change instruction. Figure 3In the example, screen 212 shows a screen displaying list 51d of options provided by input form 51c. List 51d is included in input form 51c. Therefore, list 51d is posted to chat room 50 as a part of input form 51c. List 51d is displayed, for example, by performing a predetermined operation (e.g., single-clicking or clicking) on ​​input form 51c. Figure 3 In the example shown, the list 51d includes a first option 511 and a second option 512. Specifically, the first option 511 is an option for selecting a case where Japanese is used as the posting language, and the second option 512 is an option for selecting a case where English is used as the posting language. Figure 3 In the example shown, Japanese and English are shown as candidates for the posting language, but other natural languages ​​may be listed as candidates for the posting language, and the natural languages ​​that can be set as the posting language may be three or more languages. The user U performs an operation of selecting any one of the options listed in the list 51d. That is, the user U performs an operation of selecting a language to be used as the posting language. Figure 3 In the example shown, user U performs an operation to select the second option 512 (i.e., English). Specifically, user U performs a predetermined operation (e.g., tapping or clicking) on ​​the second option 512. As a result, an input for selecting any one of the candidates for the submission language is input into the chat room 50. In this way, since the change instruction implemented by user U is an instruction input into the chat room 50 using the terminal device 200, it can also be referred to as a change instruction from the terminal device 200, or a change instruction implemented by the terminal device 200, etc. When a change instruction is input into the chat room 50, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the change instruction via the chat service. That is, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the change instruction input into the chat room 50 in which the user U and the printing control device 100 as a chat robot participate from the chat server 300. Figure 3 In the example shown, the change instruction input to the chat room 50 is a change instruction to change the posting language to English, and is acquired by the change instruction acquisition unit 112. In this way, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the input that specifies any one of the languages ​​listed in the candidate as the change instruction. Figure 3 In the example shown, the language is specified by the user U through a selection operation on an option provided in the input form 51c. With such a configuration, the user can change the posting language with a simple operation.

[0034] When the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a change instruction, the posting unit 111 changes the posting language. That is, the posting unit 111 changes the setting of the posting language. Specifically, the posting unit 111 changes the posting language to a natural language specified based on the change instruction. More specifically, the posting unit 111 changes the posting language in the chat room used in the chat with the user U who input the change instruction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the posting unit 111 uses the language specified by the change instruction as the posting language. More specifically, the posting unit 111 uses the language selected in the change instruction as the posting language. That is, the posting unit 111 implements various postings using the posting language that has been reset based on the acquisition of the change instruction. Figure 3 In the example, screen 213 shows a screen showing chat room 50 after change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a change instruction. As shown in screen 213, when change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a change instruction, posting unit 111 may post a reply message 51e to the change instruction in the changed posting language, i.e., the reset posting language, to chat room 50. Specifically, for example, a reply message 51e notifying that the posting language has been changed is posted. Figure 3 In the example shown, the reply message 51e is posted in English ("The language has been changed to English.") By posting the reply message using the posting unit 111 in this way, the user U can easily recognize that the posted language has been appropriately changed.

[0035] In the above example, when the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the function call instruction, the posting unit 111 posts a predetermined input form including language candidates as options, but it is not necessary to post such an input form. Figure 4 As shown, the posting unit 111 may post only the text 52 b that notifies the user U of the candidates of the language that can be used as the posting language to the chat room 50 . Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the screen of the terminal device 200 when the posting language is changed. Figure 4 In the example shown, the posting language before the change is Japanese, and the posting language is changed to English by the operation of the user U. Figure 4 In FIG. 2 , screen 214 shows a screen displaying chat room 50 after change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a change instruction. Figure 4In the example shown, as shown in screen 214, when text 52a indicating a function call performed by user U is submitted, the submission unit 111 submits text 52b that notifies user U of candidates for languages that can be used as the submission language. In Figure 4 the example shown, the submission of text 52a and the submission of text 52b are performed in Japanese, but they can also be performed in other languages. In addition, text 52b can also be referred to as a response message to the function call instruction. In Figure 4 the example shown, specifically, text 52b such as "Change the submission language. Please select a language from the following. 1. Japanese 2. English (投稿言語を変更します。以下から言語を選んでください。1.日本語2.English)" is submitted in Japanese. In addition, the language candidates (i.e., options) described in text 52b can also be marked with the language for the name of the language. That is, as Figure 4 shown, the first candidate (option) can be marked in Japanese as "1. Japanese (日本語)", and the second candidate (option) can be marked in English as "2. English (English)". When text 52b is submitted, user U performs an operation of submitting text 52c that specifies any one of the languages listed in the candidates to the chat room 50. That is, user U submits text 52c that specifies the language to be used as the submission language to the chat room 50. The text 52c that is submitted immediately after text 52b and that specifies the language to be used as the submission language is obtained by the change instruction acquisition unit 112 as a change instruction. That is, text 52c is obtained by the change instruction acquisition unit 112 as a change instruction to change the submission language to the language specified by text 52c. In Figure 4 the example shown, user U submitted text 52c such as "English (English)". In addition, the submission of user U as a change instruction only needs to be a submission that can specify the language to be used as the submission language from the languages listed in the candidates, and it is not necessary to be a submission of the name of the language. For example, in the case where identifiers such as numbers are established in correspondence with each of the candidate languages, user U can also submit the identifier corresponding to the language as a change instruction. For example, in Figure 4 the example shown, user U who wishes to change the submission language to English can also submit "2". Thus, the specification of the language performed by user U can also be implemented by submitting to the chat room 50 a specific one of the languages listed in the candidates. According to such a structure, it is possible to change the submission language without using an input form. In addition, in Figure 4In the example shown, since the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a change instruction to change the posting language to English, the posting unit 111 posts a reply message 52d to the change instruction in English to the chat room 50 ("The language has been changed to English.").

[0036] In addition, when the change of the posting language implemented according to the change instruction obtained by the change instruction acquisition unit 112 fails for some reason, the posting unit 111 may also post an error message to the chat room 50 using the currently set posting language. The error message may also include information indicating the reason for the failure of the change of the posting language. For example, when the user U posts a text that does not clearly specify which of the languages ​​listed as candidates is the text 52b posted by the posting unit 111, the change of the posting language fails. In this case, the posting unit 111 may also post an error message in the currently set posting language (in Figure 4 In the example shown, Japanese is used to submit your article. Figure 4 The example of posting error information is described above, but when the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the change instruction using the above-mentioned input form and the change of the posted language fails for some reason, the error information may be posted. By posting the error information in this way, the user U can easily recognize that the change of the posted language fails.

[0037] Back to Figure 2 . The printing instruction acquisition unit 113 acquires the printing instruction posted to the chat room 50. That is, the printing instruction acquisition unit 113 acquires the printing instruction for instructing the printing of a file from the chat server 300. The printing instruction may also include information for specifying the file to be printed. The information for specifying the file to be printed may be the file itself to be printed, the URL of the file to be printed, or the file path of the file to be printed. For example, the printing instruction acquisition unit 113 may acquire the printing instruction for instructing the printing of a file existing in the Web server 400, or the printing instruction for instructing the printing of a file existing in the terminal device 200. The user U operates the terminal device 200 to post the printing instruction to the chat room 50 to which the printing control device 100 as a chat robot participates. In this way, since the printing instruction implemented by the user U is an instruction implemented using the terminal device 200, it may also be called a printing instruction from the terminal device 200, or a printing instruction implemented by the terminal device 200, etc.

[0038] The printing control unit 114 causes the image forming device 500 to print the document instructed to be printed according to the printing instruction acquired by the printing instruction acquisition unit 113. In addition, the printing control unit 114 causes the image forming device 500 corresponding to the identification information of the user U who issued the printing instruction to print the document. In addition, the printing control unit 114 may cause the image forming device 500 to print via another device (for example, a server) that manages or controls the printing of the image forming device 500, instead of directly instructing the image forming device 500 to print.

[0039] Figure 5 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen of the terminal device 200 when the user U posts a printing instruction to the chat room 50. In particular, Figure 5 In the picture 215, the Figure 3 or Figure 4 The illustrated screen is displayed in the chat room 50 after the posting language of the print control device 100 as a chat robot is changed from Japanese to English by a change instruction. Figure 5 In the example shown, first, the user U uses the terminal device 200 to post a message 53a as a printing instruction to the chat room 50. The message 53a is posted in the same language as the posting language used by the print control unit 114, for example, but may be posted in a language different from the posting language. Figure 5 In the example shown, message 53a is a printing instruction written in English text, and includes the keyword "Print" for instructing printing, and information specifying the file to be printed (more specifically, the URL of the file to be printed). Message 53a is acquired as a printing instruction by the printing instruction acquisition unit 113. Then, the printing control unit 114 acquires the file instructed to be printed according to the printing instruction, and causes the image forming device 500 to execute printing of the file. Thus, the file is printed by the image forming device 500. In addition, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the posting unit 111 may also post a reply message 53b to the printing instruction to the chat room 50. In addition, the posting is in the posting language (in Figure 5 In this way, in the present embodiment, the language of the posting related to printing by the chatbot can be changed to the language desired by the user U.

[0040] Next, an example of the operation of the print control device 100 will be described. Figure 6This is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of operations of the print control device 100 . Figure 6 The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 shows the flow of operations of the print control device 100 when the user U uses the terminal device 200 to change the language of the submission and then performs an operation to instruct printing. Figure 6 At the same time, an example of the operation flow of the printing control device 100 is described.

[0041] In step S100 , in response to a function call instruction being posted by user U in chat room 50 to call a function for changing a posted language, change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the function call instruction via chat server 300 .

[0042] Next, in step S101, posting unit 111 posts a reply message to the function call instruction in the currently set posting language to chat room 50. Note that posting of the reply message may be omitted.

[0043] Next, in step S102, the posting unit 111 posts candidates of languages ​​that can be used as the posting language to the chat room 50. Figure 3 As described above, the posting unit 111 may also post to an input form that provides candidate languages ​​that can be used as the posting language as options and accepts input for selecting any one of the options. Figure 4 As described above, instead of posting the input form, the posting unit 111 may post a text that notifies the user U of the candidate languages ​​that can be used as the posting language.

[0044] After step S102, in step S103, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires a change instruction including the designation of the language implemented by the user U. In the case where an input form is posted in step S102, the selection of the option provided in the input form by the user U is acquired as the change instruction. In addition, in the case where a text notifying the candidates of the languages ​​that can be used as the posted language is posted in step S102, the posting of a text specifying any one of the languages ​​listed in the candidates is acquired as the change instruction.

[0045] After step S103, in step S104, the posting unit 111 changes the posting language. Specifically, after this step, the posting unit 111 uses the language specified by the change instruction obtained in step S103 as the posting language. Then, in step S105, the posting unit 111 posts a reply message to the change instruction to the chat room 50 in the changed posting language. In addition, posting of the reply message may also be omitted.

[0046] Thereafter, in step S106, in response to the fact that the printing instruction is posted by the user U to the chat room 50, the printing instruction acquisition unit 113 acquires the printing instruction via the chat server 300. When the printing instruction is acquired by the printing instruction acquisition unit 113, in step S107, the printing control unit 114 acquires the file instructed to be printed according to the printing instruction, and causes the image forming device 500 to execute the printing of the file. Then, in step S108, the posting unit 111 posts a reply message to the printing instruction to the chat room 50 in the changed posting language. The reply message may also be a message notifying the execution result of the printing. In addition, the posting of the reply message may also be omitted.

[0047] The above is an explanation of the implementation method. In this implementation method, when a change instruction is input into the chat room, the posting unit 111 changes the posting language from the first language used before the change instruction is obtained to the second language, and performs the posting. That is, the posting language is changed according to the change instruction input into the chat room. Therefore, according to this implementation method, the language of the chat can be easily changed.

[0048] Although the above embodiment is described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be appropriately changed within the scope of the main purpose. For example, although in the above embodiment, the function call instruction is obtained before the change instruction is obtained, it is not necessary to obtain the function call instruction. For example, the posting unit 111 can also change the posting language to the language of the change instruction when the language of the change instruction posted to the chat room is different from the currently set posting language. This content is further described using the accompanying drawings. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen of the terminal device 200 when a change in the posting language is implemented. Figure 7 In the example shown, the posting language before the change is Japanese, and the posting language is changed to English by the operation of the user U. Figure 7 In FIG. 2 , screen 216 shows a screen displaying chat room 50 after change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires text 54b as a change instruction. Figure 7In the example shown, while Japanese is being used as the submission language, user U submits the text 54b of the change instruction in English to the chat room 50. The change instruction is a predetermined keyword for instructing a change in the submission language, and it only needs to be a keyword expressed in any language that can be set as the submission language. In addition, the language of the submission made by user U can be determined by known natural language processing. In Figure 7 the example shown, the text 54b as the change instruction is a text containing an English keyword such as "Change postlanguage." The change instruction expressed in English is obtained by the change instruction acquisition unit 112. In this case, the submission unit 111 changes the submission language from the currently used Japanese to English and performs subsequent submissions. For example, as Figure 7 shown, the submission unit 111 submits a reply message 54c ("The language has been changed to English.") to the change instruction in English. According to such a structure, since the number of chats for changing the submission language is reduced compared to the above-described embodiment, the change of the submission language can be implemented promptly. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved. In addition, although in Figure 7 the submission unit 111 submitted the text 54a such as "What would you like to do? (何をしますか?)" in Japanese, this submission can also be omitted.

[0049] In addition, it can also be set that, when a text containing a keyword (such as "change posting language" etc.) predetermined as a keyword meaning a change instruction is posted to the chat room, the change instruction acquisition unit 112 acquires the text as a change instruction, and the posting unit 111 changes the posting language to a predetermined language. In this case, the language of the change instruction can also be a language different from the predetermined language. For example, user U posts a text such as "change posting language (posting language change)" in Japanese to the chat room. In this case, the text is acquired by the change instruction acquisition unit 112 as a change instruction, and the posting unit 111 changes the posting language to a predetermined language (such as English). In this way, when the change instruction is acquired, the posting unit 111 can also change the posting language to a predetermined language and implement the posting. In addition, the change instruction can also include a keyword that specifies the language in addition to the keyword predetermined as a keyword meaning a change instruction. For example, a text such as "change the posting language to English" can also be used as a change instruction. In this case, the submission unit 111 may also change the submission language to a language specified by a change instruction. In this way, when a change instruction is obtained, the submission unit 111 may also change the submission language to a language specified by the change instruction and implement the submission. In addition, although in the above-mentioned embodiment, only the language of the submission is changed according to the change instruction, the language of other processes may be further changed. For example, in the case where the printing control device 100 has a sending processing unit that implements the process of sending information (such as e-mail, web page data, etc.) directly to the terminal device 200 without going through the chat server 300, the language of the information sent may also be changed according to the change instruction.

[0050] A part or all of the above-mentioned embodiments may be described as the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following contents.

[0051] Note 1

[0052] A printing control device, comprising:

[0053] a contribution department, which contributes printing-related information to the chat room;

[0054] a change instruction acquisition unit that acquires a change instruction input into the chat room and instructs a change in a posting language used in the chat room,

[0055] When the change instruction is acquired, the posting unit changes the posting language from a first language used before the change instruction is acquired to a second language and performs posting.

[0056] Note 2

[0057] A printing control device as described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein:

[0058] The change instruction acquisition unit acquires a function call instruction posted to the chat room as an instruction to call a function for changing a posted language before acquiring the change instruction.

[0059] When the function call instruction is acquired, the posting unit posts a candidate of a language that can be used as a posting language to the chat room,

[0060] The change instruction acquisition unit acquires, as the change instruction, an input for designating any one of the languages ​​listed among the candidates,

[0061] The posting unit uses the second language, which is the language designated by the change instruction, as a posting language.

[0062] Note 3

[0063] A printing control device as described in Appendix 2, wherein:

[0064] The posting unit posts an input form to the chat room, the input form being capable of providing candidates of languages ​​to be used as a posting language as options and accepting an input of selecting any one of the options,

[0065] The designation is performed by selecting the options provided in the input form.

[0066] Note 4

[0067] A printing control device as described in Appendix 2, wherein:

[0068] The designation is performed by posting a message to the chat room specifying any one of the languages ​​listed as the candidates.

[0069] Note 5

[0070] A printing control device as described in any one of Appendixes 2 to 4, wherein:

[0071] The posting unit posts a reply message to the function call instruction in the chat room in the first language.

[0072] Note 6

[0073] A printing control device as described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 5, wherein:

[0074] The posting unit posts a reply message to the change instruction in the chat room in the second language.

[0075] Note 7

[0076] A printing control device as described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 6, wherein:

[0077] When the language of the change instruction posted to the chat room is a language different from the first language, the posting unit changes the posting language from the first language to the second language which is the language of the change instruction, and posts.

[0078] Note 8

[0079] A printing control device as described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 7, wherein:

[0080] The method further comprises a printing instruction acquisition unit for acquiring a printing instruction posted to the chat room.

[0081] The posting unit posts a reply message to the printing instruction to the chat room in the second language.

[0082] Note 9

[0083] A printing control device as described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 8, wherein:

[0084] When the change of the posting language according to the change instruction fails, the posting unit posts error information to the chat room using the first language.

[0085] Note 10

[0086] A processing method is implemented by a device for posting content to a chat room, wherein:

[0087] acquiring a change instruction input into the chat room for instructing a change in a posting language used in the chat room,

[0088] When the change instruction is acquired, the posting language is changed from the first language used before the change instruction is acquired to the second language, and the posting is performed in the chat room.

[0089] Note 11

[0090] A computer program product causes a computer to execute the following steps:

[0091] Contribution step: Contribute information related to printing to the chat room;

[0092] a change instruction acquisition step of acquiring a change instruction input into the chat room and instructing a change in a posting language used in the chat room,

[0093] In the posting step, when the change instruction is acquired, the posting language is changed from a first language used before the change instruction is acquired to a second language, and the posting is performed.

[0094] Explanation of symbols

[0095] 10…information processing system; 50…chat room; 100…printing control device; 110…processor; 111…submission unit; 112…change instruction acquisition unit; 113…printing instruction acquisition unit; 114…printing control unit; 130…memory; 150…network interface; 200…terminal device; 300…chat server; 400…web server; 500…image forming device.

Claims

1. A printing control device, comprising: a contribution department, which contributes printing-related information to the chat room; a change instruction acquisition unit that acquires a change instruction input into the chat room and instructs a change in a posting language used in the chat room, When the change instruction is acquired, the posting unit changes the posting language from a first language used before the change instruction is acquired to a second language and performs posting.

2. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The change instruction acquisition unit acquires a function call instruction posted to the chat room as an instruction to call a function for changing a posted language before acquiring the change instruction. When the function call instruction is acquired, the posting unit posts a candidate of a language that can be used as a posting language to the chat room, The change instruction acquisition unit acquires, as the change instruction, an input for designating any one of the languages ​​listed among the candidates, The posting unit uses the second language, which is the language designated by the change instruction, as a posting language.

3. The printing control device according to claim 2, wherein: The posting unit posts an input form to the chat room, the input form being capable of providing candidates of languages ​​used as posting languages ​​as options and accepting an input of selecting any one of the options, The designation is performed by selecting the options provided in the input form.

4. The printing control device according to claim 2, wherein: The designation is performed by making a specific post to the chat room in any of the languages ​​listed as the candidates.

5. The printing control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The posting unit posts a reply message to the function call instruction in the chat room in the first language.

6. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The posting unit posts a reply message to the change instruction in the chat room in the second language.

7. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: When the language of the change instruction posted to the chat room is a language different from the first language, the posting unit changes the posting language from the first language to the second language which is the language of the change instruction, and posts.

8. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises a printing instruction acquisition unit for acquiring a printing instruction posted to the chat room. The posting unit posts a reply message to the printing instruction to the chat room in the second language.

9. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein: When the change of the posting language according to the change instruction fails, the posting unit posts error information to the chat room using the first language.

10. A processing method, which is implemented by a device for posting content to a chat room, wherein: acquiring a change instruction input into the chat room for instructing a change in a posting language used in the chat room, When the change instruction is acquired, the posting language is changed from the first language used before the change instruction is acquired to the second language, and the posting is performed in the chat room.

11. A computer program product causing a computer to execute the following steps, namely: Contribution step: Contribute information related to printing to the chat room; a change instruction acquisition step of acquiring a change instruction input into the chat room and instructing a change in a posting language used in the chat room, In the posting step, when the change instruction is acquired, the posting language is changed from a first language used before the change instruction is acquired to a second language, and the posting is performed.

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