Server, printing device, control method, and program

Abstract

To reduce operations such as associating accounts with a plurality of cloud services.SOLUTION: A server (CPS) is communicatively connected to a printing device that provides a printing service and capable of coordinating with a plurality of external services and provides a cloud print service. The server includes: a receiving unit that receives a user's identifier from the printing device; an acquisition unit that acquires a list of external services that are associated with a received user's identifier and are available for use; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an external service for which a user has not registered in the acquired list of external services; and a screen presentation unit that if it is determined that there is an external service for which the user has not registered, presents to the user's printing device a screen that encourages the user to register for the corresponding external service.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server, a printing device, a control method, and a program that are capable of linking with a plurality of external services and provide a cloud print service. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, services have been provided that enable printing of files stored in a cloud storage service by linking the print service with a cloud storage service. In such a linking service, a user account in the print service and an account in the cloud storage service are linked and stored. Specifically, a typical form is to execute authentication of the cloud storage service and issue an "authorization token" to the print service account. A user receives an authentication link via email or the like, and can issue an "authorization token" to the linked service by authenticating with the linked account.

[0003] By using the "authorization token", the user can access the API (Application Programming Interface) prepared for each cloud storage service. By using the access method defined in the API, the print service can refer to and download files, folders, etc. stored in the cloud storage server. This allows the user to refer to files, folders, etc. stored in the cloud storage server and print what they want by logging in to the print app of the image forming device using the user account of the print service, for example.

[0004] Nowadays, there are cloud storage services provided by various companies. The APIs for accessing files, folders, etc. differ for each cloud storage service. Therefore, when referencing files, folders, etc. of a cloud storage service from a print service, it is necessary to change the internal process to use the API according to the cloud storage service.

[0005] For this reason, in actual print services, when printing using a cloud storage service, the user is often made to select the type of cloud storage service to use in advance. The user first selects the cloud storage service they wish to use and performs operations to start authentication and authorization of the cloud storage service account. In many cases, this results in an email containing a URL for cloud storage service account authentication being sent to the email address registered by the user, and authentication and authorization is performed by accessing the URL in a browser.

[0006] Now, consider the case where a user links cloud storage service A and cloud storage service B to a user account for a print service. In this case, it is necessary to start an authentication process to use each of cloud storage services A and B. To do this, it is necessary to select cloud storage service A from the print function, issue an email for authentication, and then select cloud storage service B and perform the same operations (sending an email, etc.). In this way, it is necessary to go through similar operational steps multiple times, which is time-consuming for the user.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a mode in which, when creating a user account for a cloud service that can be linked to an external service, the external service is authorized by associating the account with user identification information included in the user information for the cloud service. This allows authorization of the external service to be performed within a series of steps for user registration for the cloud service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6880873 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, although Patent Document 1 discloses a method for linking a cloud service account with one external service, it does not disclose anything about the case of granting authorization to multiple external services, and therefore cannot reduce the effort required for granting authorization to multiple external services.

[0010] For example, a user can set up a print service account to link multiple cloud storage service accounts to print the user's files stored in the cloud storage services from the print service. First, the user selects the cloud storage service to which the user wishes to link, and performs authentication and authorization processing for the cloud storage service from the print service. If the user wishes to similarly link the print service account to a different cloud storage service account, the following problem occurs. In other words, the user must reselect the different cloud storage service and perform the above-mentioned operation again, which is time-consuming.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden of operations such as linking accounts to multiple external services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a server that is communicably connected to a printing device that provides a printing service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, The system is characterized by comprising a receiving unit that receives a user identifier from the printing device, an acquisition unit that acquires a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received by the receiving unit and are available for use, a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an external service for which the user is not registered in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition unit, and a screen presentation unit that, if the determination unit determines that there is an external service for which the user is not registered, presents a screen on the user's printing device that prompts the user to register for the corresponding external service. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing operations such as linking accounts to multiple cloud services. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a CPS. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a client terminal and an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a client application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a CPS according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing a process up to prompting additional registration in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a screen display of a client application in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a functional configuration diagram of a CPS according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a process up to prompting additional registration in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a functional configuration diagram of a CPS according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a process up to prompting additional registration in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations and processes described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations and processes described in the embodiments. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0016] First Embodiment In the first embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which a client application installed in a client terminal 101 acquires a tenant URL from an image forming apparatus 102 already connected to a cloud print server 103. Note that the image forming apparatus 102 is connected to the client terminal 101 so as to be able to communicate required information via a network.

[0017] <Figure 1: Overall system configuration> 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a client terminal 101, an image forming apparatus 102 (printing device), a cloud print server 103 (hereinafter also referred to as "CPS"), and multiple cloud storage servers 104a, ..., 104b. In the following description, the cloud storage servers will be referred to simply as "104."

[0018] The client terminal 101 performs user registration in the CPS 103 and authentication and authorization for linking the registered user to an account in the cloud storage server 104. The image forming device 102 acquires a list of folders stored in the cloud storage server 104 via the CPS 103 and issues an instruction to print a file. When the image forming device 102 outputs a print instruction, it receives the file from the CPS 103 and executes actual printing. The image forming device 102 is an example of a printing device that is communicably connected to the CPS 103, which is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and can provide a printing service.

[0019] The cloud print server 103 communicates with the cloud storage server 104 to obtain a list of files and files instructed to be printed. The cloud storage server 104 can provide various cloud storage services (external services) to the user. As an example, in FIG. 7 described later, the user can select to add three types of cloud services (A, B, C) to the current contract status. In addition, multiple cloud storage servers 104 are provided, and the number of external services that can be provided to the user increases according to the number of cloud storage servers 104.

[0020] The devices shown in FIG. 1 are connected to a network so that they can send and receive required information to each other. Communication on the network is performed using a specified communication protocol. The communication protocol can be, for example, the TCP / IP protocol, and Internet communication is possible regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. Part of the network can be wired and the other part can be wireless. Also, in FIG. 1, for example, network communication is performed between the client terminal 101 and CPS 103, between the image forming device 102 and CPS 103, between the cloud storage server 104 and CPS 103, etc. When the pair of the communication source and communication destination changes, it is also possible to change the communication mode and use a different communication protocol.

[0021] <Figure 2: Hardware configuration of CPS103> 2 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the CPS 103. As will be described later, the client terminal 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 of this embodiment can be configured with the hardware of a general information processing apparatus.

[0022] The CPS 103 has a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a HDD 204, and a network I / F 205. The CPU 201 reads and executes a control program recorded in the ROM 202. This realizes various processes and controls the overall operation of the CPS 103. The RAM 203 is the main memory of the CPU 201, and includes a temporary storage area such as a work area.

[0023] The HDD 204 is a large-capacity storage device that stores image data, various programs, etc. The network I / F 205 is an interface that connects the CPS 103 to the Internet. The CPS 103 receives processing requests from the client terminal 101, the image forming device 102, other CPSs 103 (not shown), etc. via the network I / F 205 and transmits the results of execution of processing corresponding to the received processing requests. In this way, the CPS 103 transmits and receives various types of information.

[0024] <Figure 3: Hardware configuration of the client terminal 101 and the image forming device 102> 3 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 101 and the image forming apparatus 102. The client terminal 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 of this embodiment can have the hardware configuration of a general client terminal.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 102 has a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 303, a storage device 304, a communication device 305, an input device 306, a display device 307, a scanner device 308, and a printer device 309. These components are connected via a bus 300 so as to be able to transmit and receive required information. The configuration of the client terminal 101 is basically the same as that of the image forming apparatus 102, but the client terminal 101 basically does not include the scanner device 308 or the printer device 309, although these can be connected as peripheral devices via a USB or the like.

[0026] The CPU 301 comprehensively controls the entire hardware and controls each unit connected to the bus 300. The CPU 301 executes printing, scanning, and the like by controlling, for example, a scanner device 308 and a printer device 309. The ROM 302 is a memory device that records read-only data in a non-volatile manner, and stores, for example, a control program for the image forming apparatus 102. The RAM 303 is a memory device that can read and write data, and also functions as, for example, a working area for the CPU 301.

[0027] The storage device 304 is a storage device that stores temporary data during execution of each program and permanent data. The storage device 304 is often realized by, for example, a HDD. However, the storage device 304 may be capable of reading and writing data by mounting external media such as an SSD, CD, DVD, or memory card. For example, in the image forming device 102, a "CPS cooperation application" for executing cloud printing in cooperation with the CPS 103 is installed in the storage device 304.

[0028] The communication device 305 communicates with other devices over the Internet. The communication device 315 is capable of data communication between the client terminal 101, the image forming device 102, and the CPS 103, for example, by the TCP / IP protocol. The input device 306 is an operation unit for accepting input operations of characters and data by a user. For example, it is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a hard key, or a touch panel.

[0029] The display device 307 is a display device for displaying various screens and necessary information, and is realized, for example, by a liquid crystal display, an EL display, or the like. For example, in the case of the image forming apparatus 102, the display device 307 realized by a liquid crystal display can be configured to also function as a touch panel that accepts touch operations by the user. The user issues job execution instructions and the like by giving instructions using the input device 306 on a user interface (UI) screen displayed on the display device 307. Note that in the case of a touch panel, various instructions can be given directly by touch operations with the user's finger without using the input device 306. The scanner device 308 and printer device 309 provided in the image forming apparatus 102 each have a scanning function and a printing function.

[0030] <Figure 4: Functional configuration diagram of client terminal 101> 4 is a functional configuration diagram showing each function of the client terminal 101 in which a client application is installed according to the first embodiment. This client application is recorded in ROM 302, and is read out from ROM 302 by CPU 301, deployed in RAM 303, and executed. As a result, each function shown in FIG. 4 is realized in the client terminal 101.

[0031] The client terminal 101 has an account management unit 401, a setting information management unit 402, a print job management unit 403, a log management unit 404, a data storage unit 405, and a screen display management unit 406. The data storage unit 405 also has an account data storage unit 4051, a setting value storage unit 4042, a print job information storage unit 4053, and a log storage unit 4054.

[0032] <Account management unit 401: setting information management unit 402: print job management unit 403> The account management unit 401 manages the login status of the account of the CPS 103. The registered account information is stored in the account data storage unit 4051. The setting information management unit 402 manages the acquisition and updating of the setting values ​​set in the CPS 103. The information managed by the setting information management unit 402 is stored in the setting value storage unit 4052. The print job management unit 403 transmits and receives print jobs. When transmitting and receiving a print job, the print job management unit 403 stores "bibliographic information" including the number of pages of the print job, print settings, etc. in the print job information storage unit 4053 according to the setting transfer information stored in the setting value storage unit 4052. In addition, the print job management unit 403 transmits the bibliographic information, etc. to the tenant of the CPS 103 and the image forming device 102. Note that the "tenant" is not limited to user information, but also collectively manages information (setting values, etc.) of devices, etc.

[0033] <Log Management Unit 404> The log management unit 404 generates logs of communications and processes performed by the client application, and stores them in a log storage unit 4054. In addition, it is also possible to store the operation log in an external storage device in response to a user operation.

[0034] <Data Storage Unit 405> The data storage unit 405 uses each storage device such as the RAM 203 and the storage device 304 of the CPS 103 to store account information, device information, and the like. The account data storage unit 4051 stores information related to an account. "Account information" is information about a user registered in the CPS 103. The setting value storage unit 4052 stores setting values ​​such as functions related to printing set in the CPS 103, in addition to the tenant URL of the CPS 103. The print job information storage unit 4053 stores bibliographic information of print jobs printed by the CPS 103. The log storage unit 4054 stores logs when a client application is executed.

[0035] <Screen display management section 406> The screen display management unit 406 controls the display of an operation screen (UI) displayed to the user to operate the client application. In particular, when the user executes the initial registration process for a cloud storage service, a list of cloud storage services that the user has not registered is displayed, acquired from the CPS 103. This allows the operating user to confirm whether or not to register additionally with the cloud storage server 104.

[0036] <FIG. 5: Functional configuration diagram of the CPS 103 in the first embodiment> Fig. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the CPS 103 according to the first embodiment. Each function shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 201 reading out a program stored in the ROM 202, for example, into the RAM 203, and executing the program.

[0037] The CPS 103 includes an account management unit 501, a device management unit 502, a print job management unit 503, and a data storage unit 504. The data storage unit 504 includes an account data storage unit 5041, a device data storage unit 5042, and a print job storage unit 5043.

[0038] <Account management unit 501: Device management unit 502: Print job management unit 503> The account management unit 501 registers / deletes an account, and when an account is linked to the cloud storage server 104, it stores authorization information and information indicating which service the account is linked to. Information on registered accounts is stored in an account data storage unit 5051. The device management unit 502 registers / deletes devices, and further manages the usage status of the devices. Information on registered devices is stored in a device data storage unit 5052. The print job management unit 503 receives or transmits print jobs. Received print jobs are stored in the print job storage unit 5053, and the print job management unit 503 transmits them to a specified device in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 102.

[0039] <Data storage unit 504> The data storage unit 504 stores account information, device information, etc., using each storage device such as the RAM 203 and the HDD 204 of the CPS 103. The account data storage unit 5041 stores information related to an account. "Account information" is information about a user registered in the CPS 103, and includes information for identifying the user and information required for linking with the cloud storage server 104. The information stored in the device data storage unit 5042 is information about a device registered in the CPS 103, and includes information indicating which cloud storage service is available on the device in addition to device identification information. For example, the cloud storage service (104) can be used by inputting a license purchased by a company or the like that has introduced the image forming apparatus 102. The print job storage unit 5043 stores print jobs to be stored in the CPS 103 and bibliographic information about the print jobs.

[0040] <FIG. 6: Processing up to prompting additional registration in the first embodiment> 6 is a flowchart showing a process for prompting the user to perform additional authentication for an unregistered cloud storage service in the cloud storage server 104. This process is performed when the user performs the first authentication process for a certain cloud storage service in the image forming apparatus 102.

[0041] First, in S601, a user operates the image forming apparatus 102 to perform processing for starting the initial authentication required to execute printing from a certain cloud storage service. Specifically, the user logs into the image forming apparatus 102 with an account of the CPS 103 owned by the user, and causes an account authentication email for the cloud storage service to be sent to the user's email address. Note that the user's email address is registered in advance in the CPS 103 and the image forming apparatus 102. Next, in S602, a client application running on the image forming apparatus 102 transmits to the CPS 103 "user identification information (user ID)" of the user who performed the operation in S601.

[0042] Next, in S603, CPS 103 obtains information indicating which cloud storage service has been linked to the received user identification information from its account data storage unit 5041. Next, in S604, CPS 103 obtains a list of cloud storage services that are enabled and available (enabled) on the image forming apparatus 102 and CPS 103 from its device data storage unit 5042. Note that hereinafter, "enabled" refers to multiple cloud storage services (external services) that are available for use.

[0043] Next, in S605, the CPS 103 determines whether or not there is any available cloud storage service for which the user has not been registered, based on the information acquired in S603 and S604. "Not registered" refers to the following case. That is, there is a cloud storage service for which information (such as authorization information required for linkage) for using the cloud storage service via the CPS 103 has not been registered in the CPS 103 among the multiple cloud storage services 104. If it is determined that an unregistered service exists (Yes), the process proceeds to S606, whereas if it is determined that no corresponding service exists (No), the process proceeds to S611. In S606, the CPS 103 transmits to the image forming apparatus 102 a list of cloud storage services for which the user has not been registered.

[0044] Next, in S607, a screen is displayed to prompt the user to register an additional cloud storage service, for example, as shown in a cloud storage service additional registration screen 700 shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, it is explained that the user can add a cloud storage service and perform registration by displaying the contents of a text box 701. Also, in a service display area 702, an icon and a service name corresponding to the "list of unregistered cloud storage services" acquired in S606 are displayed. The example of FIG. 7 shows a case where there are three types of unregistered and addable cloud services, namely, "cloud service A, cloud service B, and cloud service C". Thus, in S607 to S609, in response to the CSP 103 presenting a screen prompting the user to register to an external service corresponding to an unregistered user, the image forming apparatus 102 displays the received list of unregistered external services on the screen. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 102 displays "service names and their icons" corresponding to the list of unregistered external services, and transmits selection information to the CSP 103 indicating that the user has selected and confirmed the displayed icon.

[0045] In S608, CPS 103 judges whether or not the user has performed an operation for additionally registering a cloud storage service on screen 700 displayed in S607. If CPS 103 judges that a selection has been made (Yes), it advances the process to S609, whereas if it judges that no selection has been made (No), it terminates the process. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if it is judged that the user has selected a service from the service display area 702, it is judged that the OK button (selection confirmation button) 703 has been pressed. On the other hand, if the user has not selected any service from the service display area 702 and has pressed the OK button, or if the cancel button 704 has been pressed, it is judged that no additional registration will be performed, and the process is terminated.

[0046] Next, in S609, the client application running on the image forming apparatus 102 transmits information about the cloud storage service selected by the user in S608 to the CPS 103. Then, in S610, the CPS 103 transmits to the user an email for service account authentication corresponding to the cloud storage service information transmitted in S609.

[0047] In addition, in S611, the CPS 103 notifies the image forming apparatus 102 that there is no cloud storage service to be additionally registered, and ends the process. After the process ends, the user accesses the link described in the received email from the client terminal 101, and performs user authentication based on the authentication means for each cloud storage service. When the user authentication is complete, authorization information is sent to the CPS 103, and printing from the cloud storage server 104 becomes possible.

[0048] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment, an example will be described in which a new cloud storage service is enabled (available) after the user's last login. Note that the system configuration, hardware configuration, client application configuration, etc. in the second embodiment are the same as those in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the first embodiment, so duplicated explanations will be avoided.

[0049] <FIG. 8: Functional configuration diagram of a CPS according to a second embodiment> Fig. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of the CPS 103 according to the second embodiment. Each function shown in Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU 201 reading out a program stored in the ROM 202, for example, into the RAM 203, and executing the program.

[0050] CPS 103 has an account management unit 801, a device management unit 802, a print job management unit 803, and a data storage unit 804. Furthermore, data storage unit 804 has an account data storage unit 8041, a device data storage unit 8042, and a print job storage unit 8043. Note that account management unit 801, device management unit 802, and print job management unit 803 have the same functions as account management unit 501, device management unit 502, and print job management unit 503 of the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore redundant explanations will be omitted. Only data storage unit 804, which has differences, will be explained.

[0051] <Data storage unit 804> The data storage unit 804 uses each storage device such as the RAM 203 and the HDD 204 of the CPS 103 to store account information, device information, and the like. The account data storage unit 8041 stores information related to an account. "Account information" is information about a user registered in the CPS 103. "Account information" includes information for identifying a user, information about the date and time when the CPS 103 was last used from the image forming apparatus 102, and information required for linking with a cloud storage service. The information stored in the device data storage unit 8042 is information about a device registered in the CPS 103. For example, in addition to device identification information, information indicating which cloud storage service is available on the device, information about the date and time when each cloud storage service was enabled, and the like are included. For example, such a cloud storage service can be used by inputting a license purchased by a company or the like that has introduced the image forming apparatus 102. The print job storage unit 8043 stores print jobs to be stored in the CPS 103 and bibliographic information about the print jobs.

[0052] <FIG. 9: Processing up to prompting additional registration in the second embodiment> 9 is a flowchart showing the process up to when the cloud storage server 104 prompts the user to perform additional authentication for an unregistered cloud storage service. First, in S901, the user operates the image forming device 102 to perform a "login process" for executing printing from a certain cloud storage service. Next, in S902, the client application running on the image forming device 102 transmits to the CPS 103 the "user identification information (user ID)" of the user who performed the operation in S901.

[0053] Next, in S903, CPS 103 executes the following process as information linked to the received user identification information. That is, CPS 103 acquires the date and time (last login date and time) when CPS 103 was used by logging in most recently before the current login from the account data storage unit 8041. In this way, CPS 103 acquires the last login date and time linked to the user identification information from the account data storage unit 8041.

[0054] Next, in S904, CPS 103 acquires the activation date and time for each cloud storage service available on image forming apparatus 102 and CPS 103 from device data storage unit 8042. Next, in S905, CPS 103 determines, from the information acquired in S903 and S904, whether or not there is any available cloud storage service that has been activated since the user last used CPS 103. That is, CPS 103 determines whether or not there is any cloud storage service that has been activated (becomes available) since the user last logged in. If CPS 103 determines that there is any (Yes), the process proceeds to S906, whereas if it determines that there is no such service (No), the process proceeds to S911.

[0055] The process from S906 to S911 is the same as the process from S606 to S611 in the first embodiment, so a duplicated description will be omitted. After the process is completed, the user accesses the link described in the received email from the client terminal 101, and performs user authentication based on the authentication means for each cloud storage service. When the user authentication is completed, authorization information is sent to the CPS 103, and printing from the cloud storage server 104 becomes possible.

[0056] In the second embodiment, when logging in to the image forming apparatus 102 (printing device), the license activated in the printing device is referenced, and a search is performed to see if there are any services that have been activated since the last login of the user attempting to log in. Then, a dialog box prompting the user to send a registration email may be displayed.

[0057] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, in addition to the processing of the first embodiment, an example will be described in which, for cloud storage services for which the user has selected to perform additional authentication on the image forming apparatus 102, links for the authentication are sent together in one email. Note that the system configuration, hardware configuration, client application configuration, etc. in the third embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and therefore repeated explanations will be avoided.

[0058] <FIG. 10: Functional configuration diagram of a CPS according to a third embodiment> Fig. 10 is a functional configuration diagram of a CPS 103 according to the third embodiment. Each function shown in Fig. 10 is realized by the CPU 201 reading out a program stored in, for example, the ROM 202, developing it in the RAM 203, and executing it. The CPS 103 has an account management unit 1001, a device management unit 1002, a print job management unit 1003, a data storage unit 1004, and an authentication mail management unit 1005. The data storage unit 1004 has an account data storage unit 10041, a device data storage unit 10042, and a print job storage unit 10043.

[0059] The account management unit 1001, device management unit 1002, print job management unit 1003, and data storage unit 1004 have the same functions as the account management unit 501, device management unit 502, print job management unit 503, and data storage unit 504, respectively, so duplicated explanations will be omitted. Only the authentication mail management unit 1005, which is different, will be explained.

[0060] <Authentication Email Management Section 1005> The authentication email management unit 1005 receives information on cloud storage services for which the user performed the initial authentication process on the image forming apparatus 102, and information on cloud storage services for which the user selected to perform additional authentication process. Based on the received information, the authentication email management unit 1005 generates links for authentication corresponding to each cloud storage service for which authentication is to be performed, and sends the links together in a single email to the user. This prevents the user from receiving many emails with links for each cloud storage service at once, which would be troublesome.

[0061] <FIG. 11: Processing up to prompting additional registration in the third embodiment> 11 is a flowchart showing the process in which the cloud storage server 104 prompts the user to perform additional authentication for an unregistered cloud storage service, and sends an email containing a link for authentication of the selected service. This process is performed when the user performs the first authentication process for a certain cloud storage service on the image forming device 102.

[0062] In S1101, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits identification information of the cloud storage service for which the user performed the initial authentication process to the CPS 103. The next process, S1102, is the same process as S602 (see FIG. 6). That is, the client application running on the image forming apparatus 102 transmits to the CPS 103 the "user identification information (user ID)" of the user who performed the operation.

[0063] Next, in S1103, CPS 103 obtains information indicating which cloud storage services have been linked to the received user identification information as list information from account data storage unit 11041. Next, in S1104, CPS 103 obtains a list of cloud storage services available on image forming apparatus 102 and CPS 103 from device data storage unit 11042. Then, the next processing from S1105 to S1109 is similar to the processing from S605 to S609 in FIG. 6, so repeated explanation will be omitted.

[0064] Then, in S1110, CPS 103 sends an email containing multiple links for authentication of cloud storage services to the email address registered by the user. The links described here are for authentication of the cloud storage services described below. In other words, the links include the service for which the user performed the process to start the initial authentication on the image forming device 102, which was received by CPS 103 in S1101, and the service for which the user selected to perform additional authentication, which was sent to CPS 103 in S1109.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined in S1105 that there is no cloud storage service to which the user has not been registered, in S1111, CPS 103 notifies image forming apparatus 102 that there is no cloud storage service to which additional registration is to be performed. Then, in S1112, CPS 103 sends an email to the email address registered by the user, the email including an authentication link for the service for which the user performed the process to start the initial authentication on image forming apparatus 102.

[0066] After the process is completed, the user accesses the link in the received email from the client terminal 101 and performs user authentication based on the authentication method for each cloud storage service. When the user authentication is completed, authorization information is sent to the CPS 103, and printing from the cloud storage server 104 becomes possible.

[0067] According to the third embodiment, unlike the current situation where an individual email is sent for each additional cloud storage service (external service) selected, this is extremely user-friendly and can prevent users from forgetting to register.

[0068] In addition, the following process can also be performed. That is, when a user links an account of CPS 103 with a first external service, CPU 201 determines whether a second external service different from the first external service is available as an external service that can be linked in CPS 103. If CPU 201 determines that the second external service is available, a screen prompting the user to register the second external service with the printing device can also be presented.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the image forming device 102 has been described as an example of a printing device, but the printing device is not limited to this as long as it has a printing function capable of implementing the processes of each embodiment (FIGS. 6, 9, 11, etc.). Examples include MFPs, multifunction devices for SOHO use, and general printers.

[0070] <Additional Note> The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A server that is communicably connected to a printing device that provides a printing service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, an acquisition unit that acquires a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received from the printing device and are in a usable state; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an external service for which the user is not registered in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition unit; A server characterized by having a screen presentation unit that, when the determination unit determines that a user is not registered, displays a screen on the user's printing device prompting the user to register for a corresponding external service. (Configuration 2) 2. The server according to configuration 1, further comprising a list sending unit that sends a list of external services that have been determined to be unregistered by the determining unit to the printing device. (Configuration 3) a second determination unit that determines whether a second external service different from the first external service is available as an external service that can be linked in the cloud print service when a user links the cloud print service account with a first external service, The screen presentation unit further The server described in configuration 1 is characterized in that, when the second determination unit determines that the second external service is available, a screen is displayed on the user's printing device prompting the user to register for the second external service. (Configuration 4) The cloud print service may further include a third determination unit that determines whether or not there is an external service that has been newly made available since the last login date and time, which is the date and time when the user last logged in to the cloud print service; The screen presentation unit further The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that if the third determination unit determines that there is an external service that has been newly made available since the date and time of the last login, a screen is presented to the user's printing device prompting the user to register for the corresponding external service. (Configuration 5) The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising an authentication email sending unit that sends to the user an email containing authentication links for an external service selected by the user for initial authentication and an external service selected by the user for additional authentication thereafter. (Configuration 6) The email sent by the authentication email sending unit is 6. The server according to configuration 5, wherein authentication links for a plurality of types of external services are collectively described in a single email. (Configuration 7) The server according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the external service is a cloud storage service for storing files and folders to be printed. (Configuration 8) A printing device that is capable of cooperating with a plurality of external services, is communicably connected to a server that provides a cloud print service, and provides the print service, A transmission unit that transmits a user identifier to the server; a receiving unit that receives a list of external services that are linked to the user's identifier and available for use and that the user has not registered for, the list being sent from the server; a screen display unit that displays a list of external services for which the user is not registered, the list being received by the receiving unit, on a screen. (Configuration 9) The screen display unit is 9. The printing device according to configuration 8, wherein the printing device displays service names and icons corresponding to the list of unregistered external services. (Configuration 10) 10. The printing device according to configuration 9, further comprising a selection information sending unit that sends to the server selection information indicating that a user has selected and confirmed an icon displayed by the screen display unit. (Configuration 11) The printing device according to configuration 8, wherein the printing device is one of an MFP having a multifunction, an image forming device, and a printer. (Method 1) A method for controlling a server that is connected to a printing device that provides a print service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received from the printing device and are available; a determination step of determining whether or not there is an external service in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition step that is not registered with the user; A server control method characterized by having a screen presentation process for, when it is determined by the determination process that there is an unregistered user, displaying a screen on the printing device of the user that prompts the user to register for a corresponding external service. (Method 2) A method for controlling a printing device that is communicably connected to a server that is capable of cooperating with a plurality of external services and provides a cloud print service, the method comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting an identifier of the user to the server; a receiving step of receiving a list of external services that are linked to the user's identifier and available for use and that the user has not registered for, the list being sent from the server; A printing device control method comprising: a screen display step of displaying a screen for prompting the user to register for the list of external services for which the user has not registered, the list being received in the receiving step. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a server that is connected to a printing device that provides a printing service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, comprising: The control method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received from the printing device and are available; a determination step of determining whether or not there is an external service in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition step that is not registered with the user; and a screen presentation step of, when it is determined by the determination step that a user is not registered, displaying a screen on the printing device of the user encouraging the user to register for the corresponding external service. (Program 2) A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a printing device that is communicably connected to a server that is capable of cooperating with a plurality of external services and provides a cloud print service, the control method comprising: The control method includes: a transmitting step of transmitting an identifier of the user to the server; a receiving step of receiving a list of external services that are linked to the user's identifier and available for use and that the user has not registered for, the list being sent from the server; a screen display step of displaying a screen for encouraging the user to register for the list of external services for which the user has not registered, which is received in the receiving step.

[0071] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiment to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and having a computer processor of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 101 Client terminals 102 Image forming device 103 Cloud Print Server 104 Cloud Storage Server 401 Account Management Department 402 Setting information management department 403 Print Job Management Unit 404 Log Management Department 405 Data Storage Department 406 Screen display management section 501 Account Management Department 502 Device Management Department 503 Print Job Management Unit 504 Data Storage Department 4051 Account Data Storage Unit 4052 Setting value storage section 4053 Print job information storage unit 4054 Log Storage Unit 5041 Account Data Storage Department 5042 Device Data Storage Unit 5043 Print Job Storage Unit 801 Account Management Department 802 Device Management Department 803 Print Job Management Unit 804 Data Storage Unit 8041 Account Data Storage Department 8042 Device Data Storage Unit 8043 Print job storage unit 1011 Account Management Department 1002 Device Management Department 1003 Print Job Management Unit 1004 Data Storage Unit 1005 Authentication Email Management Department 10041 Account Data Storage Unit 10042 Device Data Storage Unit 10043 Print job storage unit

Claims

1. A server that is communicably connected to a printing device that provides a printing service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, an acquisition unit that acquires a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received from the printing device and are in a usable state; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an external service for which the user is not registered in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition unit; A server characterized by having a screen presentation unit that, when the determination unit determines that a user is not registered, displays a screen on the user's printing device prompting the user to register for a corresponding external service.

2. 2. The server according to claim 1, further comprising a list sending unit that sends a list of external services that have been determined to be unregistered by the determining unit to the printing device.

3. a second determination unit that determines whether a second external service different from the first external service is available as an external service that can be linked in the cloud print service when a user links the cloud print service account with a first external service, The screen presentation unit further The server according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the second determination unit determines that the second external service is available, a screen is presented on the user's printing device prompting the user to register for the second external service.

4. The cloud print service may further include a third determination unit that determines whether or not there is an external service that has been newly made available since the last login date and time, which is the date and time when the user last logged in to the cloud print service; The screen presentation unit further A server as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the third judgment unit determines that there is an external service that has been newly made available since the last login date and time, a screen is presented to the user's printing device prompting the user to register for the corresponding external service.

5. A server as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an authentication email sending unit that sends to the user an email containing authentication links for the external service selected by the user to perform initial authentication and for the external service selected by the user to perform additional authentication thereafter.

6. The email sent by the authentication email sending unit is 6. The server according to claim 5, wherein authentication links for a plurality of types of external services are collectively described in a single email.

7. 4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the external service is a cloud storage service for storing files and folders to be printed.

8. A printing device that is capable of cooperating with a plurality of external services, is communicably connected to a server that provides a cloud print service, and provides the print service, A transmission unit that transmits a user identifier to the server; a receiving unit that receives a list of external services that are linked to the user's identifier and available for use and that the user has not registered for, the list being sent from the server; a screen display unit that displays a list of external services for which the user is not registered, the list being received by the receiving unit, on a screen.

9. The screen display unit is The printing device according to claim 8 , further comprising: a display unit that displays service names and icons corresponding to the list of unregistered external services.

10. 10. The printing device according to claim 9, further comprising a selection information transmission unit that transmits to the server selection information indicating that a user has selected and confirmed an icon displayed on the screen display unit.

11. The printing device 9. The printing device according to claim 8, which is in any one of an MFP having a multifunction function, an image forming apparatus, and a printer.

12. A method for controlling a server that is connected to a printing device that provides a print service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received from the printing device and are available; a determination step of determining whether or not there is an external service in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition step that is not registered with the user; A server control method characterized by having a screen presentation process for, when it is determined by the determination process that there is an unregistered user, displaying a screen on the printing device of the user that prompts the user to register for a corresponding external service.

13. A method for controlling a printing device that is communicably connected to a server that is capable of cooperating with a plurality of external services and provides a cloud print service, the method comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting an identifier of the user to the server; a receiving step of receiving a list of external services that are linked to the user's identifier and available for use and that the user has not registered for, the list being sent from the server; A printing device control method comprising: a screen display step of displaying a screen for prompting the user to register for the list of external services for which the user has not registered, the list being received in the receiving step.

14. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a server that is connected to a printing device that provides a printing service, is capable of linking with a plurality of external services, and provides a cloud print service, comprising: The control method includes: an acquisition step of acquiring a list of external services that are linked to the user identifier received from the printing device and are available; a determination step of determining whether or not there is an external service in the list of external services acquired by the acquisition step that is not registered with the user; and a screen display step of displaying a screen on the printing device of the user that prompts the user to register for a corresponding external service when the determination step determines that the user is not registered.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a printing device that is communicably connected to a server that is capable of cooperating with a plurality of external services and provides a cloud print service, the control method comprising: The control method includes: a transmitting step of transmitting an identifier of the user to the server; a receiving step of receiving a list of external services that are linked to the user's identifier and available for use and that the user has not registered for, the list being sent from the server; a screen display step of displaying a screen for encouraging the user to register for the list of external services for which the user has not registered, which is received in the receiving step.

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