Electronic apparatus

Abstract

To more appropriately perform processing requiring a user's permission.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus has: storage means that stores a permission state indicating whether the electronic apparatus receives an operation indicating a user's consent; acquisition means that acquires, from an external apparatus, first information for determining whether the details of permission to obtain consent is updated; and control means that, when the first information acquired by the acquisition means is not information corresponding to the update of the details, on the basis of the occurrence of a specific event in which information is to be transmitted to a transmission destination, performs control to transmit the information to the transmission destination even if there is no user operation after the specific event, and when the first information acquired by the acquisition means is the information corresponding to the update of the details, on the basis of the occurrence of the specific event, performs control to display a receiving screen for receiving the user's consent to the updated details of permission before transmitting the information to the transmission destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, a program, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system in which, with the consent of a user, status information of an electronic device is transmitted to a server, and the server analyzes the status information to provide a service suited to the state of the electronic device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system in which consent to information transmission is obtained from a user of a multifunction peripheral, and status information is transmitted to a server for use in a service.

[0004] Patent Document 2 describes a system in which, when updating software, permission for information transmission is requested from the user again due to the influence of additional functions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7134772 [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-162063 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The handling of user information, such as the status information of electronic devices, may change. For example, there are cases where the collection of user information is restricted due to changes in national laws. In order to avoid violating the law, it is necessary to update the permission statement for the collection of user information and ask the user for re-permission.

[0007] However, in Patent Document 1, even if only the permission text is updated, the user cannot be asked to give permission again, so there is a possibility that the system cannot be operated legally. Also, in a system in which permission is re-obtained when updating software, as in Patent Document 2, there is a possibility that the system cannot be operated legally if the software update is not performed.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for enabling a process that requires a user's permission to be carried out more appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The electronic device is an electronic device having: a storage means for storing a permission status indicating whether an operation indicating user consent to permission contents that the user gives permission to transmit information from the electronic device to a destination has been accepted; an acquisition means for acquiring first information from an external device for determining whether the permission contents for which consent is to be sought have been updated; and a control means for, when the permission status indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is not information corresponding to an update, controlling to transmit information to the destination based on the occurrence of a specific event for which information should be transmitted to the destination even if there is no user operation after the specific event; and, when the permission status indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is information corresponding to an update, controlling to display a reception screen for accepting consent from the user to the updated permission contents before transmitting information to the destination based on the occurrence of the specific event. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, processing that requires user permission can be carried out more appropriately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a permission statement and an example of version control. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a control method of the image processing device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the image processing device. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a permission acceptance screen process. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a transition of a display screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in the present embodiment are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these components.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system 100 according to this embodiment. The system 100 includes a service providing server group 101 for providing services, a server 102, a server 103, a Web server 104, an image processing device 105, and a mobile terminal 106, which are connected to each other via a communication network 107 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0014] The image processing device 105 is a type of electronic device, and is a printer capable of printing print data on a print medium such as printing paper. From the image processing device 105, various cloud services (Web services) provided by the service providing server group 101 can be used via a communication network 107.

[0015] For example, print data (photos, documents, games such as Sudoku, standard documents such as musical staves and graph paper, paper crafts, calendars, etc.) stored on the cloud (i.e., the service providing server group 101) can be acquired and printed by the image processing device 105. Also, for example, scan data read by a scanner included in the image processing device 105 can be stored on the cloud or sent by email.

[0016] In order for the image processing device 105 to use a service provided by the service providing server group 101, it is necessary to obtain the user's consent to the transmission of information regarding the use of the service. Therefore, when the image processing device 105 uses a service provided by the service providing server group 101 for the first time (first use), a screen is displayed that allows the user to select whether to agree or not agree (non-agree) to the service consent statement. Then, by accepting the selection of an option corresponding to consent, control is performed so as to obtain the user's consent to the service consent statement.

[0017] An example of the service consent statement is shown in Fig. 2(a). When an operation to agree to the service consent statement is performed, it is assumed that the user's consent to the transmission of information regarding the use of the service is obtained. The service consent statement for which consent is required may be updated by an administrator in response to various changes in circumstances such as the addition of functions to the service or the image processing device 105, or amendments to laws. Therefore, the image processing device 105 of this embodiment controls so that consent is obtained again from the user if the service consent statement is updated not only at the first use but also when using a service provided by the service providing server group 101 from the image processing device 105.

[0018] Furthermore, the image processing device 105 transmits information relating to the usage of the image processing device 105 to the server at a specific timing so that the service provider can use the information for user analysis. The specific timing is, for example, once a month at a specific time on a specific date (regular timing once a month). It is also necessary to obtain the user's permission for this transmission of information relating to the usage of the image processing device 105. Therefore, before transmitting information relating to the usage from the image processing device 105, a screen is displayed that allows the user to select whether to agree or not agree (non-agreement) to the analysis permission statement. Then, by accepting the selection of an option corresponding to agreement, control is performed so as to obtain the user's consent to the analysis permission statement.

[0019] In this embodiment, control is performed so that the user's consent to the service permission statement and the user's consent to the analysis permission statement are obtained separately. An example of the analysis permission statement is shown in FIG. 2B. When an operation to consent to the analysis permission statement is performed, it is assumed that the user's consent to the transmission of information related to the usage status is obtained. In addition, the analysis permission statement for which consent is required may be updated by an administrator in response to various changes in circumstances such as the addition of functions to the service or the image processing device 105, or amendments to laws. Therefore, the image processing device 105 of this embodiment controls so that consent from the user is obtained again if the analysis permission statement is updated not only at the time of the initial transmission, but also when transmitting information related to the usage status from the image processing device 105 to the server.

[0020] Each time the service license statement and the analysis license statement are updated, a new version number is assigned and managed. Also, as shown in Figure 2(c), a license set version is assigned and managed for each combination of the service license statement and the analysis license statement.

[0021] For example, as shown in the figure, version 1 of the permission set is a combination of version 1 of the service permission wording and version 1 of the analysis permission wording. Version 2 of the permission set is a combination of version 2 of the service permission wording and version 1 of the analysis permission wording. The version of the analysis permission wording is the same (version 1) in versions 1 and 2 of the permission set, but since the service license versions are different, the version of the permission set is 2 rather than 1. It is assumed that such version information is recorded in server 102 and server 103.

[0022] The latest version of the permission set by region (by country) is recorded and managed in the server 103. An example of information recorded in the server 103 is shown in FIG. 2(d). According to FIG. 2(d), for example, the latest permission set in Japan is version 1. Therefore, by comparing with FIG. 2(c), it can be determined that the service permission language for which consent should currently be obtained in Japan is version 1, and the analysis permission language for which consent should currently be obtained is version 1.

[0023] Also, according to Figure 2(d), for example, the latest permission set in the United States is version 2. Therefore, by comparing with Figure 2(c), it can be determined that the service permission language version to be agreed to in the United States at present is version 2, and the analysis permission language version to be agreed to is version 1.

[0024] In this way, by managing different versions of the license language for which consent must be obtained for each region (country) of the world, it is possible to control the obtaining of consent to the service license language and analysis license language that correspond to the server 103 in the region (country) in which the image processing device 105 is installed.

[0025] The Web server 104 records the latest license terms for each region (country) (the service license terms and analysis license terms as shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)).

[0026] In this embodiment, the server 102 and the server 103 are described as separate servers, but they may be one server.

[0027] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing device 105 according to this embodiment. The image processing device 105 is a type of electronic device, and is a printer capable of executing print processing using a print engine 308, or a print control device that transmits print data to a printer. A CPU 301, a program memory 302, a data memory 303, a communication control unit 304, an input interface 305, an output interface 306, a display unit 307, a print engine 308, a non-volatile memory 309, and a RAM 310 are connected via a bus 311.

[0028] The CPU 301 is a system control unit including at least one processor, and controls the entire image processing device 105. The program memory 302 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores the control program executed by the CPU 301, an embedded operating system program, etc. The data memory 303 stores program control variables, etc., and is provided with various work buffer areas used during processing by the print engine 308.

[0029] The communication control unit 304 controls data transmission and reception with the outside via the communication line 312. The communication control unit 304 is, for example, a communication interface such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN. The communication control unit 304 is capable of communicating with the service providing server group 101, the server 102, and the server 103 via the communication line 312 and the communication network 107.

[0030] The input interface 305 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of operation members such as a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 306 and the input interface 305 described below may be integrated into one member, and the screen output and the reception of operations from the user may be performed by the integrated member. The output interface 306 is an interface for controlling the display unit 307 to display data and notify the status of the image processing device 105.

[0031] The display unit 307 is configured with an LED (light emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) and is a display that displays data and notifies the status of the image processing device 105. Note that soft keys such as numeric input keys, mode setting keys, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key may be displayed on the display unit 307 to accept input from a user via the display unit 307.

[0032] A print engine 308 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording material such as ink, based on information stored in a data memory 303 or a received print job, and outputs the print result.

[0033] The non-volatile memory 309 is composed of devices such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. The non-volatile memory 309 is mainly used for the purpose of storing data such as setting values ​​of the image processing device 105 that needs to be retained even when power is not supplied to the image processing device 105.

[0034] The RAM 310 is composed of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that requires a backup power supply, etc. The RAM 310 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 301, and stores various information, as well as a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information received from the mobile terminal 106, etc.

[0035] 4(a) to 4(d) show examples of management information on the consent status (permission status) of the permission statement in the image processing device 105, which is saved in the non-volatile memory 309. The non-volatile memory 309 is a type of storage unit, and stores management information on the permission status indicating whether or not an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content that the user gives permission to transmit information from the image processing device 105 to the service providing server group (destination) 101 has been accepted.

[0036] The permission status management information stored in the non-volatile memory 309 includes information indicating whether an operation indicating a user's permission to transmit information about the image processing device 105 from the image processing device 105 to the service providing server group 101 through the communication network 107 has been accepted. The communication network 107 is, for example, the Internet.

[0037] The recorded state 401 is an example of the initial value of the management information of the permission state at the time of shipment from the factory of the image processing device 105. For both the service permission statement and the analysis permission statement, values ​​corresponding to unauthorised are recorded. Unauthorised is a state in which each permission statement is neither agreed to nor not agreed to. In addition, an initial value indicating that it does not correspond to any version is recorded as the permission statement version. Note that, as information indicating the permission state of the service permission statement and the analysis permission statement, in addition to unauthorised as shown in the recorded state 401, values ​​corresponding to one of three states including two states corresponding to agreed (authorised) and not agreed (not authorised) are recorded.

[0038] Recorded state 402 is a recorded state indicating a state in which the user has agreed to version 1 of the service permission statement corresponding to permission set 1, and has agreed to version 1 of the analysis permission statement corresponding to permission set 1. For example, from the initial state of recorded state 401, it is a recorded state recorded when, at a certain date and time A, the user attempts to use a service for the first time, registers with the cloud service, and performs an operation to agree to both the service permission statement and the analysis permission statement. Agree (agreement) indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted.

[0039] The management information of the permission status of the service permission message is information indicating whether or not an operation indicating the user's permission to send information regarding the use of the service from the image processing device 105 to the service providing server group 101 via the communication network 107 has been accepted.

[0040] The management information of the permission status of the analysis permission statement is information indicating whether or not an operation indicating the user's permission to send information regarding the usage status of the image processing device 105 to the service providing server group 101 via the communication network 107 from the image processing device 105 has been accepted.

[0041] The consent statement version is stored as information capable of identifying the version of the consent statement (consent content) when the consent state of the service consent statement or the analysis consent statement is a consent state indicating that an operation indicating the user's consent has been accepted.

[0042] Recorded state 403 is a recorded state indicating a state in which the user has consented to version 2 of the service permission language corresponding to permission set 2, and has consented to version 1 of the analysis permission language corresponding to permission set 2. For example, from the state of recorded state 402 in which the user has already registered with and used a cloud service, the user attempts to use the service again at date and time B, which is later than date and time A. In this case, the permission language is updated, a process is performed to request consent again for each permission language, and the recorded state is recorded when an operation to consent to each permission language is performed.

[0043] When an initialization operation is performed on the main body of the image processing device 105 from the recording state 402 or 403, the image processing device 105 is initialized to the recording state 401. Note that the recording state 404 is a recording state that indicates a state without the user's consent (non-permission).

[0044] 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the image processing device 105 according to this embodiment. The process flow from when the user turns on the image processing device 105 until the user turns it off is described. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 301 loading a program stored in the program memory 302 into the RAM 310 and executing it.

[0045] In step S501, the CPU 301 performs control so as to display an initial screen on the display unit 307. An example of the initial screen display is shown in Fig. 6(a). Fig. 6(a) is an example of the initial screen (home screen) that is displayed first after the image processing device 105 is started up, and displays buttons 601 to 603 as selection options corresponding to functions that can be executed by the image processing device 105, such as copy, scan, and print.

[0046] In step S502, CPU 301 determines whether or not a cloud service has been selected by the user. If a cloud service has been selected, the process proceeds to step S503; if not, the process proceeds to step S520. A cloud service can be selected by selecting the "Print" button 603 in FIG. 6(a) to transition to the print screen shown in FIG. 6(b) and selecting "Print from Cloud" 612. On the print screen in FIG. 6(b), "Print from Memory Card" 611, "Print from Cloud" 612, "Print Pattern Paper" 613, and "Print Standard Form" 614 can be selected.

[0047] In step S503, the CPU 301 determines whether the image processing device 105 has been registered with the cloud service. If the image processing device 105 has been registered with the cloud service, the process proceeds to step S504. If the image processing device 105 has not been registered with the cloud service, the process proceeds to step S515. If the service permission statement is not agreed to, registration with the cloud service is not possible. If the image processing device 105 has been registered with the cloud service in step S503, a value indicating agreement (permission) to the service permission statement is recorded in the permission status management information.

[0048] In step S504, the CPU 301 performs control so as to display a list screen of cloud services on the display unit 307. An example of the display of the list screen of cloud services is shown in Fig. 6(c). If the image processing device 105 has already been registered with a cloud service, by selecting "Print from Cloud" 612 on the print screen in Fig. 6(b), a list of registered cloud services is displayed as options 621 to 624, as shown in Fig. 6(c).

[0049] In step S505, CPU 301 determines whether or not the user has instructed to execute the cloud service displayed in step S504. If the user has instructed to execute the cloud service, the process proceeds to step S506; if not, the process proceeds to step S514. If any of options 621 to 624 is selected from the list of registered cloud services displayed in FIG. 6(c) and an operation to instruct execution is performed, the process determines that the user has instructed to execute the cloud service. This operation to instruct execution is an example of the occurrence of a specific event that requires the processing of steps S511 and S512 to be performed.

[0050] In step S514, the CPU 301 performs other processing in response to a user operation, which is different from the execution of the cloud service in step S505. Then, the process returns to step S501.

[0051] In step S506, the CPU 301 acquires information capable of identifying the latest version of the service license statement for which consent is required in the installation region (installation country) of the image processing device 105 as information related to the update of the service license statement from the server 103. Here, the CPU 301 functions as an acquisition unit. The latest version of the service license statement is the version for which consent is currently required and is the version of the service license statement for which consent is required. The server 103 is a type of external device.

[0052] More specifically, the CPU 301 transmits information capable of identifying the region (country) in which the image processing device 105 is installed (either or both of the IP address and the destination information stored in the non-volatile memory 309, i.e., at least one of them) to the server 103. The server 103 transmits to the image processing device 105 the latest version of the permission set for the region corresponding to the information capable of identifying the region received from the image processing device 105, among the latest versions by region shown in Fig. 2(d). That is, the image processing device 105 acquires from the server 103 the version of the permission set indicating the permission statement for which consent must be obtained in the region in which the image processing device 105 is installed.

[0053] In step S507, the CPU 301 compares the version of the permission set indicating the permission statement for which consent is required in the installation area of ​​the image processing device 105 acquired in S506 with the management information of the permission state in the image processing device 105 stored in the non-volatile memory 309. Here, the management information of the permission state is the permission statement version shown in Figs. 4(a) to (d). The CPU 301 judges whether the permission statement (permission content) for which consent is required has been updated from the permission statement already agreed to in the image processing device 105. In other words, it judges whether consent to the permission statement needs to be obtained again. If it has been updated (consent needs to be obtained again), the process proceeds to step S508. If not (consent does not need to be obtained again), the process proceeds to step S511 without performing the processes of steps S508 to S510, that is, without any further user operation.

[0054] More specifically, the version of the permission set indicating the permission statement for which consent must be obtained in the installation area of ​​the image processing device 105 acquired in S506 (the version requiring consent) is compared with the version of the permission set of the permission statement version of the permission status management information stored in the non-volatile memory 309 (the agreed version). If the version requiring consent and the agreed version are the same, the CPU 301 determines that consent does not need to be obtained again, and if the version requiring consent and the agreed version are different, it determines that consent needs to be obtained again. If the version requiring consent is greater than the agreed version, the CPU 301 determines that consent needs to be obtained again.

[0055] In step S508, the CPU 301 acquires from the server 102 information indicating the latest version of the permission statement in the installation area of ​​the image processing device 105 acquired in S506 (the latest version of the permission set). In the process of the following step S509, when the user agrees to each permission statement, the agreed version stored in the non-volatile memory 309 is recorded with the latest version of the permission set acquired in this step S508. Note that step S508 may be skipped, and the latest version of the permission set in the installation area acquired in step S506 may be recorded with the agreed version stored in the non-volatile memory 309 when the user agrees to each permission statement in step S509.

[0056] In step S509, the CPU 301 accepts from the user the presence or absence of consent (permission) to each latest permission statement in the installation area through a permission acceptance screen process. Specifically, the CPU 301 controls to display a permission acceptance screen for accepting consent from the user to the updated permission statement. The permission acceptance screen process will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. In this way, even for an already registered cloud service, it is determined whether or not consent to the permission statement needs to be obtained again each time a function of the cloud service is to be executed, and if consent to the permission statement needs to be obtained again, consent is obtained again before the service is executed. In this way, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which a service is executed without obtaining consent again when consent to the permission statement needs to be obtained again.

[0057] In the process of S509, the screen shown in FIG. 6(d) is displayed before the process of S701 in FIG. 7 is performed. This screen displays a message saying, "The contents of the permission terms have been updated, so please confirm your permission again." This indicates that the reason why it is necessary to obtain permission again is because the permission terms (permission text) have been updated, and that what will be displayed is a confirmation of permission again. This allows a user who has once agreed to the permission text to understand why he or she is being asked to agree to the permission text again, and allows the user to perform the permission operation again without mistaking or becoming confused that it is a malfunction. When the Next button on the screen of FIG. 6(d) is pressed, the process of S701 in FIG. 7, which will be described later, is started. Similarly, in the process of S525 (process of accepting re-permission) described later, the display of FIG. 6(d) is displayed before the process of S701 in FIG. 7 is performed. On the other hand, in the process of S517 described later, which is not a process of accepting re-permission but a process of accepting permission for the first time, the process of S701 in FIG. 7 is performed without displaying the display of FIG. 6(d).

[0058] In step S510, CPU 301 determines whether or not the user's consent to the latest service permission statement was obtained in step S509. Specifically, CPU 301 refers to management information on the permission state in image processing device 105 stored in non-volatile memory 309 (FIGS. 4(a) to (d)), and determines whether or not a value corresponding to "Agreement (Permission)" is recorded as a value indicating the consent state of the service permission statement. If a value corresponding to "Agreement (Permission)" is recorded, the process proceeds to step S511, and if not, the process proceeds to step S513.

[0059] In step S511, the CPU 301 accesses the service providing server group 101 and controls so as to transmit information required for using the service instructed to be executed in step S505 to the service providing server group (destination) 101. For example, the CPU 301 transmits an ID (device identification information of the image processing device 105) and a password stored in the non-volatile memory 309 to open the user's service page as account information (registration information of the image processing device 105 to the cloud service). According to the present embodiment, this process is controlled so as to be performed in a state where consent to the latest service permission statement has been obtained from the user, and therefore is a lawful operation (processing).

[0060] In step S512, CPU 301 performs processing to execute the cloud service instructed to be executed in step S505 based on the account information transmitted in step S511. For example, in the case of cloud photo storage, a list of images stored in the cloud is displayed, and processing according to subsequent user operations is performed. When the processing to execute the cloud service is completed (when the use of the cloud service is completed), the process proceeds to step S501.

[0061] In step S513, since the user's consent to the latest service permission statement has not been obtained and consent has been denied, the CPU 301 deletes the ID (device identification information) and password of the image processing device 105 related to the cloud service from the non-volatile memory 309. That is, the CPU 301 deletes the registration information of the image processing device 105 to the cloud service. The CPU 301 also transmits a request to the service providing server group 101 to delete the ID (device identification information) and password of the image processing device 105, that is, the registration information of the image processing device 105 to the cloud service. Here, the display unit 307 may also display information indicating that the registration to the cloud service has been deleted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S501.

[0062] In step S515, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the user has performed a cloud service registration operation. If the user has performed a cloud service registration operation, the process proceeds to step S516; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S501. If the user of the image processing device 105 has not registered with any cloud services, the cloud service list in FIG. 6(c) displays each cloud service in a manner that makes it identifiable that the cloud service has not yet been registered. Then, an operation icon (not shown) for accepting registration with the cloud service is displayed. If this operation icon is operated, the CPU 301 determines that a registration operation has been performed. Note that the CPU 301 also performs the processes of steps S516 and S517 when a registration operation is performed on a cloud service registration screen included in a setting menu screen that is displayed by operating the gear icon 604 displayed on the initial screen in FIG. 6(a).

[0063] In step S516, similar to step S508 described above, CPU 301 obtains information on the latest license version in the installation area (information capable of identifying the latest version of the license wording) from server 102. Note that this process may be the same as step S506, with information obtained from server 103.

[0064] In step S517, similarly to step S509 described above, the CPU 301 accepts consent to the latest consent statement from the user through consent acceptance screen processing.

[0065] In step S518, CPU 301 determines whether or not the user agreed to the latest service permission statement in step S517. If the user agreed to the latest service permission statement, the process proceeds to step S519. If not, the process proceeds to step S501 without performing the registration process for the cloud service in step S519.

[0066] In step S519, the CPU 301 accesses the service providing server group 101 and performs registration processing for the cloud service. The image processing device 105 transmits a registration request to the service providing server group 101 together with information about the image processing device 105 for registration with the cloud service. Thereafter, the CPU 301 receives the ID (device identification information) and password of the image processing device 105 created by the service providing server group 101 in response to the registration request, and stores them in the non-volatile memory 309. When the registration with the cloud service is completed, the process proceeds to step S504, where the CPU 301 controls to display a list of cloud services.

[0067] In step S520, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the user agrees to the analysis permission statement. Specifically, the CPU 301 refers to the management information (FIGS. 4(a) to (d)) of the permission state in the image processing device 105 stored in the non-volatile memory 309, and determines whether or not a value corresponding to "Agreement (Permission)" is recorded as a value indicating the consent status of the analysis permission statement. If a value corresponding to "Agreement (Permission)" is recorded, the process proceeds to step S521, and if not, the process proceeds to step S528.

[0068] In this embodiment, the analysis report is transmitted in step S527 described later only when the user agrees to the service permission statement (when the user has registered for the cloud service). As described later, consent / non-consent to the analysis permission statement is accepted only when consent to the service permission statement is obtained. Therefore, when a value corresponding to "unauthorized (initial value)" is recorded in the analysis permission statement in the permission status management information, consent to the service permission statement is not obtained, and therefore the analysis report is not transmitted in step S527 described later. Therefore, when a value corresponding to "non-consent (unauthorized)" is recorded in the consent status of the analysis permission statement or when a value corresponding to "unauthorized (initial value)" is recorded, the CPU 301 determines that the result is false in step S520 and proceeds to step S528.

[0069] It should be noted that the analysis report in step S527 described later can be sent regardless of the consent status to the service consent statement. In that case, the determination in step S520 may be a determination of whether or not a value corresponding to "Agreement (Agreement)" or "Not Authorized (default value)" is recorded as a value indicating the consent status to the analysis consent statement. In this case, if the consent status to the analysis consent statement is "Agreement (Agreement)" or "Not Authorized (default value)", control is performed to proceed to step S521, and if it is "Not Authorized (Not Authorized)", control is performed to proceed to step S528.

[0070] In step S521, CPU 301 determines whether a trigger event has occurred for image processing device 105 to transmit an analysis report to a server for user analysis. The trigger event may be, for example, at least one of an event of a change in the state of image processing device 105 and a periodic event (for example, an event that a specific time has arrived on a specific date each month). If a trigger event for report transmission has occurred, proceed to step S522; otherwise, proceed to step S528. This trigger event is an example of the occurrence of a specific event that requires the processing of step S527 to be performed.

[0071] In step S522, the CPU 301 acquires from the server 103, as information relating to the update of the analysis permission statement, information capable of identifying the latest version of the analysis permission statement for which consent must be obtained in the region (country) where the image processing device 105 is installed. Here, the latest version of the analysis permission statement is the version for which consent must be obtained at the present time, and is the version of the analysis permission statement for which consent should be sought. Specifically, the CPU 301 acquires from the server 103, as in step S506, the version of the permission set indicating the permission statement for which consent must be obtained in the country where the image processing device 105 is installed.

[0072] In step S523, similarly to step S507, the CPU 301 determines whether the permission statement for which consent must be obtained has been updated from the permission statement already agreed to by the image processing device 105. If it has been updated (consent must be obtained again), the process proceeds to step S524. If not (consent does not need to be obtained again), the process proceeds to step S527 without performing the processes of steps S524 to S526, that is, without any further user operation.

[0073] In step S524, similarly to step S508, the CPU 301 obtains information indicating the latest version of the permission statements in the installation area (the latest version of the permission set) from the server 102. When the user agrees to each permission statement in the process of the following step S525, the version of the latest permission set obtained in this step S524 is recorded as the agreed version stored in the non-volatile memory 309.

[0074] It is also possible to skip this step S524 and record the version of the latest permission set obtained in step S522 as the agreed version stored in non-volatile memory 309 when the user agrees to each permission statement in step S525.

[0075] In step S525, the CPU 301 performs permission acceptance screen processing similarly to step S509.

[0076] In step S526, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the user agreed to the latest analysis permission statement in step S525. If the user agreed to the latest analysis permission statement, the process proceeds to step S527; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S501.

[0077] In step S527, the CPU 301 controls the transmission of information related to user analysis (information related to usage status) such as the user settings of the image processing device 105 and the number of times each function is used as an analysis report to the service providing server group 101. According to this embodiment, this processing is controlled to be performed in a state where consent to the latest analysis permission statement has been obtained from the user, and therefore is a lawful operation (processing). Then, the process proceeds to step S501.

[0078] In step S528, CPU 301 determines whether or not another event has occurred, and if another event has occurred, proceeds to step S529, and if not, proceeds to step S530.

[0079] In step S529, CPU 301 performs processing according to the event determined to have occurred in step S530. For example, CPU 301 performs copy processing according to a copy instruction, scan processing according to a scan instruction, setting processing according to various setting operations, etc. Then, the process proceeds to step S530.

[0080] In step S530, the CPU 301 determines whether or not there has been an event that turns off the power of the image processing device 105. If there has been an event that turns off the power, the flow chart of Fig. 5 ends, and if not, the process proceeds to step S502.

[0081] In the example of Fig. 5, in response to the occurrence of an event that requires information to be transmitted (the process of S511 or the process of S527) to the service providing server group 101 (Yes in S505 or Yes in S521), information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission contents for which consent is requested in the installation area (the latest version of the permission set in the installation area) is acquired from the server 103 in S506 or S522. However, this is not limited thereto, and the timing of the information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission contents for which consent is requested in the installation area may be before the occurrence of an event that requires information to be transmitted to the service providing server group 101. For example, the information may be acquired in advance by a push notification from the server 103 at the time of the update. Alternatively, each time the image processing device 105 is turned on and communication with the communication network 107 is started via wireless or wired communication (i.e., whenever communication with the network is established regardless of whether an event that requires information to be transmitted to the service providing server group 101 has occurred), information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission contents for which consent is sought in the installation area (the latest version of the permission set in the installation area) may be obtained from the server 103 as described in S506 or S522.

[0082] Fig. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the permission acceptance screen processing in steps S509, S517, and S525 in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 shows various display examples displayed on display unit 307 in the permission acceptance screen processing. Each process in the flowchart in Fig. 7 is realized by CPU 301 expanding a program stored in program memory 302 into RAM 310 and executing it.

[0083] In step S701, the CPU 301 judges whether or not re-approval of the image processing device service license is necessary. Specifically, the CPU 301 compares the version of the service license statement already approved by the user with the version of the latest service license statement to which consent should be obtained. The version of the service license statement already approved by the user is identified from the license statement version recorded in the management information of the license state in the image processing device 105 stored in the non-volatile memory 309 (FIGS. 4(a) to (d)). The version of the latest service license statement to which consent should be obtained is identified from the version of the latest license set in the region (country) in which the image processing device 105 is installed, acquired from the server 102 or 103. If the version of the service license statement already approved by the user is smaller than the version of the latest service license statement to which consent should be obtained, it is judged that re-approval (re-consent) of the service license statement is necessary, and the process proceeds to step S702, and if not, the process proceeds to step S714. If "unauthorized (initial value)" is recorded for the service permission statement in the management information on the permission status of the image processing device 105 stored in the non-volatile memory 309, the result is also determined to be false, and the process proceeds to step S702.

[0084] Note that the process of step S701 may be skipped and the process may proceed to step S702, and if the license version has been updated, the consent to the service license statement may be obtained again. In this case, consent will be obtained again even if the version of the service license statement itself has not been updated from the version that was previously agreed upon. Also, if the determination in S507 is Yes and the process proceeds to S509 to perform the process of FIG. 7, the process of S701 may be omitted and the process may proceed to S702.

[0085] In step S702, the CPU 301 displays a service permission fixed message 801 on a service permission fixed message screen 800 in Fig. 8. The service permission fixed message 801 is similar to the service permission message in Fig. 2(a), but at least a part of the message displayed is different from the message in version 2 or later of the service permission message. More specifically, a message requesting the user's permission to transmit information related to service usage is displayed, but the message displayed is a common message regardless of the region (country) where the image processing device 105 is installed or the version of the service permission message. The service permission fixed message 801 may be the same as the message in version 1 of the service permission message.

[0086] In step S703, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the Details button 802 has been touched (a selection operation, hereinafter also referred to as pressing) on ​​the service permission fixed message screen 800. If the Details button 802 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0087] In step S704, the CPU 301 acquires destination information stored in the non-volatile memory 309 and display language information that the user has set in advance to be displayed on the UI of the image processing device 105.

[0088] The destination information is information that is pre-recorded in the non-volatile memory 309 when the image processing device 105 is shipped, and basically cannot be changed by the user. As the destination information, information indicating any one of Japan (JPN), Korea (KOR), United States (USA), Europe (EOR), Australia (AUS), Southeast Asia (ASA), China (CHN), Taiwan (TWN), Brazil (BRA), etc. is recorded.

[0089] The display language information is a setting item set by the user, and is set from a display language setting item included in a setting menu screen that is displayed by operating the gear icon 604 displayed on the initial screen in Fig. 6(a) . As the display language information, any one of Japanese, English, Chinese, French, German, etc. can be set.

[0090] In step S705, CPU 301 controls display unit 307 to display screen 810 including character string 811 in which the destination information and display language information acquired in S704 are added as query parameters to a URL for accessing Web server 104. Here, the query parameter is a URL parameter. For example, CPU 301 displays "https: / / www.sample.co.jp / service?destination_code=01&language_code=01" as character string 811. The part after "?" is a URL parameter, and among these, "destination_code=01" is the destination information. "01" is a value indicating Japan. Also, "language_code=01" is the display language information. "01" is a value indicating Japanese.

[0091] In step S706, CPU 301 determines whether or not QR code (registered trademark) button 812 has been pressed on screen 810 in Fig. 8. If QR code button 812 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S707.

[0092] In step S707, CPU 301 performs control to display screen 820 including QR code 821, which is a QR code obtained by encoding character string 811 displayed on screen 810 in Fig. 8 and can be photographed and read by the camera of mobile terminal 106. QR code 821 is a two-dimensional code, and when it is read and decoded by mobile terminal 106, character string 811 can be acquired. In other words, QR code 821 is a code image including information of character string 811. Note that the QR code 821 does not have to be in a format that can be read by the camera of mobile terminal 106, and instead of QR code 821, other types of two-dimensional codes or one-dimensional codes (such as a barcode), or other code images (such as a color code) may be used.

[0093] In steps S705 and S707, the CPU 301 functions as a display control unit and controls the display unit 307 to display information indicating a URL to which additional information capable of identifying the region in which the image processing device 105 is installed and stored in the non-volatile memory 309 has been added. The above URL is a URL for displaying the service permission content stored in the Web server 104. The above URL is also a URL to which additional information indicating the display language setting has been added. The information indicating the URL is, for example, a character string 811 or a QR code 821. The additional information is, for example, a URL parameter. The additional information capable of identifying the region is, for example, information based on destination information stored in the non-volatile memory 309 since the image processing device 105 was shipped from the factory.

[0094] The above URL may be a URL to which information indicating at least a part of an IP address dynamically assigned to the image processing device 105 is added as additional information capable of identifying the above region.

[0095] The CPU 301 may perform control so as not to display information indicating a URL when the service permission text of FIG. 2(a) that is stored in the Web server 104 and requires consent from the user is identical to the service permission fixed text 801 stored in the non-volatile memory 309.

[0096] The above URL may further include additional information indicating the version of the service license statement acquired in step S506.

[0097] When character string 811 displayed on screen 810 in Fig. 8 is entered into the address bar of a web browser executed on mobile terminal 106 and the address indicated by character string 811 is accessed, the following process is performed. When QR code 821 displayed on screen 820 in Fig. 8 is photographed with the camera unit of mobile terminal 106, decoded, and the address indicated by the obtained character string 811 is accessed, the following process is performed.

[0098] Mobile terminal 106 accesses the address indicated by character string 811. The destination to be accessed is assumed to be Web server 104. When mobile terminal 106 accesses the address indicated by character string 811, it sends information on the URL parameters included in character string 811 to the destination to request Web server 104 for a Web page corresponding to the URL parameters.

[0099] The Web server 104 accessed by the mobile terminal 106 receives information of the URL parameter included in the character string 811. Then, it acquires (extracts) destination information and display language information of the image processing device 105 from the URL parameter included in the character string 811. Then, the Web server 104 transmits to the mobile terminal 106 a Web page on which a service permission message corresponding to the acquired destination information and display language information is displayed. For example, the Web server 104 transmits to the mobile terminal 106 an HTML file corresponding to the acquired destination information and display language information.

[0100] By displaying the Web page transmitted in this manner on the Web browser of the mobile terminal 106, the latest service permission statement corresponding to the destination information and display language information of the image processing device 105 can be displayed on the mobile terminal 106. The displayed service permission statement is, for example, the statement shown in FIG. 2(a). When the information indicating the displayed URL is accessed with the mobile terminal 106, the service permission content corresponding to the region of the destination information is automatically displayed. The mobile terminal 106 is a type of other device. After viewing the Web page displayed on the mobile terminal 106, the user operates the image processing device 105 to select whether to agree or disagree to the service permission statement.

[0101] In step S708, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the back button 822 has been pressed on the QR code display screen 820. If the back button 822 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0102] In step S709, CPU 301 determines whether or not end button 813 or back button 814 has been pressed on URL character string display screen 810. If end button 813 or back button 814 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S702; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S706.

[0103] In step S710, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the Next button 803 has been pressed on the service permission fixed message screen 800. If the Next button 803 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S711.

[0104] In step S711, the CPU 301 performs control to display a service license statement consent acceptance screen 830. An "Agree" button 831 and a "Disagree" button 832 are displayed on the service license statement consent acceptance screen 830.

[0105] In step S712, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the "Agree" button 831 has been pressed on the consent acceptance screen 830 for the service consent statement. The CPU 301 functions as a reception unit, and accepts an operation indicating the user's consent to the service consent content, which is consent to the transmission of information from the image processing device 105 to the service providing server group (destination) 101. If the "Agree" button 831 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S714, and if not, the process proceeds to step S713.

[0106] Here, the process proceeds to S726 or S728 described below only if consent to the service license statement is selected, so when the determination in S712 is Yes, consent to the service license statement is not recorded in the license status management information, but is recorded in S726 or S728. However, when the determination in step S712 is Yes, CPU 301 may record consent to the service license statement in the license status management information.

[0107] In step S713, CPU 301 determines whether or not the "Do not agree" button 832 has been pressed on service license agreement acceptance screen 830. If the "Do not agree" button 832 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S730; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S734.

[0108] In step S714, the CPU 301 performs control so as to display an analysis permission fixed message 841 on the analysis permission fixed message screen 840. The analysis permission fixed message 841 is similar to the analysis permission message in FIG. 2B, but at least a part of the displayed message is different from the analysis permission message version 2 or later. More specifically, a message is displayed requesting the user's permission for sending information (analysis report) relating to the usage status of the image processing device 105, but the displayed message is of a common content regardless of the region (country) where the image processing device 105 is installed or the version of the analysis permission message. The analysis permission fixed message 841 may be the same as the message of the analysis permission message version 1.

[0109] In step S715, CPU 301 determines whether or not detail button 842 has been pressed on analysis permission fixed message screen 840. If detail button 842 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S716.

[0110] In step S716, similar to step S704, the CPU 301 acquires destination information stored in the non-volatile memory 309 and display language information set by the user.

[0111] In step S717, CPU 301 controls display unit 307 to display screen 850 including character string 851 in which the destination information and display language information acquired in step S716 are added as query parameters to a URL for accessing Web server 104. For example, CPU 301 displays "https: / / www.sample.co.jp / analysis?destination_code=01&language_code=01" as character string 851. The part after "?" is a URL parameter, and of these, "destination_code=01" is the destination information. "01" is a value indicating Japan. Also, "language_code=01" is the display language information. "01" is a value indicating Japanese.

[0112] In step S718, CPU 301 determines whether or not QR code button 852 has been pressed on screen 850. If QR code button 852 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S719.

[0113] In step S719, CPU 301 performs control to display screen 860 including QR code 861 readable by mobile terminal 106. QR code 861 on screen 860 is a QR code obtained by encoding character string 851 displayed on screen 850 in FIG. 8, and is a QR code that can be photographed and read by the camera of mobile terminal 106. QR code 861 is a two-dimensional code, and when it is read and decoded by mobile terminal 106, character string 851 can be acquired. In other words, QR code 861 is a code image that includes information on character string 851. Note that the QR code 861 does not have to be QR code 861 as long as it is in a format readable by the camera of mobile terminal 106, and instead of QR code 861, other types of two-dimensional codes or one-dimensional codes (such as a barcode), or other code images (such as a color code) may be used.

[0114] In steps S717 and S719, the CPU 301 controls the display unit 307 to display information indicating a URL to which additional information capable of identifying the region in which the image processing device 105 is installed, which is stored in the non-volatile memory 309, has been added. The above URL is a URL for displaying the analysis permission content stored in the Web server 104. The above URL is also a URL to which additional information indicating the display language setting has been added. The information indicating the URL is, for example, a character string 851 or a QR code 861. The additional information is, for example, a URL parameter. The additional information capable of identifying the region is, for example, information based on destination information stored in the non-volatile memory 309 since the image processing device 105 was shipped from the factory.

[0115] The above URL may be a URL to which information indicating at least a part of an IP address dynamically assigned to the image processing device 105 is added as additional information capable of identifying the above region.

[0116] The CPU 301 may perform control so as not to display information indicating the URL when the analysis permission text of Figure 2(b) that is stored in the Web server 104 and requires consent from the user is identical to the analysis permission fixed text 841 stored in the non-volatile memory 309.

[0117] The above URL may further include additional information indicating the version of the analysis permission statement acquired in step S522.

[0118] The character string 851 displayed on screen 850 in Fig. 8 is entered into the address bar of a web browser executed on the mobile terminal 106, and the address indicated by the character string 851 is accessed. Then, by a process similar to that for displaying the service consent statement described above, the latest analysis consent statement (the statement exemplified in Fig. 2(b)) corresponding to the destination information and display language information of the URL parameters included in the character string 851 is displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal 106. After browsing the web page displayed on the mobile terminal 106, the user operates the image processing device 105 to select whether or not to agree to the analysis consent statement.

[0119] In step S720, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the back button 862 has been pressed on the QR code display screen 860. If the back button 862 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S717.

[0120] In step S721, CPU 301 determines whether or not end button 853 or back button 854 has been pressed on URL character string display screen 850. If end button 853 or back button 854 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S714; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S718.

[0121] In step S722, CPU 301 determines whether or not Next button 843 has been pressed on analysis permission fixed message screen 840. If Next button 843 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S724; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S723.

[0122] In step S723, CPU 301 determines whether or not back button 844 has been pressed on analysis permission fixed message screen 840. If back button 844 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S712, and if not, the process proceeds to step S715.

[0123] In step S724, CPU 301 performs control so as to display screen 870 for accepting consent to the analysis permission statement.

[0124] In step S725, CPU 301 determines whether or not the "Agree" button 871 has been pressed on consent acceptance screen 870 for the analysis consent statement. CPU 301 accepts an operation indicating the user's consent to the analysis consent content, that is, the user's consent to the transmission of information from image processing device 105 to service providing server group (destination) 101. If the "Agree" button 871 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S726, and if not, the process proceeds to step S727.

[0125] In step S726, the CPU 301 saves the information indicating "agree to the service license statement and agree to the analyzed license statement" and the information indicating the version of the license set acquired from the server 102 or 103 in the license status management information in the non-volatile memory 309, and ends the license acceptance screen process. That is, the information indicating "agree to the service license statement and agree to the analyzed license statement" is saved in association with the information indicating the latest version of the license set in the updated installation area.

[0126] In step S727, CPU 301 determines whether or not “Do not agree” button 872 has been pressed on consent acceptance screen 870 for the analysis permission statement. If “Do not agree” button 872 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S728; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S729.

[0127] In step S728, the CPU 301 saves, in the permission status management information in the non-volatile memory 309, information indicating agreement with the service permission statement and non-agreement (non-permission) with the analysis permission statement, and information indicating the version of the permission set acquired from the server 102 or 103. Thereafter, the permission acceptance screen process ends.

[0128] In step S729, CPU 301 determines whether or not back button 873 has been pressed on analysis permission agreement acceptance screen 870. If back button 873 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S714, and if not, the process proceeds to step S725.

[0129] In step S734, CPU 301 determines whether or not the back button 833 has been pressed on service license agreement acceptance screen 830. If the back button 833 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S702, and if not, the process proceeds to step S712.

[0130] In step S730, the CPU 301 performs control so as to display a service license non-agreement confirmation screen 880.

[0131] In step S731, CPU 301 determines whether or not YES button 881 has been pressed on service license non-consent confirmation screen 880. If YES button 881 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S732, and if not, the process proceeds to step S733.

[0132] In step S732, the CPU 301 saves, in the permission status management information in the non-volatile memory 309, information indicating non-agreement (non-permission) to the service permission statement and non-agreement (non-permission) to the analysis permission statement, and information indicating the version of the permission set acquired from the server 102 or 103. Thereafter, the permission acceptance screen process ends.

[0133] In step S733, CPU 301 determines whether or not NO button 882 or BACK button 883 has been pressed on service license non-consent confirmation screen 880. If NO button 882 or BACK button 883 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S711; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S731.

[0134] Note that it may be possible to prevent any screen other than the screen relating to the permission guide shown in FIG. 8 from being displayed until the permission acceptance screen process in FIG. 7 is completed in step S726, S728, or S732.

[0135] Furthermore, if the permission content stored in the image processing device 105 is sufficient, the access URL to the Web server 104 may be made undisplayable. Specifically, the details buttons 802 and 842 are deleted from the service permission fixed wording screen 800 and the analysis permission fixed wording screen 840, and screen transition to screens 810 and 850 that display the access URL to the Web server 104 is made undisplayable.

[0136] Although destination information and display language information are added as query parameters to the URL for accessing the Web server 104 in steps S705 and S717, other information that enables the Web server 104 to select an appropriate permission statement may be added. Specifically, examples of such information include transmittable permission versions of the service permission and analysis permission, and region information indicating which country's service providing server group 101 the image processing device 105 is connected to. Also, in order to avoid requesting consent to permission items that are unnecessary for the user, information that enables the Web server 104 to grasp the services that the image processing device 105 can use may be added as a query parameter. Specifically, examples of such information include information on functions installed in the image processing device 105.

[0137] When the permission statement is displayed on the display unit 307, due to restrictions on the display of the display unit 307 (size, resolution, restrictions on the number of characters that can be displayed at one time due to UI design of the embedded device), etc., it may not be possible to display a long character string correctly or with good visibility. In contrast, according to this embodiment, the permission statement can be displayed on the display unit (display) of the mobile terminal 106, which is expected to have fewer restrictions (higher performance) than the display unit 307 of the image processing device 105, and the user can confirm it. Therefore, the user can confirm the correct character string of the permission statement even if it is a long character string without being restricted by restrictions such as a limit on the number of characters. In addition, the user can confirm the character string of the permission statement with good visibility. Therefore, the user can accurately understand the permission statement and select whether or not to agree. In addition, the permission statement based on the installation area and display language of the image processing device 105 is automatically displayed on the mobile terminal 106. Therefore, the user can confirm the permission statement in accordance with the law of the installation area of ​​the image processing device 105 without having to select the installation area of ​​the image processing device 105 or the display language.

[0138] The various controls described above as being performed by the image processing device 105 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire image processing device 105 may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0139] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0140] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any electronic device that transmits user information to a server. That is, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, PDAs, mobile phone terminals, portable image viewers, printers equipped with displays, digital photo frames, music players, game consoles, electronic book readers, etc.

[0141] The present invention can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, a program that realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiment is supplied to a system or device via a network or various recording media, and at least one computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads and executes the program code. In this case, the program and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded constitute the present invention.

[0142] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configuration, method, program, and recording medium. (Configuration 1) An electronic device, a storage means for storing a permission state indicating whether or not an operation indicating consent of a user to a permission content that the user gives permission for transmitting information from the electronic device to a destination has been accepted; an acquisition means for acquiring, from an external device, first information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission content for which consent is required; When the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is not information corresponding to an update, control is performed so that information is transmitted to the destination based on the occurrence of a specific event that should cause information to be transmitted to the destination, even if there is no user operation after the specific event; a control means for controlling, when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is information corresponding to an update, to display a reception screen for accepting consent from a user to the updated permission content before transmitting information to the destination based on the occurrence of the specific event; 1. An electronic device comprising: (Configuration 2) the acquiring means acquires the first information when a connection to a network to which the external device can be connected is established, regardless of whether the specific event has occurred; 2. The electronic device according to configuration 1, wherein the acquiring means, when the specific event occurs, performs control based on the first information acquired before the specific event occurs. (Configuration 3) the acquiring means acquires the first information from the external device in response to an occurrence of the specific event when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted; 2. The electronic device according to configuration 1, wherein the control means performs control based on the first information acquired in response to the occurrence of the specific event. (Configuration 4) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that when the permission status indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is information corresponding to an update, when the reception screen is displayed based on the occurrence of the specific event, the control means controls the display to indicate at least one of that the update has occurred and that the reception screen is accepting further permission. (Configuration 5) The electronic device described in configuration 1, characterized in that when the control means accepts an operation indicating consent on the reception screen, it then controls the transmission of information to the destination corresponding to the specific event. (Configuration 6) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the acquisition means transmits information on a destination of the electronic device to the external device, and acquires the first information corresponding to the destination from the external device. (Configuration 7) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the permission status stored in the memory means includes information indicating whether or not an operation indicating user permission to send information about the electronic device from the electronic device to the destination via the Internet has been accepted. (Configuration 8) The electronic device described in configuration 7, characterized in that the permission status stored in the memory means includes information indicating whether an operation indicating a user's permission to send information regarding the use of a service from the electronic device to the destination via the Internet has been accepted, and information indicating whether an operation indicating a user's permission to send information regarding the usage status of the electronic device from the electronic device to the destination via the Internet has been accepted. (Configuration 9) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that when an operation indicating consent is accepted on the reception screen, the storage means stores consent information indicating that an operation indicating the user's consent has been accepted in correspondence with the updated consent content. (Configuration 10) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the storage means stores information capable of identifying a version of the permission content when the permission status is a permission status indicating that an operation indicating the user's consent has been accepted. (Configuration 11) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that when the first information is information corresponding to an update, the control means obtains information indicating the latest version of the permission content from an external device. (Configuration 12) the first information is information capable of identifying a latest version of the license content, The electronic device described in configuration 10, characterized in that when the first information is different from information that can identify the version of the stored permission content, the control means determines that the first information is information corresponding to an update. (Configuration 13) 13. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the permission content is a permission statement. (Configuration 14) The electronic device according to configuration 13, wherein the permission statement is stored in a server and is updated in response to addition of new functions or changes in law. (Configuration 15) 15. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 14, wherein the electronic device is a printer capable of executing a print process. (Method 1) A method for controlling an electronic device having a storage means for storing an authorization state indicating whether or not an operation indicating consent of a user to authorization content regarding transmission of information from the electronic device to a destination has been accepted, the method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, from an external device, first information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission content for which consent is required; a first control step of controlling, when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired in the acquisition step is not information corresponding to an update, to transmit information to the destination based on the occurrence of a specific event that should cause information to be transmitted to the destination, even if there is no user operation after the specific event; a second control step of controlling, when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to an update, to display a reception screen for accepting consent from a user to the updated permission content before transmitting information to the destination based on the occurrence of the specific event; 13. A method for controlling an electronic device comprising: (Program 1) A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 15. (Recording medium 1) 16. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 301 CPU, 302 program memory, 303 data memory, 304 communication control unit, 305 input interface, 306 output interface, 307 display unit, 308 print engine, 309 non-volatile memory, 310 RAM, 311 bus

Claims

1. An electronic device, a storage means for storing a permission state indicating whether or not an operation indicating consent of a user to a permission content that the user gives permission for transmitting information from the electronic device to a destination has been accepted; an acquisition means for acquiring first information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission content for which consent is required from an external device; When the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is not information corresponding to an update, control is performed so that information is transmitted to the destination based on the occurrence of a specific event that should cause information to be transmitted to the destination, even if there is no user operation after the specific event; a control means for controlling, when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is information corresponding to an update, to display a reception screen for accepting consent from a user to the updated permission content before transmitting information to the destination based on the occurrence of the specific event; 1. An electronic device comprising:

2. the acquiring means acquires the first information when a connection to a network to which the external device can be connected is established, regardless of whether the specific event has occurred; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit, when the specific event occurs, performs control based on the first information acquired before the specific event occurs.

3. the acquiring means acquires the first information from the external device in response to an occurrence of the specific event when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs control based on the first information acquired in response to the occurrence of the specific event.

4. The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the permission status indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired by the acquisition means is information corresponding to an update, when the reception screen is displayed based on the occurrence of the specific event, the control means controls the display to indicate at least one of that the update has occurred and that the reception screen is accepting further permission.

5. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when accepting an operation indicating consent on the reception screen, thereafter controls to transmit information corresponding to the specific event to the destination.

6. 2 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit transmits information on a destination of the electronic device to the external device, and acquires the first information corresponding to the destination from the external device.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the permission status stored in the memory means includes information indicating whether or not an operation indicating a user's permission to send information about the electronic device from the electronic device to the destination via the Internet has been accepted.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that the permission status stored in the memory means includes information indicating whether an operation indicating a user's permission to send information regarding the use of a service from the electronic device to the destination via the Internet has been accepted, and information indicating whether an operation indicating a user's permission to send information regarding the usage status of the electronic device from the electronic device to the destination via the Internet has been accepted.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when an operation indicating consent is received on the reception screen, the storage means stores consent information indicating that an operation indicating the user's consent has been received in correspondence with the updated consent content.

10. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores information capable of identifying a version of the permission content when the permission status is a permission status indicating that an operation indicating the user's consent has been accepted.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the first information corresponds to an update, the control means obtains information indicating the latest version of the permission contents from an external device.

12. the first information is information capable of identifying a latest version of the license content, The electronic device according to claim 10, characterized in that, when the first information is different from information capable of identifying a version of the stored permission content, the control means determines that the first information is information corresponding to an update.

13. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the permission content is a permission statement.

14. 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the permission statement is stored in a server and is updated in response to addition of new functions or amendments to laws.

15. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a printer capable of executing a printing process.

16. A method for controlling an electronic device having a storage means for storing an authorization state indicating whether or not an operation indicating consent of a user to authorization content regarding transmission of information from the electronic device to a destination has been accepted, the method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, from an external device, first information for determining whether or not there has been an update to the permission content for which consent is required; a first control step of controlling, when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired in the acquisition step is not information corresponding to an update, to transmit information to the destination based on the occurrence of a specific event that should cause information to be transmitted to the destination, even if there is no user operation after the specific event; a second control step of controlling, when the permission state indicates that an operation indicating consent has been accepted and the first information acquired in the acquisition step corresponds to an update, to display a reception screen for accepting consent from a user to the updated permission content before transmitting information to the destination based on the occurrence of the specific event; 13. A method for controlling an electronic device comprising:

17. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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