Computer program for terminal device, terminal device, and method for controlling terminal device

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of improving convenience of a user.SOLUTION: A terminal device receives, from a first server, notification-related information including style information indicating a display style of information and related information concerning notification information for a target device that can communicate with the terminal device. When the notification-related information includes first style information indicating a first display style, the terminal device displays a first notification screen in accordance with the first display style. The first notification screen includes first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information. When the notification-related information includes second style information indicating a second display style different from the first display style, the terminal device displays a second notification screen in accordance with the second display style. The second notification screen includes second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a terminal device that displays a notification screen. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including an MFP, a terminal device, a notification server, a service providing server, and a service management server. When a filter condition and a timing condition are satisfied, the terminal device displays a pop-up pull notification screen on a display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-96878 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification provides a technique that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a computer program for a terminal device. The computer program may cause a computer of the terminal device to function as: a notification-related information receiving unit that receives notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device that can communicate with the terminal device from a first server; a first display control unit that displays a first notification screen according to the first display format on a display unit of the terminal device when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, the first notification screen including first notification information related to the first related information included in the notification-related information; and a second display control unit that displays a second notification screen according to the second display format on the display unit when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to the second related information included in the notification-related information.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the terminal device receives notification-related information including the first format information from the first server, the terminal device displays a first notification screen according to the first display format on the display unit. Also, when the terminal device receives notification-related information including the second format information from the first server, the terminal device displays a second notification screen according to the second display format on the display unit. Therefore, the terminal device can appropriately switch the display format of the notification screen according to the notification-related information received from the first server. As a result, user convenience is improved.

[0007] A computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, a terminal device implemented by the computer program, and a method for controlling the terminal device are also novel and useful. Also, a communication system including the terminal device, the target device, and the first server is novel and useful. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of each table. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of each table. [Figure 4] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device during the registration process. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart of a guide screen display process executed by the terminal device. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart of a first notification process executed by the terminal device. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart of a notification display process executed by the terminal device. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of a second notification process executed by the terminal device. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device in case A. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case B. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case C. [Figure 12] 23 is an example of a fixed notification screen according to the seventh modified example. [Figure 13] 23 is an example of a notification screen in a normal banner format according to an eleventh modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a plurality of MFPs 10A and 10B, a terminal device 100, a notification server 200, a service providing server 300, and a management server 400. Hereinafter, the service providing server will be referred to as an "SP server." The MFPs 10A and 10B, and the terminal device 100 are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN) 4. The MFPs 10A and 10B, and the terminal device 100 are capable of communicating with each other via the LAN 4. The MFPs 10A and 10B, the terminal device 100, the notification server 200, the SP server 300, and the management server 400 are connected to the Internet 6. The MFPs 10A and 10B, the terminal device 100, the notification server 200, the SP server 300, and the management server 400 are capable of communicating with each other via the Internet 6.

[0010] (Configuration of MFP10A and 10B) MFPs 10A and 10B are peripheral devices (i.e. peripheral devices such as PCs) capable of executing printing and scanning functions. MFP 10A has a device name "DV1" and a model name "MN1." MFP 10B has a device name "DV2" and a model name "MN2." The device name is a name given to each of MFPs 10A and 10B by an MFP administrator. The model name is a name indicating the model of the MFP. Each of MFPs 10A and 10B is manufactured by the same vendor. Below, MFP 10A and MFP 10B may be collectively referred to as "MFP10."

[0011] (Configuration of terminal device 100) The terminal device 100 is a terminal device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a PDA, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, etc. The terminal device 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a communication interface 116, and a control unit 130. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F".

[0012] The operation unit 112 is an I / F that enables a user to input various information to the terminal device 100, and includes, for example, a touch screen, buttons, or both. The display unit 114 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The communication I / F 116 is connected to the LAN 4.

[0013] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. As an example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. As an example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. An OS program 140 and an application program 142 are stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 134. Hereinafter, the OS program 140 and the application program 142 are referred to as "OS 140" and "application 142", respectively. The OS 140 controls the basic operation of the terminal device 100. As an example, the application 142 causes the MFP 10 to execute a print function. The CPU 132 realizes various processes according to a program loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0014] The auxiliary storage device of the memory 134 further stores a device table 144, a first notification information table 146, a notification list 148, a notification flag 150, guide screen data 152, and a display history table 154. The notification list 148 is a list of notification screens to be displayed. The notification flag 150 indicates either "ON" which indicates that displaying the notification screen is permitted, or "OFF" which indicates that displaying the notification screen is prohibited. The guide screen data 152 is screen data representing a screen for guiding the user to the subscription service provided by the SP server 300. Hereinafter, the subscription service will be referred to as "subscription service".

[0015] (Configuration of notification server 200) The notification server 200 is installed on the Internet 6 by a business operator different from the vendor of the MFP 10. The notification server 200 may be a physical server, or a virtual server or a virtual machine on the cloud. The notification server 200 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers. The notification server 200 may be a server on an intranet or a cloud server on the Internet 6. In a modified example, the notification server 200 may be installed on the Internet 6 by the vendor of the MFP 10. In another modified example, the vendor may not prepare the hardware of the notification server 200 by itself, but may use an environment provided by an external cloud computing service. In this case, the vendor may prepare a program (i.e., software) for the notification server 200 and introduce it into the above-mentioned environment to realize the notification server 200. In this embodiment, as an example, a form in which the notification server 200 is a physical server will be described.

[0016] The notification server 200 is a server that provides notification-related information. The notification-related information is information related to notification information for the MFP 10 that can communicate with the terminal device 100. When the notification server 200 receives a notification-related information request from the terminal device 100, the notification server 200 transmits the notification-related information to the terminal device 100. The notification server 200 includes a memory 234. The memory 234 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. A second notification information table 240 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 234.

[0017] (Configuration of SP Server 300 and Management Server 400) The SP server 300 and the management server 400 are installed on the Internet 6 by the vendor of the MFP 10. The SP server 300 and the management server 400 may be physical servers, or may be virtual servers or virtual machines on the cloud. The SP server 300 and the management server 400 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers. The SP server 300 and the management server 400 may be servers on an intranet or cloud servers on the Internet 6. In a modified example, the SP server 300 and the management server 400 may be installed on the Internet 6 by a business entity different from the vendor of the MFP 10. In another modified example, the vendor may not prepare the hardware of the SP server 300 and the management server 400 by itself, but may use an environment provided by an external cloud computing service. In this case, the vendor may prepare the programs (i.e., software) of the SP server 300 and the management server 400 and introduce them into the above-mentioned environment to realize the SP server 300 and the management server 400. In this embodiment, as an example, a form in which the SP server 300 and the management server 400 are physical servers will be described.

[0018] The SP server 300 is a server for providing services related to the MFP 10. The SP server 300 provides a remote printing service and a subscription service. The remote printing service is a service for sending a print instruction to the MFP 10 from a remote location via the SP server 300. The subscription service is a flat-rate service in which a predetermined amount is paid if the number of printed sheets in a predetermined period (e.g., one month) is equal to or less than the contracted number of printed sheets (e.g., 1000 sheets), and a billed amount that is the sum of a flat rate fee and an amount according to the number of printed sheets exceeding the contracted number of printed sheets is paid if the number of printed sheets in the predetermined period exceeds the contracted number of printed sheets. The subscription service includes an automatic ordering service that automatically orders a new cartridge when the remaining amount of ink in a cartridge installed in the MFP 10 falls below a predetermined amount. The SP server 300 includes a memory 334. A user table 340 is stored in the memory 334.

[0019] The management server 400 is a server for managing support information for the remote printing service and the subscription service. The management server 400 includes a memory 434. The memory 434 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. A service table 440 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 434. In the service table 440, a model name, first support information, and second support information are stored in association with each other. The first support information indicates either "ON" indicating that the remote printing service is supported, or "OFF" indicating that the remote printing service is not supported. The second support information indicates either "ON" indicating that the subscription service is supported, or "OFF" indicating that the subscription service is not supported.

[0020] (Table structure: Figure 2, Figure 3) The device table 144, the first notification information table 146, and the display history table 154 in the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] The device table 144 is a table for managing information on devices registered in the application 142. In the device table 144, a device name, a model name, first registration information, second registration information, first support information, second support information, and selection information are stored in association with each other. The first registration information indicates either "registered" indicating that a remote printing service is provided to a user of a device associated with the information, or "unregistered" indicating that a remote printing service is not provided to the user. The second registration information indicates either "registered" indicating that a subscription service is provided to a user of a device associated with the information, or "unregistered" indicating that a subscription service is not provided to the user. The selection information indicates either "ON" indicating that a device associated with the information is a destination of instruction information, or "OFF" indicating that the device is not a destination of instruction information. The instruction information is a print instruction, a scan instruction, or the like.

[0022] The first notification information table 146 is a table for managing the notification-related information received from the notification server 200. In the first notification information table 146, the notification-related information and an operation completion flag are stored in association with each other. The notification-related information includes a notification ID for identifying the notification-related information, format information indicating the display format of the notification screen, related information, a notification condition, and a dynamic display flag. The display format indicates the size of the screen, the position where the screen is displayed, and the like. Although not shown, the notification-related information also includes the model name. The format information is one of "normal banner", "large screen", "fixed banner", and "fixed type". The format information "normal banner" is information indicating that a banner-format notification screen (for example, the notification screen SC14 in FIG. 9) is to be displayed on the display unit. The notification screen displayed according to the format information "normal banner" is erased from the display unit when the notification time (for example, 7 seconds) has elapsed since the screen was displayed. That is, the notification screen displayed according to the format information "normal banner" is hidden on the display unit when the notification time has elapsed since the screen was displayed. The format information "large screen" is information indicating that a notification screen (for example, the notification screen SC18 in FIG. 10) having a screen size larger than the banner format notification screen is to be displayed on the display unit. The notification screen is a so-called modal screen in which other screens cannot be operated unless a button in the notification screen is operated. The notification screen is not erased from the display unit even if the notification time has elapsed since the notification screen was displayed. The format information "fixed banner" is information indicating that a notification screen (for example, the notification screen SC10 in FIG. 8) in the banner format is to be displayed on the display unit. The notification screen is not erased from the display unit 114 even if the notification time has elapsed since the notification screen was displayed. The format information "fixed" is information indicating that a fixed notification screen (for example, the notification screen SC12 in FIG. 8) is to be displayed on the display unit. Here, "fixed" refers to a format in which the notification screen is not erased from the display unit 114 even if an operation for selecting the notification screen itself is received from the user.

[0023] The related information is information related to notification information for an MFP capable of communicating with terminal device 100. When the format information is "normal banner", "fixed banner", or "fixed type", the related information includes title information and message information. The title information is information indicating a title (i.e., a character string) to be displayed in the notification screen. The message information is information indicating a message (i.e., a character string) to be displayed in the notification screen. When the format information is "large screen", the related information includes title information, a URL, and button information. The URL is a URL for acquiring text information, image information, etc. to be displayed in the notification screen. The button information is information indicating a character string to be displayed on a button in the notification screen.

[0024] The notification condition includes a device condition and a period condition. The device condition is information indicating a condition related to a device. As an example, the device condition includes "second registration information = unregistered". The period condition is information indicating a period for displaying the notification screen.

[0025] The dynamic display flag indicates either "ON", which indicates that when the notification condition is met, the notification screen is permitted to be displayed even if no operation to display the notification screen (hereinafter referred to as a "notification screen display operation") is received from the user, or "OFF", which indicates that the notification screen is prohibited from being displayed if the notification screen display operation is not received from the user.

[0026] The operation completion flag indicates either "ON" which indicates that a user operation on the notification screen has been accepted, or "OFF" which indicates that a user operation on the notification screen has not been accepted.

[0027] Display history table 154 is a table for managing the display history of guidance screen SC8 (see FIG. 5) represented by guidance screen data 152 in memory 134. Display history table 154 stores display date and time information indicating the display date and time when guidance screen SC8 was last displayed, and count information indicating the cumulative number of times that guidance screen SC8 has been displayed, in association with each other.

[0028] The second notification information table 240 in the notification server 200 and the user table 340 in the SP server 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0029] The second notification information table 240 is a table for managing notification related information. One or more pieces of notification related information are stored in the second notification information table 240. Each piece of information in the second notification information table 240 is registered in the notification server 200 in response to a request from the vendor of the MFP 10 or the like to the business entity that installs the notification server 200 to register the notification related information. That is, the notification conditions in the notification related information are conditions determined by the notification server 200.

[0030] The user table 340 in the SP server 300 is a table for managing information about users. In the user table 340, a user name for identifying a user, a device name, first registration information, and second registration information are stored in association with each other. A user ID is registered when subscribing to a remote printing service or a subscription service.

[0031] (Registration process; Figure 4) A process for registering a device in the application 142 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the following, all communications between the terminal device 100 and other devices (MFP 10, notification server 200, SP server 300, and management server 400) are performed via the communication I / F 116 of the terminal device 100. Therefore, in the following, the description "via the communication I / F 116" will be omitted. In addition, the application 142 accesses each piece of hardware, such as the display unit 114, memory 134, and communication I / F 116, via the OS 136 to perform various processes. In the following, the description will be omitted as appropriate for the application 142 performing processes via the OS 140.

[0032] First, the user of the terminal device 100 executes an operation for starting the application 142 (hereinafter, referred to as an "application starting operation") on the terminal device 100. As a result, the application 142 of the terminal device 100 displays a home screen SC2 on the display unit 114. The home screen SC2 includes a device object 500, a print button 502, a scan button 504, and a setting button 506. The device object 500 indicates information about a device that is a destination of instruction information. Note that, when two or more devices are registered in the application 142, information about one of the two or more devices is displayed in the device object 500. Also, when no device is registered in the application 142, a character string "not selected" is displayed in the device object 500. The setting button 506 is a button for displaying a setting screen (not shown) that allows the setting of the notification flag 150 to be changed.

[0033] At T10, the user executes an operation on the device object 500 on the home screen SC2. As a result, the application 142 executes a search process for searching for devices belonging to the LAN4, and displays a device selection screen SC4 on the display unit 114. In the search process, the application 142 receives a response signal including a device name and a model name from the devices belonging to the LAN4 (two MFPs 10A and 10B in this embodiment) in response to transmitting a search signal for searching for devices belonging to the LAN4 to the LAN4. The application 142 uses the received response signal to display the device selection screen SC4 on the display unit 114. The device selection screen SC4 includes device buttons 510 and 512 corresponding to the received response signals, and a cancel button 514. The device buttons 510 and 512 are buttons for selecting a device to be registered in the application 142. The device buttons 510 and 512 are buttons corresponding to the MFPs 10A and 10B, respectively.

[0034] At T12, the user executes an operation on the device button 512 on the device selection screen SC4. As a result, the application 142 stores the device name "DV2" and the model name "MN2" associated with the device button 512 in the device table 144. The application 142 also stores the first registration information "unregistered", the second registration information "unregistered", and the selection information "ON" in the device table 144. Then, the application 142 transmits a support information request including the model name "MN2" to the management server 400, and receives support information including the first support information "ON" and the second support information "OFF" from the management server 400. In this case, the application 142 stores the first support information "ON" and the second support information "OFF" in the device table 144. In this manner, the MFP 10B is registered in the application 142. Then, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display the home screen SC6. Home screen SC6 is similar to home screen SC6 except that device name "DV2" is displayed in device object 500 and notification button 508 is included. Notification button 508 is a button for displaying a list screen including a list of information in first notification information table 146. In response to receiving an operation of print button 502 or scan button 504 on home screen SC6 from the user, terminal device 100 transmits instruction information to MFP 10B. In other words, home screen SC6 is also a function selection screen for selecting a function to be executed by MFP 10B.

[0035] (Guide screen display process; Figure 5) A guide screen display process executed by the application 142 of the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The application 142 starts the process of Fig. 5 when an application startup operation is received. Note that the application 142 executes the guide screen display process only when the second registration information "unregistered" and the second support information "ON" are stored in association with each other in the device table 144.

[0036] In S10, the application 142 determines whether the display date and time information is empty in the display history table 154. If the display date and time information is empty (YES in S10), the application 142 proceeds to S24. On the other hand, if the display date and time information is not empty (NO in S10), the application 142 proceeds to S12.

[0037] In S12, the application 142 identifies the display date and time indicated by the display date and time information in the display history table 154. In S14, the application 142 determines whether or not a predetermined period has passed since the identified display date and time. The predetermined period may be stored in advance in the memory 134, or may be determined based on the operating state of the MFP 10. If the application 142 determines that the predetermined period has not passed since the identified display date and time (NO in S14), the application 142 ends the processing of FIG. 5. On the other hand, if the application 142 determines that the predetermined period has passed since the identified display date and time (YES in S14), the application 142 proceeds to S20.

[0038] In S20, the application 142 identifies the number of times of display indicated by the display count information in the display history table 154. In S22, the application 142 judges whether or not the identified number of times of display is less than the upper limit value of the number of times. The upper limit value of the number of times may be stored in advance in the memory 134, as in the case of a predetermined period, or may be determined based on the operating state of the MFP 10. If the identified number of times of display matches the upper limit value of the number of times (NO in S22), the application 142 ends the processing in FIG. 5. On the other hand, if the identified number of times of display is less than the upper limit value of the number of times (YES in S22), the application 142 proceeds to S24.

[0039] In S24, the application 142 displays the guide screen SC8 represented by the guide screen data 152 in the memory 134 on the display unit 114. The guide screen SC8 includes a guide message 520, a registration button 522, a cancel button 524, and an end button 526. The guide message 520 is a message that introduces the subscription service and urges the user to subscribe to the subscription service. As an example, the guide message 520 is "If you subscribe to the subscription service, you can perform printing at a fixed price." The registration button 522 is a button for accessing a registration page of the subscription service.

[0040] In S30, the application 142 updates the display history table 154. Specifically, the application 142 stores the current date and time as display date and time information, and increments the display count. When S30 ends, the application 142 ends the process in Fig. 5. Note that, when the process in Fig. 5 ends in response to a determination of NO in S14 or NO in S22, or when the cancel button 524 or the end button 526 on the guidance screen SC8 is operated, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display the home screen.

[0041] (First notification process; Figure 6) The first notification process executed by the application 142 of the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. When the application 142 receives an application startup operation, the application 142 starts the process in Fig. 6. Note that, when a screen display guide process is executed after the application startup operation is received, the application 142 executes the first notification process after the screen display guide process is completed.

[0042] In S50, the application 142 monitors whether a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours) has elapsed since the previous reception of the notification-related information from the notification server 200. If the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous reception of the notification-related information from the notification server 200, the application 142 determines YES in S50 and proceeds to S52.

[0043] In S52, the application 142 transmits a notification-related information request to the notification server 200. The notification-related information request is a signal for requesting transmission of notification-related information. The notification-related information request includes one or more model names stored in the device table 144. In this case, the notification server 200 transmits, to the terminal device 100, notification-related information corresponding to one or more model names in the notification-related information request.

[0044] In S54, the application 142 receives the notification-related information from the notification server 200.

[0045] In S56, the application 142 stores the received notification-related information and the operation completion flag "OFF" in the first notification information table 146 in association with each other.

[0046] In S58, the application 142 executes a notification display process (see FIG. 7). The notification display process is a process for displaying a notification screen corresponding to the notification-related information including the format information "normal banner" or "large screen". When S58 ends, the application 142 returns to S50.

[0047] In parallel with the monitoring in S50, the application 142 determines in S60 whether or not the screen displayed on the display unit 114 has been changed. If the application 142 determines that the screen displayed on the display unit 114 has been changed, the application 142 determines YES in S60 and proceeds to S58.

[0048] In parallel with monitoring S50 and S60, the application 142 determines in S70 whether or not an operation for changing the notification flag 150 to "ON" (hereinafter, may be referred to as a "notification flag change operation") has been accepted. If the notification flag change operation has been accepted, the application 142 determines YES in S70 and proceeds to S58.

[0049] (Notification display process; Figure 7) Next, the notification display process executed in S58 in Fig. 6 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In S90, the application 142 specifies, as a first target notification-related information, one piece of notification-related information in the first notification information table 146 that includes format information "normal banner" or "large screen" and a dynamic display flag "ON" and is associated with an operation completion flag "OFF".

[0050] In S92, the application 142 judges whether or not the notification condition in the first target notification related information is satisfied. If the notification condition is satisfied (YES in S92), the application 142 proceeds to S94. On the other hand, if the notification condition is not satisfied (NO in S92), the application 142 proceeds to S96. For example, assume that the notification condition in the first target notification related information includes a device condition "second registration information = not registered" and a period condition "2023 / 12 / 1 to 2023 / 12 / 10". In this case, the application 142 judges YES in S92 when the device table 144 includes the second registration information "not registered" and today's date is within the period within the period condition. On the other hand, the application 142 judges NO in S92 when the device table 144 does not include the second registration information "not registered" or today's date is outside the period.

[0051] In S94 , the application 142 adds the first target notification-related information to the notification list 148 .

[0052] In S96, the application 142 judges whether or not the processes of S90 to S94 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "first notification check process") have been executed for all notification-related information that includes the format information "normal banner" or "large screen" and the dynamic display flag "ON" and is associated with the operation flag "OFF" in the first notification information table 146. If the application 142 judges that the first notification check process has been executed for all notification-related information (YES in S96), the application 142 proceeds to S100. On the other hand, if the application 142 judges that the first notification check process has not been executed for one or more pieces of notification-related information (NO in S96), the application 142 returns to S90.

[0053] In S100, the application 142 determines whether the notification list 148 is empty. If the notification list 148 is empty (YES in S100), the application 142 ends the process in Fig. 7. On the other hand, if the notification list 148 is not empty (NO in S100), the application 142 proceeds to S102.

[0054] In S102, the application 142 determines whether or not a prohibited screen is being displayed. The prohibited screen is a screen on which display of a notification screen is prohibited. In this embodiment, the prohibited screens are the guide screen SC8 (see FIG. 5), screens related to print instructions (e.g., a print preview screen, a print setting screen, and a print in progress screen), and screens related to scan instructions (e.g., a scan setting screen and a scan in progress screen). If the prohibited screen is being displayed on the display unit 114 (YES in S102), the application 142 ends the process in FIG. 7. On the other hand, if the prohibited screen is not being displayed on the display unit 114 (NO in S102), the application 142 proceeds to S110.

[0055] In S110, the application 142 obtains one piece of notification-related information from the notification list 148.

[0056] In S112, the application 142 determines whether the format information included in the acquired notification-related information is "normal banner." If the format information is "normal banner" (YES in S112), the application 142 proceeds to S114. On the other hand, if the format information is "large screen" (NO in S112), the application 142 proceeds to S130.

[0057] In S114, application 142 uses the notification-related information acquired in S110 to display a banner-format notification screen on display unit 114. Specifically, application 142 uses title information and message information in the notification-related information to display a notification screen on display unit 114. As shown in Fig. 9, the banner-format notification screen SC14 is displayed as a pop-up on top of the screen currently displayed on display unit 114.

[0058] In S116 of FIG. 7, the application 142 deletes from the notification list 148 the notification-related information corresponding to the already acquired notification-related information.

[0059] In S118, the application 142 monitors whether the elapsed time from when the banner-format notification screen was displayed on the display unit 114 has exceeded the notification time (for example, 7 seconds). If the elapsed time exceeds the notification time, the application 142 determines YES in S118 and proceeds to S120.

[0060] In S120, the application 142 erases the banner-format notification screen from the display unit 114.

[0061] S122 is the same as S100. If the application 142 determines YES in S122, it ends the process in Fig. 7. On the other hand, if the application 142 determines NO in S122, it returns to S110.

[0062] Furthermore, if the determination in S112 is NO, in S130, the application 142 transmits a screen data request to the notification server 200. The screen data request includes the URL included in the notification-related information acquired in S110.

[0063] In S132, the application 142 receives, from the notification server 200, the screen data corresponding to the URL transmitted in S130.

[0064] In S134, application 142 displays a notification screen in a large screen format by using the notification-related information acquired in S110 and the screen data received in S130. The notification screen in a large screen format is displayed on display unit 114 in a manner that almost completely covers the screen currently displayed on display unit 114. When S134 ends, application 142 ends the process in FIG. 7.

[0065] (Second notification process; Figure 8) The second notification process executed by the application 142 of the terminal device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The application 142 starts the process of Fig. 8 when it receives an application start operation. Note that, when a screen display guide process is executed after the application start operation is received, the application 142 executes the second notification process after the screen display guide process ends. Also, the application 142 executes the second notification process when a prohibition screen is not displayed on the display unit 114.

[0066] In S140, the application 142 identifies one piece of notification-related information including the format information "fixed banner" or "fixed style" in the first notification information table 146 as the second target notification-related information.

[0067] In S142, the application 142 judges whether or not the notification condition in the second target notification related information is satisfied. If the notification condition is satisfied (YES in S142), the application 142 proceeds to S144. On the other hand, if the notification condition is not satisfied (NO in S142), the application 142 proceeds to S146.

[0068] In S144, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display a notification screen by using the second target notification related information.

[0069] A case will be described where a notification screen SC10 corresponding to the format information "fixed banner" is displayed when the home screen SC6 is displayed on the display unit 114. The notification screen SC10 in the fixed banner format is displayed on the home screen SC6. The notification screen SC10 in the fixed banner format is displayed in a blank area of ​​the home screen SC6. The notification screen SC10 includes title information and message information in the second target notification related information. As an example, the title information is "Service (model name=MN2)", and the message indicated by the message information is "Would you like to subscribe to a remote printing service?". Note that, when accepting an operation on the notification screen SC10 in the fixed banner format itself, the application 142 transmits operation information including a notification ID in the second target notification related information to the management server 400. In addition, a screen for subscribing to a remote printing service is displayed on the display unit 114.

[0070] In addition, a case where a notification screen SC12 corresponding to the format information "fixed" is displayed in a state where the home screen SC6 is displayed on the display unit 114 will be described. The fixed notification screen SC12 is displayed on the home screen SC6. The fixed notification screen SC12 is displayed in a blank area of ​​the home screen SC6. The fixed notification screen SC12 is displayed in an emphasized manner compared to the notification screen SC10 in the fixed banner format. In this embodiment, the fixed notification screen SC12 is surrounded by a thick frame. The fixed notification screen SC12 includes title information and message information in the second target notification related information. As an example, the title information is "System Information" and the message information is "The notification server is under maintenance." When the application 142 accepts an operation on the fixed notification screen SC12 itself, the application 142 transmits operation information including a notification ID in the second target notification related information to the management server 400. According to the above configuration, the user can know that notification server 200 is undergoing maintenance and therefore cannot access notification server 200. Therefore, the user can know that new notification-related information cannot be obtained.

[0071] In S146, the application 142 judges whether the processes of S140 to S144 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "second notification check process") have been executed for all notification-related information including the format information "fixed banner" or "fixed" in the first notification information table 146. When the application 142 judges that the second notification check process has been executed for all notification-related information (YES in S146), the application 142 ends the process of FIG. 8. On the other hand, when the application 142 judges that the second notification check process has not been executed for one or more pieces of notification-related information (NO in S146), the application 142 returns to S140.

[0072] (Specific cases: Figures 9 to 11) Screens displayed in specific cases realized by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0073] (Case A; Figure 9) Case A will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In the initial state of case A, in the device table 144, the device name "DV1", the model name "MN1", the first registration information "OFF", the second registration information "OFF", the first support information "ON", the second support information "ON", and the selection information "OFF" are stored in association with each other, and the device name "DV2", the model name "MN2", the first registration information "OFF", the second registration information "OFF", the first support information "ON", the second support information "OFF", and the selection information "ON" are stored in association with each other. In addition, in the display history table 154, the display date and time "2023 / 11 / 20" and the display count "2" are stored in association with each other. Furthermore, the second notification information table 240 of the notification server 200 stores first notification related information including a notification ID "ID1", format information "normal banner", title information NT1, message information MS1, device condition "second registration information = not registered", period condition "2023 / 12 / 1-2023 / 12 / 10", and dynamic display flag "ON". Note that the date in case A is "2023 / 12 / 3".

[0074] First, an application start operation is executed on the terminal device 100 by the user. As a result, the application 142 of the terminal device 100 executes a guidance screen display process (see FIG. 5). The application 142 determines that the display date and time information in the display history table 154 is not blank (NO in S10), identifies the display date and time "2023 / 11 / 20" in the display history table 154 (S12), and determines that a predetermined period has passed since the display date and time (YES in S14). The application 142 also identifies the display count "2" in the display history table 154 (S20), and determines that the display count "2" is less than the upper limit value (e.g., "5") (YES in S22). In this case, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display the guidance screen SC8.

[0075] Furthermore, the application 142 executes a first notification process (see FIG. 6). The application 142 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the application 142 previously received notification-related information from the notification server 200 (YES in S50), transmits a notification-related information request to the notification server 200 (S52), and receives the first notification-related information from the notification server 200 (S54). In this case, the application 142 associates the first notification-related information with an operation completion flag "OFF" and stores the information in the first notification information table 146 (S56). The application 142 specifies the first notification-related information that includes the format information "normal banner" and is associated with the operation completion flag "OFF" in the first notification information table 146 as the first target notification-related information (S90 in FIG. 7). The application 142 determines that the notification condition in the first notification-related information is satisfied (YES in S92), adds the first notification-related information to the notification list 148 (S94), and determines that the first notification check process has been executed for all notification-related information that includes the format information "normal banner" or "large screen" and the dynamic display flag "ON" and is associated with the operation flag "OFF" (YES in S96). The application 142 determines that the notification list 148 is not empty (NO in S100), and determines that the prohibition screen is being displayed (YES in S102). In this case, the application 142 does not display the notification screen.

[0076] At T110, the user operates the cancel button 524 on the guidance screen SC8, which causes the application 142 to display the home screen SC6 on the display unit 114 in place of the guidance screen SC8.

[0077] At T112, the user operates the device object 500 on the home screen SC6. As a result, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display a device selection screen SC4 instead of the home screen SC6. In this case, the application 142 determines that the screen displayed on the display unit 114 has been changed (YES in S60). The application 142 identifies the first notification related information as the first target notification related information (S90 in FIG. 7), determines that the notification condition is satisfied (YES in S92), adds the first notification related information to the notification list 148 (S94), and determines that the first notification check process has been executed (YES in S96). The application 142 determines that the notification list 148 is not empty (NO in S100), and determines that the prohibition screen is not being displayed (NO in S102). The application 142 acquires the first notification related information from the notification list 148 (S110) and determines that the format information included in the first notification related information is "normal banner" (YES in S112). In this case, the application 142 uses the first notification related information to display the banner format notification screen SC14 on the display unit 114. The banner format notification screen SC14 is displayed on the device selection screen SC4. The banner format notification screen SC14 in this case includes a title "Service (Model MN1)" and a message "Would you like to subscribe to a subscription service?". Note that, in a state in which the banner format notification screen SC14 is displayed, an operation on the home screen SC6 by the user is enabled. That is, when a button on the home screen SC6 is operated, the application 142 executes a process corresponding to the button.

[0078] At T120, the user performs an operation on the banner-format notification screen SC14 itself (for example, tapping the screen). This causes the application 142 to supply a URL corresponding to a subscription service registration screen SC16 to the OS 136. The OS 136 accesses the URL and causes the subscription service registration screen SC16 to be displayed on the display unit 114. The subscription service registration screen SC16 includes a message 530 regarding the subscription service and a registration button 532. As an example, the message 530 is "If you subscribe to the subscription service, you can perform printing at a fixed rate."

[0079] Furthermore, in T130, the application 142 transmits first operation information including the notification ID "ID1" in the first notification related information to the management server 400. The first operation information is information indicating that the banner-format notification screen itself has been operated by the user. In addition, the application 142 updates the device table 144 and the first notification information table 146 in T132. Specifically, the application 142 changes the selection information associated with the device name "DV2" to "OFF" in the device table 144, and changes the selection information associated with the device name "DV1" to "ON". As a result, in the home screen displayed thereafter, the device name "DV1" is displayed in the device object. In addition, the application 142 changes the operation flag associated with the first notification related information to "ON" in the first notification information table 146.

[0080] (Effect of Case A) As described above, when the selection information associated with the device name "DV1" is "OFF", the selection information associated with the device name "DV2" is "ON", and an operation is received on the banner format notification screen SC14 itself, the terminal device 100 changes the selection information associated with the device name "DV1" to "ON" and the selection information associated with the device name "DV2" to "OFF". When the information displayed on the notification screen SC14 is information related to the device name "DV1", the user is likely to use the MFP 10A having the device name "DV1" thereafter. For this reason, by changing the selection information so that the MFP 10A is the destination of the instruction information, it is possible to improve the user's convenience.

[0081] (Case B; Figure 10) Case B will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The information stored in the device table 144 in the initial state of case B is the same as the information stored in the device table 144 in the initial state of case A. In the display history table 154, the display date and time "2023 / 11 / 30" and the display count "2" are stored in association with each other. Furthermore, the second notification information table 240 of the notification server 200 stores second notification related information including the notification ID "ID2", format information "large screen", title information NT2, URL2, button information BT2, device condition "second registration information = not registered", period condition "2023 / 12 / 1-2023 / 12 / 10", and dynamic display flag "ON". The date in case B is "2023 / 12 / 3".

[0082] First, an application startup operation is executed on the terminal device 100 by the user. As a result, the application 142 of the terminal device 100 executes a guidance screen display process (see FIG. 5). The application 142 determines that the display date and time information in the display history table 154 is not blank (NO in S10), identifies the display date and time "2023 / 11 / 30" in the display history table 154 (S12), and determines that a predetermined period has not elapsed since the display date and time (NO in S14). In this case, the application 142 does not display the guidance screen SC8 on the display unit 114. Then, the application 142 displays the home screen SC6 on the display unit 114.

[0083] Next, the application 142 executes a first notification process (see FIG. 6). The application 142 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the application 142 previously received notification-related information from the notification server 200 (YES in S50), transmits a notification-related information request to the notification server 200 (S52), and receives second notification-related information from the notification server 200 (S54). In this case, the application 142 associates the second notification-related information with an operation completion flag "OFF" and stores them in the first notification information table 146 (S56).

[0084] In addition, the application 142 specifies, in the first notification information table 146, second notification-related information that includes the format information "large screen" and is associated with the operation flag "OFF" as the first target notification-related information (S90 in FIG. 7). The application 142 determines that the notification condition in the second notification-related information is satisfied (YES in S92), and adds the second notification-related information to the notification list 148 (S94). After that, the application 142 executes the same process as in case A (S96, S100, S102). Next, the application 142 acquires the second notification-related information from the notification list 148 (S110), and determines that the format information included in the second notification-related information is not "banner format" (NO in S112). In this case, the application 142 transmits a screen data request including the URL2 in the second notification-related information as a destination to the notification server 200 (S130), and receives screen data corresponding to the URL2 from the notification server 200 (S132). Then, the application 142 uses the title information NT2 in the second notification-related information, the button information BT2 in the second notification-related information, and the received screen data to display the large-screen notification screen SC18 on the display unit 114 (S134). The large-screen notification screen SC18 is displayed on the home screen SC6 in such a manner that it covers the home screen SC6 almost completely. The large-screen notification screen SC18 includes a title 540, a message 552, a next button 554, and a close button 546. As an example, the title 540 is "Service (model MN1)". It includes a message "Would you like to subscribe to the subscription service?". Also, as an example, message 542 is "If you subscribe to the subscription service, you will receive benefits. Would you like to subscribe to the subscription service?" The character string "Next" in next button 554 is information indicated by button information BT2. Note that, when large-screen notification screen SC18 is displayed, operations by the user on home screen SC6 are disabled. That is, the user cannot perform operations on home screen SC6 in response to performing an operation on large-screen notification screen SC18 until large-screen notification screen SC18 is hidden. The large-screen notification screen may include not only character strings such as messages, but also image information.

[0085] At T210, the user operates the Next button 544 on the large-screen notification screen SC18. This causes the application 142 to supply a URL corresponding to the subscription service registration screen SC16 to the OS 136. The OS 136 accesses the URL and causes the display unit 114 to display the subscription service registration screen SC16.

[0086] Furthermore, in T212, the application 142 transmits second operation information including the notification ID "ID2" in the second notification related information to the management server 400. The second operation information is information indicating that a button in the large-screen notification screen has been operated by the user. In addition, the application 142 updates the device table 144 and the first notification information table 146 in T222. Specifically, the application 142 changes the selection information associated with the device name "DV2" to "OFF" in the device table 144, and changes the selection information associated with the device name "DV1" to "ON". In addition, the application 142 changes the operation flag associated with the second notification related information to "ON" in the first notification information table 146. Note that, when the close button 546 of the large-screen notification screen SC18 is operated by the user, the application 142 erases the large-screen notification screen SC18 from the home screen SC6. This allows the user to operate the home screen SC6. In this case, the application 142 does not execute T220 and T222.

[0087] (Effects of Case A and Case B) 9, when the terminal device 100 receives an operation on the banner-format notification screen SC14 itself, the terminal device 100 transmits first operation information to the management server 400. Also, as shown in case B of Fig. 10, when the terminal device 100 receives an operation on the Next button 544 on the large-screen format notification screen SC18, the terminal device 100 transmits second operation information to the management server 400. With this configuration, the administrator of the management server 400 can learn notification information that is useful to the user by analyzing the operation information received from the terminal device 100.

[0088] As shown in case B of FIG. 10, when the selection information associated with the device name "DV1" is "OFF", the selection information associated with the device name "DV2" is "ON", and an operation on the Next button 544 on the large-screen notification screen SC18 is accepted, the terminal device 100 changes the selection information associated with the device name "DV1" to "ON" and the selection information associated with the device name "DV2" to "OFF". When the information displayed on the notification screen SC18 is information related to the device name "DV1", there is a high possibility that the user will use the MFP 10A having the device name "DV1" thereafter. For this reason, by changing the selection information so that the MFP 10A is the destination of the instruction information, it is possible to improve the user's convenience.

[0089] As shown in case A of FIG. 9, when the first notification-related information includes the format information "normal banner", the notification condition is satisfied, and a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the guide screen SC8 was displayed on the display unit 114, the terminal device 100 displays the guide screen SC8 on the display unit 114 before displaying the notification screen SC14 in the banner format on the display unit 114. Also, when the notification-related information includes the format information "large screen", the notification condition is satisfied, and a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the guide screen SC8 was displayed on the display unit 114, the terminal device 100 displays the guide screen SC8 on the display unit 114 before displaying the notification screen in the large screen format on the display unit 114. According to this configuration, the terminal device 100 displays the guide screen SC8 on the display unit 114 in preference to the notification screen. The guide screen SC8 is more likely to be useful to the user than the notification screen. Therefore, the user's convenience can be improved.

[0090] As shown in case A of Fig. 9, the title of the banner-format notification screen SC14 includes the model name. Title 540 of the large-screen-format notification screen SC18 of Fig. 10 also includes the model name. With this configuration, the user can know the model name that the notification screen targets.

[0091] (Case C; Figure 11) Case C will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The information stored in the device table 144 in the initial state of case C is the same as the information stored in the device table 144 in the initial state of case A. In the display history table 154, the display date and time "2023 / 11 / 30" and the display count "2" are stored in association with each other. In addition, in the first notification information table 146, the operation completion flag "ON" is stored in association with the first notification related information and the second notification related information. Furthermore, in the second notification information table 240 of the notification server 200, the third notification related information including the notification ID "ID3", the format information "large screen", the title information NT3, the URL3, the button information BT3, and the dynamic display flag "OFF" is stored. The date of case C is "2023 / 12 / 3".

[0092] First, the user executes an application startup operation on the terminal device 100. In this case, similar to the case B, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display the home screen SC6 without causing the display unit 114 to display the guide screen SC8.

[0093] Next, the application 142 transmits a notification related information request to the notification server 200 (S52), receives the third notification related information from the notification server 200 (S54), and stores the third notification related information in association with the operation completion flag "OFF" in the first notification information table 146 (S56). The application 142 also executes S90 to S94 in FIG. 7. In this case, not a single piece of notification related information is added to the notification list 148. For this reason, the application 142 determines that the notification list 148 is empty (YES in S100), and does not display a notification screen on the home screen SC6.

[0094] At T310, the user operates the notification button 508 on the home screen SC6. This causes the application 142 to display the list screen SC20 on the display unit 114. The list screen SC20 includes notification objects 560, 562, and 564, operation completion information 566 and 568, and a cancel button 570. The notification objects 560, 562, and 564 correspond to the first notification related information, the second notification related information, and the third notification related information, respectively. The notification object 560 includes title information NT1 and message information MS1. The notification object 562 includes title information NT2 and URL2. The notification object 564 includes title information NT3 and URL3. The notification objects 560, 562, and 564 include a model name. With this configuration, the user can know the model name that the notification screen targets. Operation completion information 566 and 568 is information indicating that a user operation on the notification screen has been accepted.

[0095] At T312, the user operates the notification object 564 on the list screen SC20. As a result, the application 142 transmits a screen data request including the URL3 in the third notification related information as a destination to the notification server 200, and receives screen data corresponding to the URL3. Then, the application 142 uses the title information NT3 in the third notification related information, the button information BT3 in the third notification related information, and the received screen data to display the large-screen notification screen SC22 on the display unit 114. The large-screen notification screen SC22 is displayed on the list screen SC20 in a state in which it covers the list screen SC20 almost completely. The large-screen notification screen SC22 in this case includes a title 580, a message 582, a next button 584, and a close button 586. As an example, the title 580 is "Service (Model MN1)". Also, as an example, message 582 is "If you subscribe to the remote printing service, you can use the MFP away from home. Would you like to subscribe to the remote printing service?" The character string "Next" in next button 554 is information indicated by button information BT3.

[0096] The application 142 further transmits second operation information including the notification ID "ID3" in the third notification-related information to the management server 400, and changes the operation flag associated with the third notification-related information in the device table 144 to "OFF". That is, when the notification-related information includes the format information "large screen", and a notification object on the list screen is operated, the application 142 transmits second operation information including the notification ID in the notification-related information corresponding to the notification object to the management server 400 and changes the operation flag to "OFF" even if a predetermined object (e.g., the next button) on the notification screen in the large screen format is not operated. Note that the application 142 also transmits operation information including the notification ID to the management server 400 when the notification objects 560 and 562 are selected. In addition, when the operation flag corresponding to the notification object operated by the user is "OFF", the application 142 changes the operation flag to "ON".

[0097] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the terminal device 100 receives notification-related information including the format information "normal banner" from the notification server 200, the terminal device 100 displays the notification screen SC14 in the banner format on the display unit 114. Also, when the terminal device 100 receives notification-related information including the format information "large screen" from the notification server 200, the terminal device 100 displays the notification screen SC18 in the large screen format on the display unit 114. Therefore, the terminal device 100 can appropriately switch the display format of the notification screen according to the notification-related information received from the notification server 200. As a result, user convenience is improved.

[0098] (Correspondence) The notification server 200 is an example of a "first server." The MFPs 10A and 10B are examples of a "target device." The title and message displayed on the notification screen are examples of "notification information." The title information, message information, and URL are examples of "related information." The banner format, the format information "normal banner," and the banner format notification screen SC14 of FIG. 9 are examples of a "first display format," "first format information," and "first notification screen," respectively. The large screen format, the format information "large screen," and the large screen format notification screen SC18 of FIG. 10 are examples of a "second display format," "second format information," and "second notification screen," respectively. The home screen SC6 is an example of a "function selection screen." An operation on the banner format notification screen SC14 itself is an example of a "first predetermined operation." The management server 400 is an example of a "second server." The Next button 544 on the large screen format notification screen SC18 of FIG. 10 is an example of a "predetermined object." An operation on the Next button 544 on the large-screen notification screen SC18 in FIG. 10 is an example of a "second predetermined operation." The device name is an example of "device identification information." The selection information, the selection information "ON," and the selection information "OFF" are examples of a "setting value," a "first value," and a "second value," respectively. The MFP 10B and the device name "DV2" are examples of a "first target device" and a "first device identification information," respectively. The MFP 10A and the device name "DV1" are examples of a "second target device" and a "second device identification information," respectively. The subscription service registration screen SC16 in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 is an example of a "first predetermined screen." The notification conditions in the first notification-related information are an example of a "first predetermined condition." The guidance screen SC8 in FIG. 5 is an example of a "second predetermined screen." The notification conditions in the second notification-related information are an example of a "second predetermined condition." The multiple notification objects 560, 562, 564 in FIG. 11 are an example of "multiple display areas."

[0099] S54 in Fig. 6 is an example of a process executed by the "notification-related information receiving unit." S114 in Fig. 7 is an example of a process executed by the "first display control unit." S134 in Fig. 7 is an example of a process executed by the "first display control unit."

[0100] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0101] (First variant) A large screen format, a fixed banner format, or a fixed notification screen may be an example of a "first notification screen," and a normal banner format, a fixed banner format, or a fixed notification screen may be an example of a "second notification screen."

[0102] (Second Modification) In a state in which the large-screen notification screen SC18 is displayed, operations by the user on the home screen SC6 do not have to be disabled.

[0103] (Third Modification) The application 142 does not have to transmit operation information to the management server 400. In this modification, T130 in Fig. 9 and T220 in Fig. 10 can be omitted. In this modification, the "first operation information transmission unit" and the "second operation information transmission unit" can be omitted.

[0104] (Fourth Modification) When accepting an operation on the notification screen, the application 142 does not need to change the selection information in the device table 144. In this modification, the "first change unit" and the "second change unit" can be omitted.

[0105] (Fifth Modification) The guide screen SC8 does not have to be included in the prohibited screens. In this modification, even when the guide screen SC8 is displayed on the display unit 114, the application 142 causes the display unit 114 to display a notification screen in the normal banner format and a notification screen in the large screen format. In this modification, the "fifth display control unit" and the "sixth display control unit" can be omitted.

[0106] (Sixth Modification) The message displayed on the fixed notification screen SC12 in Fig. 8 may be a message indicating that notification server 200 is down. In this modification, the state in which notification server 200 is down is an example of the "state of the first server".

[0107] (Seventh Variation) As shown in FIG. 12, a message displayed on the fixed notification screen SC22 may indicate that the SP server 300 is undergoing maintenance. In this variation, the state in which the server is undergoing maintenance is an example of the "second server state." In another variation, a message displayed on the fixed notification screen SC22 may indicate that the SP server 300 is down. In this variation, the state in which the SP server 300 is down is an example of the "second server state."

[0108] (Eighth Modification) Screen data corresponding to title information, message information, and URLs may not include a model name. In this modification, the notification objects 560, 562, and 564 in the list screen SC20 in FIG. 11 do not include a model name.

[0109] (Ninth Modification) SP server 300 may provide a delivery service for consumables (e.g., ink cartridges) for MFP 10. In this modification, the notification screen may be a screen for notifying the user of the delivery service. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, notification screen SC24 in normal banner format includes a message regarding the delivery service. As an example, the message regarding the delivery service is "Would you like to subscribe to the delivery service?" When notification screen SC24 in normal banner format itself is operated by the user, a screen for subscribing to the delivery service is displayed on display unit 114.

[0110] (Tenth Modification) The notification server 200 and the SP server 300 may be realized by one server. In this modification, the "first server" and the "second server" are the same server.

[0111] (Eleventh Modification) In each of the above embodiments, the processes in FIGS. 4 to 13 are realized by software (for example, programs 140 and 142), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0112] In addition, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exert technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technologies exemplified in this specification or drawings achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility.

[0113] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing of this patent application, even if each claim is dependent on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can be dependent on only those some of the claims. Each claim can also be dependent on other claims that are not dependent on it at the time of filing to the extent that there is no technical contradiction. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device, A notification-related information receiving unit that receives notification-related information from a first server, the notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device that can communicate with the terminal device; a first display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, causes a first notification screen according to the first display format to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device, the first notification screen including first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information; and a second display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, causes the display unit to display a second notification screen according to the second display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information; and A computer program that functions as a (Item 2) 2. The computer program of claim 1, wherein the screen size of the second notification screen is larger than the screen size of the first notification screen. (Item 3) 3. The computer program of claim 2, wherein the first notification screen is a banner-format screen. (Item 4) The computer program further causes the computer to the first display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the first format information, causes the display unit to display a function selection screen for selecting a function to be executed by the target device, and causes the first notification screen to be displayed on the function selection screen; the second display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the second format information, causes the display unit to display the function selection screen and causes the second notification screen to be displayed on the function selection screen; In a state in which the first notification screen is displayed on the function selection screen, an operation on the function selection screen by a user is enabled, 4. The computer program according to item 2 or 3, wherein, in a state in which the second notification screen is displayed on the function selection screen, operations on the function selection screen by the user are disabled. (Item 5) The computer program further causes the computer to a first operation information transmission unit that transmits first operation information to a second server in response to a first predetermined operation being accepted from a user on the first notification screen itself while the first notification screen is being displayed on the display unit; a second operation information transmission unit that transmits second operation information to the second server when a second predetermined operation on a predetermined object in the second notification screen is accepted from the user while the second notification screen is being displayed on the display unit; 5. The computer program according to any one of items 2 to 4, (Item 6) The terminal device further comprises: a memory that stores, for each of one or more target devices, device identification information for identifying the target device and a setting value indicating either a first value or a second value in association with each other, the first value indicating that the target device is a destination of instruction information, and the second value indicating that the target device is not a destination of instruction information; The computer program further causes the computer to 6. The computer program of claim 5, further comprising: a first change unit that changes the setting value associated with first device identification information that identifies a first target device from the first value to the second value and changes the setting value associated with the second device identification information from the second value to the first value when the setting value associated with first device identification information that identifies a first target device is the first value, the setting value associated with second device identification information that identifies a second target device different from the first target device is the second value, the first notification information includes the second device identification information, and the first specified operation is received from the user. (Item 7) The terminal device further comprises: a memory that stores, for each of one or more target devices, device identification information for identifying the target device and a setting value indicating either a first value or a second value in association with each other, the first value indicating that the target device is a destination of instruction information, and the second value indicating that the target device is not a destination of instruction information; The computer program further causes the computer to 7. The computer program according to claim 5, further comprising: a second change unit that changes the setting value associated with the first device identification information from the first value to the second value and changes the setting value associated with the second device identification information from the second value to the first value when the setting value associated with first device identification information that identifies a first target device is the first value, the setting value associated with second device identification information that identifies a second target device different from the first target device is the second value, the second notification information includes the second device identification information, and the second specified operation is received from the user. (Item 8) The computer program further causes the computer to a third display control unit that, in a state in which the first notification screen is displayed on the display unit, causes a first predetermined screen to be displayed on the display unit in response to a first predetermined operation on the first notification screen itself being accepted from a user; and a fourth display control unit that causes the display unit to display the first predetermined screen when a second predetermined operation on a predetermined object in the second notification screen is accepted from the user while the second notification screen is being displayed on the display unit; and 5. The computer program according to any one of items 2 to 4, (Item 9) the first display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the first format information, a first predetermined condition is satisfied, and a predetermined period of time has not elapsed since a second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the first notification screen to be displayed on the display unit; the second display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the second format information, a second predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined period has not elapsed since the second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the second notification screen to be displayed on the display unit; The computer program further causes the computer to a fifth display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes the first format information, the first predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined period has elapsed since the second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the second predetermined screen to be displayed on the display unit before the first notification screen is displayed on the display unit; a sixth display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes the second format information, the second predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined period has elapsed since the second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the second predetermined screen to be displayed on the display unit before the second notification screen is displayed on the display unit; 9. The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 8, which functions as (Item 10) 10. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the notification information includes information regarding a status of the first server. (Item 11) 11. The computer program of claim 1, wherein the notification information includes information about a status of a third server that communicates with the target device. (Item 12) 12. The computer program of claim 1, wherein the notification information includes device identification information that identifies the target device. (Item 13) The computer program further causes the computer to The computer program according to item 12, further comprising a seventh display control unit that, when a third specified operation is accepted from a user after a plurality of pieces of notification-related information are received from the first server, causes the display unit to display a list screen including a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of pieces of notification-related information, each of the plurality of display areas including the device identification information, and functions as the seventh display control unit. (Item 14) 2. The computer program product of item 1, wherein the notification information includes information regarding a subscription service of the target device. (Item 15) 2. The computer program product of item 1, wherein the notification information includes information regarding a delivery service for consumables for the target device. (Item 16) A terminal device, A notification-related information receiving unit that receives notification-related information from a first server, the notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device that can communicate with the terminal device; a first display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, causes a first notification screen according to the first display format to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device, the first notification screen including first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information; and a second display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, causes the display unit to display a second notification screen according to the second display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information; and A terminal device comprising: (Item 17) 1. A method for controlling a terminal device, comprising: A notification-related information receiving step of receiving notification-related information from a first server, the notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device capable of communicating with the terminal device; a first display control step of displaying a first notification screen according to the first display format on a display unit of the terminal device when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, the first notification screen including first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information; a second display control step of causing the display unit to display a second notification screen according to the second display format when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information; A method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 2: communication system, 4: LAN, 6: Internet, 10A, 10B: MFP, 100: terminal device, 112: operation unit, 114: display unit, 116: communication I / F, 130: control unit, 132: CPU, 134: memory, 140: OS program, 142: application program, 144: device table, 146: first notification information table, 148: notification list, 150: notification flag, 152: guidance screen data, 154: display history table, 200: notification server, 234: memory, 240: second notification information table, 300: SP server, 334: memory, 340: user table, 400: management server, 434: memory, 440: service table

Claims

1. A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device, a notification-related information receiving unit that receives notification-related information from a first server, the notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device that can communicate with the terminal device; a first display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, causes a first notification screen according to the first display format to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device, the first notification screen including first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information; and a second display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, causes the display unit to display a second notification screen according to the second display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information; and A computer program that functions as a

2. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein a screen size of the second notification screen is larger than a screen size of the first notification screen.

3. The computer program product according to claim 2 , wherein the first notification screen is a banner-type screen.

4. The computer program further causes the computer to the first display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the first format information, causes the display unit to display a function selection screen for selecting a function to be executed by the target device, and causes the first notification screen to be displayed on the function selection screen; the second display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the second format information, causes the display unit to display the function selection screen and causes the second notification screen to be displayed on the function selection screen; In a state in which the first notification screen is displayed on the function selection screen, an operation on the function selection screen by a user is enabled, The computer program product according to claim 2 , wherein, in a state in which the second notification screen is displayed on the function selection screen, operations on the function selection screen by the user are disabled.

5. The computer program further causes the computer to a first operation information transmission unit that transmits first operation information to a second server in response to a first predetermined operation being accepted from a user on the first notification screen itself while the first notification screen is being displayed on the display unit; a second operation information transmission unit that transmits second operation information to the second server when a second predetermined operation on a predetermined object in the second notification screen is accepted from the user while the second notification screen is being displayed on the display unit; 5. The computer program product according to claim 2, further comprising:

6. The terminal device further comprises: a memory that stores, for each of one or more target devices, device identification information for identifying the target device and a setting value indicating either a first value or a second value in association with each other, the first value indicating that the target device is a destination of instruction information, and the second value indicating that the target device is not a destination of instruction information; The computer program further causes the computer to 6. The computer program product of claim 5, further comprising: a first change unit that changes the setting value associated with first device identification information that identifies a first target device from the first value to the second value and changes the setting value associated with the second device identification information from the second value to the first value when the setting value associated with first device identification information that identifies a first target device is the first value, the setting value associated with second device identification information that identifies a second target device different from the first target device is the second value, the first notification information includes the second device identification information, and the first specified operation is received from the user.

7. The terminal device further comprises: a memory that stores, for each of one or more target devices, device identification information for identifying the target device and a setting value indicating either a first value or a second value in association with each other, the first value indicating that the target device is a destination of instruction information, and the second value indicating that the target device is not a destination of instruction information; The computer program further causes the computer to 6. The computer program of claim 5, further comprising: a program for causing a user to perform a process of changing the setting value associated with the first device identification information from the first value to the second value and changing the setting value associated with the second device identification information from the second value to the first value when the setting value associated with first device identification information that identifies a first target device is the first value, the setting value associated with second device identification information that identifies a second target device different from the first target device is the second value, the second notification information includes the second device identification information, and the second specified operation is received from the user.

8. The computer program further causes the computer to a third display control unit that, in a state in which the first notification screen is displayed on the display unit, causes the display unit to display a first predetermined screen in response to a first predetermined operation on the first notification screen itself being accepted from a user; and a fourth display control unit that causes the display unit to display the first predetermined screen when a second predetermined operation on a predetermined object in the second notification screen is accepted from the user while the second notification screen is being displayed on the display unit; and 5. The computer program product according to claim 2, further comprising:

9. the first display control unit causes the display unit to display the first notification screen when the notification-related information includes the first format information, a first predetermined condition is satisfied, and a predetermined period of time has not elapsed since a second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit; the second display control unit, when the notification-related information includes the second format information, a second predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined period has not elapsed since the second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the second notification screen to be displayed on the display unit; The computer program further causes the computer to a fifth display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes the first format information, the first predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined period has elapsed since the second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the second predetermined screen to be displayed on the display unit before the first notification screen is displayed on the display unit; a sixth display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes the second format information, the second predetermined condition is satisfied, and the predetermined period has elapsed since the second predetermined screen was displayed on the display unit, causes the second predetermined screen to be displayed on the display unit before the second notification screen is displayed on the display unit; The computer program product of claim 1 .

10. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the notification information includes information regarding a state of the first server.

11. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the notification information includes information regarding a status of a third server that communicates with the target device.

12. The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the notification information includes device identification information for identifying the target device.

13. The computer program further causes the computer to 13. The computer program of claim 12, further comprising a seventh display control unit that, when a third specified operation is accepted from a user after a plurality of pieces of notification-related information are received from the first server, causes the display unit to display a list screen including a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of pieces of notification-related information, each of the plurality of display areas including the device identification information, and functions as the seventh display control unit.

14. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the notification information includes information regarding a subscription service of the target device.

15. The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the notification information includes information regarding a delivery service of consumables for the target device.

16. A terminal device, a notification-related information receiving unit that receives notification-related information from a first server, the notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device that can communicate with the terminal device; a first display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, causes a first notification screen according to the first display format to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device, the first notification screen including first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information; and a second display control unit that, when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, causes the display unit to display a second notification screen according to the second display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information; and A terminal device comprising:

17. 1. A method for controlling a terminal device, comprising: A notification-related information receiving step of receiving notification-related information from a first server, the notification-related information including format information indicating a display format of information and related information related to notification information for a target device capable of communicating with the terminal device; a first display control step of displaying a first notification screen according to the first display format on a display unit of the terminal device when the notification-related information includes first format information indicating a first display format, the first notification screen including first notification information related to first related information included in the notification-related information; a second display control step of causing the display unit to display a second notification screen according to the second display format when the notification-related information includes second format information indicating a second display format different from the first display format, the second notification screen including second notification information related to second related information included in the notification-related information; A method comprising:

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