Information processing device, control method therefor, and program

Abstract

To properly notify a user even when an access approval state to a LAN indicates disapproval.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: monitoring means (S1101) for monitoring an access approval state for an application executed on the information processing device to a LAN; determination means (S1103) for determining that the access approval state to the LAN indicates disapproval, by using the access approval state to the LAN acquired by the monitoring means; and display means (S1104) for displaying an error screen indicating that the access approval state to the LAN indicates disapproval when the determination means determines that the access approval state to the LAN indicates disapproval. The determination means and the display means are executed (S1102) when an instruction is given to execute a function for the information processing device and an external device connected via the LAN to communicate via the LAN.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A configuration is generally known in which data is transmitted to an external device such as a printer by using an application installed in an information processing device such as a PC or a smartphone. An operating system (OS), which is basic software, is installed in the information processing device, and the application is called from the OS and runs. In this configuration, when the information processing device can communicate with the external device via a local area network (LAN), a technique is known in which the information processing device preferentially uses the LAN to transmit data to the external device (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-40993 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] On the other hand, due to the recent increase in security awareness, communication on a LAN by an application is restricted, and in order for an application to communicate with an external device via the LAN, there are cases where a user's permission to access the LAN is required. In addition, there are an increasing number of environments in which communication between an information processing device and an external device via the LAN is not permitted, and environments in which a LAN does not exist (LAN-less environments), and it is expected that applications will be used in various environments. If users are uniformly required to grant permission to access the LAN, there is a risk that usability will decrease.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a method capable of requesting a user for permission to access a LAN without reducing usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A communication control method for solving the above problem is a control method for an information processing device that executes an application, and is characterized in having a reception process for receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among functions provided by the application, and a display control process for displaying a screen regarding permission to use the LAN if the selected function uses the LAN when the application is not authorized to use a Local Area Network (LAN) and a function selection is received at the reception process. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to request permission for access to a LAN from a user without reducing usability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP 101. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of an information processing device 103. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating information of an MFP registered in a CPS 105. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an example of a screen displayed by an application 220. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a screen displayed when access to the LAN 100 is not permitted. [Figure 8]13 is an example of a setting screen displayed by the OS 210. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a screen displayed when access to the LAN 100 is not permitted. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a search screen of a local MFP. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a search process for a local MFP. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of a screen relating to printing using a local MFP. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process using a local MFP. [Figure 14] 13 is an example of a screen relating to printing using the cloud MFP. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print process using a cloud MFP. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a search process for a local MFP. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, specific embodiments for carrying out the contents of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not unnecessarily limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] (First embodiment) <Printing system configuration> First, the configuration of a printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The printing system according to this embodiment includes an MFP 101, an authentication service 104, a cloud platform 102 that provides a cloud print service 105, a cloud storage service 106, etc., and an information processing device 103. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a cloud print service (hereinafter, CPS) is provided as one of the services on a cloud platform such as AWS (registered trademark), Azure (registered trademark), or Google Cloud Platform (registered trademark).

[0011] The information processing device 103 can also belong to the local area network 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the information processing device 103 is a portable device such as a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. However, the information processing device 103 is not limited to this, and may be a smart watch, smart glasses, a VR headset device, or the like.

[0012] These information processing devices 103 may be connected to a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) 100 of a company or organization, and may be used for business or activities within the company or organization. The LAN here is assumed to be a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but may be a wired LAN. The LAN may be communication based on Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) that realizes direct communication. In addition, even if the information processing device 103 is connected to the LAN 100, communication via the LAN 100 may be restricted, or the information processing device 103 may not be connected to the LAN 100 at all. In this case, the information processing device 103 is connected to a public wireless line or other network, but cannot directly communicate with the MFP 101 connected to an internal network in which a firewall is provided within a company or organization. The case where communication via the LAN 100 is restricted may be a case where the information processing device 103 is not permitted by a user to communicate via the LAN 100 due to settings of the operating system (OS) of the information processing device 103, or a case where the information processing device 103 is not permitted to communicate via the LAN 100 as a network setting. In addition, cases where communication via LAN 100 is not restricted include cases where the information processing device 103 is permitted by the user to communicate via LAN 100, and cases where the information processing device 103 is permitted to communicate via LAN 100 as a network setting.

[0013] An MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 101 communicates with an information processing device 103 and a cloud print service 105 provided by a cloud platform 102 via a network. In this embodiment, a state in which the MFP 101 is registered as an output destination MFP under the cloud print service 105 is illustrated. Like the information processing device 103, the MFP 101 is also connected to the LAN 100, and may be used for business or activities within a company or organization. Also, like the information processing device 103, the MFP 101 may be connected to the LAN 100 but communication via the LAN 100 may be restricted, or may not be connected to the LAN 100 at all. In this case, the MFP 101 is connected to a public wireless line or other network, but cannot directly communicate with the information processing device 103 connected to an internal network with a firewall in a company or organization. Note that communication via LAN 100 may be restricted when the user does not permit information processing device 103 to communicate with MFP 101 via LAN 100, or when network settings do not permit MFP 101 to communicate via LAN 100.

[0014] Next, printing via the CPS 105 will be described. When a user who is permitted to use the CPS 105 operates the information processing device 103, the CPS 105 sets the MFP 101 registered in the CPS 105 as the output destination MFP. When the setting of the output destination MFP is completed, the desired print setting is performed via a print setting screen described later. Next, based on an instruction from the user to start printing, the information processing device 103 transmits a print job to the CPS 105. The MFP 101 executes printing based on the transferred print job. Even when communication via the LAN 100 of the information processing device 103 described above is restricted or when the information processing device 103 is not connected to the LAN 100, printing can be performed as long as it is a communication path using public communication or the like as shown in path 1 in FIG. 1.

[0015] Next, printing via the LAN 100 will be described. When the information processing device 103 is connected to the above-mentioned LAN 100 and communication via the LAN 100 is not restricted, the information processing device 103 can communicate with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100 via a route 2. Note that when the above-mentioned communication of the information processing device 103 via the LAN 100 is restricted or when the information processing device 103 is not connected to the LAN 100, printing using the communication route shown as route 2 cannot be performed.

[0016] In this way, there are two methods for the information processing device 103 to communicate with the MFP 101: communication via CPS 105 shown as path 1, and communication via LAN 100 shown as path 2. Here, the print application installed on the information processing device 103 is an application that can transmit print jobs to the MFP 101 via path 1 and also via path 2, and has a function of transmitting not only print jobs but also scan execution instructions, other image formation instructions, and control instructions via either path 1 or path 2.

[0017] Here, when a print application installed in the information processing device 103 performs LAN communication, permission from the user may be requested. That is, when the print application communicates with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100, permission from the user is required, and when an operation indicating permission from the user is received, the print application can use the LAN function and can communicate with the MFP 101. For example, when the information processing device 103 is an iPhone (registered trademark) equipped with iOS (registered trademark) as the OS or an iPad (registered trademark) equipped with iPadOS (registered trademark) as the OS, permission from the user is required for access to the LAN 100. As described above, as a specification of the OS of the information processing device 103, in order for each application running on the OS to use the LAN communication function, the user may need to give permission for each application by operating a screen or the like. Here, when the user's permission state for access to the LAN 100 is not permitted, that is, when the user has not performed an operation to permit the print application to perform LAN communication, the print application cannot communicate with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100. In order to enable the print application to perform LAN communication, for example, a message informing the user that access to the LAN 100 is not permitted is displayed at the start of the print application, and the user is prompted to give permission. It is also conceivable to make the print application unusable until permission is given. However, since the print application can communicate with the MFP 101 via the CPS 105, i.e., public wireless, without using a LAN, it would be troublesome for the user if a message were uniformly displayed when the print application was started, as described above. If the print application were unusable until permission from the user is given, there would be a problem in that the user would not be able to issue an execution instruction to the MFP 101 via the CPS 105.

[0018] In this embodiment, a mechanism for solving problems occurring in the above-mentioned environment is provided. Specifically, a mechanism for enabling a print application installed in the information processing device 103 to be suitably used even in an environment in which the information processing device 103 is not permitted by a user to communicate with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100 is provided. A specific description will be given below. Note that the local MFP means a device having hardware resources for printing an image on a sheet (for example, a print engine for printing an image on a sheet by a printing method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method). Also, the output destination MFP and cloud MFP on the CPS 105 mean a virtual MFP managed on the CPS 105 that transfers data to a local MFP registered in the CPS 105. Here, the description will be given using an MFP as an example, but it may be a single-function image forming device such as a printer or a scanner.

[0019] The MFP 101 has a scanning function that transmits data based on an image obtained by scanning an original using a scanner to the outside, a printing function that prints an image on a sheet such as paper based on a print job received from an external device, and a copy function. The MFP 101 can also receive a print job via the CPS 105 and perform printing. In this embodiment, an MFP having multiple functions is illustrated as an example of a printing device, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be a single-function image forming device having only a printing function, or an image forming device having only a scanner function. The printing device may also be a print server that transfers received print data to a subordinate MFP. This embodiment can be applied to any other device that can communicate with the information processing device 103 via the LAN 100 and the cloud platform 102, such as a camera, a television, or a music player.

[0020] The network for performing communication on path 1 via CPS 105 may be configured by combining communication networks such as LAN and WAN, cellular networks (e.g., LTE and 5G), wireless networks conforming to IEEE802.11, etc. In other words, the network for performing communication on path 1 may be configured to enable data transmission and reception, and any communication method for the physical layer may be adopted.

[0021] Next, a description will be given of cloud services provided to customers by the cloud platform 102. The cloud platform 102 is a service platform that provides organizations such as companies with a cloud print service 105, a cloud storage service 106, webmail, and services for document creation and editing. Note that the cloud platform 102 does not need to provide all of these cloud services, and may provide only some of the cloud services. The cloud platform also includes an authentication service 104 for authenticating and managing users and devices that use various services.

[0022] The authentication service 104 authenticates and manages devices for each user. The cloud platform 102 manages the usage rights of cloud services and access to customer data for each user. The cloud MFPs registered in the cloud print service 105 are also managed for each user. It is also possible to provide a tenant as a unit of use for the cloud platform 102. When managing on a tenant basis, a different tenant is assigned to each organization (for example, each company or each organization) that has signed a usage contract for the cloud platform 102. In this case, user data including print data, data necessary to realize the CPS 105, and a user DB for user authentication is managed for each tenant.

[0023] The cloud MFP is a software module that provides a function to temporarily hold print jobs received from the outside and a function to transfer the held print jobs to a print control device such as a subsequent local MFP.

[0024] CPS105 receives a print job from a print client such as the information processing device 103 and delivers the print job to the corresponding cloud MFP. The cloud MFP stores the print job in a holding area managed by itself. Subsequently, it notifies the MFP101 registered in CPS105 that a print job has been input. The MFP101 that has received the notification acquires the print job from the holding area of the cloud MFP and executes printing based on the acquired print job.

[0025] The information processing device 103 is equipped with a print application that is a print client for performing printing via CPS105. The print application installed on the information processing device 103 also has a function to directly transmit print data to a local MFP via the LAN100 to cause printing to be performed. Details will be described later.

[0026] <Configuration of MFP101> Subsequently, the hardware configuration of MFP101, which is an example of a print control device in this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of MFP101.

[0027] A control unit 110 including a central processing unit (CPU) 111 controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. The CPU 111 reads out a control program stored in a read only memory (ROM) 112 or a storage 114 to perform various controls such as print control and read control. The ROM 112 stores a control program executable by the CPU 111. A random access memory (RAM) 113 is a main memory accessed by the CPU 111 and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for developing various control programs. The storage 114 stores print jobs, image data, various programs, and various setting information. In this manner, the hardware such as the CPU 111, the ROM 112, the RAM 113, and the storage 114 constitute a so-called computer. The storage 114 also stores an access token for accessing the hardware of a user tenant on the cloud platform 102 and address information used for communication with the CPS 105.

[0028] In the MFP 101 of this embodiment, one CPU 111 executes print control and communication control with the CPS 105 using one memory (RAM 113), but other configurations are also possible. For example, each process described below can be executed by making multiple processors, memories, and storages work together. Also, some of the processes can be executed using hardware circuits.

[0029] A printer I / F (interface) 119 connects a printer 120 (printer engine) to the control unit 110. The MFP 101 generates a print image and a print control command to be transferred to the printer 120 based on a print job received from the CPS 105 or the information processing device 103. The printer 120 prints an image on a sheet fed from a paper feed cassette (not shown) based on the print image and print control command input via the printer I / F 119. The printing method may be an electrophotographic method in which toner is transferred to paper and fixed thereon, or an inkjet method in which ink is ejected onto paper to print.

[0030] The scanner I / F 117 connects the scanner 118 to the control unit 110. The scanner 118 reads an original placed on a platen (not shown) and generates image data. The image data generated by the scanner 118 is printed by the printer 120, stored in the storage 114, or transmitted to an external device via the network I / F 121.

[0031] The operation unit I / F 115 connects the operation unit 116 and the control unit 110. The operation unit 116 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit having a touch panel function, various hard keys, and the like. The operation unit 116 functions as a display unit that displays information to the user and a reception unit that receives instructions from the user. The CPU 111 cooperates with the operation unit 116 to control the display of information and the reception of user operations.

[0032] A network cable is connected to the network I / F 121, and communication can be performed with an external device on the LAN 100 or on the Internet. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the network I / F 121 is a wireless communication interface conforming to the IEEE802.11 series. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the network I / F 121 may be a communication interface that connects a wired cable in the form of an RJ45 connector or a GG (GigaGate) 45 connector to perform wired communication conforming to Ethernet (registered trademark). In addition, a communication interface for performing communication on the path 1 may be provided separately. In this case, the communication interface may be a communication interface for performing mobile communication such as a 3G line such as CDMA, a 4G line such as LTE, or a 5GNR.

[0033] Upon receiving a notification from CPS 105 that a print job has been submitted, MFP 101 receives the print job from CPS 105. Next, MFP 101 renders the print target data included in the print job to generate print image data. CPU 111 transmits the rendered print image data and a control command for controlling printer 120 to printer 120 via print unit I / F 119, and causes printer 120 to execute print processing.

[0034] The MFP 101 also supports standard printing functions such as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). When the MFP 101 receives a printer search packet using Bonjour or mDNS (multicast Domain Name System) from an external device such as the information processing device 103, the MFP 101 responds to the packet with the search result. The search result includes identification information for identifying the printer.

[0035] <Configuration of information processing device 103> Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. A control unit 130 including a CPU 131 controls the operation of the entire computer. The CPU 131 loads a program stored in a ROM 132 or a storage 134 into a RAM 133 and executes the program to perform various controls. The RAM 133 is the main storage memory of the CPU 131 and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for loading various programs. The ROM 132 stores a control program, a boot program, etc. that can be executed by the CPU 131.

[0036] In this embodiment, a non-volatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) is assumed as the storage 134, but an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) may be used instead of the SSD. In this manner, the hardware such as the CPU 131, the RAM 133, the ROM 132, and the storage 134 constitutes a so-called computer.

[0037] The operation unit I / F 136 is an interface that controls an operation unit 137 such as a touch input device, a display, a keyboard, and a pointing device (mouse). The operation unit 137 functions as a reception unit that receives operations from a user. The operation unit 137 also functions as a display unit that displays information to a user. The information processing device 103 is connected to a network or the Internet via a network I / F 140. The information processing device 103 transmits print data to a printing device on a LAN 100 via the network I / F 140, and performs data communication with a cloud platform 102 on the Internet. The communication method may be wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11 series, or wired communication connecting to Ethernet (registered trademark) via a wired cable connected in the form of an RJ45 connector or a GG45 connector. Note that data communication with the cloud platform 102 on the Internet may be performed via a mobile communication system such as LTE or 5G.

[0038] In the information processing device 103 of this embodiment, one CPU 131 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described later using one memory (RAM 133), but other configurations are also possible. For example, it is also possible to configure multiple processors, memories, and storages to work together to execute each process shown in the flowcharts described later. Also, some of the processes may be executed using hardware circuits.

[0039] Note that the computers serving as actual resources for implementing each cloud service of the cloud platform 102 also have the same hardware configuration as that described in Fig. 3. That is, each cloud service illustrated in Fig. 1 is implemented by a so-called von Neumann type computer executing program code.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, a case is illustrated in which one CPU executes each process of each cloud service constituting the cloud platform 102 using one memory, but other modes are also possible. For example, each process shown in the flowchart described below can be executed by cooperating with multiple processors, RAMs, ROMs, and storages. Also, each service can be realized by cooperating with the resources of multiple server computers. The computer resources providing the cloud platform 102 appropriately manage the data resources of multiple different tenants by appropriately using containerization technology and virtualization technology, and provide each cloud service to users belonging to each tenant.

[0041] <Software configuration of information processing device 103> Next, an example of the software configuration of the information processing device 103 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. First, an explanation will be given of the operating software in the information processing device 103. The software in the information processing device 103 is composed of an OS (Operating System) 210 and applications 220.

[0042] First, individual elements constituting the OS 210 will be described. The OS 210 is system software that manages the entire information processing device 103. Specifically, the OS 210 provides basic management and control of a computer, such as input / output control, management of hardware such as a memory and a hard disk, and process management. The OS 210 also provides a privacy information management module 211 for managing and controlling the permission status of various authorities requested by the application 220. The privacy information management module 211 is a module for managing the status of authorities requested by the application 220 and selected as permitted or not permitted by the user. The privacy information management module 211 in this embodiment manages the status of either permitted or not permitted selected by the user for access to the LAN 100 requested by the application 220.

[0043] Next, application 220 is software having a function of transmitting print data to MFP 101, an example of which is the print application described above. Application 220 runs when called from OS 210 via a user operation. By using application 220, the user can instruct MFP 101 to print.

[0044] Furthermore, the application 220 of this embodiment has a user management module 221, a LAN information management module 222, and a print framework 300. The user management module 221 manages user accounts of the cloud platform 102. The user management module 221 stores an access token, which is user account information of the cloud platform 102. In this embodiment, a case is exemplified where the information processing device 103 is authenticated by the authentication service 104 of the cloud platform 102 and is device-managed. Also, login authentication of a user who uses the information processing device 103 is performed in cooperation with the authentication service 104 of the cloud platform 102. Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, a case where a user "Alice" logs in to the application 220 with a cloud account such as "aaaAlice@mail.jp" is taken as an example.

[0045] Moreover, the LAN information management module 222 is a module that manages the state of the LAN 100. In this embodiment, the application 220 uses the LAN information management module 222 to monitor the state of the LAN 100. The LAN information management module 222 is also used to determine whether the application 220 is permitted to access the LAN 100.

[0046] The print framework 300 is made up of a print module 301 and a local MFP search module 302. The print framework 300 performs print data generation processing using the print module 301. In addition, the print module 301 enables printing via the LAN 100.

[0047] When printing, the print module 301 generates a print job and transmits the print job to the MFP 101 via the LAN 100. The print job includes print target data such as a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file or a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, and print setting information such as paper size, paper type, double-sided setting, and color setting. The print module 301 also identifies the local MFP that is the output destination, and provides a print setting screen customized for each output destination local MFP based on the capability information of the output destination local MFP. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the print module 301 transmits a print job to the local MFP via the LAN 100. Note that when the print module 301 transmits a print job to the local MFP via the LAN 100, the application 220 needs to be permitted to access the LAN 100 by the user.

[0048] The local MFP search module 302 is a module that searches for an MFP on the LAN 100 to which the information processing device 103 is connected. The module 302 is used when a search for a new printer is performed on an initial screen or a search screen, which will be described later. The module 302 is also used when updating a local MFP on the LAN 100 that can be used by a user, for example, when the application 220 is started or when the application 220 returns from sleep. The module 302 broadcasts a search broadcast packet, such as Bonjour or mDNS, on the network to search for a network printer. It is also possible to search for a network printer by unicast communication using a Get-Printer-Attributes Request or the like, which is specified by the IPP standard. Note that when the local MFP search module 302 searches for a local MFP via the LAN 100, the application 220 needs to be permitted by the user to access the LAN 100.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows an example of cloud MFP information associated with the cloud account "aaaAlice@mail.jp" managed by the CPS 105. Information 501 shows an MFP name, which is identification information for identifying the cloud MFP on the CPS 105. Information 502 shows the URI of the local MFP that actually processes the print job submitted to the CPS 105. Information 503 is metadata used for displaying device detail information and the like. Information 504 shows capability information of the cloud MFP that is displayed on a print screen and a print setting screen, which will be described later. Specifically, the information includes capability information on supported paper sizes and paper types, capability information on whether double-sided printing is supported, capability information on supported color modes, and the like. Information 505 stores information showing the size of print data that the cloud MFP can receive.

[0050] The application 220 obtains an access token corresponding to the login user from the user management module 221. The application 220 then uses the access token to call the WebAPI provided by the CPS 105. The CPS 105, which has accepted the call of the WebAPI, responds with information on the cloud MFP associated with the login user and information on the available cloud storage services 106, based on the access token. For example, when the CPS 105 receives a request including an access token corresponding to a cloud account such as "aaaAlice@mail.jp", it notifies the user of a list of MFPs and a list of cloud storage services associated with the account. Note that when the application 220 communicates with the cloud MFP on the CPS 105, the application 220 does not need to be permitted by the user to access the CPS 105 via the LAN 100.

[0051] <Operation when application 220 is started> FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen of the application 220. The display of the screen shown in FIG. 6 is controlled by the CPU 131 of the information processing device 103, and is displayed on the operation unit 137 that also serves as a display unit of the information processing device 103. When the application 220 is called from the OS 210 in response to a user's operation and started, the application 220 switches the display state of the initial screen in response to the registration state of the local MFP in the application 220. Specifically, when the application 220 has not yet searched for and registered a local MFP, such as when the application 220 is started for the first time, an initial screen 600 shown in FIG. 6(a) is displayed when the local MFP is not registered. Also, when the application 220 has been started and has searched for and registered a local MFP, an initial screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b) is displayed when the local MFP is registered. In response to the display of the initial screen 600 or the initial screen 610, the application 220 starts monitoring the state of the LAN 100 by the LAN information management module 222. By monitoring the state of the LAN 100, the application 220 can obtain the state of whether access to the LAN 100 is not permitted from the privacy information management module 211 of the OS 210.

[0052] The application 220 continues to monitor the status of the LAN 100 while the screen of the application 220 is displayed on the operation unit 137. When the screen of the application 220 is no longer displayed on the operation unit 137 due to a user operation or the like, the monitoring of the status of the LAN 100 ends. However, without being limited to this, the application 220 may continue to monitor the status of the LAN 100 while the initial screen 600 or the initial screen 610 is displayed on the operation unit 137, and end the monitoring of the status of the LAN 100 when another screen (for example, a photo selection screen in FIG. 6(e) described later) is displayed. In this way, the application 220 can monitor the status of the LAN 100 only when a screen for which it is necessary to determine the access permission status to the LAN 100 is displayed.

[0053] An initial screen 600 when a local MFP is not registered, as shown in Fig. 6(a), includes a tab area 601 and a search button 602 for starting a search for a local MFP. The tab area 601 includes a home button 603 for displaying the initial screen, a function list button 604 for displaying a list of functions supported by the application 220, a registration switching button 605 for searching for a local MFP and additionally registering it in the application 220 or switching between registered local MFPs, and a menu button 606 for displaying a menu related to the application 220. When the function list button 604 is pressed, the application 220 displays a function list screen 620 shown in Fig. 6(c). When the registration switching button 605 is pressed, the application 220 displays a switching screen shown in Fig. 6(d). Here, the button is an example of a display item, and the form need not be a button.

[0054] 6(b), in addition to the above-mentioned tab area 601, an initial screen 610 at the time of registering a local MFP is provided with a local MFP button 611 for displaying detailed information about the local MFP, and a local MFP area 613 including a local MFP status area 612 for displaying the status of the local MFP. It also includes a document print button 614, a photo print button 615, a scan button 616, a copy button 617, and the like for executing document printing, photo printing, scanning, and copying using the local MFP.

[0055] FIG. 6(c) shows a function list screen 620 displayed by the application 220 when the function list button 604 is pressed in FIG. 6(a). The function list screen 620 includes a cloud button 621 for executing printing, scanning, and the like using the cloud MFP. The items displayed by the application 220 on the function list screen 620 also differ depending on whether the local MFP has been registered or not. The function list screen 620 shows a function list screen when the local MFP is not registered. In this case, the application 220 displays a list of functions that can be used in the cloud MFP even if the local MFP has not been registered. Furthermore, when the local MFP is registered, the function list screen becomes the same as when the local MFP was registered, and the application 220 displays buttons corresponding to functions that can be used in the local MFP (for example, the above-mentioned document printing, photo printing, scanning, copying, and the like).

[0056] Fig. 6(d) shows a switching screen 630 displayed by application 220 when registration switching button 605 is pressed in Fig. 6(b). Switching screen 630 includes a registered local MFP list 631 and a search button 632. Registered local MFP list 631 displays a list of local MFPs registered in application 220. When a local MFP is selected from registered local MFP list 631, application 220 sets the selected local MFP as the output destination MFP. Search button 632 is a button for displaying a search screen 1000 for searching for a local MFP shown in Fig. 10 described later.

[0057] For the initial screen 600 shown in Fig. 6(a), the initial screen 610 shown in Fig. 6(b), and the function list screen 620 shown in Fig. 6(c), either the local MFP or the cloud MFP, or both, may be used. Therefore, although the state of the LAN 100 is monitored while the above screens are displayed, a determination is not made as to whether or not the access to the LAN 100 by the application 220 is in a prohibited state. In addition, the initial screen 610 shown in Fig. 6(b) and the function list screen 620 shown in Fig. 6(c) may display overlapping functions, and for example, the cloud button 621 shown in Fig. 6(c) may be displayed on the initial screen 610 shown in Fig. 6(b). Even in this case, the cloud button 621 provides a function of using the cloud MFP.

[0058] <Operation when searching for a local MFP> In response to pressing of search button 602 shown in Fig. 6(a), application 220 uses LAN information management module 222 to determine whether or not access to LAN 100 is permitted. For this determination, information on the state of access permission to LAN 100 obtained from privacy information management module 211 of OS 210 by monitoring the state of LAN 100 is used. If the information obtained from information management module 211 indicates that access to LAN 100 by application 220 is not permitted, application 220 displays error screen 700 shown in Fig. 7 including a message indicating that access to LAN 100 is not permitted.

[0059] 7 includes a cancel button 701 and a setting button 702. When the cancel button 701 is pressed, the application 220 closes the error screen 700 and interrupts the previously executed process (here, the local MFP search process in response to pressing of the search button 602). When the setting button 702 is pressed, the application 220 displays a setting screen 800 which is an OS setting screen managed, controlled, and displayed by the OS 210 shown in FIG.

[0060] The setting screen 800 shown in Fig. 8 includes a switch 801 for changing the permission state of the application 220 to access the LAN 100. When the user turns the switch 801 ON (enabled), the application 220 is permitted to access the LAN 100. When the user turns the switch 801 OFF (disabled), the application 220 is prohibited from accessing the LAN 100. The state in which the application 220 is prohibited from accessing the LAN 100 corresponds to, for example, a state in which the user sets the switch 801 to OFF and selects the cancel button 701 in Fig. 7. After changing the permission state to access the LAN 100 on the setting screen 800, when an operation for displaying the application 220 is performed by, for example, tapping an icon (not shown) of the application 220, the application 220 displays the initial screen 600 and resumes the previously executed process (here, the search process of the local MFP in response to pressing the search button 602).

[0061] 6A is pressed, if the application 220 is not permitted to access the LAN 100, the OS 210 displays a confirmation screen 900 including a message requesting permission to access the LAN, as shown in FIG. 9. The state in which access is not permitted is, for example, a state in which the application 220 is installed in the information processing device 103 and then started for the first time. The confirmation screen 900 includes a "Do not permit" button 901 and an "OK" button 902. When the "Do not permit" button 901 is pressed, the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900 in a state in which the application 220 is not permitted to access the LAN 100. This operation causes a switch 801 for changing the permission state of access to the LAN 100, as shown in FIG. 8, to be turned OFF. When the "OK" button 902 is pressed, the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900 in a state in which the application 220 is permitted to access the LAN 100. This operation causes a switch 801 for changing the permission state of access to the LAN 100, as shown in FIG. 8, to be turned ON. The application 220 determines whether access to the LAN 100 is permitted, in the same manner as in the above-mentioned process, and if access to the LAN 100 is not permitted, displays an error screen 700 shown in FIG.

[0062] It should be noted that when the search button 602 shown in FIG. 6(a) is pressed, or after the confirmation screen 900 is displayed, if the application 220's access to the LAN 100 is neither prohibited nor unauthorized, the application 220 executes a search process for the local MFP using the local MFP search module 302.

[0063] In this way, by determining whether or not the access permission state to the LAN 100 is permitted after the search button 602 is pressed, the display of the error screen 700 or the confirmation screen 900 can be limited to cases where communication via the LAN 100 is required. In other words, the error screen or the confirmation screen is displayed only when the user explicitly selects a function that uses the LAN, and the error screen or the confirmation screen is not displayed when other functions are selected, thereby preventing the error screen or the confirmation screen from being uniformly displayed and reducing usability. For example, even if the cloud button 621 is selected in FIG. 6(c) in a state in which the application 220 is not permitted to access the LAN 100, the error screen or the confirmation screen is not displayed. Also, if the search for the local MFP is not required, the user can return to the previous screen (here, the initial screen 600) by pressing the cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700. Therefore, the application 220 can be used to check other functions or manuals that use the cloud MFP without permission to access the LAN 100, improving user convenience.

[0064] When the user presses the registration switching button 605 shown in FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b), the application 220 displays a switching screen 630 shown in FIG. 6(d). When the search button 632 is pressed, the application 220 displays a search screen 1000 for searching for a local MFP shown in FIG. 10. The search screen 1000 displays a list of local MFPs searched for by the local MFP search module 302. In response to pressing the search button 632, the application 220 displays the search screen 1000. In response to the display of the search screen 1000, the application 220 uses the LAN information management module 222 to determine whether or not access to the LAN 100 is permitted. As when the search button 602 on the initial screen 600 is pressed, if the determination result is a non-permission state, the application 220 displays an error screen 700. Also, if the determination result is an unauthorized state, the OS 210 displays a confirmation screen 900. If the determination result is neither a disallowed state nor an unauthorized state, a search process for a local MFP is executed by local MFP search module 302. That is, when search button 632 is pressed, if application 220 is permitted to access LAN 100, application 220 searches for an MFP connected to LAN 100 via LAN 100, and displays the search result on search screen 1000. For example, here, MFP 101 is displayed as the search result. On the other hand, when search button 632 is pressed, if application 220 is not permitted to access LAN 100, error screen 700 and confirmation screen 900 are displayed.

[0065] Again, by determining whether access to LAN 100 is permitted after search button 632 is pressed, it is possible to limit the display of error screen 700 and confirmation screen 900 to cases where communication via LAN 100 is required. Furthermore, if search for the local MFP is not required, it is possible to return to the previous screen (switching screen 630 in this case) by pressing cancel button 701 included in error screen 700. Therefore, even if access to LAN 100 is not permitted, application 220 can be used to check other functions or manuals that use the cloud MFP, improving user convenience.

[0066] <Local MFP search sequence> Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a local MFP search sequence of the application 220. The processing sequence of the application 220 during the local MFP search described above will be explained with reference to Fig. 11. Note that this flowchart shows a processing sequence after the application 220 displays the initial screen 600 in Fig. 6(a) or the switching screen 630 in Fig. 6(d).

[0067] The application 220 starts monitoring the status of the LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). The application 220 detects that the search button 602 on the initial screen 600 or the search button 632 on the switching screen 630 has been pressed (S1102). The LAN information management module 222 of the application 220 uses the result of monitoring the status of the LAN 100 to determine whether or not the access permission status to the LAN 100 is not permitted (S1103). If it is determined that the access permission is not permitted (YES in S1103), the application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104). If it detects that the cancel button 701 has been pressed on the error screen 700 (YES in S1105), the application 220 closes the error screen 700 (S1106) and ends this processing sequence. When it is detected that the setting button 702 has been pressed on the error screen 700 (NO in S1105), the application 220 closes the error screen 700 and the application 220 screen, ends monitoring of the status of the LAN 100 (S1107), and displays the setting application 800 (S1108). When the application 220 detects that the application 220 has been displayed on the operation unit 137 again, the application 220 resumes this processing sequence from S1101 or S1103.

[0068] When the application 220 determines that the access permission status to the LAN 100 is not denied (NO in S1103), it starts searching for a local MFP using the local MFP search module 302 (S1109). At that time, when the OS 210 determines that the access permission status to the LAN 100 is not permitted (YES in S1110), the OS 210 displays the confirmation screen 900 (S1111).

[0069] When a Do Not Allow button 901 is pressed on the confirmation screen 900, the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900. Next, the LAN information management module 222 of the application 220, which has been monitoring the state of the LAN 100, detects that the access permission state to the LAN 100 has changed to not permitted. When it is detected that the access permission state to the LAN 100 has changed to not permitted (YES in S1112), the application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104). Also, when an OK button 902 is pressed on the confirmation screen 900 (NO in S1112), the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900. Next, the application 220 searches for a local MFP using the local MFP search module 302, and displays the application search result on the operation unit 137 (S1113). Also, if the access permission status to LAN 100 is not unauthorized (NO in S1110), application 220 searches for a local MFP using local MFP search module 302, displays the search result on operation unit 137 (S1113), and ends this processing sequence.

[0070] This processing sequence can limit the display of error screen 700 and confirmation screen 900 to cases where communication via LAN 100 is required. Furthermore, if a search for a local MFP is not required, this processing sequence can be terminated by pressing cancel button 701 included in error screen 700. Therefore, even if access to LAN 100 is not permitted, application 220 can be used to check other functions or manuals that use the cloud MFP, improving user convenience.

[0071] <Behavior when printing using a local MFP> When the photo print button 615 is pressed on the initial screen 610 shown in Fig. 6(b), the application 220 displays a photo selection screen 1200 shown in Fig. 12(a). On the photo selection screen 1200, a list 1201 of photos accessible by the information processing device 103 and an add button 1202 are displayed. Each photo displayed on the photo list 1201 is a button, and pressing any photo causes the pressed photo to be selected. When the add button 1202 is pressed with any photo selected on the photo selection screen 1200, the application 220 displays a print preview screen 1210 shown in Fig. 12(b) with the selected photo as the photo to be printed.

[0072] In addition to displaying a preview of the photo selected in the photo selection screen 1200, the print preview screen 1210 displays print setting information 1211, a print setting button 1212, and a print button 1213. The print setting information 1211 displays information on the paper size, color mode, and number of copies as current print setting values. The print setting information 1211 shown in FIG. 12(b) shows that the paper size used for printing is L size, the color mode is color, and the number of copies is one. When the print setting button 1212 is pressed, the application 220 displays a print setting screen (not shown). The print setting screen is configured based on the capability information of the local MFP, and displays setting values ​​available in the selected local MFP. Specifically, these are paper size, paper type, border setting, color mode, photo correction, double-sided setting, and the like. When the print setting is changed on the print setting screen, the application 220 updates the information displayed in the print setting information 1211 on the print preview screen 1210. When the print button 1213 is pressed, the application 220 uses the LAN information management module 222 to determine whether or not access to the LAN 100 is permitted. As with the case when the search button 602 on the initial screen 600 is pressed, if the determination result is a disallowed state, the application 220 displays the error screen 700. If the determination result is not a disallowed state, the application 220 starts print processing using the print module 301.

[0073] Again, by determining whether access to LAN 100 is permitted after pressing print button 1213, the display of error screen 700 can be limited to cases where communication via LAN 100 is required. Furthermore, if printing using the local MFP is not required, pressing cancel button 701 included in error screen 700 makes it possible to return to the previous screen (here, print preview screen 1210). Therefore, even if access to LAN 100 is not permitted, application 220 can be used to check other functions or manuals that use the cloud MFP, improving user convenience.

[0074] In this embodiment, the case where the photo print button 615 is pressed on the initial screen 610 has been described, but the same applies to other functions that use the local MFP as the output destination MFP. Specifically, when the document print button 614 is pressed, the screens displayed by the application are a document selection screen (not shown) for selecting a document, and a document preview screen (not shown) for previewing and printing the document selected on the document selection screen (not shown). The application 220 uses the LAN information management module 222 to determine the access permission state to the LAN 100 when the print button for printing the selected document data is pressed on the document preview screen (not shown), and the same effect as when the photo print button 615 is pressed can be achieved.

[0075] The same is true when the scan button 616 is pressed on the initial screen 610. In this case, in response to pressing the scan button 616, the application 220 displays a scan screen (not shown). In response to pressing a scan execution button for executing a scan on the scan screen (not shown), the application 220 uses the LAN information management module 222 to determine the access permission status to the LAN 100. In other words, when access to the LAN 100 is not permitted, the application 220 displays the error screen 700 only when communication with the local MFP is required, and the same effect as when the photo print button 615 is pressed can be obtained.

[0076] Note that, when an operation for printing using the local MFP is executed, a search process for the local MFP is executed in advance by the local MFP search module 302, and the access permission state to the LAN 100 is generally set to an access permission state. However, the user can switch the access permission state to the LAN 100 at any time by operating a switch 801 for changing the access permission state to the LAN 100 displayed in the setting application 800. Therefore, it is necessary to check the access permission state to the LAN 100 and notify the user appropriately every time an operation for LAN communication is executed by the user. Therefore, it is effective for the application 220 to determine the access permission state to the LAN 100 even during printing by this operation.

[0077] <Print sequence using a local MFP> Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a printing sequence using the local MFP of the application 220. The processing sequence of the application 220 when printing using the local MFP described above will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Note that this flowchart shows a processing sequence after the application 220 displays the initial screen 610 of Fig. 6(b).

[0078] The application 220 starts monitoring the status of the LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). The application 220 detects that the print button 1213 on the print preview screen 1210 has been pressed (S1301). The LAN information management module 222 of the application 220 uses the result of monitoring the status of the LAN 100 to determine whether or not access to the LAN 100 is not permitted (S1103). If it is determined that access is not permitted (YES in S1103), the application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104).

[0079] When detecting that the cancel button 701 is pressed on the error screen 700 (YES in S1105), the application 220 closes the error screen 700 (S1106) and ends this processing sequence. When detecting that the setting button 702 is pressed on the error screen 700 (NO in S1105), the application 220 closes the error screen 700 and the screen of the application 220, ends monitoring of the state of the LAN 100 (S1107), and displays the setting application 800 (S1108). When detecting that the application 220 is displayed again on the operation unit 137, the application 220 resumes this processing sequence from S1101. Note that in this case, the screen displayed by the application 220 is the print preview screen 1210. Here, the sequence is resumed from S1101, but the sequence may be resumed from S1103.

[0080] If the application 220 determines that the access permission to the LAN 100 is not denied (NO in S1103), it starts print processing using the local MFP with the print module 301 (S1302) and ends this processing sequence. That is, here, the print job is transmitted to the MFP 101 via the LAN 100.

[0081] This processing sequence can limit the display of error screen 700 to cases where communication via LAN 100 is required. Furthermore, if printing using the local MFP is not required, this processing sequence can be terminated by pressing cancel button 601 included in error screen 700. Therefore, even if access to LAN 100 is not permitted, application 220 can be used to check other functions or manuals that use the cloud MFP, improving user convenience.

[0082] With the above-described process, when the user selects a function to be executed in a state in which application 220 is not permitted to access the LAN, if the selected function uses the LAN, an error screen or a confirmation screen is displayed, and if the selected function does not use the LAN, an error screen or a confirmation screen is not displayed. In other words, the control is changed depending on whether the selected function uses the LAN or not.

[0083] <Printing behavior using cloud MFP> When a cloud button 621 is pressed on the function list screen 620 shown in Fig. 6(c), the application 220 displays a cloud service list screen 1400 shown in Fig. 14(a). At that time, the application 220 communicates with the cloud platform 102 and performs user authentication. Specifically, the application 220 uses "aaaAlice@mail.jp" as a cloud account and a corresponding password to log in to the cloud platform 102 as a user "Alice". In this embodiment, the cloud account and the corresponding password are held in advance by the application 220, and user authentication is performed by communication between the application 220 and the cloud platform 102 even without a login operation by the user.

[0084] A cloud service list screen 1400 shown in FIG. 14(a) includes cloud MFP information 1401 and a cloud service list 1402. The cloud MFP information 1401 shows information on a selected cloud MFP among information on cloud MFPs available to the user held by the CPS 105. FIG. 14(a) shows that the MFP 101 is selected as the cloud MFP. The cloud service list 1402 is a list of cloud services from which print data can be acquired, and includes cloud storage services 106 such as Google Drive (registered trademark), Dropbox (registered trademark), OneDrive (registered trademark), and Google Photos (registered trademark). In the cloud service list 1402, each cloud storage service is represented as a button, and when any cloud storage service 106 is pressed, the application 220 displays a cloud data selection screen 1410 shown in FIG. 14(b). At that time, the application 220 executes a login process to the cloud storage service 106. The login process at this time requires the user to input login information for the cloud storage service 106. However, it is possible to hold the access token of a user who has logged in once and skip input of login information from the next time onwards.

[0085] Cloud data selection screen 1410 shown in Fig. 14(b) includes a data list 1411 of photos, documents, etc. stored in the pressed cloud storage service 106. The data list 1411 displays the file name of each data, and each file name is represented as a button. When a file name is pressed by the user, application 220 sets the file indicated by the file name as data to be printed, and displays print screen 1420 shown in Fig. 14(c).

[0086] In addition to the information of the file selected in the cloud data selection screen 1410, the print screen 1420 shown in FIG. 14(c) displays print setting information 1421 and a print button 1422. The print setting information 1421 displays information such as paper size, paper type, color mode, and double-sided setting as the current print setting values. Looking at the print setting information 1421 shown in FIG. 14(c), it can be seen that the paper size used for printing is A4, the paper type is plain paper, the color mode is color, and the double-sided setting is single-sided printing. In addition, each piece of print setting information included in the print setting information 1421 is a button, and when any button is pressed, the application 220 displays a print setting screen (not shown). The print setting screen is configured based on the capability information of the cloud MFP, and displays setting values ​​available in the selected cloud MFP. Specifically, the setting values ​​include paper size, paper type, border setting, color mode, photo correction, and double-sided setting. When the print settings are changed on the print setting screen, the application 220 updates the information displayed in print setting information 1421 on print screen 1420. When print button 1422 is pressed, the application 220 transmits a print job including print data and print setting information to CPS 105. CPS 105, which receives the print job, notifies the local MFP corresponding to the selected cloud MFP that the print job has been sent. The local MFP, which has received the notification, receives the print job from CPS 105 and starts print processing. When printing is completed, the local MFP notifies CPS 105 of the print result.

[0087] Here, the screen transition and processing when the cloud button 621 is pressed on the function list screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c) have been described, but the same screen transition and processing may be performed when the cloud button 618 on the initial screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b) is pressed. Note that the roles of the application 220 and the CPS 105 described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not limited thereto. It is sufficient that the application 220 and the CPS 105 communicate with each other and transmit a print job via the CPS 105, and all information regarding each screen is held by the CPS 105, and the application 220 may simply display the screen information received from the CPS 105. In this case, the application 220 plays the role of a web browser.

[0088] When printing is performed via CPS 105 in this way, communication with the local MFP is not performed via LAN 100, and therefore access permission to LAN 100 is not required. Therefore, application 220 does not determine the access permission status to LAN 100, and does not display error screen 700. When the user selects cloud button 618 or cloud button 621, printing can be performed using the cloud MFP without permission for access to LAN 100, and therefore user convenience is improved by not displaying an error screen or confirmation screen related to the LAN.

[0089] In addition, when the cloud button is displayed on the initial screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b), the local MFP search module 302 has executed a search process for the local MFP in advance, and the access permission state to the LAN 100 is generally set to the permitted state. However, the user can switch the access permission state to the LAN 100 at any time by operating the switch 801 for changing the permission state of the access to the LAN 100 displayed on the setting application 800. Therefore, even when the cloud button is displayed on the initial screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b), the access to the LAN 100 can be used in a state in which the access is not permitted. For a user who wants to execute printing via the CPS 105, by setting the permission state of the access to the LAN 100 to the prohibited state, the application 220 will not communicate with other devices via the LAN 100, which leads to protection of privacy information.

[0090] <Printing sequence using cloud MFP> Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing a printing sequence using the cloud MFP of the application 220. The processing sequence of the application 220 when printing using the cloud MFP described above will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Note that this flowchart shows a processing sequence after the application 220 displays the function list screen 620 in Fig. 6(c).

[0091] The application 220 starts monitoring the status of the LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). Next, the application 220 detects that the print button 1422 on the print screen 1420 has been pressed (S1501). The application 220 starts print processing using the cloud MFP via the CPS 105 (S1502), and ends this processing sequence. For example, here, a print job is sent to the MFP 101 via public communication.

[0092] In this way, in the print sequence using the cloud MFP via CPS 105, communication with the local MFP is not performed via LAN 100, and therefore access permission to LAN 100 is not required. Therefore, the processing sequence shown in Fig. 15 does not include processing for determining the access permission status of LAN 100. As a result, application 220 does not display error screen 700. The user can execute printing using the cloud MFP without permission for access to LAN 100, improving user convenience.

[0093] As described above, when the application 220 is not permitted to communicate via LAN, if the print button 1213 is selected, which causes the information processing device to transmit a print job to the MFP using the LAN, an error screen and confirmation screen related to the LAN are displayed, and if the print button 1422 is selected, which causes the information processing device to transmit a print job to the MFP via the cloud, an error screen and confirmation screen related to the LAN are not displayed. Even if the buttons have the same function of transmitting a print job, by changing the control depending on whether or not the LAN is used, it is possible to prevent the error screen and confirmation screen from being displayed more than necessary to the user. Also, when searching for and registering a printer, if searching and registering via the LAN, an error screen and confirmation screen related to the LAN are displayed, and if searching and registering via the cloud, an error screen and confirmation screen related to the LAN are not displayed.

[0094] Second embodiment In the first embodiment, a form has been described in which both the error screen 700 and the confirmation screen 900 are displayed after detecting pressing of the local MFP search button 602 or the search button 632. However, the form is not limited to this as long as the user can use the application 220 without permitting access to the LAN 100. In the second embodiment, a control sequence for screen display in the case where the confirmation screen 900 is displayed at the time of starting up the application 220 will be described. The flowchart shown in FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the sequence after the application 220 is started. For example, this flowchart starts immediately after the user selects an icon corresponding to the application 220 from the home screen of the information processing device 103.

[0095] The application 220 starts monitoring the status of the LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). If the OS 210 determines that the access permission status to the LAN 100 is unauthorized when S1101 starts (YES in S1601), the OS 210 displays a confirmation screen 900 (S1602). When the Do Not Allow button 901 or the OK button 902 is pressed on the confirmation screen 900, the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900. Note that if the OS 210 determines that the access permission status to the LAN 100 is not unauthorized when S1101 starts (NO in S1601), the OS does not display the confirmation screen 900.

[0096] Next, the application 220 detects that the search button 602 on the initial screen 600 or the search button 632 on the switching screen 630 has been pressed (S1102). The LAN information management module 222 of the application 220 uses the status monitoring result of the LAN 100 to determine whether or not access to the LAN 100 is not permitted (S1103). If it is determined that access is not permitted (YES in S1103), the application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104).

[0097] When detecting that the cancel button 701 has been pressed on the error screen 700 (YES in S1105), the application 220 closes the error screen 700 (S1106) and ends this processing sequence. When detecting that the setting button 702 has been pressed on the error screen 700 (NO in S1105), the application 220 closes the error screen 700 and the screen of the application 220, ends monitoring of the state of the LAN 100 (S1107), and displays the setting application 800 (S1108). When detecting that the application 220 has been displayed on the operation unit 137 again, the application 220 resumes this processing sequence from S1101 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0098] If the application 220 determines that the access permission state to the LAN 100 is not denied (NO in S1103), it starts searching for a local MFP using the local MFP search module 302 (S1109). Next, the application 220 displays the search result on the operation unit 137 (S1113) and ends this processing sequence.

[0099] With this processing sequence, the display of the error screen 700 can be limited to cases where communication via the LAN 100 is required. Furthermore, if a search for a local MFP is not required, the processing sequence can be terminated by pressing a cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700. Therefore, even if access to the LAN 100 is not permitted, the application 220 can be used to check other functions or manuals that use the cloud MFP from the function list screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c), improving user convenience. When the confirmation screen 900 is displayed in S1602 and the user selects either the Do not allow button 901 or the OK button 902, the application 220 displays a screen that is displayed after startup (for example, the initial screen 600). Therefore, even if the user selects the Do not allow button 901 on the confirmation screen 900 after startup of the application 220, it is possible to select and execute a function of the application 220 that does not use the LAN from the initial screen. The confirmation screen 900 may be configured to be displayed only when the application 220 is started for the first time, or may be configured to be displayed every time the application 220 is started.

[0100] (Other embodiments) A recording medium on which the program code of the software for realizing the above-mentioned functions is recorded may be supplied to the system or device, and the computer (CPU, MPU) of the system or device may read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium will realize the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the storage medium on which the program code is stored will constitute the above-mentioned device.

[0101] Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0102] In addition, the above-mentioned functions may be realized not only by the computer executing the read program code, but also by the OS running on the computer performing all or part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

[0103] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and a CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing based on instructions in the program code to realize the above-mentioned functions.

[0104] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0105] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0106] (Configuration 1) A method for controlling an information processing device that executes an application, comprising: a receiving step of receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among functions provided by the application; and a display control process for displaying a screen regarding permission to use a LAN if the selected function is a function that uses a LAN when the application is not permitted to use a Local Area Network (LAN) and the selection of a function is received in the reception process.

[0107] (Configuration 2) The control method according to configuration 1, wherein in the display control step, the screen is displayed based on the fact that the selected function uses a LAN.

[0108] (Configuration 3) 3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein in the display control step, if the selected function does not use a LAN, the screen is not displayed.

[0109] (Configuration 4) 4. The control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the function using the LAN is a function of searching for an external device via the LAN.

[0110] (Configuration 5) 5. The control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the function using the LAN is a function of transmitting data to an external device via the LAN.

[0111] (Configuration 6) 6. The control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the function that does not use a LAN is a function for transmitting data to an external device via a cloud.

[0112] (Configuration 7) 7. The control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the application is an application for sending a print job to a printing device.

[0113] (Configuration 8) 8. The control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the screen includes a display item for allowing the application to use a LAN.

[0114] (Configuration 9) The control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the screen is a screen for setting to allow the application to use a LAN, and includes a display item for transitioning to an OS setting screen.

[0115] (Configuration 10) A control method described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that a state in which the application is not permitted to use the LAN is a state in which a display item that allows the application to use the LAN is disabled on the OS setting screen.

[0116] (Configuration 11) A control method described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that a display item for not allowing the application to use the LAN is displayed on the screen, and a state in which the application is not allowed to use the LAN is a state in which the item for not allowing has been selected by a user.

[0117] (Configuration 12) A control method according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that the state in which the application is not permitted to use the LAN includes a state in which the application is not permitted to use the LAN and a state in which the application is not yet permitted to use the LAN.

[0118] (device 1) An information processing device for executing an application, a reception means for receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among the functions provided by the application; and a display control means for displaying a screen regarding permission to use a LAN if the selected function is a function that uses a LAN when the application is not permitted to use a Local Area Network (LAN) and a function selection is received in the reception process.

[0119] (Program 1) A program for causing a computer of an information processing device that executes an application to execute a control method, The control method includes a receiving step of receiving, from a user, a selection of a function to be executed from among functions provided by the application; and a display control process for, when the application is not permitted to use a Local Area Network (LAN) and the selection of a function is received in the reception process, displaying a screen regarding permission to use the LAN if the selected function is a function that uses a LAN. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 100 LAN 101 MFP 102 CPS 103 Information processing equipment 222 LAN information management module 302 Local MFP Search Module

Claims

1. A method for controlling an information processing device that executes an application, comprising: a receiving step of receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among functions provided by the application; and a display control step of displaying a screen regarding permission to use a Local Area Network (LAN) if the application is not permitted to use the LAN and the selection of a function is received in the receiving step, and the selected function is a function that uses the LAN.

2. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein in said display control step, said screen is displayed based on the fact that the selected function uses a LAN.

3. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein in said display control step, if the selected function does not use a LAN, control is performed so that the screen is not displayed.

4. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the function using the LAN is a function for searching for an external device via the LAN.

5. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the function using the LAN is a function of transmitting data to an external device via the LAN.

6. The control method according to claim 3 , wherein the function that does not use a LAN is a function for transmitting data to an external device via a cloud.

7. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the application is an application for sending a print job to a printing device.

8. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the screen includes a display item for permitting the application to use a LAN.

9. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the screen is a screen for setting permission for the application to use a LAN, and includes a display item for transitioning to an OS setting screen.

10. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that the state in which the application is not permitted to use the LAN is a state in which a display item that permits the application to use the LAN on the OS setting screen is disabled.

11. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the screen displays a display item for not allowing the application to use the LAN, and a state in which the application is not allowed to use the LAN is a state in which the item for not allowing has been selected by a user.

12. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the state in which the application is not permitted to use the LAN includes a state in which the application is not permitted to use the LAN and a state in which the application is not yet permitted to use the LAN.

13. An information processing device for executing an application, a reception means for receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among the functions provided by the application; and a display control means for displaying a screen regarding permission to use a Local Area Network (LAN) if the application is not permitted to use the LAN and a function selection is received in the reception process, if the selected function is a function that uses the LAN.

14. A program for causing a computer of an information processing device that executes an application to execute a control method, The control method includes a receiving step of receiving, from a user, a selection of a function to be executed from among functions provided by the application; and a display control step of displaying a screen regarding permission to use a Local Area Network (LAN) if the application is not permitted to use the LAN and the selection of a function is received in the reception step, and the selected function is a function that uses the LAN.

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