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 apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] On the other hand, due to the increasing security awareness in recent years, communication via LAN by an application is restricted, and in some cases, user permission for access to the LAN is required for the application to communicate with an external device via the LAN. In addition, environments where communication between the information processing apparatus and the external device via the LAN is not permitted or environments where there is no LAN (LAN-less environments) are increasing, and it is assumed that the application will be used in various environments. If permission for access to the LAN is uniformly requested from the user, there is a risk of deterioration of usability.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a method capable of requesting a user for permission to access a LAN without degrading usability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A communication control method for solving the above problems is a control method for an information processing apparatus that executes an application, the method including: a reception step of receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among the functions provided by the application; and a display control step of displaying a screen regarding permission to use a LAN if the function selected in the reception step is a function that uses a Local Area Network (LAN) in a state where the application is not permitted to use the LAN.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to request a user for permission to access a LAN without degrading usability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the content of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims more than necessary, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0010] (First Embodiment) <Configuration of the Printing System> First, the configuration of the printing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The printing system according to the present 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 the present embodiment, it is assumed that a cloud print service (hereinafter referred to as CPS) is provided as one of the services on a cloud platform such as AWS (registered trademark), Azure (registered trademark), Google Cloud Platform (registered trademark).

[0011] The information processing device 103 can also belong to the local area network 100. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the information processing device 103 is a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc., which are portable devices. However, it is not limited thereto, and it may be a smartwatch, smart glasses, a VR headset device, etc.

[0012] These information processing devices 103 are connected to a local area network (LAN) 100 of a company, an organization, etc., and may be used for business and activities within the company or organization. Here, the LAN is assumed to be a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), but it may also be a wired LAN. The LAN may be communication based on Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) that enables direct communication. Also, the information processing device 103 may be connected to the LAN 100, or communication via the LAN 100 may be restricted, or it 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, etc., but cannot directly communicate with the MFP 101 connected to an internal network provided with a firewall within a company or organization. Note that the case where communication via the LAN 100 is restricted includes cases where the user does not permit the information processing device 103 to communicate via the LAN 100 due to settings of the operating system (OS) of the information processing device 103, etc., or cases where the network settings do not permit the information processing device 103 to communicate via the LAN 100. Also, the case where communication via the LAN 100 is not restricted includes cases where the user permits the information processing device 103 to communicate via the LAN 100, or cases where the network settings permit the information processing device 103 to communicate via the LAN 100.

[0013] The MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 101 communicates with the cloud printing service 105 provided by the information processing device 103 and the cloud platform 102 via the network. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the MFP 101 is registered as an output destination MFP under the cloud printing service 105. Similar to the information processing device 103, the MFP 101 is also connected to the LAN 100 and may be used for business and activities within a company or an organization. Also, similar to 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 it may not be connected to the LAN 100 at all. In this case, although the MFP 101 is connected to a public wireless line or other network, etc., it cannot directly communicate with the information processing device 103 connected to the internal network provided with a firewall such as within a company or an organization. Note that the case where communication via the LAN 100 is restricted includes cases where the user has not permitted the information processing device 103 to communicate with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100, or where the MFP 101 is not permitted to communicate via the LAN 100 as a network setting, etc.

[0014] Subsequently, printing via the CPS 105 will be described. By operating the information processing device 103 by a user who is permitted to use the CPS 105, 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, desired printing settings are made via the printing setting screen described later. Subsequently, based on an instruction from the user to start printing, the information processing device 103 transmits a printing job to the CPS 105. The MFP 101 executes printing based on the transferred printing job. Even in cases where communication of the information processing device 103 via the LAN 100 described above is restricted, or where the information processing device 103 is not connected to the LAN 100, etc., printing can be performed as long as it is a communication path using public communication or the like shown by the path 1 in FIG. 1.

[0015] Next, printing via the LAN 100 will be described. When the information processing apparatus 103 is connected to the aforementioned LAN 100 and communication via the LAN 100 is not restricted, the information processing apparatus 103 can communicate with the MFP 101 via the path 2 through the LAN 100. In the case where the communication of the information processing apparatus 103 via the LAN 100 described above is restricted, or the information processing apparatus 103 is not connected to the LAN 100, etc., printing using the communication path shown by such path 2 cannot be performed.

[0016] As described above, there are two methods for the information processing apparatus 103 to communicate with the MFP 101: communication via the CPS 105 shown by path 1 and communication via the LAN 100 shown by path 2. Here, assume that the printing application installed in the information processing apparatus 103 is an application that can send a printing job to the MFP 101 via path 1 or via path 2. Not only for printing jobs, but also for scan execution instructions, other image formation instructions, and control instructions, assume that it has a function to send them via either path 1 or path 2.

[0017] Here, when the printing application installed on the information processing device 103 performs LAN communication, it may request permission from the user. That is, when the printing application communicates with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100, permission from the user is required. When an operation indicating permission from the user is received, the printing application can use the LAN function and 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), permission from the user for access to the LAN 100 is required. In this way, as a specification of the OS of the information processing device 103, when each application operating on the OS uses the LAN communication function, it may be necessary for the user to perform permission for each application by operating the screen or the like. Here, when the user's permission status for access to the LAN 100 is not permitted, that is, when the user has not performed an operation to permit the printing application to perform LAN communication, the printing application cannot communicate with the MFP 101 via the LAN 100. In order to enable the printing application to execute LAN communication, for example, a message notifying the user that access to the LAN 100 is not permitted is displayed when the printing application is started, prompting the user for permission. And it is also conceivable to make the printing application unusable until permission is obtained. However, since the printing application can also communicate with the MFP 101 via the CPS 105, that is, the public wireless network, without using the LAN, if the configuration is such that a message is uniformly displayed when the printing application is started as described above, it will be troublesome for the user. And if the configuration is such that the printing application cannot be used until the user's permission is obtained, there is a problem that the user cannot issue an execution instruction to the MFP 101 via the CPS 105.

[0018] In this embodiment, a mechanism for solving the problems occurring in the environment as described above is provided. Specifically, a mechanism is provided that enables the printing application installed in the information processing apparatus 103 to be suitably used even in an environment where the communication between the information processing apparatus 103 and the MFP 101 via the LAN 100 is not permitted by the user. This will be specifically described below. Note that the local MFP means a device having hardware resources for printing an image on a sheet (for example, a print engine that prints an image on a sheet by a printing method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method). Also, the output destination MFP on the CPS 105 and the cloud MFP mean virtual MFPs managed on the CPS 105 that transfer data to the local MFPs registered in the CPS 105. Here, although the MFP is used for explanation as an example, a single-function image forming apparatus such as a printer or a scanner may be used instead.

[0019] The MFP 101 has a scanning function for transmitting externally data based on an image obtained by reading a document using a scanner, a printing function for printing an image on a sheet such as paper based on a print job received from an external device, and a copying function. Also, the MFP 101 can receive a print job via the CPS 105 and perform printing. In this embodiment, as an example of the printing apparatus, an MFP having a plurality of functions is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a single-function image forming apparatus having only a printing function, an image forming apparatus having only a scanner function, or the like may be used. Also, the printing apparatus may be a print server or the like that transfers the received print data to subordinate MFPs. In addition, the present embodiment can be applied to any device that can communicate with the information processing apparatus 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 Route 1 via CPS105 may be configured by combining communication networks such as LAN and WAN, cellular networks (e.g., LTE, 5G, etc.), wireless networks compliant with IEEE802.11, and the like. That is, the network for performing communication on Route 1 only needs to be configured to enable data transmission and reception, and any communication method of the physical layer may be adopted.

[0021] Subsequently, the cloud services provided to customers by the cloud platform 102 will be described. The cloud platform 102 is a service platform that provides cloud services such as cloud printing service 105, cloud storage service 106, web mail, and services for document creation and editing to organizations such as enterprises. Note that the cloud platform 102 does not necessarily need to provide all of these cloud services and may provide only some of the cloud services. In addition, 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 performs authentication and management of devices for each user. In the cloud platform 102, management of the usage rights of cloud services and access management to customer data are performed for each user. The cloud MFPs registered in the cloud printing service 105 are also managed for each user. Note that a tenant may also be provided as a unit of use of the cloud platform 102. In the case of tenant-based management, different tenants are assigned to each organization (e.g., each enterprise or each organization) that has concluded a usage contract for the cloud platform 102. In this case, user data including print data, data necessary for the realization of CPS105, and user DB for user authentication are 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 MFP101 registered in CPS105 that a print job has been input. The MFP101 that receives 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. 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] The control unit 110 including the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. The CPU 111 reads a control program stored in the ROM (Read only Memory) 112 or the storage 114 and performs various controls such as print control and reading control. The ROM 112 stores a control program executable by the CPU 111. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 113 is the main memory accessed by the CPU 111 and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs. The storage 114 stores print jobs, image data, various programs, and various setting information. In this way, hardware such as the CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, and storage 114 constitutes a so-called computer. The storage 114 also stores an access token for accessing the hardware of the user tenant on the cloud platform 102 and address information used for communication with the CPS 105.

[0028] Note that in the MFP 101 of this embodiment, it is assumed that one CPU 111 executes print control and communication control with the CPS 105 using one memory (RAM 113), but other modes may also be possible. For example, a plurality of processors, memories, and storages can cooperate to execute each process described later. Also, some processes may be executed using a hardware circuit.

[0029] The printer I / F (interface) 119 connects the printer 120 (printer engine) and 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 the print control command input via the printer I / F 119. The printing method may be an electrophotographic method of transferring toner onto paper and fixing it, or an inkjet method of ejecting ink onto paper for printing.

[0030] Scanner I / F 117 connects the scanner 118 and the control unit 110. The scanner 118 reads the document placed on the document table (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 and various hard keys. The operation unit 116 functions as a display unit for displaying information to the user and a reception unit for receiving the user's instructions. The CPU 111 cooperates with the operation unit 116 to perform display control of information and reception control of user operations.

[0032] A network cable is connected to the network I / F 121, and communication can be executed with an external device on the LAN 100 or the Internet. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the network I / F 121 is a wireless communication interface compliant with the IEEE802.11 series. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a communication interface that connects a wired cable of the RJ45 connector or GG (GigaGate) 45 connector type to the network I / F 121 and performs wired communication compliant with Ethernet (registered trademark) may be used. Also, there may be a separate communication interface for performing communication on Route 1. 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 5GNR.

[0033] Upon receiving a notification from CPS105 that a print job has been input, MFP101 receives the print job from CPS105. Subsequently, MFP101 renders the print target data included in the print job to generate print image data. CPU111 transmits the rendered print image data and a control command for controlling printer 120 to printer 120 via print unit I / F119, causing printer 120 to execute a printing process.

[0034] Also, MFP101 supports standard printing functions such as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). When MFP101 receives a printer discovery packet using Bonjour or mDNS (multicast Domain Name System) from an external device such as information processing device 103, it responds with a search result for the packet. The search result includes identification information for identifying the printer.

[0035] <Configuration of Information Processing Device 103> Subsequently, the hardware configuration of information processing device 103 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. A control unit 130 including CPU131 controls the overall operation of the computer. CPU131 expands a program stored in ROM132 or storage 134 into RAM133 and executes it to perform various controls. RAM133 is the main memory of CPU131 and is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for expanding various programs. ROM132 stores control programs and boot programs that can be executed by CPU131.

[0036] In this embodiment, a non-volatile memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) is assumed as storage 134, but an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be used instead of the SSD. In this way, the hardware such as CPU131, RAM133, ROM132, and 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 the user. Also, the operation unit 137 functions as a display unit that displays information to the user. The information processing device 103 is connected to a network or the Internet via the network I / F 140. The information processing device 103 transmits print data to a printing device on the LAN 100 via the network I / F 140, or performs data communication with the cloud platform 102 on the Internet. The communication method may be wireless communication compliant with the IEEE802.11 series, or may be wired communication connected 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 the present embodiment, it is assumed that one CPU 131 executes each process shown in the flowchart described later using one memory (RAM 133), but other modes may be adopted. For example, it is also possible to configure a plurality of processors, memories, and storages to cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later. Also, some processes may be executed using a hardware circuit.

[0039] Note that the computer as the actual resource for realizing each cloud service of the cloud platform 102 also has the same configuration as the hardware configuration described with reference to FIG. 3. That is, each cloud service illustrated in FIG. 1 is realized by a so-called Neumann-type computer executing program code.

[0040] Also, in this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, an example is given where each cloud service constituting the cloud platform 102 executes each process using one CPU and one memory, but other modes may also be used. For example, it is also possible to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later by having a plurality of processors, RAMs, ROMs, and storages cooperate. Further, it is also possible to cooperate the resources of a plurality of server computers to realize each service. The computer resources that provide the cloud platform 102 appropriately manage the data resources of a plurality of 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 Apparatus 103> Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the software configuration of the information processing apparatus 103 will be described. First, the operating software in the information processing apparatus 103 will be described. The software in the information processing apparatus 103 is composed of an OS (Operating System) 210 and an application 220.

[0042] First, each element constituting the OS 210 will be described. The OS 210 is system software that comprehensively manages the entire information processing apparatus 103. Specifically, it provides basic management and control of a computer, such as control of input / output, management of hardware such as memory and hard disk, and management of processes. Further, it provides a privacy information management module 211 for managing and controlling the permission states of various permissions required by the application 220. The privacy information management module 211 is a module for managing the state of permissions 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 either the permitted or not permitted state selected by the user for the access to the LAN 100 requested by the application 220.

[0043] Next, the application 220 is software that has a function of transmitting print data to the MFP 101, and an example thereof is the print application described above. The application 220 is called from the OS 210 via a user operation and operates. By using the application 220, the user can instruct the MFP 101 to print.

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

[0045] Also, the LAN information management module 222 is a module that manages the state of the LAN 100. In the present embodiment, the application 220 uses the LAN information management module 222 to monitor the state of the LAN 100. Also, the permission state of the application 220 to access the LAN 100 is also determined using the LAN information management module 222.

[0046] The print framework 300 is composed of a print module 301 and a local MFP search module 302. The print framework 300 performs generation processing of print data using the print module 301. Also, printing can be performed via the LAN 100 by the print module 301.

[0047] When performing 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, duplex setting, and color setting. In addition, the print module 301 identifies the output destination local MFP 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, the case where the print module 301 transmits a print job to the local MFP via the LAN 100 will be described. 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 by the user to access the LAN 100.

[0048] The local MFP search module 302 is a module that searches for MFPs on the LAN 100 to which the information processing apparatus 103 is connected. The module 302 is used when a new printer is searched for on an initial screen or a search screen, which will be described later. In addition, the module 302 is used when the user updates the local MFPs on the LAN 100 that can be used, such as when the application 220 is started or when waking up from sleep. The module 302 searches for network printers by, for example, broadcasting search broadcast packets such as Bonjour and mDNS on the network. Also, for example, network printers can be searched for by unicast communication using a Get-Printer-Attributes Request or the like defined 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] Figure 5 shows an example of cloud MFP information associated with the cloud account "aaaAlice@mail.jp" managed by CPS105. Information 501 indicates the MFP name, which is identification information for identifying the cloud MFP on CPS105. Information 502 indicates the URI of the local MFP that actually processes the print jobs submitted to CPS105. Information 503 is metadata used for displaying device details and the like. Information 504 indicates the capability information of the cloud MFP that is displayed on the print screen and print settings screen described later. Specifically, it includes capability information such as the supported paper sizes, types of paper, the ability to support duplex printing, and the ability to support color modes. Information 505 stores information indicating the size of the print data that the cloud MFP can receive.

[0050] Application 220 obtains an access token corresponding to the logged-in user from the user management module 221. Subsequently, application 220 calls the Web API provided by CPS105 using the access token. Upon receiving the call to the Web API, CPS105 responds with information such as the information of the cloud MFPs associated with the logged-in user and the information of the available cloud storage service 106 based on the access token. For example, when CPS105 receives a request containing an access token corresponding to a cloud account such as "aaaAlice@mail.jp", it notifies a list of MFPs and a list of cloud storage services associated with the account. Note that when application 220 communicates with the cloud MFPs on CPS105, it is not necessary for the user to grant permission for application 220 to access CPS105 via LAN100.

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

[0052] Note that application 220 continues to monitor the state of LAN 100 while the screen of application 220 is displayed on operation unit 137. When the screen of application 220 is no longer displayed on operation unit 137 due to a user operation or the like, the monitoring of the state of LAN 100 ends. However, this is not the only case. Application 220 may continue to monitor the state of LAN 100 while initial screen 600 or initial screen 610 is displayed on operation unit 137 and end the monitoring of the state of LAN 100 when another screen (for example, the photo selection screen in FIG. 6(e) described later) is displayed. By doing so, application 220 can monitor the state of LAN 100 only when a screen for which it is necessary to determine the access permission state to LAN 100 is being displayed.

[0053] The initial screen 600 when the local MFP is not registered, shown in Fig. 6(a), includes a tab area 601 and a search button 602 for starting the search for the local MFP. The tab area 601 is equipped with a home button 603 for displaying the initial screen, a function list button 604 for displaying a list of functions corresponding to the application 220, a registration / switching button 605 for searching for the local MFP and adding it to the application 220 for additional registration or switching the registered local MFP, 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). Also, 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 does not have to be in the form of a button.

[0054] The initial screen 610 when the local MFP is registered, shown in Fig. 6(b), in addition to the aforementioned tab area 601, includes 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, etc. for performing document printing, photo printing, scanning, and copying using the local MFP.

[0055] Figure 6(c) shows a function list screen 620 displayed by the application 220 when the function list button 604 is pressed in Figure 6(a). The function list screen 620 includes a cloud button 621 for performing printing, scanning, etc. using the cloud MFP. The items displayed by the application 220 on the function list screen 620 also differ depending on whether a local MFP is registered. The function list screen 620 shows the 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 with the cloud MFP even if the local MFP is not registered. Also, when the local MFP is registered, it becomes the function list screen at the time of local MFP registration, and the application 220 displays buttons corresponding to functions that can be used with the local MFP (such as the aforementioned document printing, photo printing, scanning, copying, etc.).

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

[0057] Regarding 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 during the display of the above screens, the application 220 does not determine whether access to the LAN 100 is prohibited. Also, the initial screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b) and the function list screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c) may display overlapping functions. 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 for using the cloud MFP.

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

[0059] The error screen 700 shown in FIG. 7 includes a cancel button 701 and a settings 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 search process for the local MFP in response to the pressing of the search button 602). Also, when the settings button 702 is pressed, the application 220 displays a settings screen 800, which is a settings screen of the OS managed, controlled, and displayed by the OS 210, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0060] The setting screen 800 shown in FIG. 8 includes a switch 801 for changing the permission status of the application 220 to access the LAN 100. When the switch 801 is turned ON (enabled) by the user, the application 220 is in a state where access to the LAN 100 is permitted. Also, when the switch 801 is turned OFF (disabled) by the user, the application 220 is in a state where access to the LAN 100 is not permitted. The state where access of the application 220 to the LAN 100 is not permitted is, for example, the state when the user sets the switch 801 to OFF or when the cancel button 701 in FIG. 7 is selected. After changing the access permission status to the LAN 100 on the setting screen 800, when an operation for displaying the application 220 is executed by an operation such as 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 for pressing the search button 602).

[0061] Also, when the search button 602 shown in Fig. 6(a) is pressed, if the access of the application 220 to the LAN 100 is in an unauthorized state, the OS 210 displays a confirmation screen 900 including a message requesting permission to access the LAN shown in Fig. 9. The state where access is unauthorized is, for example, the state when the application 220 is started for the first time after being installed on the information processing apparatus 103. 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 with the access of the application 220 to the LAN 100 being not permitted. By this operation, the switch 801 for changing the permission state of access to the LAN 100 shown in Fig. 8 becomes OFF. Also, when the "OK" button 902 is pressed, the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900 with the access of the application 220 to the LAN 100 being permitted. By this operation, the switch 801 for changing the permission state of access to the LAN 100 shown in Fig. 8 becomes ON. The application 220 determines the access permission state to the LAN 100 in the same manner as the above-described processing, and if the access to the LAN 100 is in a not permitted state, it displays an error screen 700 shown in Fig. 7.

[0062] In addition, when the search button 602 shown in Fig. 6(a) is pressed, or after the display of the confirmation screen 900, if the access of the application 220 to the LAN 100 is neither not permitted nor unauthorized, the application 220 executes the local MFP search process using the local MFP search module 302.

[0063] In this way, by determining the access permission status to LAN100 after the search button 602 is pressed, the display of the error screen 700 and the confirmation screen 900 can be limited to cases where communication via LAN100 is required. That is, the error screen and the confirmation screen are displayed only when the user explicitly selects the function of using the LAN, and when other functions are selected, the error screen and the confirmation screen are not displayed, thereby preventing the uniform display of the error screen and the confirmation screen from degrading user usability. For example, even if the cloud button 621 is selected in FIG. 6(c) when the application 220 does not have permission to access LAN100, the error screen and the confirmation screen are not displayed. Also, if the search for the local MFP is not necessary, by pressing the cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700, it is possible to return to the previous screen (here, the initial screen 600). Therefore, even without granting access permission to LAN100, the application 220 can be used to check other functions that use the cloud MFP and manuals, etc., improving user convenience.

[0064] When the registration switch button 605 shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) is pressed by the user, the application 220 displays the switch 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 the local MFP shown in FIG. 10. A list of local MFPs searched by the local MFP search module 302 is displayed on the search screen 1000. In response to the pressing of 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 access to the LAN 100 is permitted. Similar to when the search button 602 on the initial screen 600 is pressed, if the determination result is in a non-permitted state, the application 220 displays an error screen 700. Also, if the determination result is in a not-yet-permitted state, the OS 210 displays a confirmation screen 900. If the determination result is neither in a non-permitted state nor in a not-yet-permitted state, the search process of the local MFP by the local MFP search module 302 is executed. That is, when the search button 632 is pressed, if the application 220 is permitted to access the LAN 100, the application 220 searches for the MFP connected to the LAN 100 via the LAN 100 and displays the search result on the search screen 1000. For example, here MFP 101 is displayed as the search result. On the other hand, when the search button 632 is pressed, if the application 220 is not permitted to access the LAN 100, an error screen 700 and a confirmation screen 900 are displayed.

[0065] Here too, by determining the access permission status to LAN100 after the search button 632 is pressed, the display of the error screen 700 and the confirmation screen 900 can be limited to cases where communication via LAN100 is necessary. Also, if local MFP search is not required, by pressing the cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700, it is possible to return to the previous screen (here, the switching screen 630). Therefore, even without granting access permission to LAN100, the application 220 can be used to check other functions and manuals that use the cloud MFP, improving user convenience.

[0066] <Local MFP Search Sequence> FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the local MFP search sequence of the application 220. The sequence of processing of the application 220 during the above-described local MFP search will be described with reference to FIG. 11. Note that this flowchart is the 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] Application 220 starts monitoring the status of LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). 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 Application 220 determines whether the access permission status to LAN 100 is not permitted using the status monitoring result of LAN 100 (S1103). If it is determined that it is not permitted (YES in S1103), Application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104). When it is detected that the cancel button 701 has been pressed on the error screen 700 (YES in S1105), 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), Application 220 closes the error screen 700 and the screen of Application 220, ends the monitoring of the status of LAN 100 (S1107), and displays the setting application 800 (S1108). When Application 220 detects that Application 220 has been displayed on the operation unit 137 again, it resumes this processing sequence from S1101 or S1103.

[0068] If Application 220 determines that the access permission status to LAN 100 is not not permitted (NO in S1103), it starts searching for the local MFP using the local MFP search module 302 (S1109). At this time, if the OS 210 determines that the access permission status to LAN 100 is not permitted (YES in S1110), the confirmation screen 900 is displayed by the OS 210 (S1111).

[0069] On the confirmation screen 900, when the "Do not permit" button 901 is pressed, the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900. Subsequently, the LAN information management module 222 of the application 220 that was 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 an error screen 700 (S1104). Also, on the confirmation screen 900, when the "OK" button 902 is pressed (NO in S1112), the OS 210 closes the confirmation screen 900. Subsequently, 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, when the access permission state to the LAN 100 is not not permitted (NO in S1110), the application 220 searches for a local MFP using the local MFP search module 302, displays the search result on the operation unit 137 (S1113), and ends this processing sequence.

[0070] Through such a processing sequence, the display of the error screen 700 and the confirmation screen 900 can be limited to cases where communication via the LAN 100 is necessary. Also, if the search for a local MFP is not required, the processing sequence can be ended by pressing the cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700. Therefore, even without granting access permission to the LAN 100, the application 220 can be used to check other functions and manuals that use the cloud MFP, improving the convenience for the user.

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

[0072] In addition to the preview display of the photo selected on 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 prints as the current print setting values. Looking at the print setting information 1211 shown in FIG. 12(b), it can be seen that the paper size used for printing is A4, the color mode is color, and the number of prints is 1. 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 the available setting values for the selected local MFP are displayed. Specifically, they are the paper size, paper type, border setting, color mode, photo correction, duplex setting, etc. When the print setting is changed on the print setting screen, the application 220 updates the information displayed in the print setting information 1211 of 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 access to the LAN 100 is permitted. Similar to when the search button 602 on the initial screen 600 is pressed, if the determination result is a non-permitted state, the application 220 displays an error screen 700. If the determination result is not in a non-permitted state, the application 220 starts the printing process using the print module 301.

[0073] Here too, by determining the access permission status to LAN100 after the print button 1213 is pressed, the display of the error screen 700 can be limited to cases where communication via LAN100 is necessary. Also, if printing using the local MFP is not required, by pressing the cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700, it is possible to return to the previous screen (here, the print preview screen 1210). Therefore, even without granting access permission to LAN100, the application 220 can be used to check other functions and 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 the document selected on the document selection screen (not shown) and executing printing. The application 220 determines the access permission status to LAN100 using the LAN information management module 222 when a 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] Also, the same applies when the scan button 616 is pressed on the initial screen 610. In this case, in response to the pressing of the scan button 616, the application 220 displays a scan screen (not shown). On the scan screen (not shown), in response to the pressing of a scan execution button for executing the scan, the application 220 determines the access permission status to the LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222. That is, when the access to the LAN 100 is in a non-permitted state, 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] When performing the operation during printing using the local MFP, the search process of the local MFP by the local MFP search module 302 is generally executed in advance, and the access permission status to the LAN 100 is generally in a permitted state. However, by operating the switch 801 for changing the access permission status to the LAN 100 displayed on the setting application 800, the user can switch the access permission status to the LAN 100 at any time. Therefore, it is necessary to check the access permission status to the LAN 100 every time an operation for performing LAN communication is executed by the user and appropriately notify the user. For this reason, it is effective for the application 220 to determine the access permission status to the LAN 100 also during printing by this operation.

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

[0078] Application 220 starts monitoring the status of LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). 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 Application 220 determines whether the access permission status to LAN 100 is not permitted using the status monitoring result of LAN 100 (S1103). If it is determined that it is not permitted (YES in S1103), Application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104).

[0079] In the error screen 700, if it is detected that the cancel button 701 has been pressed (YES in S1105), Application 220 closes the error screen 700 (S1106) and ends this processing sequence. In the error screen 700, if it is detected that the setting button 702 has been pressed (NO in S1105), Application 220 closes the error screen 700 and the screen of Application 220, ends the monitoring of the status of LAN 100 (S1107), and displays the setting application 800 (S1108). When Application 220 detects that Application 220 is displayed on the operation unit 137 again, it resumes this processing sequence from S1101. In this case, the screen displayed by Application 220 is the print preview screen 1210. Here, it is assumed that the sequence is resumed from S1101, but a configuration that resumes the sequence from S1103 may also be used.

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

[0081] With such a processing sequence, the display of the error screen 700 can be limited to cases where communication via the LAN 100 is required. Also, if printing using the local MFP is not necessary, the processing sequence can be terminated by pressing the cancel button 601 included in the error screen 700. Therefore, without granting access permission to the LAN 100, the application 220 can be used to check other functions and manuals using the cloud MFP, improving user convenience.

[0082] By the processing shown above, when the user selects a function to execute in a state where the 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 is a function that does not use the LAN, an error screen or a confirmation screen is not displayed. That is, the control is changed depending on whether the selected function uses the LAN or not.

[0083] <Operation during printing using the cloud MFP> In the function list screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c), when the cloud button 621 is pressed, the application 220 displays the cloud service list screen 1400 shown in FIG. 14(a). At that time, the application 220 communicates with the cloud platform 102 to perform user authentication. Specifically, the application 220 uses "aaaAlice@mail.jp" as the cloud account and the corresponding password to log in to the cloud platform 102 as the 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 without a login operation by the user.

[0084] The 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 indicates the information of the currently selected cloud MFP among the information of the cloud MFPs that the user can use and are 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 that can acquire print data, and includes cloud storage services 106 such as Google Drive (registered trademark), Dropbox (registered trademark), OneDrive (registered trademark), and Google Photos (registered trademark). Each cloud storage service in the cloud service list 1402 is a button. When any cloud storage service 106 is pressed, the application 220 displays the cloud data selection screen 1410 shown in Fig. 14(b). At this time, the application 220 executes the login process to the corresponding cloud storage service 106. The login process at this time requires the user to input the login information for the cloud storage service 106, but it can also hold the access token of the user who has logged in once and skip the input of the login information for subsequent logins.

[0085] The 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 file names of each data are displayed in the data list 1411, and each file name is a button. When any file name is pressed by the user, the application 220 sets the file indicated by the file name as the print target data and displays the print screen 1420 shown in Fig. 14(c).

[0086] On the print screen 1420 shown in FIG. 14(c), in addition to the information of the file selected on the cloud data selection screen 1410, print setting information 1421 and a print button 1422 are displayed. In the print setting information 1421, as the current print setting values, information such as paper size, paper type, color mode, and duplex setting is displayed. 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 duplex setting is single-sided printing. Also, each print setting information included in the print setting information 1421 serves as 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 the available setting values for the selected cloud MFP are displayed. Specifically, they are paper size, paper type, margin setting, color mode, photo correction, duplex setting, etc. When the print setting is changed on the print setting screen, the application 220 updates the information displayed in the print setting information 1421 of the print screen 1420. When the print button 1422 is pressed, the application 220 sends a print job including print data and print setting information to the CPS 105. The CPS 105 that has received the print job notifies the local MFP corresponding to the selected cloud MFP that the print job has been sent. The local MFP that has received the notification receives the print job from the CPS 105 and starts the print process. When the printing is completed, the local MFP notifies the CPS 105 of the print result.

[0087] Here, in the function list screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c), the screen transition and processing when the cloud button 621 is pressed have been described. However, 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 communicates with the CPS 105 and can send a print job via the CPS 105. All information regarding each screen is held by the CPS 105, and the application 220 may only display the screen information received from the CPS 105. In this case, the application 220 serves as a web browser.

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

[0089] When displaying the cloud button on the initial screen 610 shown in Fig. 6(b), it is common that the search process of the local MFP by the local MFP search module 302 has been executed beforehand and the access permission state to the LAN 100 is in the permitted state. However, by operating the switch 801 for changing the access permission state to the LAN 100 displayed on the setting application 800, the user can switch the access permission state to the LAN 100 at any time. Therefore, even when displaying the cloud button on the initial screen 610 shown in Fig. 6(b), it can be used with the access to the LAN 100 being in the non-permitted state. For a user who wants to execute printing via the CPS 105, setting the access permission state to the LAN 100 to non-permitted can prevent the application 220 from communicating with other devices via the LAN 100, which leads to the protection of privacy information.

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

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

[0092] In this way, in the printing sequence using the cloud MFP via CPS105, since communication with the local MFP is not performed via LAN100, permission to access LAN100 is not required. Therefore, the processing sequence shown in FIG. 15 does not include a process for determining the access permission state of LAN100. As a result, the application 220 does not display the error screen 700. Since the user can execute printing using the cloud MFP without permitting access to LAN100, the convenience for the user is improved.

[0093] As described above, when the application 220 does not permit LAN communication, if the print button 1213 for the information processing apparatus to send a print job to the MFP using the LAN is selected, an error screen and a confirmation screen related to the LAN are displayed. If the print button 1422 for the information processing apparatus to send a print job to the MFP via the cloud is selected, an error screen and a confirmation screen related to the LAN are not displayed. Even for buttons with the same function of sending 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 the confirmation screen from being displayed more than necessary for the user. Also, when searching for and registering a printer, it is possible to display an error screen and a confirmation screen related to the LAN when searching for and registering via the LAN, and not to display an error screen and a confirmation screen related to the LAN when searching for and registering via the cloud.

[0094] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the forms of displaying both the error screen 700 and the confirmation screen 900 after detecting the pressing of the local MFP search button 602 or the search button 632 were described. However, this is not limited to this as long as the application 220 can be used without the user permitting access to the LAN 100. In the second embodiment, the screen display control sequence when the confirmation screen 900 is displayed at the time of starting 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 the icon corresponding to the application 220 from the home screen of the information processing apparatus 103.

[0095] The application 220 starts monitoring the state of the LAN 100 using the LAN information management module 222 (S1101). If the OS 210 determines that the access permission state to the LAN 100 is not permitted at the timing when S1101 starts (YES in S1601), the confirmation screen 900 is displayed by the OS 210 (S1602). When the non-permission 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 state to the LAN 100 is not non-permitted at the timing when S1101 starts (NO in S1601), the confirmation screen 900 is not displayed by the OS.

[0096] Subsequently, 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 determines whether or not the access permission state to the LAN 100 is not permitted using the state monitoring result of the LAN 100 (S1103). If it is determined that it is not permitted (YES in S1103), the application 220 displays the error screen 700 (S1104).

[0097] When it is detected 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 screen of the application 220, ends the monitoring of the state 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 processing sequence is restarted from S1101 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

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

[0099] With such a processing sequence, the display of the error screen 700 can be limited to cases where communication via the LAN 100 is necessary. Also, if the search for the local MFP is unnecessary, the processing sequence can be terminated by pressing the cancel button 701 included in the error screen 700. Therefore, without granting access permission to the LAN 100, the application 220 can be used to check other functions that use the cloud MFP, manuals, etc. from the function list screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c), improving user convenience. When the confirmation screen 900 is displayed in S1602, regardless of whether the user selects the deny button 901 or the OK button 902, the screen (for example, the initial screen 600) that the application 220 displays after startup will be shown. Thus, even if the user selects the deny button 901 on the confirmation screen 900 after the application 220 has started, it is possible to select and execute functions that do not use the LAN of the application 220 from the initial screen. The confirmation screen 900 may be configured to be displayed only at the first startup of the application 220, or may be configured to be displayed every time it is started.

[0100] (Other Embodiments) Note that a recording medium storing the program code of software for realizing the above functions may be supplied to a 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 realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the above-described device.

[0101] As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD, etc. can be used.

[0102] In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the above-described functions are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code, the OS running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing to realize the above-described functions. The OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

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

[0104] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

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

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

[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 is a function that uses a LAN.

[0108] (Configuration 3) The control method according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein in the display control step, if the selected function is a function that does not use a LAN, the control is performed so as not to display the screen.

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

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

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

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

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

[0114] (Configuration 9) The control method according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, wherein the screen is a screen for setting to permit the application to use the LAN, and includes a display item for transitioning to the setting screen of the OS.

[0115] (Configuration 10) The state where permission for the application to use the LAN is not granted means that, in the settings screen of the OS, the display item for permitting the application to use the LAN is disabled. The control method according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that.

[0116] (Configuration 11) On the screen, a display item for not permitting the application to use the LAN is displayed. The state where permission for the application to use the LAN is not granted means that the item for not permitting has been selected by the user. The control method according to any one of Configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that.

[0117] (Configuration 12) The state where permission for the application to use the LAN is not granted means that it includes the state where the application is not permitted to use the LAN and the state where the application has not yet been permitted to use the LAN. The control method according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that.

[0118] (Device 1) An information processing apparatus for executing an application, Receiving means for receiving from a user a selection of a function to be executed from among the functions provided by the application, When a function is selected in the receiving step in a state where the application is not permitted to use a Local Area Network (LAN), display control means for displaying a screen regarding permission to use the LAN if the selected function is a function that uses the LAN. An information processing apparatus characterized by having.

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

Description of Signs

[0120] 100 LAN 101 MFP 102 CPS 103 Information processing apparatus 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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