Device, device control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a device, a device control method, and a program capable of adapting region settings in an image processing apparatus to a service application status.SOLUTION: An MFP 100 comprises a transmission / reception processing unit 203 that transmits to a connection management server 105 a connection destination information request to which device identification information for identifying the MFP 100 and region information including a region set in the MFP 100 are assigned, and receives a connection destination information notification from the connection management server 105 in response to the connection destination information request. The connection destination information notification includes a search result obtained by using the device identification information, regarding whether application information for an automatic ordering service of consumable supplies for the MFP 100 exists in resource servers 103, 104 installed in a region different from the region included in the region information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In image processing devices, such as information output devices used in word processors, personal computers, facsimiles, and the like, electrophotography and inkjet printing are widely used as methods for forming information such as images on sheet-like recording media. In image processing devices using these methods, developers such as toner and ink are used to form information such as images on recording media. Therefore, users must purchase and replace, as necessary, cartridges and developing devices that contain the developers, or process cartridges that integrate a charging device, a photosensitive drum, and a developing device, as consumables.

[0003] To simplify the user's laborious purchasing of consumables, systems have been provided that automatically order consumables from a specified supplier. In such systems, an image processing device is used as a client device, and a resource server automatically places an order based on information transmitted from the client device. To do this, a user first applies for an automatic ordering service. The client device is then registered in a resource server that manages the automatic ordering service. When the user subsequently prints using the client device, the client device transmits consumable information to the resource server. This enables the resource server to automatically place an order for the user based on the consumable information transmitted from the client device.

[0004] In recent years, laws have been enacted to protect personal and confidential information, specifying the physical countries or regions (hereinafter referred to as "regions") of client devices that send data and resource servers that receive data. As a result, the number of resource server regions tends to increase every year, and it is expected that automated ordering services will be used in a large number of regions. Patent Document 1 therefore discloses a technology for identifying an appropriate endpoint URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for region information specified by a client device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-61580 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, as mentioned above, identifying the endpoint URL depends on the region information specified by the client device. Therefore, if a user specifies an incorrect region on the client device, the client device may be connected to a resource server with an incorrect endpoint. This causes a problem in that if the client device is connected to a resource server located in a country or region other than the one in which the user resides, the user cannot correctly receive the automatic ordering service.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a device, a device control method, and a program that can adjust the region setting of an image processing device to suit the status of a service subscription. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the device of the present invention comprises a transmitting means for transmitting an information request to a management server, the information request being provided with identification information for identifying an image processing device and region information including a region set in the image processing device, and a receiving means for receiving search information from the management server in response to the information request, wherein the search information includes the result of a search performed using the identification information regarding whether application information for a service for the image processing device exists in a region server installed in a region different from the region included in the region information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the region setting in the image processing device can be adapted to the status of the service subscription. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), and the hardware configurations of various servers and PCs (Personal Computers). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of the MFP. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the software configurations of various servers and PCs. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration of a system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a device registration screen displayed on the operation unit of the MFP. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a region setting screen displayed on an operation unit of the MFP. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between regions and endpoints. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between an MPF and various servers in the first embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a periodic acquisition sequence. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart when the region setting is changed on the region setting screen of the MFP. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an update screen displayed on the operation unit of the MFP when the region setting is changed. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a process for determining connection destination information. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change notification screen displayed on the operation unit of the MFP. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing a home screen displayed on the operation unit of the MFP when it is confirmed that the regions are different in the periodic acquisition sequence of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between an MPF, various servers, and a PC in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application setting screen displayed on a PC. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a report setting screen displayed on a PC. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, not all of the combinations of features described in each embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, each component constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Furthermore, any component may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined. In each embodiment, an image processing device will be described using, as an example, a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") (device) having a reading function, a printing function, etc.

[0012] First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. In the following description, an interface may be referred to as "I / F." This also applies to the second embodiment described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an MFP 100, and the hardware configurations of various servers 101 to 106 and a PC 107. In the first embodiment, an image processing system including the MFP 100, the various servers 101 to 106, and the PC 107 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this. First, the hardware configuration of the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1(a).

[0013] The MFP 100 has a reading function for reading an image on a sheet, a printing function for printing an image on a sheet, and other functions. The MFP 100 also has a file transmission function for transmitting image data to an external device. In the first embodiment, the MFP 100 is described as an example of an image processing device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image processing device may be a printing device such as a printer that does not have a printing function. The image processing device may also be an image reading device such as a scanner that does not have a printing function.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1(a), MFP 100 has a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes a CPU 111 and controls the overall operation of MFP 100. In addition to CPU 111, control unit 110 has a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a storage 114, an operation unit I / F 115, a reading unit I / F 116, a printing unit I / F 117, and a communication unit I / F 118. CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, storage 114, operation unit I / F 115, reading unit I / F 116, printing unit I / F 117, and communication unit I / F 118 are communicatively connected via a bus. CPU 111 reads various programs stored in ROM 112 or storage 114 into RAM 113 and performs various control operations such as reading control and printing control.

[0015] The ROM 112 stores programs executable by the CPU 111. The RAM 113 is the main memory of the CPU 111 and is used as a temporary storage area for loading various programs stored in the ROM 112 or the storage 114. The storage 114 stores print data, image data, various programs, and various setting information. In the MFP 100, one CPU 111 uses one memory (RAM 113) to execute each process shown in the flowcharts described below, but other execution modes are also possible. For example, in the MFP 100, each process shown in the flowcharts described below can be executed by multiple CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages working together. Furthermore, some processes may be executed by hardware circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0016] The operation unit I / F 115 connects the operation unit 119 and the control unit 110. The operation unit 119 is, for example, a touch panel. The reading unit I / F 116 connects the reading unit 120 and the control unit 110. The reading unit 120 reads an image on a sheet and generates image data. The image data generated by the reading unit 120 is sent to an external device or printed on a sheet. The reading unit 120 can also scan sheets placed on a document feeder (not shown) to read multiple documents. The printing unit I / F 117 connects the printing unit 121 and the control unit 110. Image data to be printed is transferred from the control unit 110 to the printing unit 121 via the printing unit I / F 117.

[0017] The printing unit 121 receives control commands and image data to be printed via the control unit 110, and prints an image based on the image data onto a sheet. The printing method of the printing unit 121 may be electrophotographic or inkjet. The electrophotographic method forms an image by forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member, developing it with toner, and transferring and fixing the toner image onto a sheet. On the other hand, the inkjet method prints an image onto a sheet by ejecting ink.

[0018] Consumables used for printing, such as toner cartridges and ink cartridges used in printing unit 121, are detachably installed inside MFP 100. The user can replenish consumables by replacing cartridges. CPU 111 acquires the remaining amount of consumables necessary for printing periodically, when printing one page of an image, when a cartridge is installed, etc., and stores the acquired remaining toner amount, etc. in RAM 113. When a cartridge is installed, CPU 111 also stores the model number of the cartridge in RAM 113 or storage 114.

[0019] The control unit 110 is also connected to a network via a communication unit I / F 118. This allows the control unit 110 to receive print data and information via the network, and to transmit information related to consumables, such as the remaining amount of toner and cartridge model numbers, stored in RAM 113 or storage 114. The print data received via the communication unit I / F 118 is analyzed by a software module (PDL analysis unit, not shown) for analyzing print data, which is stored in storage 114 or ROM 112. The PDL analysis unit generates data to be printed by the printing unit 121 based on the print data expressed in various types of page description languages.

[0020] Next, the hardware configuration of the various servers 101-106 and the PC 107 will be described using Figure 1(b). As shown in Figure 1(b), the various servers 101-106 and the PC 107 have the same hardware configuration, so the following description will be given taking the server 101 as an example. The server 101 has a control unit 130. The control unit 130 has a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, a graphics controller 134, a HDD 135, and a communication unit I / F 136. The CPU 131, ROM 132, RAM 133, graphics controller 134, HDD 135, and communication unit I / F 136 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0021] The CPU 131 is made up of an arithmetic circuit and performs overall control of the server 101. The CPU 131 loads various programs stored in the ROM 132 or the HDD 135 into the RAM 133 and executes various processes. The ROM 132 stores system programs and the like used to control the server 101. The graphic controller 134 generates screens to be displayed on the display unit 137. The HDD 135 functions as a storage area. The HDD 135 stores application programs and the like used to execute various processes. The HDD 135 is an example of a storage device and may be configured not only by an HDD but also by an SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like. The communication unit I / F 136 is used to connect various devices to the server 101. The communication unit I / F 136 connects, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like to the server 101. The communication unit I / F 136 also performs communication between the server 101 and the MFP 100 or the like via a network under the control of the CPU 131.

[0022] In the following, server 101 will be referred to as the "authentication and authorization server 101," and server 102 will be referred to as the "authentication and authorization server 102." Server 103 (region server) will be referred to as the "resource server 103," and server 104 (region server) will be referred to as the "resource server 104." Server 105 (management server) will be referred to as the "connection management server 105," and server 106 will be referred to as the "application management server 106." Furthermore, when either authentication and authorization server 101 or authentication and authorization server 102 is acceptable, it will be referred to as the "authentication and authorization servers 101, 102," and when either resource server 103 or resource server 104 is acceptable, it will be referred to as the "resource servers 103, 104."

[0023] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the software configuration of MFP 100 in the first embodiment. Each functional unit shown in Fig. 2 is realized by CPU 111 of MFP 100 executing a control program. An authentication processing unit 201 controls the communication unit I / F 118 and communicates with authentication and authorization servers 101, 102, etc. over the network. A data collection unit 202 collects internal data in MFP 100. A transmission / reception processing unit 203 controls the communication unit I / F 118, controls connection to, disconnection from, and communication with the network, and transmits data collected by the data collection unit 202 to resource servers 103, 104. In addition, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 controls the communication unit I / F 118 and communicates with connection management server 105, etc. over the network.

[0024] The UI control unit 208 controls the operation unit 119 via the operation unit I / F 115. Specifically, the UI control unit 208 displays user notifications and options on the operation unit 119, accepts user operations on the operation unit 119, and notifies other functional units of the operation content. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the UI control unit 208 accepts and controls user operations such as those shown in FIG. 5 below (device registration for the automatic consumables ordering service). In response to instructions from other functional units, the storage unit 204 stores designated data in the ROM 112, RAM 113, or storage 114, or reads out stored data. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the storage unit 204 references a server URL 209 for the connection destination and a support table 210 for the automatic consumables ordering service, which are stored in the storage 114 of the MFP 100.

[0025] The reading processing unit 205 controls the operation of the reading unit 120 by sending various predetermined commands to the reading unit 120 via the reading unit I / F 116 and receiving the status of the reading unit 120. The printing processing unit 206 controls the operation of the printing unit 121 by sending various predetermined commands to the printing unit 121 via the printing unit I / F 117 and receiving the status of the printing unit 121. The timer processing unit 207 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed when the CPU 111 performs time count processing.

[0026] 3 is a diagram showing the software configuration of each of the authentication and authorization server 101, the authentication and authorization server 102, the resource server 103, the resource server 104, the connection management server 105, the application management server 106, and the PC 107 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the authentication and authorization server 102 has the same functions as the authentication and authorization server 101. As shown in FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d), the resource server 104 has the same functions as the resource server 103. Therefore, in explaining FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d), the authentication and authorization server 101 in FIG. 3(a) and the resource server 103 in FIG. 3(c) will be used as examples.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the authentication and authorization server 101 has an authentication and authorization server unit 300 and an HTTP server unit 301. The HTTP server unit 301 is connected to the MFP 100 via a wide area communication network, and performs HTTP communication with the communication unit I / F 118 of the MFP 100. The HTTP server unit 301 is also capable of communication using SSL / TLS, and has a certificate store (not shown). The authentication and authorization server unit 300 receives a request from the communication unit I / F 118 of the MFP 100 via the HTTP server unit 301, and responds with the result of the received request.

[0028] Specifically, the authentication and authorization server unit 300 receives a device authentication request via the HTTP server unit 301 of the MFP 100 through the communication unit I / F 118. Furthermore, the authentication and authorization server unit 300 generates an authentication token associated with the device identification information of the successfully authenticated device, and notifies the communication unit I / F 118 of the MFP 100 of the generated authentication token. The authentication token is a token indicating that the device has logged in to the authentication and authorization server 101, or a token for verifying whether the device has been authenticated by the authentication and authorization server 101. By using the authentication token (hereinafter referred to as an "access token"), the authentication and authorization server 101 can identify the device. The authentication and authorization server 101 can also be configured to hold a private key for attaching signature information to the authorization token. In this case, the authentication and authorization server 101 attaches signature information to the authorization token using the private key, and issues the authorization token with the signature information to the MFP 100.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3(c), the resource server 103 includes a resource server unit 320. The resource server unit 320 has a function of publishing an API for providing Web services. As shown in FIG. 3(e), the connection management server 105 includes a connection destination determination unit 340. The connection destination determination unit 340 has a function of receiving a request from the communication unit I / F 118 of the MFP 100 and returning a URL of a destination endpoint as a response to the received request. As shown in FIG. 3(f), the application management server 106 includes an application management server unit 350. The application management server unit 350 manages application information (hereinafter also referred to as "subscription information") for an automatic consumable ordering service from users. The application management server unit 350 notifies the resource servers 103 and 104 of the user's subscription information. Note that, like the authentication and authorization server 101, the resource servers 103 and 104, the connection management server 105, and the application management server 106 may each include an HTTP server unit and perform transmission and reception with external parties via the HTTP server unit.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3(g), a printer application 360 is installed on the PC 107. The printer application 360 is included in the integrated installer used when the printer application 360 is installed, and therefore the printer application 360 itself knows which printers it supports. The printer application 360 has a UI control unit 361, a storage unit 362, and a communication control unit 363. The UI control unit 361 of the printer application 360 displays various printer-related status screens, user notifications, print results, etc., and also accepts operations and instructions from the user on the displayed screens.

[0031] The communication control unit 363 connects the PC 107 to a network and communicates with devices on the network. The communication control unit 363 also periodically polls the printers supported by the printer application 360. The storage unit 362 stores consumable information, including the remaining amount of consumables obtained from the printer and URL information for a consumables purchasing website, in the HDD 135, and updates existing information if any. In the first embodiment, the printer application 360 supports the MFP 100. Note that the software of the PC 107 includes components not shown, but these are known technologies that have existed for a long time, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0032] 4 is a diagram showing the network configuration of the system in the first embodiment. The network configuration of the system will be described below. A WAN (Wide Area Network) 400 is constructed by a WWW (World Wide Web) system. The WAN 400 is connected to the MFP 100 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 401. The WAN 400 is further connected to an authentication authorization server 101, an authentication authorization server 102, a resource server 103, a resource server 104, a connection management server 105, an application management server 106, and a PC 107 via the LAN 401.

[0033] The authentication and authorization servers 101 and 102 are servers for implementing OAuth 2.0, and perform processes such as receiving authentication requests, issuing authorization codes, and managing them. In FIG. 4, the authentication and authorization server 101 and the resource server 103 are connected via a LAN 401, but they may be connected via a WAN 400. This also applies to the authentication and authorization server 102 and the resource server 104. Furthermore, the authentication and authorization server 101 may be connected to a database server (not shown) via the LAN 401, and data used to implement the functions of the authentication and authorization server 101 itself may be stored in the database server. This also applies to the authentication and authorization server 102. Furthermore, in FIG. 4, the authentication and authorization server 101 and the resource server 103 are separate servers, but the functions of both servers may be configured on the same server. This also applies to the authentication and authorization server 102 and the resource server 104.

[0034] The authentication and authorization server 101 and the authentication and authorization server 102 are servers installed in different regions, and do not exchange information with each other. This also applies to the resource server 103. However, the location of the authentication and authorization server 101 and the resource server 103 is not limited to being in the same region or the same system. As long as the resource server 103 can inquire about the authentication and authorization token issued by the authentication and authorization server 101, the location does not matter. Alternatively, the resource server 103 may verify signature information received together with the authentication and authorization token. This also applies to the authentication and authorization server 102 and the resource server 104.

[0035] The connection management server 105 is a server that manages endpoints, and manages the endpoints of the authentication and authorization servers 101 and 102 and the resource servers 103 and 104. The connection management server 105 may be configured to be connected to a database server (not shown) via the LAN 401 and store endpoint data in the database server. The application management server 106 is a server that manages an automatic ordering service for consumables, and executes automatic ordering of consumables upon receiving an ordering trigger from the resource servers 103 and 104.

[0036] In the first embodiment, one application management server 106 corresponds to two resource servers 103 and 104, but similarly to the resource servers 103 and 104, two separate servers may be used. The MFP 100 obtains the URL of an endpoint from the connection management server 105, sends authentication requests to the authentication and authorization servers 101 and 102, and transmits consumables information to the resource servers 103 and 104 via the LAN 401. The PC 107 obtains the consumables information from the MFP 100 via the LAN 401, and obtains an access token for accessing the resource servers 103 and 104.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device registration screen. The screen shown in FIG. 5 is a settings screen for the user to send consumables information of MFP 100 to resource server 103 in order to use the automatic ordering service for consumables. When the user activates the toner delivery function, device registration to resource server 103 is executed. Toner delivery setting screen 500 in FIG. 5(a) is a screen for the user to set toner delivery. Toner delivery setting screen 500 is displayed on operation unit 119 in MFP 100, and is controlled by UI control unit 208. The user can change the toner delivery settings by selecting toner delivery setting 501.

[0038] On toner delivery setting screen 500, toner delivery setting 501 indicates "not set" and server connection status 502 indicates "not connected." On toner delivery setting screen 510 in FIG. 5(b), toner delivery setting 511 indicates "set" and server connection status 512 indicates "connection successful." Note that even if toner delivery setting 511 is "set," if communication for device registration has failed, server connection status 512 may be configured to indicate "not connected." Furthermore, hereinafter, "set" in toner delivery setting 511 will be referred to as "on," and "not set" in toner delivery setting 511 will be referred to as "off."

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a region setting screen. The region setting screen 600 is a screen for the user to set the region of the MFP 100. The region setting screen 600 is displayed on the operation unit 119 of the MFP 100 and is controlled by the UI control unit 208. On the region setting screen 600, regions such as United State (US) 601, Canada (CA) 602, and Brazil (BR) 603 can be selected. Note that 604 is an OK button. In the first embodiment, a list of settable regions is managed in the ROM 112 or the storage 114, but may be acquired from an external server. Furthermore, the regions selectable on the region setting screen 600 do not need to be fixed. For example, the selectable regions may be limited depending on the model type corresponding to the region (destination group) in which the MFP 100 is sold.

[0040] A change to the region setting made on the region setting screen 600 affects the endpoints of the authentication and authorization server and resource server accessed by the MFP 100, as well as the default settings for the facsimile sending and receiving function. A change to the region setting made on the region setting screen 600 also affects the default paper size setting for the paper feed cassette in the print function and the image adjustment mode in the adjustment / maintenance function. Specifically, an image adjustment mode is set according to the characteristics of paper used in each country or region. Not limited to the above, network and security settings may also be switched in response to a change to the region setting.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between regions and endpoints. An endpoint management table 700 is managed in the HDD 135 of the connection management server 105. Country / Region 701 indicates the type of region, and connection destination information (endpoint) 702 indicates the URL of the endpoint of the server corresponding to Country / Region 701. Destination group 703 indicates destination information that classifies the region in which MFP 100 is sold. For example, the US group is associated with regions such as USA (US), CANADA (CA), and BRAZIL (BR). In the connection destination information (endpoint) 702, for example, resource server URL 710 is the URL of the endpoint of the resource server when Country / Region 701 is USA (US). Similarly, authentication / authorization server URL 711 is the URL of the endpoint of the authentication / authorization server when Country / Region 701 is USA (US). The non-support information 712 is information indicating that when the Country / Region 701 is Brazil (BR), the automatic ordering service for consumables is not supported.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between the MPF 100, the authentication and authorization server 101, the resource server 103, the connection management server 105, and the application management server 106. Below, a description is given of processes from device registration, including connection information acquisition, to the transmission process of consumable information. Each operation (device control method) of the MFP 100 shown in the sequence of FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 111 (computer) reading a control program (program) stored in the ROM 112 or storage 114 into the RAM 113 and executing it. Each operation of the authentication and authorization server 101 shown in the sequence of FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 131 reading a control program stored in the ROM 132 or HDD 135 into the RAM 133 and executing it. This also applies to each operation of the resource server 103, the connection management server 105, and the application management server 106.

[0043] First, in step S801, the application management server 106 sends an application notification (subscription notification) to the resource server 103. The application notification indicates that a user has applied for a contract for an automatic ordering service for consumables via a web browser on an information processing device (not shown) (for example, a PC, tablet terminal, or smartphone). When the application notification is sent, the resource server 103 manages subscription information. The subscription information includes device identification information that can identify the device for which the application has been made. In step S802, the resource server 103 returns an application response to the application management server 106.

[0044] Step S803 is triggered by the CPU 111 detecting that the user has turned on the toner delivery setting 501 on the toner delivery setting screen 500 displayed by the UI control unit 208 in the MPF 100 (when the service setting is on). Therefore, in the sequence of FIG. 8, the application notification in step S801 and the application response in step S802 are performed before the toner delivery setting 501 is turned on. In step S803, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 (transmission means) transmits a connection destination information request (information request) to the connection management server 105 (transmission step). At this time, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 assigns the device identification information (identification information) of the MPF 100 and region information including the region set on the region setting screen 600 to the connection destination information request. The destination information described above may also be assigned to the connection destination information request. In step S804, the connection management server 105 performs a process of determining the connection destination information. The process of determining the connection destination information in step S804 is made up of the processes of steps S805-1, S805-2, and S805-3.

[0045] In step S805-1, the connection management server 105 transmits a request to confirm the device list to the resource server 103. In step S805-2, the resource server 103 returns a confirmation response to the connection management server 105. Specifically, the connection management server 105 passes the device identification information transmitted from the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MPF 100 in step S803 as a search key to the resource server 103. The resource server 103 searches the subscription information managed by the resource server 103 itself to determine whether device identification information corresponding to the device identification information transmitted from the connection management server 105 exists.

[0046] In the first embodiment, as described above, the resource server 103 searches for device identification information, but the connection management server 105 may acquire subscription information from the resource server 103 and search for device identification information. In step S805-3, the connection management server 105 returns a connection destination information notification (search information) including the results of the search for device identification information to the transmission / reception processing unit 203 (receiving means) of the MPF 100 in response to the connection destination information request (receiving step). In this way, the connection destination information determination process of step S804 is performed, and a detailed description of this process will be given later in the description of the flowchart in FIG. 12.

[0047] In the first embodiment, connection management server 105 notifies MFP 100 of endpoint information of authentication and authorization server 101 and resource server 103 as endpoint information corresponding to the region set in MFP 100. However, depending on the set region, endpoint information of authentication and authorization server 102 and resource server 104 is notified as corresponding endpoint information. In MFP 100, storage unit 204 stores, in server URL 209, endpoint information acquired in the connection destination information notification from connection management server 105.

[0048] In step S806, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 transmits a token issuance request to the authentication processing unit 201. In step S807, the authentication processing unit 201 transmits the token issuance request to the authentication / authorization server 101 together with authentication information (not shown). In step S808, the authentication / authorization server 101 performs processing to issue an access token, and returns the access token as a response to the authentication processing unit 201 of the MFP 100. As a result, the authentication processing unit 201 acquires the access token. In step S809, the authentication processing unit 201 transmits the acquired access token to the transmission / reception processing unit 203.

[0049] In step S810, the transmission and reception processing unit 203 uses the acquired access token to request device registration from the resource server 103. In step S811, the resource server 103 requests the authentication and authorization server 101 to verify whether the access token received from the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 is valid. In step S812, the authentication and authorization server 101 verifies whether the access token received from the resource server 103 is valid. In step S813, the authentication and authorization server 101 transmits the verification result of step S812 to the resource server 103.

[0050] In step S814, if the verification result in step S812 is correct, the resource server 103 executes registration processing to provide the service. In step S815, the resource server 103 returns the processing result in step S814 to the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 as a response to the device registration. However, if the verification result in step S812 is incorrect, the resource server 103 does not perform the registration processing in step S814, and returns an error to the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 in step S815. Note that the authentication and authorization server 101 issues and verifies the access token in accordance with the OAuth 2.0 method, as described above. However, the verification of the access token is not limited to verification using the OAuth 2.0 method, and may be Basic verification or verification using a password.

[0051] In step S816, the transmission and reception processing unit 203 uses the acquired access token to request the resource server 103 to acquire application information. In step S817, the resource server 103 and the authentication and authorization server 101 perform the processes of steps S811 to S813. In step S818, if the verification result in step S817 is appropriate, the resource server 103 returns a response to the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 requesting acquisition of application information.

[0052] 8, the resource server 103 receives the application notification in step S801, and therefore returns a response of "application accepted" to the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 in step S818. However, if the processing of step S801 has not been performed, that is, if the user has not applied for a contract for the automatic ordering service for consumables, the resource server 103 returns a response of "application not accepted" to the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 in step S818.

[0053] In step S819, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 uses the acquired access token to send an activation notification indicating that the toner delivery setting 501 is on to the resource server 103. However, if the transmission / reception processing unit 203 receives a response of "no application" in step S818, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 does not send the activation notification in step S819 and causes the timer processing unit 207 to count the timer. Then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the transmission / reception processing unit 203 executes the periodic acquisition sequence shown in FIG. 9, which will be described later. This makes it possible for the sequence in FIG. 8 to handle the case where the application notification in step S801 and the application response in step S802 are sent after the toner delivery setting 501 is turned on. In step S820, the resource server 103 and the authentication / authorization server 101 perform the processes of steps S811 to S813. In step S821, if the verification result in step S820 is appropriate, the resource server 103 sends an activation notification to the application management server 106. In step S822, the application management server 106 returns a notification response to the resource server 103. In step S823, the resource server 103 returns an activate response to the transmission and reception processor 203 of the MFP 100.

[0054] In step S824, transmission / reception processor 203 uses the acquired access token to transmit an event to resource server 103. Event transmission refers to transmitting consumable item information when a change occurs in the consumable item status inside MFP 100. Note that a change in the consumable item status inside MFP 100 may occur, for example, when the remaining amount of the consumable item becomes low or when the consumable item is replaced. Event transmission may also be performed when MFP 100 is started up or at regular intervals. In step S825, resource server 103 and authentication / authorization server 101 perform the processes of steps S811 to S813.

[0055] In step S826, if the verification result in step S825 is appropriate, the resource server 103 performs event data processing. Specifically, in the event data processing, the resource server 103 analyzes the consumable information transmitted from the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 and extracts remaining amount information of the consumable, thereby confirming the remaining amount status. In step S827, the resource server 103 returns the result of receiving the event to the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 as an event transmission response. In step S828, if the resource server 103 determines, based on the result of the event data processing in step S826, that the remaining amount of the consumable has fallen below a predetermined threshold, it transmits a "Low" remaining amount of consumable (order instruction) to the application management server 106. In step S829, the application management server 106 performs ordering processing for the consumable. By performing the ordering processing for the consumable in this manner, the consumable is delivered to the user. In step S830, the application management server 106 returns a notification response to the resource server 103.

[0056] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a periodic acquisition sequence. As described above, the periodic acquisition sequence in Fig. 9 is executed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the response "no application" was returned in step S818. Alternatively, the periodic acquisition sequence in Fig. 9 may be executed when MFP100 is started up or at regular intervals. Note that each process in the periodic acquisition sequence in Fig. 9 is the same as the sequence in Fig. 8, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process performed when the region setting is changed on the region setting screen 600. Each operation shown in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is implemented by the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 reading a control program stored in the ROM 112 or the storage 114 into the RAM 113 and executing the program. First, in step S1001, the UI control unit 208 determines whether the region setting has been updated. Specifically, the UI control unit 208 determines that the region setting has been updated when a region such as United State (US) 601 is selected on the region setting screen 600 and the OK button 604 is pressed. If the UI control unit 208 determines that the region setting has not been updated, the process returns to step S1001. On the other hand, if the UI control unit 208 determines that the region setting has been updated, the process proceeds to step S1002.

[0058] In step S1002, the storage unit 204 determines whether the region setting has changed before and after the update. If the storage unit 204 determines that the region setting has not changed before and after the update, the process proceeds to step S1009, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the storage unit 204 determines that the region setting has changed before and after the update, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, the storage unit 204 determines whether the toner delivery setting 501 is on. Note that if the toner delivery setting 501 is on, device registration in the resource server 103 has been successful. If the storage unit 204 determines that the toner delivery setting 501 is not on, the process proceeds to step S1009, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the storage unit 204 determines that the toner delivery setting 501 is on, the process proceeds to step S1004. In step S1004, the storage unit 204 updates the toner delivery setting 501 to OFF in order to prevent data transmission to a region different from the changed region due to the change in the region setting.

[0059] In step S1005, storage unit 204 determines whether the changed region is supported by the automatic consumable ordering service. The determination of whether the region is supported is made by comparing support table 210, which CPU 111 has read from storage unit 204 and indicates regions that are supported by the automatic consumable ordering service, with the region set on region setting screen 600. Note that in the first embodiment, support table 210 is managed internally in MFP 100, but it may also be acquired from an external server. If storage unit 204 determines that the changed region is supported by the automatic consumable ordering service, the process proceeds to step S1006. On the other hand, if storage unit 204 determines that the changed region is not supported by the automatic consumable ordering service, the process proceeds to step S1008, which will be described later.

[0060] In step S1006, the UI control unit 208 displays the toner delivery setting off update screen 1100 of FIG. 11(a) on the operation unit 119. In step S1007, the UI control unit 208 displays the toner delivery setting screen 500 on the operation unit 119 when the user selects the OK button 1101 on the toner delivery setting off update screen 1100 of FIG. 11(a). In the first embodiment, the toner delivery setting screen 500 is displayed, but a notification to automatically reconnect may be sent and a re-registration process may be performed. In step S1008, the UI control unit 208 displays the function disable update screen 1110 of FIG. 11(b) on the operation unit 119. In step S1009, the UI control unit 208 displays the update screen 1120 of FIG. 11(c). When any of the processes in steps S1007 to S1009 has been performed, the flowchart of FIG. 10 ends.

[0061] Fig. 12 is a flowchart of the connection destination information determination process. Each operation shown in the flowchart of Fig. 12 is realized by the CPU 131 in the connection management server 105 reading out a control program stored in the ROM 132 into the RAM 133 and executing it. This also applies to the resource servers 103 and 104. The flowchart of Fig. 12 shows the process of step S804 in Fig. 8. Note that the following description is based on the assumption that United State (US) 601 is set as the region on the region setting screen 600.

[0062] First, in step S1201, the connection destination determination unit 340 determines whether or not a connection destination information request has been received from the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100. If the connection destination determination unit 340 determines that a connection destination information request has not been received from the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100, the process returns to step S1201. On the other hand, if the connection destination determination unit 340 determines that a connection destination information request has been received from the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100, the process proceeds to step S1202. In step S1202, the connection destination determination unit 340 acquires the region (US) included in the region information attached to the connection destination information request.

[0063] In step S1203, the connection destination determination unit 340 reads the endpoint management table 700 managed in the HDD 135 of the connection management server 105. Furthermore, the connection destination determination unit 340 determines whether the region (US) acquired in step S1202 exists in the Country / Region 701 of the endpoint management table 700. If the connection destination determination unit 340 determines that the region (US) acquired in step S1202 exists in the Country / Region 701 of the endpoint management table 700, the process proceeds to step S1204. On the other hand, if the connection destination determination unit 340 determines that the region (US) acquired in step S1202 does not exist in the Country / Region 701 of the endpoint management table 700, the process proceeds to step S1211, which will be described later.

[0064] In step S1204, the connection destination determination unit 340 acquires the device identification information attached to the connection destination information request. In step S1205, the connection destination determination unit 340 performs a device list search. The connection destination determination unit 340 performs the device list search by sending a device list confirmation request, to which the device identification information acquired in step S1204 has been attached, to the resource server 103. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the resource server 103 is installed in the USA (US) and the resource server 104 is installed in CANADA (CA). It is also assumed that the device identification information is a serial number capable of uniquely identifying the MFP.

[0065] When the resource server 103 receives the device list confirmation request, it performs a search for the application information stored in the HDD 135 of the resource server 103. At that time, the resource server 103 performs a search using the serial number of the device identification information assigned to the device list confirmation request, and transmits the search result as an acknowledgement response to the connection destination determination unit 340 of the connection management server 105. Furthermore, after receiving the acknowledgement response from the resource server 103, the connection destination determination unit 340 also transmits a similar device list confirmation request to the resource server 104.

[0066] Although the first embodiment is configured with two resource servers 103 and 104, three or more resource servers may be included depending on the number of regions. In this case, the connection destination determination unit 340 transmits a device list confirmation request to each of the three or more resource servers. Furthermore, if destination information is added to the connection destination information request from the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100, the device list confirmation request is transmitted to the resource servers installed in each of the regions associated with the destination information. This allows the connection destination determination unit 340 of the connection management server 105 to limit the resource servers to which the device list confirmation request is transmitted. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the connection destination determination unit 340 sequentially transmits the device list confirmation request to multiple resource servers. In this case, the connection destination determination unit 340 may terminate transmission of the device list confirmation request as soon as it receives from the resource server an acknowledgement response indicating that the serial number of the device identification information assigned to the device list confirmation request exists. Furthermore, the connection destination determination unit 340 may transmit the device list confirmation request to multiple resource servers in parallel.

[0067] In step S1206, connection destination determination unit 340 determines whether application information for MFP 100 exists in resource server 104 in a region (CANADA) different from the region (US) acquired in step S1202. This determination is made based on confirmation responses from resource servers 103 and 104. If connection destination determination unit 340 determines that application information for MFP 100 exists in resource server 104 in a region (CANADA) different from the region (US) acquired in step S1202, the process proceeds to step S1207. On the other hand, if connection destination determination unit 340 determines that application information for MFP 100 does not exist in resource server 104 in a region (CANADA) different from the region (US) acquired in step S1202, the process proceeds to step S1209, which will be described later.

[0068] In step S1207, connection destination determination unit 340 acquires the URL of the endpoint of the region (CANADA) for which the application information for MFP 100 exists, based on connection destination information (endpoint) 702 in endpoint management table 700. In step S1208, connection destination determination unit 340 transmits the acquired URL and a region change information response indicating that the region setting will be changed from US to CA as a connection destination information notification (search information) to transmission / reception processing unit 203 of MPF 100. Note that when transmission / reception processing unit 203 receives the region change information response as the connection destination information notification in step S1208, storage unit 204 (change means) of MFP 100 changes the region setting from US to CA. As a result, the region setting in MFP 100 becomes compatible with the status of the application for the automatic consumable ordering service. 13 is a diagram showing a change notification screen 1300 that is displayed on the operation unit 119 by the UI control unit 208 (notification means) when the transmission / reception processing unit 203 in the MFP 100 receives a region change information response as a connection destination information notification in step S1208. The change notification screen 1300 notifies the user that the region setting will be changed from US to Canada (CA). This allows the user to know that the region set in the MFP 100 is incorrect. Note that the change notification screen 1300 is closed when the OK button 1301 is pressed.

[0069] Returning to the description of Fig. 12, in step S1209, the connection destination determination unit 340 acquires the URL of the endpoint of the region (US) acquired in step S1202, based on the connection destination information (endpoint) 702 in the endpoint management table 700. In step S1210, the connection destination determination unit 340 transmits a connection destination information response including the URL of the endpoint of the region (US) as a connection destination information notification (search information) to the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MPF 100. In step S1211, the connection destination determination unit 340 transmits an error response as the connection destination information notification (search information) to the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MPF 100. When the processing of step S1208, step S1210, or step S1211 has been performed, the flowchart of Fig. 12 ends. In the MFP 100, when the transmission / reception processing unit 203 receives a connection destination information notification in step S1210 or step S1211, a screen corresponding to the response content of the received connection destination information notification is displayed on the operation unit 119 by the UI control unit 208 (notification means).

[0070] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a home screen 1400 that is displayed on operation unit 119 of MFP 100 when it is confirmed in step S804 that the regions are different in the periodic acquisition sequence of Fig. 9. Here, when it is confirmed in step S804 that the regions are different, it means that the application information for MFP 100 is stored in a resource server in a region different from the region included in the region information added to the connection destination information request in step S803.

[0071] 8 is triggered by the user turning on toner delivery settings 501, so it is assumed that the user is near MFP 100. Also, in the sequence of FIG. 8, when the user turns on toner delivery settings 501 on toner delivery settings screen 500, if it is confirmed in step S804 that the region is different, UI control unit 208 displays change notification screen 1300 on operation unit 119. However, step S803 shown in the periodic acquisition sequence of FIG. 9 is likely to be performed when the user is not near MFP 100. Therefore, in the periodic acquisition sequence of FIG. 9, if it is confirmed in step S804 that the region is different, UI control unit 208 displays confirmation item 1401 related to toner delivery settings 501 on home screen 1400 displayed on operation unit 119. Furthermore, when confirmation item 1401 on home screen 1400 is pressed on operation unit 119, UI control unit 208 displays change notification screen 1300.

[0072] As described above, MFP 100 can acquire, as a response to the connection destination information request, information regarding whether application information for its own automatic consumable ordering service exists on resource servers 103 and 104 in a region different from the region specified in the region information. This response to the connection destination information request allows MFP 100 to set the region to match the application status for the automatic consumable ordering service. Therefore, the user in the first embodiment can appropriately use the automatic consumable ordering service of MFP 100.

[0073] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. In the second embodiment, configurations and processes common to the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be simplified or omitted. Therefore, the following description will focus on points unique to the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, an example of transmitting consumable item information from MFP 100 was described. However, the source of the consumable item information is not limited to MFP 100. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example of transmitting consumable item information from PC 107 connected to MFP 100 via the network of LAN 401 will be described.

[0074] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a communication sequence between MPF 100, authentication / authorization server 101, resource server 103, connection management server 105, application management server 106, and PC 107. The following describes the transmission of consumables information by PC 107. Each operation of PC 107 shown in the sequence of FIG. 15 is realized by CPU 131 reading a control program stored in ROM 132 or HDD 135 into RAM 133 and executing it. This also applies to each operation of authentication / authorization server 101, resource server 103, connection management server 105, and application management server 106. Each operation (device control method) of MFP 100 shown in the sequence of FIG. 15 is realized by CPU 111 (computer) reading a control program (program) stored in ROM 112 or storage 114 into RAM 113 and executing it.

[0075] First, in step S1501, the PC 107 performs a device search using the communication control unit 363 of the printer application 360. At this time, the communication control unit 363 performs the device search using known techniques, such as a method of searching by sending packets by broadcast, or a method of sending packets by specifying an IP address, targeting devices connected to the network of the LAN 401. In step S1502, when the transmission / reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 receives a search packet from the PC 107, it transmits device information of the MFP 100 to the PC 107 as a device response. In step S1503, the PC 107 performs a device addition process using the printer application 360.

[0076] 16 is an example of a device search screen displayed on a touch panel or the like by the UI control unit 361 of the printer application 360 on the PC 107. The device list on the application setting screen 1600 is displayed when a device search menu 1601 is pressed in the application setting menu. When a search button 1602 is pressed here, step S1501 is executed, and a search is performed for devices connected to the network of the LAN 401. Note that when a cancel button 1603 is pressed, the search is stopped.

[0077] The devices added in step S1503 are displayed as a device list. In the device list, device information such as a model name 1604, a serial number 1605 which is device identification information, a region 1606, and an IP address 1607 is displayed. The device information displayed in the device list is acquired as the device response in step S1502. When a device registration menu 1608 is pressed in the application setting menu of the application setting screen 1600, device registration is performed.

[0078] Returning to the description of FIG. 15, in step S1504, the PC 107 transmits a device registration request to the transmission / reception processor 203 of the MFP 100 via the communication control unit 363. This transmission is performed by pressing the device registration menu 1608. In this regard, step S803 in the first embodiment is started when the user turns on the toner delivery setting 501. In contrast, step S803 in the second embodiment is started when the user presses the device registration menu 1608 in step S1504. In step S1505, the transmission / reception processor 203 of the MFP 100 returns a device response to the PC 107. In step S1506, the PC 107 performs device report setting. The device report setting will be described below with reference to FIG. 17.

[0079] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a report setting screen 1700. The report setting screen 1700 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed when a report setting menu 1701 is pressed in the application setting menu shown in FIG. 16 or 17. In information to be sent 1702, the user can select the information to be sent to the resource server 103 using check boxes. That is, the user can send data about the information filtered using the check boxes using the device report sending described below. In transmission format 1703, the user can select the format for sending data. Here, only CSV can be selected, but XML, JSON, etc. may also be selectable.

[0080] In the schedule setting 1704, the user can set a schedule for executing device report transmission, which will be described later. When specifying a period, the schedule can be set in hourly units, and when specifying a date and time, the schedule can be set in monthly, weekly, or daily units. The schedule setting is confirmed by pressing the OK button 1705. Furthermore, a schedule that is in the middle of being set can be canceled by pressing the cancel button 1706.

[0081] Returning to the description of FIG. 15, the processing of step S1507 is executed at the timing of the schedule set in step S1506. In step S1507, the PC 107 transmits a device information request to the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 via the communication control unit 363. In step S1508, the transmission and reception processing unit 203 of the MFP 100 transmits device information as a device information response to the communication control unit 363 of the PC 107. Note that the device information here includes information on consumables information, an access token, an endpoint acquired in the connection destination information notification, and the like. In step S1509, the PC 107 transmits a device report to the resource server 103 via the communication control unit 363. In step S1510, the resource server 103 returns a report transmission response to the communication control unit 363 of the PC 107.

[0082] As described above, even when PC 107 transmits consumables information of MFP 100, PC 107 can transmit the consumables information of MFP 100 to resource server 103 that matches the status of the subscription for the automatic ordering service for consumables of MFP 100. Therefore, the user in the second embodiment can also appropriately use the automatic ordering service for consumables of MFP 100.

[0083] <Other> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the toner delivery setting screen 500 and the region setting screen 600 are configured as independent screens, but they may be configured as the same screen. Furthermore, the resource server 103 and the application management server 106 are configured as independent servers, but they may be configured as the same server. This also applies to the resource server 104. Furthermore, the transmission of the connection destination information request in step S803 and the reception of the connection destination information notification in step S805-3 may be performed by an information processing device (e.g., a PC, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone) capable of communicating with the MFP 100 and the connection management server 105. Furthermore, the present invention is applicable to services other than the automatic ordering service for consumables.

[0084] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of each of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the 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 realizes one or more functions.

[0085] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) A transmitting means for transmitting an information request to a management server, the information request having attached thereto identification information for identifying an image processing device and region information including a region set in the image processing device; a receiving means for receiving search information from the management server in response to the information request; A device characterized in that the search information includes the results of a search conducted using the identification information regarding whether application information for a service for the image processing device exists on a region server installed in a region other than the region included in the region information. (Configuration 2) The device according to configuration 1, further comprising a notification means for making a notification according to the search result included in the search information. (Configuration 3) The device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the information request is transmitted by the transmitting means when the service setting is on in the image processing device. (Configuration 4) A device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a change means for changing the region set in the image processing device to the other region when the search information includes a search result indicating that the application information is located on a region server installed in the other region. (Configuration 5) The identification information includes destination information of the image processing device associated with at least one region, 5. The device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the other region is a region linked to the destination information. (Configuration 6) A device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that if the search information includes a search result indicating that the application information is not available in any region server, the transmitting means transmits the information request to the management server a predetermined time after the receiving means receives the search information. (Configuration 7) The device described in Configuration 6, wherein the transmitting means transmits the information request to the management server at the timing when the image processing device is started or at regular intervals after a predetermined time has elapsed since the receiving means received the search information. (Configuration 8) The device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the service is an automatic ordering service for consumables. (Configuration 9) The device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the device is the image processing device. (Configuration 10) The device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the device is an information processing device capable of communicating with the image processing device and the management server. (Method 1) A transmission step of transmitting an information request to a management server, the information request having attached thereto identification information for identifying an image processing device and region information including a region set in the image processing device; a receiving step of receiving search information from the management server in response to the information request, A device control method characterized in that the search information includes the results of a search conducted using the identification information regarding whether application information for a service for the image processing device exists on a region server installed in a region other than the region included in the region information. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 100 MFP (device) (image processing device) 103, 104 Resource Server (Region Server) 107 PC (device) (information processing device) 105 Connection Management Server (Management Server) 203 Transmission / reception processing unit (transmission means) (reception means) 204 Memory unit (changing means) 208 UI control unit (notification means)

Claims

1. a transmitting means for transmitting an information request to a management server, the information request having attached thereto identification information for identifying an image processing device and region information including a region set in the image processing device; a receiving means for receiving search information from the management server in response to the information request; A device characterized in that the search information includes the results of a search conducted using the identification information regarding whether application information for a service for the image processing device exists on a region server installed in a region other than the region included in the region information.

2. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that issues a notification according to a search result included in the search information.

3. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the information request is transmitted by the transmitting means when the service setting is on in the image processing device.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a change means for changing the region set in the image processing device to the other region when the search information includes a search result indicating that the application information is located on a region server installed in the other region.

5. the identification information includes destination information of the image processing device associated with at least one region, The device according to claim 1 , wherein the other region is a region associated with the destination information.

6. The device described in claim 1, characterized in that if the search information includes a search result indicating that the application information is not available in any region server, the transmitting means transmits the information request to the management server a predetermined time after the receiving means receives the search information.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmitting means transmits the information request to the management server at the timing when the image processing device is started or at regular intervals after a predetermined time has elapsed since the receiving means received the search information.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the service is an automated ordering service for consumables.

9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is the image processing device.

10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is an information processing device capable of communicating with the image processing device and the management server.

11. a transmitting step of transmitting an information request to a management server, the information request having attached thereto identification information for identifying the image processing device and region information including a region set in the image processing device; a receiving step of receiving search information from the management server in response to the information request, A device control method characterized in that the search information includes the results of a search conducted using the identification information regarding whether application information for a service for the image processing device exists on a region server installed in a region other than the region included in the region information.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the device according to claim 1.

Images