Cloud server, control method thereof, application service system, control method thereof, image forming apparatus, control method hereof, and program

Abstract

To delete business-related data of an image forming apparatus after the use of a cloud service, in the case where the image forming apparatus for personal use is registered for business use on the cloud service and used for business, thereby preventing leakage of confidential information.SOLUTION: A cloud server includes: device storage means which stores registration on an image forming apparatus used in an application service; and device management means which registers an image forming apparatus to be registered due to a registration instruction, on the device storage means. On receipt of a deletion instruction from a client terminal to unregister the registered image forming apparatus, the device management means stores unregistration of the image forming apparatus on the device storage means, and transmits a data deletion instruction to delete data stored in the data storage unit to the unregistered image forming apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cloud server, a control method thereof, an application service system, a control method thereof, an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the Internet of Things (IoT), which allows many devices to be connected to the Internet and control various devices, send their operational data to the cloud, and use it on the cloud, is becoming more widespread. Even in office environments, many devices such as multifunction printers, projectors, and network cameras are operating and sending data to cloud services. In addition, by constantly connecting IoT devices to cloud services, it is now possible for the cloud service to send instructions to IoT devices in real time, such as updating the IoT devices and performing maintenance operations, and have the IoT devices execute these instructions.

[0003] Furthermore, changes in working styles are increasing the need for telecommuting, and there are increasing cases of people using printers or user-oriented cloud services, such as cloud printing services, scanning services, and consumable delivery services, for business purposes using their home printers.

[0004] When using a printer for work while working from home, employees may register their personal printers with a cloud service such as the cloud print service mentioned above and connect them to use the printer. Because it is a personal printer, the printer will ultimately be disposed of by the employee. If the employee leaves work-related information on the printer, such as browser history, ID / password, and cloud service connection settings, there is a risk that confidential work-related information may be obtained from the discarded printer.

[0005] Patent Document 1 proposes a method in which, when a web application used in an image forming device is deregistered, cache information corresponding to the deregistered web application is deleted from the image forming device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-168778 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, simply deleting the cached information corresponding to the unregistered web application from the printer does not delete information that does not correspond to the web application, and business-related information remains on the printer.Furthermore, business-related information will remain if the data to be deleted does not include only cached information but also all printer data, such as settings and login information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cloud server of the present invention comprises a device storage means for storing the registration status of an image forming device used in an application service, and a device management means for registering an image forming device that has been instructed to be registered by a registration instruction in the device storage means, and when the device management means receives a deletion instruction from a client terminal to delete the registration of the registered image forming device, it stores in the device storage means that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and sends a data deletion instruction to the image forming device whose registration has been deleted to cause it to delete the data stored in the data storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] When deleting the cloud service registration, the image forming device is automatically initialized by deleting the data, preventing the image forming device from being discarded while business-related information remains. In addition, by using the cloud service to manage the data deletion status of the image forming device, the company administrator can determine whether there is a possibility of information leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of each device constituting the system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of each device constituting the system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is an example of a screen of a client terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 shows the overall sequence of a system in one embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an application service and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 shows the overall sequence of a system in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted. [Example]

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Referring to FIG. 1, an overall configuration diagram of an application service system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] 1, networks 100 and 101 are communication networks using, for example, a LAN such as the Internet, a WAN, telephone lines, dedicated digital lines, ATM or frame relay lines, cable television lines, wireless lines for data broadcasting, etc. Networks 100 and 101 are not limited to any particular type as long as they are capable of transmitting and receiving data. In this specification, network 100 is the Internet, and network 101 is a local network, etc.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 102 and the client terminal A 103 can access the Internet 100 via the local network 101 and can access the application service 105. The client terminal B 104 can access the Internet 100 and can access the application service 105.

[0015] The image forming device 102 is a multifunction device or printer that has a copy function, a scanner function, a fax transmission function, and the like in addition to a printing function. The client terminal A 103 is a data processing device such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal for using the application service 105. The client terminal A 103 is a computer used by a user of the image forming device 102 to send a print job to the image forming device 102 or to send a print instruction to the application service 105.

[0016] The client terminal B 104 is a data processing device such as a personal computer or a mobile terminal for using the cloud service. The client terminal B 103 is a computer used by a user who uses the application service 105 and a user who manages a connected device. The network 101 is a LAN to which an image forming apparatus 102 and a client terminal A 103 are connected. The image forming apparatus 102, the client terminal A 103, and the application service 105 communicate with each other via this LAN.

[0017] The application service 105 is a cloud service that provides various services to contracted users and the image forming apparatus 102. Examples of the services provided include a device management service, a print service, a scan service, an automatic delivery service for consumables, a monitoring service, and a fault management service. In this embodiment, the device management service and the print service will be mainly described as examples.

[0018] The application service 105 holds registration information for devices such as private printers owned by each user. In this embodiment, a user registers a private image forming device 102 in the application service 105 via a client terminal A 103 or a client terminal B 104. This registration causes the application service 105 to hold the registration information for the image forming device 102.

[0019] The application service 105 issues print instructions and maintenance instructions to devices registered as registration information. When the application service 105 receives data from a device registered in the registration information, it performs various processes corresponding to the received data. By registering a personal image forming device 102 with this application service 105, the user can use the personal image forming device 102 for work using the application service 105 while at home.

[0020] Here, the application service 105 is published on the Internet as a cloud service with multiple redundant servers. Furthermore, the functions of each service may be realized by a single server or a single virtual server, or by multiple servers or multiple virtual servers. Furthermore, multiple virtual servers may be executed on a single server. In the following explanation, the application service 105 is described, but the application service 105 is synonymous with the cloud server that provides the service of the application service 105. A system consisting of the application service 105, image forming apparatus 102, client terminal A 103, and client terminal B 105 in FIG. 1 can be referred to as an application service system or a cloud service system. It is not necessary to have both client terminal A 103 and client terminal B 104; one of the client terminals may perform both functions.

[0021] 2(a), the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus 102 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a network controller 204, a disk controller 205, a raster controller 207, a print engine 208, an operation panel 209, a storage device 210, and a device I / F 211. These hardware components are connected to a system bus 200.

[0022] The CPU 201 controls the entire image forming apparatus 102 and comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to a system bus 200. The CPU 201 reads into a RAM 203 a control program stored in a ROM 202, a program stored in a storage device 210, or a program stored in an external memory 206 connected via a disk controller (DKC) 205, and performs control.

[0023] The ROM 202 is a non-volatile memory that stores control programs, etc. The RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The network controller 204 is a network interface card (NIC), and the CPU 201 exchanges data with external devices via the network controller 204 .

[0024] A disk controller (DKC) 205 connects to an external memory 206 that is external to the image forming apparatus 102, and controls reading and writing from and to the external memory 206 or the storage device 210. The external memory 206 stores control programs and resource data (resource information).

[0025] The raster controller 207 is a controller that converts print data written in PDL or PDF into image data. The print engine 208 controls printing of the image data converted by the raster controller 207.

[0026] The operation panel 209 is an operation unit that displays a screen and accepts user operation instructions via the screen. The operation panel 209 also has buttons for setting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 102, displaying the operation status of the image forming apparatus 102, and performing operations such as copying instructions, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0027] The storage device 210 is a storage means such as a hard disk that functions as a large-capacity memory, and stores programs 330 to 335 according to the present invention, which will be described later. The device I / F 211 is a connection I / F with an external device that can be connected via USB or the like.

[0028] The print engine 208 shown in this diagram uses known printing technology, and suitable embodiments include, for example, electrophotography (laser beam), inkjet, dye sublimation (thermal transfer), etc. The printing method used in the present invention is arbitrary.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 2(b), the hardware configurations of client terminal A 103, client terminal B 104, and application service 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configurations may be a single device or a system consisting of multiple devices, as long as the functions of the present invention can be executed. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the present invention can be applied to a system in which the hardware components are connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN and processing is performed, as long as the functions of the present invention can be executed. In this embodiment, the components are described as being connected via a system bus 219.

[0030] The computer of the client terminal A 103 , the client terminal B 104 , and the application service 105 includes a CPU 220 , a ROM 221 , a RAM 222 , a network controller 223 , an input control unit 224 , a storage device 225 , and a display 226 .

[0031] The CPU 220 is a control device of the information processing device, and executes application programs, an operating system, etc. stored in the storage device 225, and controls temporary storage of information, files, etc. required for program execution in the RAM 222. The ROM 221 is a non-volatile storage means, and stores programs such as a basic I / O program and various data therein. The RAM 222 is a temporary storage means, and functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 220.

[0032] The network controller 223 is a network interface card (NIC), and the CPU 220 exchanges data with external devices via the network controller 223 . The input control unit 224 exchanges data with external devices, and the information processing device exchanges data with external devices via the input control unit 224.

[0033] The storage device 225 is one of external storage means, and functions as a large-capacity memory, storing application programs, an OS, and the like. The display 226 is a display means that displays program results, information necessary for input operations, etc. The display 226 may also be a device that has a function of accepting operation instructions from the user, such as a touch panel.

[0034] The software configurations of the image forming apparatus 102, client terminal A 103, client terminal B 104, and application service 105 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 3 shows a software configuration that extracts functions related to the present invention, and each apparatus and terminal may include other software. Note that each software module is realized by the CPU 201 and CPU 220 reading programs stored in the storage device 210 and storage device 225 shown in Fig. 2(b) into the RAM 203 or RAM 222 and executing them.

[0035] The image forming apparatus 102 has a data transmission / reception unit 301, a data storage unit 302, a data management unit 303, a print control unit 304, a scan control unit 305, and a user interface unit 306. The data transmission / reception unit 301 transmits operational data of the image forming apparatus 102 to the application service 105 and receives data from the application service 105. The data storage unit 302 stores data entered by the user, device information, and the like. The data management unit 303 stores data in the data storage unit 302 and manages data such as updating and deleting stored data. The user interface unit 306 accepts user input and performs printing by the print control unit 304 and scanning by the scan control unit 305 according to the input content.

[0036] The client terminal A 103 has a data transmission / reception unit 311, a data storage unit 312, a print driver unit 313, and a user interface unit 314. The data transmission / reception unit 311 transmits data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 102 and receives data such as scan data from the image forming apparatus 102. The data transmission / reception unit 311 also transmits data such as device registration and print instructions to the application service 105 and receives data such as device registration data from the application service 105. The data storage unit 312 stores data related to the image forming apparatus 102 and user information related to the application service 105. The print driver unit 313 issues print instructions to the image forming apparatus 102 directly or via the application service 105. The user interface unit 314 accepts user input, and the client terminal A issues instructions to the image forming apparatus 102 and the application service 105 in accordance with the input.

[0037] The client terminal B 104 has a data transmission / reception unit 321, a data storage unit 322, and a user interface unit 323. The data transmission / reception unit 321 transmits data such as device registration to the application service 105, and receives data such as device registration data from the application service 105. The data storage unit 322 stores user information related to the application service 105. The user interface unit 323 accepts user input, and the client terminal B issues instructions to the application service 105 in accordance with the input content.

[0038] The application service 105 has a data storage unit 331, a device management unit 332, a user management unit 333, an electronic image forming unit 334, and a data transmission / reception unit 335. The data storage unit 331 stores data on devices registered in the application service 105 and user data. The device management unit 332 stores data on devices registered by users who use the application service 105 in the data storage unit 331, and performs device management such as updating and deleting the stored device data.

[0039] Table 1 shows an example of data managed by the device management unit 332. [Table 1]

[0040] The data in Table 1 is an example of a device management table managed by the device management unit 332 of the application service 105. This device management table is an example of the device storage means of the present invention. The device ID is an ID that uniquely identifies the device. The user ID is an ID that identifies the user who owns the device and is managed in the user management table described below. The registration status indicates the status of the device registered in the application service 105. Registering indicates a currently registered status, and Deleted indicates a status where the device was previously registered but has now been deleted and is no longer registered. The data deletion status indicates whether data has been deleted for a device whose registration status is Deleted. Deleted indicates a status where data deletion has been completed, and Incomplete indicates a status where data deletion has not been completed. Since deletion is not performed for devices that are currently registered, the data deletion status column is blank.

[0041] The user management unit 333 stores data of users who use the application service 105 in the data storage unit 331, and performs user management such as updating and deleting the stored user data.

[0042] Table 2 shows an example of data managed by the user management unit 333. [Table 2]

[0043] The data in Table 2 is an example of a user management table managed by the user management unit of the application service 105. The user ID is an ID that uniquely identifies a user. The password is a basic authentication password used when logging in with the user ID. The user management unit 332 checks the combination of user ID and password included in the login request from client terminal A103 and client terminal B104 against Table 2, and if they match, returns the login result to each client terminal as successful. The login status indicates whether the user is logged in or not. "on" indicates the logged-in status, and "off" indicates the logged-out status. The login expiration date indicates the expiration date of the authentication status of the logged-in user.

[0044] When a print instruction is issued from the application service 105 to the image forming apparatus 102, the electronic image forming unit 334 creates electronic data of a print job to be sent as a print instruction. By sending this electronic data to the image forming apparatus 102, the image forming apparatus 102 executes printing. The data transmission / reception unit 335 transmits data such as print instructions to the image forming apparatus 102 and receives data such as operation data from the image forming apparatus 102. The data transmission / reception unit 335 also receives data such as device registration and print instructions from the client terminal A 103 and the client terminal B 104. The data transmission / reception unit 335 also transmits data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the client terminal A 103 and the client terminal B 104.

[0045] 4 and 5, a process for deleting data from the image forming apparatus 102 in the information processing apparatus and program according to this embodiment will be described.

[0046] Fig. 4(a) shows a UI displayed on the display 226 of the client terminal A 103, and illustrates an example of a UI provided by the application service 105 in this embodiment. Fig. 4(b) shows a UI displayed on the display 226 of the client terminal B 104, and illustrates an example of a UI provided by the application service 105 in this embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of a sequence in which a user registers the image forming device 102 in the application service 105, then deletes the registration, and completes data deletion from the image forming device 102.

[0047] In this embodiment, the user operating the client terminal A 103 is assumed to have the user ID userA in Tables 1 and 2. Also, userA is assumed to be a user who uses the image forming device 102, and the image forming device 102 used by userA is assumed to be a device with the device ID AAAAA in Table 1.

[0048] On the other hand, the user operating client terminal B 104 has the user ID userB in Table 2. UserB is a user with the authority to manage other users. UserB can manage users in the same organization or group, including userA, and can view and operate data on devices used by users.

[0049] First, Fig. 4 will be described. Screen 401 in Fig. 4(a) is a display screen of the display of client terminal A 103 used by user A, and displays an example of a UI provided by application service 105 in this embodiment. Table 402 is a table of registration data for devices used or used by user A. Table 402 is displayed on the UI by application service 105 based on the data in Table 1 stored in data storage unit 331.

[0050] Item 403 indicates the item name in the device registration data table, and each item name is synonymous with the explanation in Table 1. 404 indicates the value for each item in the device registration data table, and each value is synonymous with the explanation in Table 1. Delete button 405 is a button for deleting a registered device. When user A operates delete button 405, a device deletion instruction is sent to application service 105. New registration button 406 is a button for registering a new device. When user A operates new registration button 406 and inputs information such as the device ID of the device to be registered, a device registration instruction is sent to application service 105.

[0051] Screen 411 in Figure 4(b) is a display screen of the display of client terminal B 104 used by user B, and displays an example of a UI provided by application service 105 in this embodiment. Table 412 is a table of registration data for devices used or used by users of the same organization or group, including user A. Table 412 is displayed on the UI by application service 105 based on the data in Table 1 stored in data storage unit 331.

[0052] Item 413 indicates the item name in the device registration data table, and each item name is synonymous with the explanation in Table 1. 414 indicates the value for each item in the device registration data table, and each value is synonymous with the explanation in Table 1. Delete button 415 is a button for deleting a registered device. When user B operates the delete button 415, a device deletion instruction is sent to application service 105. New registration button 416 is a button for registering a new device. When user B operates the new registration button 416 and inputs information such as the user who will be using the device to be registered and the device ID, a device registration instruction is sent to application service 105.

[0053] Next, the processing sequence will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The step numbers of each process included in the sequence diagram are indicated by numbers beginning with "S". This also applies to the subsequent sequence diagrams.

[0054] In S501, the data transmission / reception unit 311 of the client terminal A 103 of user A transmits the user ID and password entered in the user interface unit 315 to the data transmission / reception unit 335. In S502, the user management unit 333 refers to the user management table of Table 2 stored in the data storage unit 331, confirms that the user ID and password match those of user A, and if they match, returns a login result indicating that the login was successful.

[0055] Similarly, in S503, the data transmission / reception unit 321 of user B's client terminal B 104 transmits the user ID and password entered in the user interface unit 315 to the data transmission / reception unit 335. In S504, the user management unit 333 refers to the user management table of Table 2 stored in the data storage unit 331, confirms that the user ID and password match those of user B, and if they match, returns a login result indicating that the login was successful.

[0056] In S505, user A registers the image forming device 102 with the application service 105. The data transmission / reception unit 311 of the client terminal A 103 transmits a device registration instruction for the image forming device 102, which was input via the user interface unit 315, to the data transmission / reception unit 335. In S506, the device management unit 332 stores device data in the data storage unit 331 based on the received device registration instruction and returns a result indicating successful registration. In the sequence of FIG. 5, user A registers the image forming device 102, but user B may also register the image forming device 102 using the client terminal B 104. Alternatively, the image forming device 102 itself may be registered from the image forming device 102.

[0057] Thereafter, in steps S507 to S517, steps related to the execution of printing by the image forming apparatus 102 using the application service 105 are executed. The processing of steps S507 to S517 is executed each time a print command is issued and executed, and is therefore executed repeatedly asynchronously with the other steps.

[0058] In S507, user A inputs a print instruction to the user interface unit 315 of the client terminal A 103. Then, the print driver unit 313 of the client terminal A 103 transmits the print instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 via the data transmission / reception unit 311. In S508, the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 311 of the client terminal A 103 that it has completed receiving the print instruction.

[0059] In S507, the application service 105 that has received the print instruction uses the electronic image forming unit 334 to create electronic data for a print job to be sent as a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 102 based on the received print instruction. Then, in S509, the created print instruction data is sent to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102. In S510, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 that reception has been completed.

[0060] In S511, the image forming apparatus 102 executes printing based on the print instruction received in S509. In S512, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the success or failure result and log data of the printing performed in S511 to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105. Examples of the transmitted log data include the number of printed sheets, paper and ink information, and sensor data of the image forming apparatus 102. In S513, the application service 105 stores the print result and log data received in S512 in the data storage unit 331, and the data transmission / reception unit 335 returns a notification that reception has been completed to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0061] In S514, user A makes a request from client terminal A 103 to the application service 105 to acquire the print results and logs for which the printing instruction was given in S507. In S514, user A inputs the request to acquire the print results and logs into the user interface unit 315 of client terminal A 103. The data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal A then transmits the request to acquire the print results and logs to the data transmitter / receiver 335 of the application service 105. In S515, the application service 105 returns the print results and log data received in S512 and stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal A 103.

[0062] Similarly, in S516, user B makes a request from client terminal B 104 to the application service 105 to acquire the print results and logs for which user A instructed printing in S507. In S516, user B inputs the request to acquire the print results and logs into the user interface unit 323 of client terminal B 104. The data transmitter / receiver 321 of client terminal B 104 then transmits the request to acquire the print results and logs to the data transmitter / receiver 335 of the application service 105. In S517, the application service 105 returns the print results and log data received in S512 and stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal B 104.

[0063] Next, the sequence of S518 to S528 in which user A finishes using the image forming device 102, deletes the device registration of the image forming device 102, and deletes the data of the image forming device 102 will be described.

[0064] In S518, user A uses client terminal A 103 to delete the registered image forming device 102 from the application service 105. When user A operates the delete button 405 shown in FIG. 4A on client terminal A 103, the user interface unit 315 accepts an instruction to delete the image forming device 102. Then, the data transmission / reception unit 311 of client terminal A 103 transmits a device deletion instruction for the image forming device 102 to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105. In S519, based on the received device deletion instruction, the device management unit 332 of the application service 105 updates the registration status of the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to "deleted" and returns a result indicating successful deletion. The means for receiving this device deletion instruction is an example of a means for accepting a deletion instruction of the present invention. In the sequence of FIG. 5, user A deletes the registration of the image forming device 102, but user B may also delete the registration of the image forming device 102 using client terminal B 104.

[0065] In S520, the application service 105 transmits a data deletion instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102, and updates the data deletion status of the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to "incomplete." In S521, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 that it has completed receiving the data deletion instruction.

[0066] In S522, the image forming apparatus 102 deletes the data stored in the data storage unit 312. In S523, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the result of the data deletion in S522, indicating whether the deletion was successful or not, to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105. The application service 105 updates the data deletion status of the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 based on the data deletion result received in S523. When the application service 105 receives the result indicating that the data deletion was successful, it updates the data deletion status of the corresponding device from incomplete to deleted. Then, in S524, the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 returns a notification that reception has been completed to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0067] In S525, user A makes a request from client terminal A 103 to the application service 105 to obtain the data deletion result resulting from deleting the device in S518. In S526, user A inputs the request to obtain the data deletion result to the user interface unit 315 of client terminal A 103. Then, the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal A 103 transmits the request to obtain the data deletion result to the data transmitter / receiver 335 of the application service 105. In S526, the application service 105 returns the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal A 103.

[0068] Similarly, in S527, user B makes a request from client terminal B 104 to the application service 105 to obtain the data deletion result resulting from user A's device deletion in S518. In S527, user B inputs the request to obtain the data deletion result to the user interface unit 323 of client terminal B 104. Then, the data transmitter / receiver 321 of client terminal B 104 transmits the request to obtain the data deletion result to the data transmitter / receiver 335 of the application service 105. In S528, the application service 105 returns the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal B 104.

[0069] As described above, in this embodiment, a method has been described in which, when deleting the registration of the image forming device 102 from the application service 105, which is a cloud service, data inside the image forming device 102 is automatically deleted and the deletion implementation status is acquired. This method can prevent the image forming device from being discarded while business-related information remains. Furthermore, by using the application service 105 to manage the data deletion implementation status of the image forming device 102, the company administrator can determine whether there is a possibility of information leakage. [Example]

[0070] In the first embodiment, a method has been described in which data inside a device is automatically deleted by sending a deletion instruction to the device from the application service 105 when deleting the device registration from the application service 105. However, there are cases in which the device is not powered on when deleting the device registration.

[0071] In the second embodiment, when deleting the registration of a device, if communication cannot be performed because the device is not turned on, a method of deleting data the next time the device is turned on will be described. The overall processing sequence of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but differs in the processing in S520 when the application service 105 issues a data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus 102. Specific processing contents of the data deletion instruction in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of a data deletion instruction, and corresponds to the processing of S520 in Fig. 5. Fig. 6(a) is a flowchart showing the process up to when the application service 105 sends a data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus 102. The processing described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 220 of the application service 105 reading a program stored in the ROM 221 or storage device 225 into the RAM 222 and executing it. Below, the step numbers of each process included in the flowchart are indicated by numbers beginning with "S". This also applies to the subsequent flowcharts.

[0073] In S601, the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 transmits a data deletion instruction to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102. In S602, if the transmission of the data deletion instruction in S601 is successful (YES in S601), the process ends as is the same as in the first embodiment. In S602, if the transmission of the data deletion instruction in S601 fails (NO in S601), the process proceeds to S603, and the data deletion instruction is saved in the data storage unit 331 of the application service 105.

[0074] Thereafter, in S604, if a communication from the image forming apparatus 102 is received, the process proceeds to S605. In S605, the application service 105 transmits the data transmission instruction stored in the data storage unit 331 in S603 to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 via the data transmission / reception unit 335. The application service 105 may delete the data transmission instruction stored in the data storage unit 331 when it receives a notification from the image forming apparatus 102 in S521 that a data deletion instruction has been received. Alternatively, the stored data transmission instruction may be deleted when it receives a notification from the image forming apparatus 102 in S523 that the data deletion was successful.

[0075] 6B is a flowchart showing the process up to when the image forming apparatus 102 receives a data deletion instruction from the application service 105. The process described below is realized, for example, by the CPU 201 of the image forming apparatus 102 reading a program stored in the ROM 203, the external memory 206, or the storage device 210 into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

[0076] In S611, if the power of the image forming apparatus 102 is turned on (YES), the process proceeds to S612, where a power-on notification is sent to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 via the data transmission / reception unit 301. Thereafter, in S613, when the data transmission / reception unit 301 receives a data deletion instruction from the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105, the process for the data of the image forming apparatus 102 ends.

[0077] As described above, with the method of the second embodiment, even if the device is not powered on when deleting the device registration and therefore the data deletion instruction cannot be transmitted, the data deletion instruction can be transmitted the next time the device is powered on. This ensures that the data on the device can be deleted reliably. [Example]

[0078] In the first and second embodiments, a method for automatically deleting data inside a device by sending a deletion instruction from the application service 105 to the device when deleting the device registration has been described. However, even after finishing using the application service 105 and deleting the device registration, the user may not necessarily discard the device, and may continue to use the device personally. In such a case, if all data inside the device is deleted, the user's personal settings will also be deleted, which will require the user to reset the initial settings, which is inconvenient.

[0079] In the third embodiment, when a device is registered in the application service 105, the device settings and saved data that have already been registered in the device are saved as backup data in the application service 105. Then, when the user finishes using the application service 105 and deletes the device registration, the saved backup data is restored to the device. This allows the user to continue using the device and also ensures that business-related information in the device is deleted.

[0080] In the third embodiment, examples of data stored in the data storage unit 331 of the application service 105 are shown in Tables 3 and 4. [Table 3]

[0081] The device management table in Table 3 is a substitute for the device management table in Table 1. The device ID is an ID that uniquely identifies the device. The user ID is an ID that identifies the user who owns the device, and is the user managed in the user management table in Table 2. The registration status indicates the state in which the device is registered with the application service 105. Registering indicates a currently registered state, and Deleted indicates a state in which the device was previously registered but has now been deleted. The data restore status is a substitute for the data deletion status in the device management table in Table 1. The registration status indicates whether the saved data of a deleted device has been restored. Restored indicates a state in which the restore has been completed, and Incomplete indicates a state in which the restore has not yet been completed. For devices that are currently being registered, the data restore status column is blank because restore is not performed.

[0082] [Table 4]

[0083] The data in Table 4 is a device backup data management table that associates backup files with each device. The device ID is an ID that uniquely identifies the device, and is a device managed in the device management table in Table 3. The backup file indicates the backup data file of the device. The backup file contains data such as the device settings and saved data before using the application service 105. For devices that have finished using the application service 105 and have already restored data using a backup file, the backup file is no longer necessary, so the backup file is deleted and the value in the backup file column is left blank.

[0084] Next, the processing sequence of the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The processing from S501' to S519' in Fig. 7 is the same as the processing from S501 to S519 in Fig. 5, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0085] In S505' and S506', the device is registered in the application service 105. Thereafter, in S701, the application service 105 transmits a backup acquisition request to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 via the data transmission / reception unit 335. In S702, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 returns a notification that reception of the backup acquisition request has been completed to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105. In S703, the image forming apparatus 102 creates backup data based on the data in the data storage unit 312. Then, in S704, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the created backup data to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 via the data transmission / reception unit 311. In S705, the application service 105 stores the backup data received by the data transmission / reception unit 335 in the data storage unit 331, and returns a notification that reception has been completed to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102.

[0086] After the device registration is deleted from the application service 105 in S518' and S519', the application service 105 issues a restore instruction in S706. In S706, the application service 105 transmits the restore instruction and the backup data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102. The application service 105 also updates the data restore status of the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to "incomplete." In S707, the data transmission / reception unit 301 of the image forming apparatus 102 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105 that it has completed receiving the restore instruction and the backup data.

[0087] In S708, the image forming apparatus 102 restores the data in the data storage unit 312 based on the backup data received in S706.

[0088] In S709, the image forming apparatus 102 transmits the result of the restoration performed in S708, whether the restoration was successful or unsuccessful, to the data transmission / reception unit 335 of the application service 105. In S710, the application service 105 updates the data restoration status of the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 based on the restoration result received in S709, and the data transmission / reception unit 335 returns a notification to the data transmission / reception unit 301 that reception has been completed.

[0089] In S711, user A makes a request from client terminal A 103 to the application service 105 to obtain the restore results resulting from the deletion of the device registration in S518'. In S711, when user A inputs the request to obtain the restore results to the user interface unit 315 of client terminal A 103, the data transmitter / receiver 311 transmits a request to obtain the data deletion results to the data transmitter / receiver 335 of the application service 105. In S712, the application service 105 returns the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal A 103.

[0090] Similarly, in S713, user B makes a request from client terminal B 104 to the application service 105 to obtain the restore results resulting from user A's device registration deletion in S518'. In S713, when user B inputs the restore result obtainment request to the user interface unit 323 of client terminal B 104, the data transmitter / receiver 321 transmits the restore result obtainment request to the data transmitter / receiver 335 of the application service 105. In S714, the application service 105 returns the device data stored in the data storage unit 331 to the data transmitter / receiver 311 of client terminal B 104.

[0091] With the above method, when the user finishes using an application service and deletes the device registration for the application service, the device data at the time of registering the device with the application service can be restored. This allows only the deletion of data from the time the application service was used. Furthermore, the user can continue to use the device in the same way as before registering the application service. <Other embodiments> 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 (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0092] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention.

[0093] The disclosure of this specification includes the following cloud server, its control method, application service system, its control method, image forming apparatus, its control method, and program. (Item 1) In an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the cloud server comprises: a device storage unit for storing the registration status of the image forming device used in the application service; a device management unit that registers the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit, The device management means When a deletion instruction for deleting the registration of the registered image forming device is received from the client terminal, the device storage means stores the fact that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits a data deletion instruction to the image forming device for deleting data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted. Cloud server. (Item 2) the application service is a print service; Item 1. The cloud server according to item 1. (Item 3) the device management unit, after transmitting the data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus, receives a data deletion result from the image forming apparatus indicating that the data has been deleted, and then registers the fact that the data has been deleted in the device storage unit; Item 1 or 2. The cloud server according to item 1 or 2. (Item 4) the device management unit receives a request from the client terminal to acquire a data deletion result of the deleted image forming device, and transmits the data deletion result to the client terminal. The cloud server according to any one of items 1 to 3. (Item 5) If the transmission of the data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus fails, the device management unit transmits the data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus when communication with the image forming apparatus becomes possible. 5. The cloud server according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) the device management means, when registering the image forming apparatus in the device storage means, saves the data stored in the data storage unit of the image forming apparatus as backup data, receives the deletion instruction, transmits the data deletion instruction, and then transmits the backup data to the image forming apparatus, thereby restoring the image forming apparatus; 6. The cloud server according to any one of items 1 to 5. (Item 7) 1. A control method for controlling a cloud server that provides an application service, the cloud server having a device storage means that stores a registration status of an image forming device used in the application service, in an application service system that includes the cloud server, the cloud server having a device storage means that stores a registration status of an image forming device used in the application service, the method comprising: The device management unit registers the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit, When the device management means receives a deletion instruction to delete the registration of the registered image forming device from the client terminal, the device management means stores in the device storage means that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction to delete data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted. How to control cloud servers. (Item 8) 1. A program for an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming device, the cloud server including a device storage unit that stores a registration status of the image forming device used in the application service, the program comprising: The program causes the cloud server computer to: registering the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit by the device management unit; When the device management means receives a deletion instruction to delete the registration of the registered image forming device from the client terminal, the device management means stores in the device storage means that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction to delete data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted. A program to make it work. (Item 9) An application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, The cloud server a device storage unit for storing the registration status of the image forming device used in the application service; a device management unit that registers an image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by a registration instruction in the device storage unit; a receiving unit that receives, from the client terminal, a deletion instruction for deleting the registration of the registered image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus, a data storage unit that stores data; a data management unit for managing the data stored in the data storage unit, the device management unit stores in the device storage unit, based on the deletion instruction, that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction for deleting data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted; When the data management means receives the data deletion instruction, the data management means deletes the data stored in the data storage unit. Application service system. (Item 10) A control method for an application service system including a client terminal, an image forming device, and a cloud server that provides an application service and includes a device storage unit that stores a registration status of the image forming device used in the application service, the method comprising: The cloud server registering the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit by the device management unit; a receiving unit receiving, from the client terminal, a deletion instruction for deleting the registration of the registered image forming apparatus; the device management unit stores in the device storage unit, based on the deletion instruction, that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction for deleting data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted; the data management unit of the image forming apparatus deletes the data stored in the data storage unit when the data deletion instruction is received. A method for controlling an application service system. (Item 11) In an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a data storage unit that stores data; a data management unit for managing the data stored in the data storage unit, When the data management means receives a data deletion instruction from the cloud server, the data management means deletes the data stored in the data storage unit. Image forming device. (Item 12) 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a data storage unit that stores data in an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: the data management means deletes the data stored in the data storage unit when receiving a data deletion instruction from the cloud server. A control method for an image forming apparatus. (Item 13) 1. A program for an image forming apparatus having a data storage unit for storing data, in an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the program comprising: The program causes the computer of the image forming apparatus to When a data deletion instruction is received from the cloud server, the data stored in the data storage unit is deleted. A program to make it work. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 102: Image forming device, 103: Client terminal A, 104: Client terminal B, 105: Application service

Claims

1. In an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the cloud server comprises: a device storage unit for storing the registration status of the image forming device used in the application service; a device management unit that registers the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit, The device management means When a deletion instruction for deleting the registration of the registered image forming device is received from the client terminal, the device storage means stores the fact that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits a data deletion instruction to the image forming device for deleting data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted. Cloud server.

2. the application service is a print service; The cloud server of claim 1 .

3. the device management unit, after transmitting the data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus, receives a data deletion result from the image forming apparatus indicating that the data has been deleted, and then registers the fact that the data has been deleted in the device storage unit; The cloud server of claim 1 .

4. the device management unit receives a request from the client terminal to acquire a data deletion result of the deleted image forming device, and transmits the data deletion result to the client terminal. The cloud server of claim 1 .

5. If the transmission of the data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus fails, the device management unit transmits the data deletion instruction to the image forming apparatus when communication with the image forming apparatus becomes possible. The cloud server of claim 1 .

6. the device management means, when registering the image forming apparatus in the device storage means, saves the data stored in the data storage unit of the image forming apparatus as backup data, receives the deletion instruction, transmits the data deletion instruction, and then transmits the backup data to the image forming apparatus, thereby restoring the image forming apparatus; The cloud server of claim 1 .

7. 1. A control method for controlling a cloud server that provides an application service, the cloud server having a device storage means that stores a registration status of an image forming device used in the application service, in an application service system that includes the cloud server, the cloud server having a device storage means that stores a registration status of an image forming device used in the application service, the method comprising: The device management unit registers the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit, When the device management means receives a deletion instruction to delete the registration of the registered image forming device from the client terminal, the device management means stores in the device storage means that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction to delete data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted. How to control cloud servers.

8. 1. A program for an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming device, the cloud server including a device storage unit that stores a registration status of the image forming device used in the application service, the program comprising: The program causes the cloud server computer to: registering the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit by the device management unit; When the device management means receives a deletion instruction to delete the registration of the registered image forming device from the client terminal, the device management means stores in the device storage means that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction to delete data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted. A program to make it work.

9. An application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, The cloud server a device storage unit for storing the registration status of the image forming device used in the application service; a device management unit that registers an image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by a registration instruction in the device storage unit; a receiving unit that receives, from the client terminal, a deletion instruction for deleting the registration of the registered image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus, a data storage unit that stores data; a data management unit for managing the data stored in the data storage unit, the device management unit stores in the device storage unit, based on the deletion instruction, that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction for deleting data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted; When the data management means receives the data deletion instruction, the data management means deletes the data stored in the data storage unit. Application service system.

10. A control method for an application service system including a client terminal, an image forming device, and a cloud server that provides an application service and includes a device storage unit that stores a registration status of the image forming device used in the application service, the method comprising: The cloud server registering the image forming apparatus instructed to be registered by the registration instruction in the device storage unit by the device management unit; a receiving unit receiving, from the client terminal, a deletion instruction for deleting the registration of the registered image forming apparatus; the device management unit stores in the device storage unit, based on the deletion instruction, that the registration of the image forming device has been deleted, and transmits to the image forming device a data deletion instruction for deleting data stored in a data storage unit of the image forming device whose registration has been deleted; the data management unit of the image forming apparatus deletes the data stored in the data storage unit when the data deletion instruction is received. A method for controlling an application service system.

11. In an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising: a data storage unit that stores data; a data management unit for managing the data stored in the data storage unit, When the data management means receives a data deletion instruction from the cloud server, the data management means deletes the data stored in the data storage unit. Image forming device.

12. 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a data storage unit that stores data in an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the method comprising: the data management means deletes the data stored in the data storage unit when receiving a data deletion instruction from the cloud server. A control method for an image forming apparatus.

13. 1. A program for an image forming apparatus having a data storage unit for storing data, in an application service system including a cloud server that provides an application service, a client terminal, and an image forming apparatus, the program comprising: The program causes the computer of the image forming apparatus to When a data deletion instruction is received from the cloud server, the data stored in the data storage unit is deleted. A program to make it work.

Images