Program set and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a technique for efficiently utilizing resources of an information processing apparatus when using a resident program.SOLUTION: A program set includes a resident device monitoring program 33 which can be executed by a CPU 21 of an information processing apparatus 200, and a non-resident device control program 34. The device control program 34 causes the CPU 21 to execute: a transmission process to transmit an execution instruction to a device 1 connected to the information processing apparatus 200 to execute a job related to image processing; and a display process to display a setting screen 80 for receiving settings for the device monitoring program 33. The device monitoring program 33 causes the CPU 21 to execute: an acquisition process to communicate with the device 1 to obtain information on the device 1, in accordance with the settings received on the setting screen 80 displayed by the device control program 34; and a notification process of displaying notification information based on the obtained information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program set having a resident program for acquiring information about an image processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known resident programs that function as resident processes that remain resident and continue processing after the information processing device is started, and that communicate with the image processing device to be monitored. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a status monitor, which is a resident program, periodically communicates with a printer, acquires the printer status, and notifies information indicating the status as necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-176401 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since resident programs remain resident after the information processing device is started, they continue to consume resources such as memory, etc. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the resource consumption of resident programs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention has been made with the aim of solving the above-mentioned problems, and is a program set having a first program and a second program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing device equipped with a communication unit, wherein the first program is a resident program and the second program is a non-resident program, and the second program causes the computer to execute a transmission process that sends an execution instruction to an image processing device connected to the information processing device via the communication unit to cause the image processing device to execute a job related to image processing, and a display process that displays a setting screen that accepts settings related to the first program, and the first program causes the computer to execute an acquisition process that communicates with the image processing device via the communication unit in accordance with the settings accepted on the setting screen displayed by the second program, and acquires information about the image processing device, and a notification process that displays notification information based on the information about the image processing device acquired in the acquisition process.

[0006] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, by having a setting screen for a first program, which is a resident first program that acquires information about the image processing device, stored in a non-resident second program that can send instructions to execute image processing, the amount of resources consumed by the first program can be reduced compared to when the first program has the setting screen, and resources for displaying the setting screen for making settings related to the first program can be used efficiently.

[0007] An information processing device for realizing the functions of the above device is also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a technology is realized that efficiently utilizes resources of an information processing device when using a resident program. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the display of the operation display unit in a state where a first status information screen is displayed as a pop-up. FIG. [Figure 3] (A) An explanatory diagram showing a second status information screen displayed as a pop-up on the display of the operation display unit, (B) An explanatory diagram showing a third status information screen displayed as a pop-up on the display of the operation display unit, and (C) An explanatory diagram showing an offering information screen displayed as a pop-up on the display of the operation display unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for displaying status information, offering information, and a notification list, which is realized by a device monitoring program of an information processing apparatus, including the operations of a device and a server. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the display of the operation display unit in a state where the first status information screen is displayed as a pop-up. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification list screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for various setting processes including device operations, which are realized by a device monitoring program and a device control program of an information processing apparatus; [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display in which a box and a start-up box are displayed as a pop-up. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display showing a second home screen displayed by the device control program. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display in a state where a setting screen is displayed. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display in which a device list screen is displayed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a display in which a device addition screen is displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an information processing system including a printing device and an information processing device that are capable of communicating with each other.

[0011] 1, the information processing system 100 of this embodiment has four devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D and an information processing device 200, which are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the devices 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, the subscripts A to D used to distinguish them will be omitted and they will be described as device 1. The devices are an example of image processing devices.

[0012] The devices 1 include a printing device 1A capable of printing on a medium to be printed, and an image reading device 1B capable of reading an image recorded on a medium to be read. In this embodiment, the printing device 1A is exemplified as an inkjet printer. Alternatively, the printing device 1A may be a laser printer, label printer, copier, or multifunction peripheral. The information processing device 200 generates and edits image data to be printed by the printing device 1A, sends print execution instructions and image data to the printing device 1A, and receives status information from the printing device 1A.

[0013] The information processing device 200 issues a reading instruction to the image reading device 1B, receives read data from the image reading device 1B, receives status information from the image reading device 1B, etc. The image reading device 1B may be a copy machine, a multifunction device, etc.

[0014] The information processing device 200 is, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet computer. The number of information processing devices 200 constituting the information processing system 100 is not limited to one, and there may be a plurality of information processing devices 200.

[0015] 1, in this embodiment, the printing device 1A has a controller 11, a printing unit 12, an operation panel 13, a network interface 14, and a storage unit 15. The controller 11 includes a CPU and memories such as a flash ROM and RAM, and controls each component of the printing device 1A.

[0016] The controller 11 is a general term for hardware used to control the printing device 1A, such as a CPU, etc. Specifically, the controller 11 may also include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or the like.

[0017] The printing unit 12 is configured to print an image on a medium to be printed based on image data sent from the information processing device 200. In this embodiment, the printing unit 12 uses an inkjet printing method as its image formation method. The printing unit 12 has a print head that prints an image on the medium. The printing unit 12 can also be called a print engine. The image formation method of the printing unit 12 may be a thermal printing method or an electrophotographic method.

[0018] The operation panel 13 is, for example, a touch panel, and receives input from a user and displays information. The operation panel 13 may include various indicator lamps, buttons, and the like.

[0019] The network interface 14 is hardware for communicating with the information processing device 200 .

[0020] The storage unit 15 of the printing device 1A also stores a program for an embedded web server (hereinafter referred to as "EWS" (short for "Embedded Web Server")) 16. The storage unit 15 also has a data storage area 17, which stores, for example, capability information of the printing device 1A, connection information for connecting to the printing device 1A, status information of the printing device 1A, various setting information to be set in the printing device 1A, remaining amount information of consumables of the printing device 1A, information on the number of pages printed by the printing device 1A, and information related to support for consumables. For example, the information processing device 200 can access various information stored in the data storage area 17 via the EWS 16. The printing device 1A also manages the printing progress status for each job sender. In this embodiment, the consumables are ink cartridges that contain ink consumed in the printing process of the printing device, and the remaining amount information is information related to the remaining amount of ink contained in the ink cartridges.

[0021] The devices 1B to 1D also have an EWS and a storage unit (neither of which is shown) similar to the EWS 16 of the printing device 1A.

[0022] In this embodiment, the information processing device 200 includes a desktop personal computer (PC) 2 and an input / output device 25, as shown in FIG. 1. The desktop personal computer (PC) 2 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a nonvolatile memory 24, an input / output unit 25, an interface 26, a network interface 27, and the like. The ROM 22 stores various programs and the like for the information processing device 200. The RAM 23 is used as a working area when various processes are executed, or as a storage area for temporarily storing data. The nonvolatile memory 24 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, or the like, and stores various programs and data.

[0023] The CPU 21 executes various processes in accordance with the programs loaded from the ROM 22 to the nonvolatile memory 24 .

[0024] The input / output device 25 is connected to the interface 26 and has an input device and an output device. The input device includes a keyboard 40, a mouse 41, etc. The output device includes a display 42. The display 42 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The input / output device 25 may be a touch panel that can be operated by touch. The information processing device may be a notebook PC or a tablet.

[0025] The network interface 27 is hardware for communicating with each device 1. The network interface is an example of a communication unit.

[0026] In the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, the information processing device 200 and each device 1 perform wireless communication in accordance with the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard via a common access point 3. That is, the network interfaces 14 and 27 are both wireless interfaces that enable wireless communication according to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. Alternatively, the network interfaces 14 and 27 may be wired interfaces such as wired LAN (Local Area Network) interfaces.

[0027] The communication mode of the present embodiment is merely an example and is not limited to the above-described mode. For example, the information processing device 200 and each device 1 may communicate with each other by wireless communication through a direct connection without going through the access point 3, or by wired communication using an interface such as a USB.

[0028] The access point 3 is also connected via the Internet 4 to a server 5 provided by a manufacturer or sales company of the device 1. Therefore, the information processing device 200 can download the manual for the device 1 from the server 5 via the Internet 4. In addition to the manual, the information processing device 200 can also download offering information such as service information and bargain information related to consumables for the device 1 from the server 5.

[0029] Examples of services related to consumables include an automatic consumables shipping service and a subscription service. The automatic consumables shipping service is a service that automatically ships consumables to users of printing devices based on information about the remaining amount of the consumables. The subscription service is a service that charges a flat rate for up to a certain number of pages printed by the printing device and automatically ships consumables to users of printing devices based on information about the remaining amount of the consumables.

[0030] 1, the nonvolatile memory 24 of the information processing device 200 stores an operating system (OS) 31, an application program (app) 32, a device monitoring program 33, and a device control program 34. The nonvolatile memory 24 also includes a data storage unit 35.

[0031] The OS 31 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the OS 31 is Windows.

[0032] The application 32 is, for example, an image editing program that has a function of receiving user instructions via the input / output unit 25, a function of displaying an image on the display 42, and a function of editing and saving the image. The application 32 may also be a document editing program, a spreadsheet program, or the like.

[0033] The device monitoring program 33 is a resident program that periodically communicates with each device 1 via the network interface 27 and realizes the function of acquiring various types of information, such as status information, from each device 1. The device monitoring program 33 also periodically communicates with the server 5 via the network interface 27 and realizes the function of acquiring various types of information from the server 5.

[0034] A resident program is, for example, a program that is automatically started when the OS is started and performs predetermined processing in the background while the OS is running. A device monitoring program is an example of a first program.

[0035] Specifically, the device monitoring program 33 obtains, via the network interface 27, from the printing device 1A, the capability information of the printing device 1A, connection information for connecting to the printing device 1A, status information of the printing device 1A, various setting information to be set in the printing device 1A, information on the remaining amount of consumables of the printing device 1A, information on the number of pages printed by the printing device 1A, information on support for consumables, information on the progress of printing, etc., and stores this information in the data storage unit 35.

[0036] In addition, the device monitoring program 33 obtains, via the network interface 27, from the image reading device 1B, the capability information of the image reading device 1B, connection information for connecting to the image reading device 1B, status information of the image reading device 1B, various setting information to be set in the image reading device 1B, information on the progress of reading, etc., and stores the information in the data storage unit 35.

[0037] The device monitoring program 33 also acquires offering information about the device 1 provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1 via the network interface 27, and stores the information in the data storage unit 35. The offering information includes service information about consumables, bargain information, maintenance information, campaign announcements, the latest models, and introductions to convenient functions. The offering information may also include link information to the server 5. The offering information is an example of service-related information.

[0038] The device monitoring program 33 can read out the status information, offering information, etc. of the device 1 stored in the data storage unit 35 and display it as a pop-up on the display 42.

[0039] The device control program 34 has a function for causing the printing device 1A, which is set in the model name display field 73 described below, to print images, etc., edited or saved by the application 32. That is, the device control program 34 accepts the selection of an image to be printed, and transmits print data based on the selected image to the printing device 1A, thereby causing the printing device 1A to print based on the print data. This function is an example of a transmission process. The device control program 34 can also read status information and remaining amount information of consumables of the selected printing device 1A from the data storage unit 35 and display them on the display 42. The device control program 34 is a non-resident program that is activated, for example, when activated by a user. The device control program is an example of a second program.

[0040] The device control program 34 also instructs the selected image reading device 1B to perform reading, and receives image information read by the selected image reading device 1B and stores it in the data storage unit 35. This function is an example of a transmission process. Information regarding the progress of reading by the selected image reading device 1B can also be read from the data storage unit 35 and then displayed on the display 42.

[0041] The data storage unit 35 also has a device table 35A. The device table 35A stores the model names, model numbers, etc. of all devices 1 that the device monitoring program 33 monitors.

[0042] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display state of the display 42 in a state in which a first status information screen 50 by the device monitoring program 33 is popped up. That is, on the first home screen 42A of the information processing device 200, an icon 43 for the user to start the device control program 34 is displayed on the left side of the display 42, and a task bar 44 is displayed below. In addition, a box display button 45 is displayed on the right side of the task bar 44. Note that the icon 43 for the device control program 34 does not necessarily have to be displayed on the first home screen 42A, and the device control program 34 may be started by operating a menu screen (not shown) of the information processing device 200.

[0043] The first home screen 42A is displayed on the display 42 by the OS, and the OS also displays icons 43, a task bar 44, a box display button 45, and the like on the first home screen 42A.

[0044] Furthermore, a first status information screen 50 related to consumables, for example, the remaining ink level, is displayed as a pop-up on the first home screen 42A displayed on the display 42. The first status information screen 50 is configured with a first character string display field 50A in which a character string such as "Ink replacement soon" is displayed as status information, a second character string display field 50B in which a character string such as "Access the link containing support information" is displayed to which an access destination of the server 5 is linked, a model name display field 50C in which the model name of the device 1 is displayed, a remaining ink level display field 50D in which the remaining ink level is displayed, a remaining paper level display field 50E in which the remaining paper level is displayed, an offering information display field 50F in which offering information and the like related to the status information displayed in the first character string display field 50A are displayed, and a notification list button 50G in which a notification list button for displaying a notification list screen is displayed.

[0045] The model name display field 50C displays the model name and IP address of the corresponding device. Note that instead of the IP address, other identification information that can uniquely identify the device may be used. Examples of other identification information that can be used include a MAC address and a serial number.

[0046] 3A, a second status information screen 51 unrelated to consumables, such as ink, is popped up on the first home screen 42A by the device monitoring program 33. The second status information screen 51 is composed of a model display field 51A in which the model name of the device 1 is displayed, and a second character string display field 51B in which status information, such as "No paper," is displayed. The character string "No paper" is displayed in the second character string display field 51B when the information processing device 200 receives status information from the printing device 1 indicating that there is no paper.

[0047] 3(B), a third status information screen 52 not related to consumables, such as ink, is popped up on the first home screen 42A by the device monitoring program 33. The third status information screen 52 is configured with a model display field 52A that displays the model name of the device 1, and a progress display field 52B that displays status information, such as the progress of scanning by the image reading device 1B.

[0048] 3(C), an offering information screen 53 displaying offering information and the like is popped up on the first home screen 42A by the device monitoring program 33. The offering information screen 53 is configured with an offering information display field 53A for displaying offering information, a notification list button 53B for displaying a notification list button for displaying a notification list screen, and the like.

[0049] The information processing device 200 may be configured to pop up on the first home screen 42A a first status information screen 50 that displays status information related to consumables, a second status information screen 51 and a third status information screen 52 that display status information not related to consumables, and an offering information screen 53 that displays offering information so that they do not overlap with each other, or it may be configured so that these information screens 50 to 52 pop up and overlap with each other.

[0050] Furthermore, when multiple screens are configured to be displayed in a popup format overlapping each other, it is acceptable to configure the screen displaying new information to be displayed in a popup format in the foreground. In this case, since the screen displaying new information is displayed in a popup format in the foreground, the user can always keep an eye on the latest device status and information, obtain the status and information, and respond quickly.

[0051] (Displays status information, offering information, and notification list) FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for displaying status information, offering information, and a notification list, which is realized by the device monitoring program 33 of the information processing device 200, including the operations of the device 1 and the server 5.

[0052] Note that each processing step in this embodiment represents processing by the CPU 21 in accordance with instructions written in a program such as the device monitoring program 33 of the information processing device 200. Processing by the CPU 21 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, detailed description of the OS will be omitted and the operation of each program will be explained. Also, for convenience, processing that is primarily performed by the CPU 21 may be described as being primarily performed by a program or device in this specification.

[0053] (Display status and offering information) 4, first, when an error occurs during operation, for example, when device 1 is printing device 1A and an error occurs such as when a consumable such as ink runs out or when a paper jam occurs during printing, device 1 transmits status information indicating the error content to information processing device 200 (step 11 (hereinafter referred to as T11)). Accordingly, information processing device 200 that receives the status information stores the received status information in data storage unit 35 (T12).

[0054] Furthermore, the information processing device 200 queries each device 1 connected to the information processing device 200, i.e., each device 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, i.e., the device 1 with the model name stored in the device table 35A, for status information. That is, the information processing device 200, i.e., the device monitoring program 33 queries each device 1 at regular intervals, performing so-called polling (T13). The polling interval for each device 1 may be constant, or may vary based on, for example, the frequency of use of the device 1. The polling interval may also be set by the user on a setting screen 80, which will be described later.

[0055] Each device 1 that has received an inquiry from the information processing device 200 transmits status information to the information processing device 200 (T14). Accordingly, the device monitoring program 33 that has received the status information stores the received status information in the data storage unit 35 (T15). The processing of T14 is an example of an acquisition process.

[0056] When the status information is stored in the data storage unit 35 at T12 or T15, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the stored status information is status information related to a consumable item, such as ink, provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1. If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is related to a consumable item, as shown in FIG. 2, the device monitoring program 33 pops up a first status information screen 50 on the first home screen 42A based on the content of the status information (T16).

[0057] The device monitoring program 33 also searches for offering information stored in the data storage unit 35 based on the content of the status information and the model name of the device 1, specifically, for example, the warning information "Ink replacement soon" displayed in the first character string display field 50A and the model name "DCP-XXXDW" displayed in the model name display field 50C, and extracts the offering information stored in association with the warning information and the model name. The information processing device 200 then displays the extracted offering information in the offering information display field 50F of the first status information screen 50.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first status information screen 50, which is based on the status information related to consumables sent from all devices 1 connected to the information processing device 200, i.e., from each device 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, also displays warning information and offering information related to the model name in the offering information display field 50F. This allows the user to recognize that there is a device 1 with a specific status or that there is offering information related to the status by looking at the contents of the pop-up display, improving user convenience. This can also be expected to improve the user's ability to deal with status information.

[0059] Next, the device monitoring program 33 determines whether the status information stored in the data storage unit 35 is status information related to a consumable item, such as ink, provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1. If the device monitoring program 33 determines that the status information is not related to a consumable item, such as an out-of-paper condition, provided by the manufacturer or sales company of the device 1, the device monitoring program 33 pops up a second status information screen 51, such as that shown in FIG. 3A, or a third status information screen 52, such as that shown in FIG. 3B, on the first home screen 42A based on the content of the status information (T17). The second status information screen 51 indicates that the device is out of paper, and the third status information screen 52 indicates that the device is currently performing a scan.

[0060] If the device monitoring program 33 receives the same status information from the device 1 while displaying a popup screen based on certain status information from the device 1, the program may omit further popup display of the screen based on the received status information. The processes of T16 and T17 are an example of notification processing.

[0061] Next, as shown in Fig. 2, when the device monitoring program 33 is displaying the first status information screen 50 as a pop-up, if the user uses the mouse 41 to click on the list button 50H displayed to the right of the model name display field 50C to instruct a pull-down display (T18), the device monitoring program 33 will display a menu 50J below the model name display field 50C (T19), as shown in Fig. 5. The list menu also displays the model names and IP addresses of all devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, i.e., the model names and IP addresses of the devices stored in the device table 35A.

[0062] At this time, a status mark 50K is displayed in the model name display field 50C and the menu 50J in accordance with the model name displayed therein. The status mark 50K is displayed based on the status information stored in the data storage unit 35.

[0063] Here, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the new model name displayed in the menu 50J to select it (T20), the device monitoring program 33 displays the new model name selected by the user in the model name display field 50C, and reads out the status information and offering information corresponding to the new model name selected by the user from the data storage unit 35 and displays them as the first status information screen 50 (T21).

[0064] In this case, even if the user selects another model name displayed in menu 50J by device monitoring program 33 during processing of T20, the device selected by device control program 34 will not be changed, and for example, the model name displayed in model name display field 73 of second home screen 70 shown in FIG. 9, which will be described later, will not be changed.

[0065] The device monitoring program 33 displays the first status information screen 50 to notify the user of the device to be monitored, and the user can also check the status of other devices by switching the model name display field 50C. Meanwhile, the device control program 34 selects the device to be controlled, and if the same device is to be used continuously, there is no need to reselect the device to be controlled. Therefore, if the control target of the device control program 34 is also switched in conjunction with switching the notification target of the device monitoring program 33, a user who continues to use the same device will have to go through the trouble of restoring the control target device. Therefore, user usability is improved if the device 1 set in the model name display field 50C and the device 1 set in the model name display field 73 of the second home screen 70 are not linked, as in this embodiment.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, by clicking and selecting another model name displayed in the menu 50J with the mouse 41, the status information and offering information corresponding to that model name can be displayed on the first status information screen 50, so that the latest status information and offering information of the device 1 that the user needs can be provided, improving user convenience.

[0067] In addition, in this embodiment, a status mark 50K is displayed in the model name display field 50C and the menu 50J in accordance with the model name displayed therein, which helps the user select another model name displayed in the menu 50J, etc., thereby improving convenience.

[0068] Furthermore, the device monitoring program 33 queries the server 5 connected to the information processing device 200 for offering information, i.e., the information processing device 200 polls the server 5 (T22). The query is accompanied by information indicating the time of the previous query. When the server 5 receives the query and finds that there is offering information that has not yet been sent to the information processing device 200, that is, when there is new offering information that has been registered after the time indicated in the accompanying information, the server 5 transmits the new offering information to the information processing device 200 (T23). Therefore, the information processing device 200 that has received the offering information stores the received offering information in the data storage unit 35 that is accessible by the device control program 34 (T24).

[0069] The polling interval for the server 5 may be the same as the polling interval performed by the device monitoring program 33 for each device 1, or the polling interval for the device 1 may be different from that for the server 5. For example, the polling interval for the server 5 may be set longer than the polling interval for the device 1. The polling interval for the server 5 may also be changed depending on the situation, such as the season or whether or not an event is taking place. The polling interval may also be the polling interval set by the user on a setting screen 80, which will be described later.

[0070] Next, the device monitoring program 33 searches for offering information stored in the data storage unit 35, and if new offering information is present, pops up an offering information screen 53 as shown in Fig. 3(C) on the first home screen 42A based on the new offering information (T25). That is, the offering information screen 53 relating to the offering information is popped up in the same manner as the first status information screen 50 relating to the status information.

[0071] In this process, if there is no new offering information, the offering information screen 53 may be popped up based on the latest offering information. Also, if there is no new offering information and the first status information screen 50 is displayed, the offering information stored in the data storage unit 35 may be searched based on the model name displayed in the model name display field 50C of the first status information screen 50, and the offering information screen 53 may be popped up on the first home screen 42A based on the extracted offering information.

[0072] (Display notification list) Next, when the information processing device 200 is displaying the status information screen 50 or the offering information screen 53, if the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the notification list button 50G on the first status information screen 50 or the notification list button 53B on the offering information screen 53 (T31), the device monitoring program 33 instructs the device control program 34 to start up and display the notification list screen 54 (T32).

[0073] Then, the launched device control program 34 displays all notifications for the monitored device 1 on the display 42 stored in the data storage unit 35 as a notification list screen 54 based on the notification information stored in the data storage unit 35, as shown in Figure 6 (T33).

[0074] Notification objects 54A to 54D are displayed on the notification list screen 54. Each of the notification objects 54A to 54D also displays the notification date, notification message, target model name, etc. When a click operation with the mouse 41 is received on any of the objects 54A to 54D, a detailed information screen or a reference information screen is displayed.

[0075] The device control program 34 references the offering information that the device monitoring program 33 stored in the data storage unit 35 at T24, and displays the notification list screen 54 based on the referenced offering information. Also, in FIG. 8 (described later), the user can display the notification list screen 54 on the setting screen 80 by clicking the "notification list" tab 83A with the mouse 41.

[0076] Furthermore, when the device monitoring program 33 is displaying the first status information screen 50 and the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the text or illustration displayed in the offering information display field 50F (T34), the device monitoring program 33 instructs the device control program 34 to start up and display a detailed information screen or a reference information screen (not shown) (T35).The started device control program 34 then displays the detailed information screen or the reference information screen on the display 42 based on the notification information stored in the data storage unit 35 (T36).

[0077] Furthermore, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the text or illustration displayed in the offering information display field 53A while the offering information screen 53 is displayed (T34), the device monitoring program 33 instructs the device control program 34 to start up and display a detailed information screen or a reference information screen (not shown) (T35). The started device control program 34 displays the detailed information screen or the reference information screen on the display 42 based on the notification information stored in the data storage unit 35 (T36).

[0078] In this embodiment, the device monitoring program 33 stores notification information for all devices 1 that it is monitoring in the data storage unit 35, and the device control program 34 displays a notification list screen 54, a detailed information screen, and a reference information screen on the display 42 based on the notification information stored in the data storage unit 35, so that the user can properly understand the offering information currently being provided to the device 1.

[0079] Furthermore, if the resident device monitoring program 33 were equipped with a function for displaying a screen equivalent to the notification list screen 54, a large amount of resources would be consumed for that screen while the device monitoring program 33 is running, regardless of whether that screen is being displayed. However, in this embodiment, the non-resident device control program 34 displays the notification list screen 54, and the resident device monitoring program 33 is not equipped with a function for displaying a screen equivalent to the notification list screen 54, thereby reducing the amount of resources used by the resident device monitoring program 33.

[0080] In this embodiment, the device monitoring program 33 is configured to display the notification list screen 54, detailed information screen, reference information screen, etc. on the display 42 based on the notification information stored in the data storage unit 35 in response to a display instruction (T31, T34), but the device monitoring program 33 may also be configured to access the server 5 and display the notification list screen 54, detailed information screen, reference information screen, etc. on the display 42 based on the latest notification information downloaded (T33, T36) in response to a display instruction (T31, T34). In this configuration, the user can view the latest notification list screen 54, detailed information screen, reference information screen, etc. related to the device 1, preventing erroneous operations based on outdated information.

[0081] (Various setting processes) Next, FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for various setting processes realized by the device monitoring program 33 and device control program 34 of the information processing device 200, including the operation of the device 1. Below, the various setting processes will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7.

[0082] Note that each processing step in this embodiment represents processing by the CPU 21 in accordance with instructions written in a program such as the device monitoring program 33 of the information processing device 200. Processing by the CPU 21 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, detailed description of the OS will be omitted and the operation of each program will be explained. Also, for convenience, processing that is primarily performed by the CPU 21 may be described as being primarily performed by a program or device in this specification.

[0083] 8, when the user instructs the display of a box by clicking with the mouse 41 on the box display button 45 displayed in the notification area of ​​the task bar 44 displayed on the display 42 (T41), the device monitoring program 33 displays a box 60 on the display 42, and also displays a first icon 61 and a first badge 62 of the device monitoring program 33, which is a resident program, in the box 60 (T42). The box 60 is an area in which an icon of a resident program can be displayed, and can also be called an icon display area.

[0084] The device monitoring program 33 changes the display method of the first badge 62 depending on the type of information obtained from the monitored device, such as the device 1 or the server 5, via the network interface 27, but details of the display method of the first badge 62 will not be explained here.

[0085] Next, when the user clicks on the first icon 61 with the mouse 41 to instruct the display of the start-up box 63 (T43), the device monitoring program 33 displays the start-up box 63 on the display 42 (T44).

[0086] In the start box 63, the words "Start control program" 63A, "Notification settings" 63B, "Notification list" 63C, "Device settings" 63D, etc. are displayed.

[0087] Here, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the text 63A "Launch control program" in the launch box 63 to instruct the launch of the device control program 34 (T45), the device monitoring program 33 launches the device control program 34 (T46).

[0088] The user can also start the device control program 34 by clicking the icon 43 displayed on the first home screen 42A with the mouse 41. A shortcut icon for starting the device control program 34 may also be provided on the task bar 44.

[0089] Furthermore, when the user clicks on the text 63B that reads "Notification Settings" with the mouse 41, the device monitoring program 33 instructs the device control program 34 to display a notification settings screen 80A, which will be described later. When the user clicks on the text 63C that reads "Notification List" with the mouse 41, the device monitoring program 33 instructs the device control program 34 to display a notification list 54. When the user clicks on the text 63D that reads "Device Settings" with the mouse 41, the device monitoring program 33 instructs the device control program 34 to display a device list screen 85, which will be described later.

[0090] When the device control program 34 is started, the device control program 34 displays the second home screen 70 of the device control program 34 on the display 42 (T47).

[0091] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display 42 in a state where a second home screen 70 displayed by the device control program 34 is displayed.

[0092] 9, the second home screen 70 displays a print icon 71, a scan icon 72, a settings button 78, an "Add device" button 79, etc. The second home screen 70 also has a model name display field 73, a status information display field 74, a remaining ink level display field 75, etc.

[0093] The print icon 71 is used to cause the controlled device to print. The scan icon 72 is used to cause the controlled device to read an image. The model name display field 73 displays the name of the device 1 to be controlled by the device control program 34, specifically the model name of the device 1.

[0094] The model name display field 73 is configured as a pull-down menu, and when the user clicks the list button 73A with the mouse 41, a menu (not shown) is displayed below the model name display field 73. The menu also displays the model names of all devices 1 that are monitored by the device monitoring program 33, that is, the model names and IP addresses stored in the device table 35A.

[0095] The print icon 71 and scan icon 72 are displayed based on the capabilities of the device selected to be controlled. That is, if the device displayed in the model name display field 73 has a printing function, the print icon 71 is displayed as operable, whereas if it does not have a printing function, the print icon 71 is not displayed as operable. Furthermore, if the device displayed in the model name display field 73 has an image reading function, the scan icon 72 is displayed as operable, whereas if it does not have an image reading function, the scan icon 72 is not displayed as operable.

[0096] If the user clicks on any of the model names displayed in the list menu with the mouse 41, the new model name clicked is displayed in the model name display field 73, and the device 1 to be controlled by the device control program 34 is changed.

[0097] In this case, even if the user changes the model name displayed in the model name display field 73 and changes the device 1 that the device control program 34 controls, the model name displayed in the model name display field 50C will not be changed while the first status information screen 50 is displayed as a pop-up.

[0098] The model name display field 73 of the second home screen 70 for setting the device 1 to be controlled and the model name display field 50C for setting the device 1 for which the status has been checked often each specify different target devices 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, the device 1 set in the model name display field 73 of the second home screen 70 and the device 1 set in the model name display field 50C are not linked, which improves usability for the user.

[0099] Additionally, the status information display field 74 displays the status information of the device 1 displayed in the model name display field 73. Additionally, if the device 1 displayed in the model name display field 73 is the printing device 1A, the remaining ink level display field 75 displays the remaining ink level of the printing device 1A.

[0100] Furthermore, when the device control program 34 is launched, it displays a second icon 76 and a second badge 77 of the device control program 34 on the task bar 44 of the first home screen 42A, as shown in FIG. 9 (T48). Furthermore, the device control program 34 displays, in the second badge 77, the number of unread pieces of offering information among the pieces of offering information for all devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33, which are stored in the data storage unit. That is, the second badge 77 shown in FIG. 9 indicates that there are 20 pieces of unread offering information for all devices 1 monitored by the device monitoring program 33. Note that the icon 76 displayed on the task bar 44 is larger than the icon 61 displayed in the box 60. Therefore, it is possible to display a badge on the icon 76 indicating the number of pieces of unread offering information.

[0101] Returning again to the sequence diagram of an example of the procedure for displaying status information and offering information shown in Fig. 7, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the setting button 78 shown in Fig. 9 to instruct display of the setting screen (T49), the device control program 34 displays the setting screen 80 showing the notification setting screen 80A on the display 42, as shown in Fig. 10 (T50). This processing is an example of display processing. The setting button 78 is also an example of an operation object.

[0102] The setting screen 80 displays a startup timing setting field 81 for setting the startup timing of the device monitoring program 33, an offering information setting field 82 for setting the type of offering information to be provided to the user, etc. The startup timing setting field 81 also displays a first radio button 81A for setting the device monitoring program 33 to be always started when the information processing device 200 is started, i.e., for setting the device monitoring program 33 to be a resident program, and a second radio button 81B for setting the device monitoring program 33 to be started when the device control program 34 is started, i.e., for setting the device monitoring program 33 to be a non-resident program.

[0103] A third radio button 82A for agreeing to receive offering information and a fourth radio button 82B for not receiving offering information are displayed in the offering information setting field 82 on the setting screen 80. Also, below the third radio button 82A, a first check box 82C and a second check box 82C for selecting the type of offering information to receive are displayed.

[0104] Here, when the user clicks the first radio button 81A with the mouse 41 (T51), the device control program 34 executes a process for accepting the setting change (T52). Thereafter, the device control program 34 passes a setting change notification to the device monitoring program 33 (T53). Then, the device monitoring program 33, which has received the setting change notification, sets itself as a resident program (T54). Note that "passing a setting change notification to the device monitoring program 33" can also be expressed as "sending a setting change notification to the device monitoring program 33" or "storing the setting change notification in a storage area accessed by the device monitoring program 33." The same applies to the description of T53 and the like described below.

[0105] Furthermore, when the user clicks the second radio button 81B with the mouse 41 (T51), the device control program 34 executes a process for accepting the setting change (T52). Thereafter, the device control program 34 transmits a setting change notification to the device monitoring program 33 (T53). In response, the device monitoring program 33, which has received the setting change notification, changes the setting information stored in the data storage unit 35 and sets itself as a non-resident program (T54).

[0106] Furthermore, when the user clicks the third radio button 82A with the mouse 41, and then clicks the first check box 82C and the first check box 82C with the mouse 41 to set the type of offering information to be received (T51), the device control program 34 executes a reception process for the setting change (T52).

[0107] Thereafter, the device control program 34 passes a setting change notification to the device monitoring program 33 (T53). In response to this, the device monitoring program 33, which has received the setting change notification, displays offering information in the offering information display field 50F of the first status information screen 50 and the offering information display field 53A of the offering information screen 53, in accordance with the type of offering information to be received as set by the user.

[0108] Furthermore, when the user clicks the fourth radio button 82B with the mouse 41 to indicate that he or she does not want to receive offering information (T51), the device control program 34 executes a process to accept the change in setting (T52).

[0109] Thereafter, the device control program 34 passes a setting change notification to the device monitoring program 33 (T53). In response to receiving the setting change notification, the device monitoring program 33 stops displaying offering information in the offering information display field 50F of the first status information screen 50 and the offering information display field 53A of the offering information screen 53, in accordance with the user's settings.

[0110] In this embodiment, the type of offering information, etc. that the user wishes to download can be set in the offering information setting field 82, thereby providing the user with the offering information, etc. that the user desires, and efficiently providing the user with only the offering information that the user desires.

[0111] In this embodiment, the setting screen 80 is configured so that the startup timing of the device monitoring program 33 can also be set, but it is also possible to set the monitoring interval time of the device 1 by the device monitoring program 33, the selection of the device 1 to be monitored, etc. Furthermore, if there are multiple types of notification modes of status information by the device monitoring program 33, it is also possible to set the notification mode.

[0112] Generally, when the resident device monitoring program 33 prepares the setting screen 80, a large amount of resources is consumed for that screen at all times, regardless of whether the screen is displayed or not. However, in this embodiment, the non-resident device control program 34 displays the setting screen 80 for the resident device monitoring program 33, and the resident device monitoring program 33 does not prepare the setting screen 80, thereby reducing the amount of resources used by the resident device monitoring program 33.

[0113] Next, when the user clicks the "Managed Device List" tab 83C on the setting screen 80 with the mouse 41 to instruct the display of the device list screen (T55), the information processing device 200 (device control program 34) displays a device list screen 85 on the setting screen 80 based on the model name stored in the device table 35A stored in the data storage unit 35 (T56). Note that a "tab" is a type of object that accepts operations. Note that when the "Notification Settings" tab 83B is clicked while the device list screen 85 is displayed on the setting screen 80, the device control program 34 displays a notification settings screen 80A on the setting screen 80.

[0114] 11, the device list screen 85 is provided with a currently selected model name display field 86 and an other model name display field 87. The currently selected model name display field 86 displays the model name displayed in the model name display field 73 shown in FIG. 9, i.e., the model name and IP address of the device 1 to be controlled by the device control program 34. The other model name display field 87 displays the model name of the device 1 to be monitored by the device monitoring program 33, i.e., the other model names and IP addresses of the other model names stored in the device table 35A excluding the model name displayed in the currently selected model name display field 86. The other model name display field 87 also has a "Delete" button 88 provided for each displayed model name.

[0115] If the user then clicks one of the "Delete" buttons 88 with the mouse 41 to instruct the device to be deleted (T57), the device control program 34 executes the acceptance process for the deletion of the managed device (T58). In other words, the device control program 34 deletes the model name and IP address for which the user has been instructed to delete from the list menu displayed below the model name display field 73.

[0116] In this case, in this embodiment, the currently selected model name display field 86 does not have a "Delete" button, which prevents the user from accidentally deleting the model name of the device 1 that is the target of control by the device control program 34.

[0117] Thereafter, the device control program 34 instructs the device monitoring program 33 to delete the managed device (T59). In response, the device monitoring program 33, which has received the setting change notification, deletes the specific model name and IP address identified by the model name and IP address for which the deletion instruction was issued, from among the model names stored in the device table 35A stored in the data storage unit 35 (T60). Thereafter, the device monitoring program 33 executes the monitoring operation of the device 1 based on the new device table 35A excluding the model name for which the deletion instruction was issued (T61). In other words, this is reflected in the processing of T13 to T15 shown in FIG. 4.

[0118] Generally, when the resident device monitoring program 33 prepares a device list screen 85, a large amount of resources is consumed for that screen at all times, regardless of whether the screen is displayed or not. However, in this embodiment, the non-resident device control program 34 displays the device list screen 85, and the resident device monitoring program 33 does not prepare the device list screen 85, thereby reducing the amount of resources used by the resident device monitoring program 33.

[0119] Next, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on the "Add device" button 79 displayed on the second home screen 70 shown in FIG. 9 to instruct the display of the device addition screen (T62), the device control program 34 displays the device addition screen 90 on the display 42 (T63).

[0120] 12, the device addition screen 90 has an added device display field 91, and also displays a "device search" button 92, an "OK" button 93, etc. The added device display field 91 displays a list of the model names and IP addresses of all devices 1 connected to the information processing device 200.

[0121] Also, if the user clicks the "Device Search" button 92 with the mouse 41, the device control program 34 searches for devices 1 connected to the information processing device 200, and then displays the model names of all the devices found in the added device display field 91.

[0122] Here, when the user clicks with the mouse 41 on any of the model names displayed in the added device display field 91, and then clicks with the mouse 41 on the "OK" button 93 to instruct the addition of a device (T64), the device control program 34 executes an acceptance process for the addition of the device (T65). In other words, the device control program 34 adds the added model name and IP address to the list menu displayed below the model name display field 73.

[0123] Thereafter, the device control program 34 instructs the device monitoring program 33 to add a device (T66). Then, upon receiving the device addition notification, the device monitoring program 33 adds the model name and IP address of the device for which the instructed addition was made to the device table 35A stored in the data storage unit 35 (T67). Thereafter, the device monitoring program 33 executes the monitoring operation of the device 1 based on the new device table 35A to which the new model name and IP address have been added (T68). In other words, this is reflected in the processing of T13 to T15 shown in FIG. 4.

[0124] Generally, when the resident device monitoring program 33 prepares the device addition screen 90, a large amount of resources is consumed for that screen at all times, regardless of whether the screen is displayed or not. However, in this embodiment, the non-resident device control program 34 displays the device addition screen 90, and the resident device monitoring program 33 does not prepare the device addition screen 90, thereby reducing the amount of resources used by the resident device monitoring program 33.

[0125] As described above in detail, according to the technology disclosed in this specification, a setting screen for the device monitoring program 33 is provided in a non-resident device control program 34 that can send execution instructions to a device, separate from the resident device monitoring program 33 that acquires status information about the device. Compared to the case where the device monitoring program 33 has its own setting screen, this reduces the amount of resources consumed by the device monitoring program 33 and enables efficient use of resources for displaying the setting screen for configuring the device monitoring program 33.

[0126] Furthermore, because the setting screen for the resident device monitoring program 33 is separated from the device monitoring program 33, even if the setting screen is made complex, it is unlikely to affect the amount of resources consumed by the device monitoring program 33. Therefore, it is possible to provide a rich setting screen for the device monitoring program 33.

[0127] Furthermore, if the setting screen of the resident device monitoring program 33 is to support multiple languages, it is necessary to prepare a setting screen for each language. Therefore, if the device monitoring program 33 has a setting screen, the size of the device monitoring program 33 tends to increase, and the amount of resources consumed tends to increase. Separating the setting screen of the device monitoring program 33 from the device monitoring program 33 significantly reduces resource consumption.

[0128] Furthermore, by providing a program set having a resident device monitoring program 33 and a non-resident device control program 34 as a single package, the non-resident device control program 34 can instruct the execution of image processing, and the resource consumption of the resident device monitoring program 33 can be reduced.

[0129] Furthermore, the program set including the device management program 33 and the device control program 34 does not have to be provided as a single package. For example, the device monitoring program 33 and the device control program 34 may be provided as separate programs, and after both programs are installed in the OS 31, the two programs may perform the above-described cooperative processing as a program set.

[0130] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the printing device 1A does not need to include the operation panel 13. The information processing device 200 may include any type of large-capacity storage device, not limited to the nonvolatile memory 24.

[0131] Furthermore, in the processing of T12, if the information processing device 200 receives status information of a high urgency, such as a paper jam, the information processing device 200 may be configured to immediately display one of the first to third status information screens 50 to 52 on the display 42 based on the received status information to notify the user.

[0132] Furthermore, the communication method between the printing device 1A and the information processing device 200 is not limited to wireless communication conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) standard. For example, it may be wired communication using a USB cable, or wireless communication based on other standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). It may also be equipped with multiple communication functions.

[0133] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 1 device 2. Information processing equipment 5 Server 42 Display 33 Device Monitoring Program 34 Device Control Program 50 First Status Information Screen 51 Second status information screen 52 Third Status Information Screen 53 Offering Information Screen 42A First home screen 54 Notification list screen 70 Second home screen 80 Settings screen 85 Device list screen 90 Add Device Screen

Claims

1. A program set including a first program and a second program executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication unit, the first program is a resident program and the second program is a non-resident program, The second program causes the computer to a transmission process of transmitting, via the communication unit, an execution instruction for causing an image processing device connected to the information processing device to execute a job related to image processing; a display process for displaying a setting screen for accepting settings related to the first program; Execute The first program causes the computer to an acquisition process of communicating with the image processing device via the communication unit in accordance with the settings accepted on the setting screen displayed by the second program and acquiring information about the image processing device; a notification process for displaying notification information based on the information related to the image processing device acquired in the acquisition process; Execute A set of programs configured to:

2. 2. A program set according to claim 1, comprising: The first program causes the computer to displaying an icon corresponding to the first program in a predetermined area capable of displaying icons of resident programs; When a predetermined operation is received via the icon corresponding to the first program, the second program is started and the display process is executed. A set of programs configured to:

3. 2. A program set according to claim 1, comprising: The second program causes the computer to displaying a screen displaying an operation object for receiving a display instruction for the setting screen; Executing the display process in response to receiving an operation on the operation object. A set of programs configured to:

4. 2. A program set according to claim 1, comprising: the setting regarding the first program accepted on the setting screen displayed by the second program includes a setting as to whether or not to make the first program resident; When the setting to make the first program resident is made, the first program is started and made resident when the information processing device is started, When the setting not to make the first program resident is made, the first program is not started when the information processing device is started. A set of programs configured to:

5. 2. A program set according to claim 1, comprising: The first program In the acquisition process, a status of the image processing device is acquired as the information related to the image processing device; In the notification process, status information based on a status of the image processing device is displayed as the notification information. A set of programs configured to:

6. 6. A program set according to claim 5, comprising: the first program is capable of monitoring a plurality of image processing devices; the settings accepted on the setting screen displayed by the second program include settings of an image processing device to be monitored; The second program the display process is capable of accepting a first operation for adding an image processing device to be a monitoring target via the setting screen; The first program When a first image processing device is added as a monitoring target by the first operation, in the acquisition process, communication with the first image processing device added as a monitoring target is started via the communication unit, and a status is acquired from the first image processing device. A set of programs configured to:

7. 7. A program set according to claim 6, comprising: The second program the display process is capable of accepting a second operation to exclude the image processing device from a monitoring target via the setting screen; The first program When the second image processing device is excluded from the monitoring targets by the second operation, the acquisition process stops communication with the second image processing device excluded from the monitoring targets via the communication unit. A set of programs configured to:

8. 7. A program set according to claim 6, comprising: The first program causes the computer to executes a first selection process for displaying a first selection screen for accepting selection of one of the image processing devices set as monitoring targets, and in the notification process, displays the status information of the image processing device selected in the first selection process; The second program causes the computer to executes a second selection process that displays a second selection screen that accepts selection of one of the image processing devices set as monitoring targets, and in the transmission process, transmits the execution instruction for executing a job related to image processing to the image processing device selected in the second selection process via the communication unit; The first program causes the computer to Even if the image processing device selected on the second selection screen of the second program is changed, the image processing device selected on the first selection screen is not changed, The second program causes the computer to even if the image processing device selected on the first selection screen of the first program is changed, the image processing device selected on the second selection screen is not changed; A set of programs configured to:

9. 2. A program set according to claim 1, comprising: The first program In the acquisition process, the second program communicates with a server that provides service-related information about services that can be provided to the image processing device via the communication unit in accordance with the settings accepted on the setting screen displayed by the second program, and acquires the service-related information as the information about the image processing device; In the notification process, the service-related information is displayed as the notification information. A set of programs configured to:

10. 10. A program set according to claim 9, comprising: The first program causes the computer to a storage process is executed to store the service-related information acquired in the acquisition process in a memory of the information processing device, and a plurality of pieces of service-related information can be stored in the memory; The second program causes the computer to reading the service-related information stored in the memory and executing a list display process of displaying a list of the read service-related information; A set of programs configured to:

11. A program set including an acquisition program and a display program executable by a computer of an information processing device having a communication unit, the acquisition program is a resident program, and the display program is a non-resident program; The acquisition program is configured to: a support acquisition process of communicating with a server that provides service-related information relating to services that can be provided to the image processing device via the communication unit and acquiring the service-related information through the communication unit; a storage process of storing the service-related information acquired in the support acquisition process in a memory of the information processing device, and a plurality of pieces of the service-related information can be stored in the memory; The display program is installed on the computer. reading the service-related information stored in the memory and executing a list display process of displaying a list of the read service-related information; A set of programs configured to:

12. An information processing apparatus comprising the program set according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images