Electronic apparatus, method for controlling electronic apparatus, program, and storage medium

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus for reducing user's trouble related to approval operation, a method for controlling the electronic apparatus, a program and a storage medium.SOLUTION: An image processing device being one kind of an electronic apparatus includes record control means for recording a permitted state showing whether a user approves approval contents that the user approves information transmission from the electronic apparatus in storage means, display control means for displaying a specific screen when a prescribed condition is not satisfied without displaying the specific screen for receiving operation showing approval from the user to the approval contents in the case of satisfying the prescribed condition in the case that information showing that there is approval with the approval contents to be approved about use of a specific function is not stored as an approved state stored in the storage means, and control means for executing the specific function in the case of satisfying at least the prescribed condition even without the storage of the information showing that the approval contents are approved as an approval state stored in the storage means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a control method for an electronic device, a program, and a storage medium. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A system is known in which, with the user's consent, status information of an electronic device is transmitted to a server, and the server analyzes the status information to provide services tailored to the state of the electronic device.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system in which consent to information transmission is obtained from the user of the multifunction peripheral, and status information is transmitted to a server for use in a service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-019238 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, there are cases where the user is required to perform a permission operation even when permission is not required, which is troublesome for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by having a recording control means for controlling a storage means to record a permission status indicating whether or not a user has consented to permission content for which the user is giving permission regarding the transmission of information from the electronic device; a display control means for controlling the storage means to record a permission status indicating whether or not a user has consented to permission content for which permission is sought regarding the use of a specific function if the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating that consent has been given to permission content for which permission is sought regarding the use of a specific function, and to display a specific screen if the specific conditions are not met, without displaying the specific screen for accepting an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content; and a control means for controlling the storage means to execute the specific function if the specific conditions are met even if the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the user's effort in performing permission operations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic device and an external device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing model information of an image processing device. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing, for each model type, whether or not permission from a user is required when transmitting information about an image processing apparatus to a server. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing management information of a group of applications included in the image processing apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing types and states of permission for an image processing device. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating screen transitions in consent acceptance processing for the license of the image processing device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an application of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an application of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an application of the image processing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the relative arrangement of each component of the device used in the embodiments, the device shape, etc. are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to this embodiment. The information processing system according to this embodiment includes a service providing server group 001, a permission statement information management server 002, a permission statement update information management server 003, a web server 004, an image processing device 100, and a mobile terminal 200. Each of these is connected to each other via a communication network 300 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0011] The service providing server group 001 is a server for providing services of the image processing device 100 in cooperation with the cloud. The cloud services include services such as printing image data on the cloud using the image processing device 100 and storing image data scanned by the image processing device 100 on the cloud.

[0012] The latest version of the license statement is managed in the license statement information management server 002. When the license statement to be agreed to by the user changes due to the addition of a function or a change in law, the latest version of the license statement is updated.

[0013] The permission statement update information management server 003 manages transmittable permission versions for each country as permission versions required for information transmission. The permission statement update information management server 003 also determines the country in which the image processing device 100 is installed and returns the transmittable permission version of the permission corresponding to that country. When a change occurs in the permission statement requiring user consent due to the addition of a function or a legal amendment, the transmittable permission version information in the server is updated.

[0014] The web server 004 stores the latest license terms for each region.

[0015] 2(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The image processing device 100 is an electronic device. The image processing device 100 includes a CPU 101, a program memory 102, a data memory 103, a communication control unit 104, an input interface 105, an output interface 106, a display unit 107, a print engine 108, a non-volatile memory 109, and a RAM 110.

[0016] The CPU 101 is a system control unit that controls the entire image processing device 100. The program memory 102 stores control programs executed by the CPU 101, embedded operating system programs, etc. The data memory 103 stores program control variables, etc., and is provided with various work buffer areas used during processing by the print engine 108.

[0017] The communication control unit 104 controls the exchange of data with the outside via the communication line 130. The input interface 105 is an interface for receiving data input and operational instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 106 described below and the input interface 105 may have the same configuration, and the same configuration may be used for screen output and reception of operations from the user. The output interface 106 is an interface that controls the display unit 107 to display data and notify the status of the image processing device 100.

[0018] The display unit 107 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays data and notifies the status of the image processing device 100. Note that a soft keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric input keys, mode setting keys, a confirmation key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the display unit 107 to accept input from the user via the display unit 107. The print engine 108 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording material such as ink, based on information stored in the data memory 103 or a received print job, and outputs the print result.

[0019] The non-volatile memory 109 is composed of devices such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) or flash memory. The non-volatile memory 109 is mainly used to store data such as setting values ​​of the image processing device 100 that must be retained even when power is not supplied to the image processing device 100. The RAM 110 is composed of devices such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that requires a backup power source. The RAM 110 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 101, and stores a receive buffer for temporarily storing print information received from a PC or the like, as well as various other information. The above components 101 to 106 and 108 to 110 are connected to each other via a CPU bus 120 managed by the CPU 101.

[0020] The image processing device 100 is assumed to be able to communicate with each server indicated by 001 to 004 and the mobile terminal 200 via the communication network 300. The image processing device 100 communicates with each server indicated by 001 to 004, acquires the permission statement and the permission version linked to the permission statement, and stores them in the non-volatile memory 109.

[0021] 2(b) is a diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal 200 according to this embodiment. The mobile terminal 200 includes a CPU 201, a program memory 202, a data memory 203, a communication control unit 204, an input interface 205, an output interface 206, a display unit 207, a non-volatile memory 209, and a RAM 210.

[0022] The CPU 101 is a system control unit that controls the entire mobile terminal 200. The program memory 202 stores control programs and embedded operating system programs executed by the CPU 201. The data memory 203 stores program control variables and the like, and is provided with various work buffer areas.

[0023] The communication control unit 204 controls the exchange of data with the outside via the communication line 230. The input interface 205 is an interface for receiving data input and operational instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 206 described below and the input interface 205 may have the same configuration, and the same configuration may be used for screen output and reception of operations from the user. The output interface 206 is an interface that controls the display unit 207 to display data and notify the status of the mobile terminal 200.

[0024] The display unit 207 is composed of an LED (light-emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display), and displays data and notifies the status of the mobile terminal 200. Note that a soft keyboard equipped with keys such as numeric input keys, mode setting keys, a confirmation key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the display unit 207 to accept input from the user via the display unit 207. The non-volatile memory 209 is composed of devices such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and flash memory. The non-volatile memory 209 is primarily used to store data such as setting values ​​of the mobile terminal 200 that must be retained even when power is not supplied to the mobile terminal 200.

[0025] The RAM 210 is configured with a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that requires a backup power supply, etc. The RAM 210 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 201, and stores various types of information as well as a transmission buffer for temporarily storing information to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 200. The above components 201 to 206 and 209 to 210 are connected to one another via a CPU bus 220 managed by the CPU 101.

[0026] The mobile terminal 200 is capable of communicating with each of the servers indicated by 001 to 004 and the image processing device 100 via the communication network 300. The mobile terminal 200 communicates with each of the servers indicated by 001 to 004, acquires the permission statement and the permission version linked to the permission statement, and stores them in the non-volatile memory 209.

[0027] 3 is a diagram showing the model type (information on the type of model) of the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0028] The image processing device 100 is available in three model types according to the sales format: a BtoB model, a BtoC model, and a multi-model, and the image processing device 100 is one of these.

[0029] The BtoB model is intended for office use, with a fixed price per print, charges based on the number of prints, and monthly billing. A maintenance contract is concluded between the user of the BtoB model image processing device 100 and the BtoB model vendor, stipulating that if a problem occurs with the BtoB model image processing device 100, a service technician will visit and repair the device. The BtoB model image processing device 100 is then provided to the user. Therefore, the status or number of prints of the BtoB model image processing device 100 must be periodically transmitted to a server connected via a network. When selling the image processing device, the vendor typically obtains permission from the user company, in writing or other form, to transmit information indicating the status or number of prints of the image processing device 100 to the server.

[0030] The BtoC model is intended for home use and is a one-time purchase model in which the user purchases consumables. Therefore, the user can use the printing function of the BtoC model image processing device without sending the status or number of prints to the server. When the user uses a function (such as a web service) that can be used by sending information to the server, the image processing device 100 must have obtained permission to send information to the server (a state in which the user has accepted an operation to agree to the permission).

[0031] The multi-model is a model that can be switched between a BtoB model mode and a BtoC model mode. Typically, the setting of the BtoB model mode or the BtoC model mode is performed before the image processing device 100 is sold, and it is possible to set which model the image processing device 100 will function as depending on the sales form. The switching setting is performed by placing the image processing device 100 in a service mode that can be operated by a service person. The service mode is a mode that cannot be operated by a general user, and is a mode that can be operated only after authentication as a service person by inputting an authentication key or the like. In the service mode, it is possible to set whether the multi-model will function as the BtoB model mode (i.e., whether to function as the BtoB model) or the BtoC model mode (i.e., whether to function as the BtoC model).

[0032] 3 is input and recorded in the image processing device 100 at the time of shipment from the factory. At the factory of the image processing device 100, one of the values ​​for BtoB model, multi-model, or BtoC model is input via the display unit 107, and the CPU 101 stores the input value in the non-volatile memory 109. FIG. 3 shows that the multi-model is set as the model type of the image processing device 100 of this embodiment.

[0033] In the multi-model image processing device 100, the model mode of the multi-model is input and recorded (i.e., set) by a service person in the service mode. When the model type is a multi-model, the service person inputs a value of either the BtoB model mode or the BtoC model mode via the display unit 107 when selling the product. The CPU 101 sets the model type by storing the input value in the non-volatile memory 109. As shown in FIG. 3, the BtoB model mode is set in the image processing device 100 of this embodiment.

[0034] 4 is a diagram showing, for each model type, whether or not it is necessary to obtain user permission when transmitting information from the image processing device 100 in this embodiment to a server. That is, the diagram shows whether or not it is necessary to obtain user permission for each of the model types (BtoB, BtoC, or multi-model) shown in FIG.

[0035] In the BtoB model, as described above, permission is already obtained from the user at the time of sale, so permission is not required when the user uses a function that can be used by sending information to the server. However, if permission cannot be obtained, the administrator of the image processing device 100 changes the setting for whether the application can be used (see FIG. 5 described below) to "unavailable" instead of obtaining permission / non-permission from the user.

[0036] In the BtoC model, permission is not obtained from the user when making a sale, so permission must be obtained when the user wants to use a function that is available by sending information to the server.

[0037] For multi-models, whether or not a license is required is determined according to the current model type setting. Note that information indicating whether or not a license is required, as shown in FIG.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing management information of a group of applications provided in the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. All of the applications A to E shown in Fig. 5 are application software for providing services in cooperation with the service providing server group 001. Services provided in cooperation with the service providing server group 001 include, for example, services (functions) such as printing image data on the cloud with the image processing device 100 and storing image data scanned by the image processing device 100 on the cloud.

[0039] The image processing device 100 stores, for each application, information on whether or not permission is required, the type of permission (type of permission content), the permission means (method of accepting consent to the permission content), and settings on whether or not the application can be used in non-volatile memory 109.

[0040] The information on whether or not permission is required is information indicating whether or not consent to a permission statement is required when a user uses each application.

[0041] The type of license indicates the type of license statement that a user must agree to when using an application. For example, application E indicates that the user must agree to both license A (license statement A) and license B (license statement B) when using the application. In this embodiment, license A is a license to transmit information necessary to provide a service (specific function). License B is a license to transmit information that is not essential to providing the service, so that the service provider can use it for user analysis. These licenses are associated with the license statements and the latest license versions managed by the license statement information management server 002.

[0042] There are two types of permission means: "UI" and "paper." "UI" is a method in which a screen for accepting an operation to agree to the permission statement is displayed on the display unit 107 of the image processing device 100 or an external device that can communicate with the image processing device 100, and permission (agreement to the permission statement) is obtained by the user performing an operation indicating consent or non-consent to the permission statement.

[0043] "Paper" refers to a method in which a contract procedure is required between the user and the service provider to use the target service (e.g., the service of application C), and the user agrees to the license terms as part of that contract. If the user does not agree to the license terms, the service usage contract is not established. One method of contract procedure is for the user to fill out a paper contract. By filling out the contract to establish the contract in this contract, consent to the license terms is also obtained. In addition, services in which a service usage contract between the user and the service provider is concluded in electronic form on a medium other than the image processing device 100 (e.g., an electronic device such as a personal computer), rather than in paper form, are also treated as equivalent to paper in this embodiment. For example, a method in which a workflow system stores the receipt of consent (approval) to the license terms as part of the service usage contract is also treated as equivalent to obtaining permission on paper in this embodiment.

[0044] When the user agrees to the permission statement, an administrator or management system of the service providing server group 001 registers the serial number (individual identification information of the image processing device) of the image processing device 100 of the user who agreed to the permission statement in the service providing server group 001. The service providing server group 001 verifies the serial number and provides a service to the image processing device 100 for which it can be confirmed that consent to the permission statement has been received.

[0045] There are two settings for whether an application can be used: "Yes" and "No." "Yes" indicates that the user can use the application, and "No" indicates that the user cannot use the application. The default value is "Yes," and the setting can be changed by an administrator of the image processing device 100. For example, an administrator sets "No" when he or she wants to restrict the use of applications that cooperate with the service providing server group 001. An example of an application that cooperates with the service providing server group 001 is an application that stores scanned image data for business use on the cloud. The information shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the non-volatile memory 109.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the recording state of the consent status for each license type in the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. This recording state is controlled by the CPU 101 and stored in the non-volatile memory 109. The CPU 101 records the consent status for license A or license B as the type of license. The non-volatile memory 109 stores the consent status and the license version (the version of the license wording that is the subject of the consent status) for each license type. The consent status stores a value corresponding to one of three states: no consent (unauthorized), no consent (unauthorized), and consent (authorized). For example, in FIG. 6, the consent status (consent status) for license B is "consent." Furthermore, the license version for license B is "1.1."

[0047] "Agreement" is a state in which an operation indicating that the user agrees to the permission statement managed by the permission statement information management server 002 has been accepted, and the permission version of the permission statement at the time the consent operation was accepted (agreement) is associated and recorded. "Non-agreement" is a state in which an operation indicating that the user does not agree to the permission statement managed by the permission statement information management server 002 has been accepted.

[0048] "Not agreed" refers to a state in which the user has neither agreed nor disagreed to the permission statement. "Not agreed" is the initial value, which is set when the image processing device 100 is shipped from the factory.

[0049] In addition to these three states, a value indicating a state of "re-consent required" may also be stored. Re-consent required (re-permission required) is a state in which a change has occurred in the permission wording that requires the user's consent due to a legal amendment or the like, and the user's willingness to consent must be confirmed again. The CPU 101 periodically communicates with the permission wording update information management server 003 to obtain the transmittable permission version for each permission type. When the transmittable permission version is larger than the permission version in FIG. 6, the consent state is set to "re-consent required."

[0050] 7 is a diagram showing screen transitions in consent acceptance processing for a license by the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The display of the screen showing the consent acceptance processing is controlled by the CPU 101. A screen 700 is a screen that displays a consent summary statement.

[0051] The CPU 101 reads out the summary of the consent currently being accepted from the nonvolatile memory 109 and displays it on the display unit 107. When detecting a press (touch) of the "Details" button 701 via the input interface 105, the CPU 101 displays a screen 703. When detecting a press of the "Next" button 702, the CPU 101 displays a screen 707.

[0052] Screen 703 displays a URL for accessing the detailed permission statement. The CPU 101 acquires a URL for accessing the WEB server 004 from the permission statement information management server 002 via the communication control unit 104. Then, the display unit 107 displays a character string 704 of the URL and a two-dimensional code 705 including the URL information. When the CPU 101 detects that an "End" button 706 has been pressed via the input interface 105, it displays screen 700.

[0053] Screen 707 is a screen for accepting consent (consent acceptance screen). CPU 101 reads out wording 708 "Do you agree?" from non-volatile memory 109 and displays it on display unit 107. When CPU 101 detects that "I agree" button 709 has been pressed via input interface 105, CPU 101 records information indicating consent in the consent status of the permission statement (type of permission) currently being processed for consent acceptance. CPU 101 then obtains the permission version from permission statement information management server 002 via communication control unit 104 and records it in the permission version (FIG. 6).

[0054] When CPU 101 detects that a "Do not agree" button 710 is pressed on screen 707 via input interface 105, it displays screen 712. When CPU 101 detects that a "Back" button 711 is pressed, it displays screen 700.

[0055] Screen 712 is a non-consent confirmation screen. CPU 101 reads out from non-volatile memory 109 a message 713 indicating that the service cannot be received due to non-consent, and displays it on display unit 107. When CPU 101 detects that a "Yes" button 714 has been pressed via input interface 105 on screen 712, it records non-consent in the consent status of the consent statement (type of consent) currently being processed for consent acceptance. When CPU 101 detects that a "No" button 715 on screen 703 has been pressed, it displays screen 707.

[0056] 8 is a flowchart of the process related to accepting consent to a license in the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading a program stored in the program memory 102 into the RAM 110 and executing it. This flowchart starts when the CPU 101 starts one of multiple applications.

[0057] In S800, CPU 101 determines whether or not there has been an instruction to start any of a plurality of application software (hereinafter simply referred to as applications) (an operation to execute the function of an application). If it is determined that there has been an instruction to start any of the application software, CPU 101 proceeds to S801; otherwise, CPU 101 waits in S800 for an instruction to start any of the applications.

[0058] In S801, the CPU 101 determines whether the image processing device 100 is a model that requires a license. In this process, the CPU 101 first acquires the model type applied to the image processing device 100 from the model information in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in FIG. 3. The acquired value is assumed to be either the BtoB model, the multi-model, or the BtoC model. If the acquired value is the multi-model, the setting value of the model type of the multi-model (the BtoB model mode or the BtoC model mode in FIG. 3) is acquired. In this embodiment, the acquired value is assumed to be the BtoB model mode or the BtoC model mode.

[0059] Then, CPU 101 compares the acquired value with the information on whether or not permission is required for each model type shown in FIG. 4 to acquire either "permission required" or "permission not required." That is, CPU 101 determines whether the model is either a BtoC model requiring permission, or a multi-model in BtoC model mode. If it is determined to be either a BtoC model or a multi-model in BtoC model mode, CPU 101 proceeds to S802; otherwise, that is, if the model is a BtoB model or a multi-model in BtoB model mode, CPU 101 proceeds to S816. In particular, if the model type of image processing device 100 is a multi-model, the processing differs depending on whether it is set to BtoC model mode or BtoB model mode. If the model type is BtoC model mode, processing from S802 onward may be performed to accept consent to the permission statement. On the other hand, if the model type is BtoB model mode, the process proceeds to S816 without performing any processing to accept consent to the license agreement (such as displaying a consent acceptance screen), and the processing of the launched application is executed, and the function of the launched application is performed.

[0060] In S802, the CPU 101 refers to the management information of the application group in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in Fig. 5, and determines whether the started application is an application that requires a license. If it is determined that a license is not required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S816, and if it is determined that a license is required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S803.

[0061] In S803, the CPU 101 refers to the management information for the applications in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in FIG. 5 and determines whether the launched application is an application that requires paper-based consent. If it is determined that the application requires paper-based consent, the CPU 101 proceeds to S813. If not, that is, if it is determined that the application requires paper-based consent via the UI of the image processing device 100, the CPU 101 proceeds to S804. If the application requires paper-based consent, the CPU 101 does not perform processing for accepting consent to the consent statement in the UI (such as displaying a consent acceptance screen). This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the consent status is inconsistent with consent status that has already been separately obtained on paper, and also reduces the number of operations required by the user to perform unnecessary consent operations.

[0062] 5, the CPU 101 determines whether or not consent to license A is required for the launched application. If it is determined that consent to license A is required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S805, and if it is determined that consent to license A is not required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S808.

[0063] In S805, the CPU 101 refers to the permission status (agreement status) for license A stored in the non-volatile memory 109 shown in FIG. 6 and determines whether non-agreement is stored. If it is determined that non-agreement is stored for license A (non-agreement already completed), the CPU 101 proceeds to S808. If it is determined that non-agreement is not stored for license A (non-agreement already completed), the CPU 101 proceeds to S806. If license A is not agreed to, it can be interpreted that the user has previously performed an operation indicating non-agreement for license A, and therefore the consent acceptance process for license A in S807 is not performed again. Therefore, if the determination in S805 is YES, the CPU 101 proceeds to S808. Note that if the version of the stored consent status for license A is older than the latest permission statement stored in the permission statement update information management server 003 (the latest permission statement to be agreed to), the CPU 101 treats it as "non-agreement" regardless of the consent status, and proceeds to S807. Also, if "re-consent required" is stored as the consent status of permission A, the process proceeds to S807.

[0064] In S806, the CPU 101 refers to the permission status (consent status) for the license A stored in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in Fig. 6, and determines whether consent is stored. If it is determined that consent is stored for the license A (consent has been given), the CPU 101 proceeds to S808, and if it is determined that consent to the license A is not given (consent has not been given or re-consent is required), the CPU 101 proceeds to S807.

[0065] For example, consider a case where application B, which requires consent to license A, has been launched in the image processing device 100 in the past, and consent has been granted for license A but not for license B. In this case, when application E, which requires consent to both license A and license B, is launched on the image processing device 100, the CPU 101 determines YES in S806 and does not perform the consent acceptance process for license A in S807. Then, in the processing from S808 onward, only the consent acceptance process for license B (S811) is performed. This eliminates unnecessary operations, such as requiring the user to consent again to a type of license that has already been consented to, and reduces the number of operations. Similarly, if two applications have the same type of license, consent to the license was granted when one application was launched, and the other application can be used without displaying a consent acceptance screen for the license details when the other application is launched.

[0066] In S807, the CPU 101 displays a consent acceptance screen for license A and performs consent acceptance processing for license A. The consent acceptance processing is processing that has been explained using the screen transition diagram shown in FIG. 7. First, the CPU 101 displays screen 700 in FIG. 7 as a consent acceptance screen for license A, and performs the processing described above in FIG. 7 in response to an operation from the user. When the user presses the consent button 709, the CPU 101 records "Agree" in the permission status of license A in the non-volatile memory shown in FIG. 6, and records the permission version linked to the permission wording in the permission version. On the other hand, when the user presses the disagree button 710, the CPU 101 records "Disagree" in the permission status of license A shown in FIG. 6.

[0067] 5, the CPU 101 determines whether the started application requires consent to license B. If it is determined that consent to license B is required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S809, and if it is determined that consent to license B is not required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S812.

[0068] In S809, the CPU 101 refers to the permission status (consent status) for license B stored in the non-volatile memory 109 shown in FIG. 6 and determines whether non-consent is stored. If it is determined that non-consent is stored for license B, the CPU 101 proceeds to S812, and if it is determined that non-consent is not stored for license B, the CPU 101 proceeds to S810. If non-consent is stored for license B, the user has previously performed an operation indicating non-consent for license B, so the consent acceptance process for license B in S811 is not performed again. Note that if the version of the stored consent status for license B is older than the latest permission statement stored in the permission statement update information management server 003 (the latest permission statement for which consent should be obtained), the system treats the situation as non-consent regardless of the consent status, and proceeds to S811. Furthermore, if "re-consent required" is stored as the consent status for license B, the system also proceeds to S811.

[0069] In S810, the CPU 101 refers to the permission status (consent status) for the permission B stored in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in Fig. 6, and determines whether consent is stored. If it is determined that consent is stored for the permission B, the CPU 101 proceeds to S812, and if it is determined that consent is not stored for the permission B (i.e., consent has not been given or consent needs to be re-given), the CPU 101 proceeds to S811.

[0070] In S811, the CPU 101 displays a consent acceptance screen for license B and performs consent acceptance processing for license B. The consent acceptance processing is processing that has been explained using the screen transition diagram shown in FIG. 7. First, the CPU 101 displays screen 700 in FIG. 7 as a consent acceptance screen for license B, and performs the processing described above in FIG. 7 in response to an operation from the user. When the user presses the consent button 709, the CPU 101 records "Agree" in the permission status of license B shown in FIG. 6, and records the permission version linked to the permission wording in the permission version. On the other hand, when the user presses the disagree button 710, the CPU 101 records "Disagree" in the permission status of license B shown in FIG. 6.

[0071] In S812, the CPU 101 refers to the management information (FIG. 5) and permission status (FIG. 6) of the applications in the nonvolatile memory 109, and determines whether consent has been obtained for all of the permission types required by the launched application. If it is determined that consent has been stored for all of the consent statuses for the required permission wording types, the CPU 101 proceeds to S817. If not, that is, if it is determined that no consent, no consent, or re-consent is required for any one of the consent statuses for the required permission wording types is stored, the CPU 101 proceeds to S817.

[0072] In S813, the CPU 101 transmits the serial number (identification information of the image processing device 100) to the service providing server group 001. If the user has signed a contract on paper, the administrator of the service provider registers the serial number of the image processing device 100 in the service providing server group 001. The CPU of the service providing server group 001 verifies whether the received serial number is registered. If the serial number is registered, the CPU of the service providing server group 001 transmits information indicating a successful connection to the image processing device 100. On the other hand, if the serial number is not registered, the CPU of the service providing server group 001 transmits information indicating a connection error to the image processing device 100. This process is executed without performing the processes of S805 to S807. That is, if there is an instruction to execute a function related to the service contracted on paper (an instruction to launch application C), an attempt is made to connect to the external system that provides the service, even if information indicating that the user has agreed to the license contents required for the service is not stored in the non-volatile memory 109. If the connection is successful, control is exercised to execute the service (application function). Furthermore, even if an instruction to start application C is given, a license acceptance screen for the license contents required to execute application C is not displayed. In the case of a service for which a contract is made on paper (a service for which a service use contract is made between a service provider and a user via a medium other than image processing device 100), the above process makes it possible to save the user from having to go through the same process twice.

[0073] In S814, the CPU 101 determines whether the connection result received from the service providing server group 001 is "connection successful." If it is determined to be "connection successful," the CPU 101 proceeds to S815, and if it is determined that the connection is not successful (the connection result is a connection error), the CPU 101 proceeds to S817. Note that a successful connection means that a paper contract has been established.

[0074] In S815, the CPU 101 refers to the management information (FIG. 5) and permission status (FIG. 6) of the applications stored in the nonvolatile memory 109. Then, the CPU 101 records "Agreement" as the permission status for the permission type required by the currently controlled application. Then, the CPU 101 obtains the permission version from the permission statement information management server 002 and records the value as the permission version.

[0075] For example, application C, whose license type is paper, requires license A as the license type. Successful connection with the service providing server group 001 indicates that the user has agreed to license A in paper form. Therefore, the license status of license A in the license status shown in Figure 6 can be changed from "unlicensed" to "agreed."

[0076] In S816, the CPU 101 executes processing by the started application, i.e., executes a function by the started application. For example, the CPU 101 executes processing to execute the function of the started application, such as printing image data on the cloud with the image processing device 100 in cooperation with the service providing server group 001, or storing image data scanned by the image processing device 100 in the cloud. Thereafter, the CPU 101 ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0077] In step S817, CPU 101 stops the processing of the application currently being controlled and ends the processing of this flowchart. In this case, the function of the launched application is not executed. In this way, CPU 101 controls the application so that it does not transmit information for which necessary consent has not been obtained.

[0078] 8 is described as being performed by the image processing device 100, the mobile terminal 200 may perform the permission / agreement reception process and transmit the permission status to the image processing device 100 via the communication control unit 204. In this case, the image processing device 100 may also record the permission status received from the mobile terminal 200 via the communication control unit 104 in the permission status (FIG. 6) of the non-volatile memory 109.

[0079] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the user's effort in operating the permission. Specifically, if a predetermined condition is met (the model type of the image processing device 100 is a BtoB model, or a multi-model in BtoB model mode), the permission acceptance process is not performed and the device is controlled to assume that the permission has been obtained. Therefore, the user is not forced to perform unnecessary consent operations, and the number of operations required can be reduced to execute the function. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the user mistakenly declines consent to a required permission statement even when the device is functioning as a BtoB model, resulting in a contradiction to an existing contract, such as a maintenance contract, concluded at the time of purchase.

[0080] Furthermore, in the case of an application that obtains a license on paper, the CPU 101 records the license status in the agreement as a license obtained upon successful connection with the service providing server group 001. By sharing the license status of License A and License B between applications, control is exercised so that the license agreement acceptance process is not performed if the license status is agreement. The above-mentioned control can reduce the license agreement acceptance process in cases where it is not necessary to obtain a license, which is expected to reduce the user's effort.

[0081] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, an embodiment in which there are two types of permission has been described, but in practice this is not limited to this. There may be one type of permission, or three or more types of permission. Furthermore, although the flowchart in FIG. 8 includes multiple processes for determining whether a specific function is available, the order of these determinations may be changed as appropriate. For example, the process for determining the model of the image processing device 100 may be performed after the process for determining whether the necessary permission has been agreed to. Furthermore, for example, the process for determining whether paper permission is required may be performed after the process for determining whether the necessary permission has been agreed to. Based on the above, an example in which there is one type of permission and the determination order is different from that in FIG. 8 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0082] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling an application of an image processing device. Specifically, it performs the same processing as the flowchart shown in Fig. 8, but the order of the "process for determining whether a model requires a license" is different from that shown in Fig. 8, and it shows the processing when there is only one type of license, License A.

[0083] The processes in S800 to S817 are the same as those shown in FIG. 8, and therefore will not be described further.

[0084] In S806, the CPU 101 refers to the permission status (consent status) for the license A stored in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in Fig. 6, and determines whether consent is stored. If it is determined that consent is stored for the license A, the CPU 101 proceeds to S812, and if it is determined that consent is not given to the license A (i.e., consent has not been given or re-consent is required), the CPU 101 proceeds to S901.

[0085] In S901, the CPU 101 acquires the model type applied to the image processing device 100 from the model information in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in Fig. 3. The acquired value is one of the BtoB model, the multi-model, or the BtoC model. When the acquired value is the multi-model, the setting value of the model type of the multi-model (the BtoB model mode or the BtoC model mode in Fig. 3) is acquired. In this embodiment, the acquired value is the BtoB model mode or the BtoC model mode.

[0086] The acquired value is then compared with the information on whether or not a license is required for each model shown in Fig. 4 to acquire either "license required" or "license not required." That is, CPU 101 determines whether the model is either a BtoC model that requires a license, or a multi-model and BtoC model mode. If it is determined to be either a BtoC model or a multi-model and BtoC model mode, CPU 101 proceeds to S807, and if not, that is, if the model is a BtoB model, or a multi-model and BtoB model mode, CPU 101 proceeds to S816.

[0087] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling an application of an image processing device. Specifically, it performs the same processing as the flowchart shown in Fig. 8, but the order of the "process for determining whether the application requires paper permission" is different from that shown in Fig. 8, and it shows the processing when there is only one type of permission, Permission A.

[0088] The processes in S800 to S817 are the same as those shown in FIG. 8, and therefore will not be described further.

[0089] In S806, the CPU 101 refers to the permission status (consent status) for the license A stored in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in Fig. 6, and determines whether consent is stored. If it is determined that consent is stored for the license A, the CPU 101 proceeds to S812, and if it is determined that consent is not stored for the license A (i.e., consent has not been given or consent needs to be re-given), the CPU 101 proceeds to S1001.

[0090] In S1001, the CPU 101 refers to the management information for the group of applications in the nonvolatile memory 109 shown in FIG. 5 and determines whether the permission means of the launched application is an application that obtains permission on paper. If it is determined that the application obtains permission on paper, the CPU 101 proceeds to S1002. If it is determined that the application does not obtain permission on paper, the CPU 101 proceeds to S807. If the application obtains permission on paper, the CPU 101 does not perform processing for accepting consent to the permission statement on the UI (such as displaying a consent acceptance screen). This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the consent status is inconsistent with consent status that has already been obtained separately, for example, on paper, and also reduces the number of operations required by the user to perform unnecessary consent operations.

[0091] In S1002, the CPU 101 transmits the serial number (identification information of the image processing device 100) to the service providing server group 001. If the user has signed a contract on paper, the administrator of the service provider registers the serial number of the image processing device 100 in the service providing server group 001. The CPU of the service providing server group 001 verifies whether the received serial number is registered. If the serial number is registered, it transmits a connection success notification to the image processing device 100. On the other hand, if the serial number is not registered, it transmits a connection error notification to the image processing device 100. Note that, as shown in FIG. 10 , this processing is executed without performing the processing of S807. That is, when an instruction to execute a function related to a service contracted on paper is received, an attempt is made to connect to an external system that provides the service, even if information indicating consent to the license contents required for the service is not stored in the non-volatile memory 109. Then, if the connection is successful, control is performed to execute the service (application function). Furthermore, a consent acceptance screen for the license contents required for execution of application C is not displayed based on the operation to instruct the launch of application C.

[0092] In S1003, the CPU 101 determines whether the connection result received from the service providing server group 001 indicates a successful connection. If it is determined that the connection is successful, the CPU 101 proceeds to S1004, and if it is determined that the connection is not successful (the connection result is a connection error), the CPU 101 proceeds to S817. Note that a successful connection means that a paper contract has been established.

[0093] In S1004, the CPU 101 refers to the management information (FIG. 5) and permission status (FIG. 6) of the applications stored in the nonvolatile memory 109. Then, the CPU 101 records "Agreement" as the permission status for the permission type required by the currently controlled application. Then, the CPU 101 obtains the permission version from the permission statement information management server 002 and records the value as the permission version.

[0094] For example, application C, whose license type is paper, requires license A as the license type. Successful connection with the service providing server group 001 indicates that the user has agreed to license A in paper form. Therefore, the license status of license A in the license status shown in Figure 6 can be changed from "unlicensed" to "agreed."

[0095] Although the above description has been given of cases where the order of the determination processes is different, the order of the processes may be changed as appropriate.

[0096] The various controls described above as being performed by the image processing device 100 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0097] Furthermore, although the present disclosure has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the disclosure are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present disclosure, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present disclosure has been described as being applied to an image processing device, but this is not limited to this example and can be applied to a printer device, an information processing device, or a mobile telephone terminal that has a display.

[0099] The present disclosure 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.

[0100] The present disclosure also includes the following configurations. (Configuration 1) An electronic device, a recording control means for controlling the recording of a permission status indicating whether or not the user has consented to the permission content for the user's permission regarding the transmission of information from the electronic device in a storage means; a display control means for controlling, when the permission status stored in the storage means does not store information indicating that consent has been given to permission contents for which permission is required for use of a specific function, not to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission contents if a predetermined condition is satisfied, and to display the specific screen if the predetermined condition is not satisfied; a control means for controlling the specific function to be executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied even if the permission state stored in the storage means does not include information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to; and An electronic device comprising: (Configuration 2) The electronic device described in configuration 1 is characterized in that, if the permission status stored in the storage means does not store information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to and the specified conditions are not met, the control means controls to restrict the execution of the specific function. (Configuration 3) The electronic device described in configuration 2 is characterized in that, when the permission status stored in the storage means is information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to, the electronic device is controlled to execute the specific function even if the specified condition is not met. (Configuration 4) 4. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined condition includes that the information indicating the type of the electronic device is information indicating that the electronic device is of a specific type. (Configuration 5) 5. The electronic device according to configuration 4, wherein the specific type is a type sold in a sales format that includes a maintenance contract. (Configuration 6) 6. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition relating to a setting value related to a sales format of the electronic device. (Configuration 7) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the specified condition is satisfied when a setting value related to the sales form of the electronic device is a setting value indicating that the sales form is a first sales form that includes a maintenance contract. (Configuration 8) 7. The electronic device according to configuration 6, wherein the predetermined condition is not satisfied when a setting value relating to the sales form of the electronic device is a second sales form that does not include a maintenance contract. (Configuration 9) The electronic device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the specified condition is satisfied when the type of the electronic device is a type that can be sold in multiple ways, including a first sales way that involves a maintenance contract and a second sales way that does not involve the maintenance contract, and when a setting value related to the sales way of the electronic device is a setting value that indicates that it is the first sales way. (Configuration 10) 10. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the electronic device is capable of performing at least one of printing and scanning. (Configuration 11) An electronic device, a recording control means for controlling the recording of a permission status indicating whether or not the user has consented to the permission content for the user's permission regarding the transmission of information from the electronic device in a storage means; when the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating consent to permission content that should be requested regarding the use of a first function involving the transmission of information to an external system, control is performed to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content based on a first operation for using the first function, and when no operation indicating consent is performed on the specific screen, control is performed to restrict the use of the first function; a control means for performing control to communicate with the external system and use the second function without displaying the specific screen even if a second operation for using the second function is performed, when information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content that should be requested for permission regarding the use of a second function involving information transmission to an external system is not stored as the permission status stored in the storage means; and An electronic device comprising: (Configuration 12) The electronic device described in configuration 11, characterized in that the second function is a function in which a usage contract for the second function between a service provider providing the second function and a user is made through a procedure using a medium separate from the electronic device. (Configuration 13) 13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the other medium is paper. (Configuration 14) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 11 to 13, characterized in that the control means controls communication with the external system to use the second function when information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content is not stored in the storage means, and as a result, if matching for use of the second function in the external system is successful, controls to record information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content in the storage means. (Configuration 15) The electronic device described in configuration 14, characterized in that the control for using the second function includes a process of sending individual identification information of the electronic device to the external system, and the matching is a process in the external system of matching whether or not the user of the electronic device has a usage contract for the second function based on the individual identification information of the electronic device. (Configuration 16) The electronic device described in any one of configurations 11 to 15, characterized in that the control means performs control to use the first function based on the first operation being performed when information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to is stored in the storage means. (Configuration 17) When the permission status stored in the storage means stores information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content for which permission should be requested regarding the use of the first function, 12. The electronic device according to configuration 11, wherein the control means performs control for utilizing the first function. (Configuration 18) If the permission to use the first function is the same as the permission to use a third function different from the first function, The electronic device described in configuration 17 is characterized in that, based on a third operation to use the third function, the control means controls the use of the third function without displaying a specific screen for accepting an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content, based on the fact that information indicating consent has been given to the permission content for which permission is sought regarding the use of the first function is stored in the storage means. (Configuration 19) 19. The electronic device according to any one of configurations 11 to 18, wherein the electronic device is capable of performing at least one of printing and scanning. (Configuration 20) A program for causing at least one computer to function as each means of the electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 19. (Configuration 21) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device described in any one of configurations 1 to 19. (Configuration 22) A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a recording control step of controlling to record in a storage means a permission status indicating whether or not the user has agreed to the permission content that the user gives permission to transmit information from the electronic device; a display control step of controlling, when the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating that consent has been given to permission contents for which permission should be requested regarding the use of a specific function, not to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission contents if a predetermined condition is satisfied, and to display the specific screen if the predetermined condition is not satisfied; a control step of performing control so that the specific function is executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied even if information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to is not stored as the permission state stored in the storage means; 1. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: (Configuration 23) A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a recording control step of controlling to record in a storage means a permission status indicating whether or not the user has agreed to the permission content that the user gives permission to transmit information from the electronic device; when the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating consent to permission content that should be requested regarding the use of a first function involving the transmission of information to an external system, control is performed to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content based on a first operation for using the first function, and when no operation indicating consent is performed on the specific screen, control is performed to restrict the use of the first function; a control step of performing control to communicate with the external system and use the second function without displaying the specific screen even if a second operation for using the second function is performed, when information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content that should be requested for permission regarding the use of the second function involving information transmission to an external system is not stored as the permission status stored in the storage means; 1. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

Claims

1. An electronic device, a recording control means for controlling the recording of a permission status indicating whether or not the user has consented to the permission content for the user's permission regarding the transmission of information from the electronic device in a storage means; a display control means for controlling, when the permission status stored in the storage means does not store information indicating that consent has been given to permission contents for which permission is required for use of a specific function, not to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission contents if a predetermined condition is satisfied, and to display the specific screen if the predetermined condition is not satisfied; a control means for controlling the specific function to be executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied even if the permission state stored in the storage means does not include information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to; and An electronic device comprising:

2. The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that if the permission status stored in the storage means does not store information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to and if the specified conditions are not met, the control means controls to restrict the execution of the specific function.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the permission status stored in the storage means contains information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to, the electronic device is controlled to execute the specific function even if the specified conditions are not met.

4. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes that the information indicating the type of the electronic device is information indicating that the electronic device is of a specific type.

5. 5. The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the specific type is a type sold in a sales format that includes a maintenance contract.

6. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition relating to a set value relating to a sales format of the electronic device.

7. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when a setting value relating to the sales form of the electronic device is a setting value indicating a first sales form that includes a maintenance contract.

8. 7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined condition is not satisfied when a setting value relating to a sales form of the electronic device is a second sales form that does not include a maintenance contract.

9. The electronic device described in claim 1, characterized in that the specified condition is satisfied when the type of the electronic device is one for which multiple sales formats are possible, including a first sales format that involves a maintenance contract and a second sales format that does not involve the maintenance contract, and when a setting value related to the sales format of the electronic device is a setting value indicating that it is the first sales format.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is capable of performing at least one of printing and scanning.

11. An electronic device, a recording control means for controlling the recording of a permission status indicating whether or not the user has consented to the permission content for the user's permission regarding the transmission of information from the electronic device in a storage means; when the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating consent to permission content that should be requested regarding the use of a first function involving the transmission of information to an external system, control is performed to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content based on a first operation for using the first function, and when no operation indicating consent is performed on the specific screen, control is performed to restrict the use of the first function; a control means for performing control to communicate with the external system and use the second function without displaying the specific screen even if a second operation for using the second function is performed, when information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content that should be requested for permission regarding the use of a second function involving information transmission to an external system is not stored as the permission status stored in the storage means; and An electronic device comprising:

12. 12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the second function is a function for which a usage contract for the second function between a service provider who provides the second function and the user is concluded through a procedure using a medium separate from the electronic device.

13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the other medium is paper.

14. The electronic device described in claim 11, characterized in that the control means controls communication with the external system to use the second function when information indicating that consent to the permission content has been received is not stored in the storage means, and if verification for use of the second function in the external system is successful, controls the storage means to record information indicating that consent to the permission content has been received.

15. The electronic device described in claim 14, characterized in that the control for using the second function includes a process of sending individual identification information of the electronic device to the external system, and the matching is a process in the external system of matching whether or not the user of the electronic device has a usage contract for the second function based on the individual identification information of the electronic device.

16. The electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means performs control to use the first function based on the first operation being performed when information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to is stored in the storage means.

17. When the permission status stored in the storage means stores information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content for which permission should be requested regarding the use of the first function, 12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the control means performs control for utilizing the first function.

18. If the permission content to be requested for use of the first function is the same as the permission content to be requested for use of a third function different from the first function, The electronic device described in claim 17, characterized in that the control means performs control to use the third function without displaying a specific screen for accepting an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content, based on the fact that information indicating consent has been given to the permission content for which permission is sought regarding the use of the first function is stored in the storage means, based on the fact that a third operation has been performed to use the third function.

19. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the electronic device is capable of performing at least one of printing and scanning.

20. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

22. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a recording control step of controlling to record in a storage means a permission status indicating whether or not the user has agreed to the permission content that the user gives permission to transmit information from the electronic device; a display control step of controlling, when the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating that consent has been given to permission contents for which permission should be requested regarding the use of a specific function, not to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission contents if a predetermined condition is satisfied, and to display the specific screen if the predetermined condition is not satisfied; a control step of performing control so that the specific function is executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied even if information indicating that the permission content has been agreed to is not stored as the permission state stored in the storage means; 1. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

23. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising: a recording control step of controlling to record in a storage means a permission status indicating whether or not the user has agreed to the permission content that the user gives permission to transmit information from the electronic device; when the permission status stored in the storage means does not include information indicating consent to permission content that should be requested regarding the use of a first function involving the transmission of information to an external system, control is performed to display a specific screen for receiving an operation indicating consent from the user to the permission content based on a first operation for using the first function, and when no operation indicating consent is performed on the specific screen, control is performed to restrict the use of the first function; a control step of performing control to communicate with the external system and use the second function without displaying the specific screen even if a second operation for using the second function is performed, when information indicating that consent has been given to the permission content that should be requested for permission regarding the use of the second function involving information transmission to an external system is not stored as the permission status stored in the storage means; 1. A method for controlling an electronic device, comprising:

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