Information processing program, information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide a new method for presenting subscriptions to services corresponding to a device.SOLUTION: An information processing program causes a control unit of an information processing device to execute first subscription processing and notification processing. The first subscription processing involves subscribing to a first service corresponding to a first device that can communicate with the information processing device by communicating with a server via a communication unit. The notification processing involves notifying, in conjunction with the first subscription processing or during a period in which the first service is provided, via a notification unit, subscription information regarding subscription to a second service that is the same type of service as the first service and is a service corresponding to a second device that can communicate with the information processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to techniques for offering subscriptions to services. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known service that automatically orders and delivers consumables such as toner and ink when the remaining amount of the consumables in a printing device becomes low. The printing device of Patent Document 1 displays a screen prompting the user to sign a delivery contract when the remaining amount of the consumables becomes low and the user does not have a delivery contract for the consumables. This printing device can prompt the user to sign a delivery contract for the consumables at an appropriate time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-111023 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a new method for presenting subscription information to services associated with a device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing program executable by a control unit of an information processing device including a communication unit, a notification unit, an input unit, and a control unit, the information processing program causing the control unit to execute a first subscription process and a notification process. The first subscription process involves subscribing to a first service corresponding to a first device that can communicate with the information processing device by communicating with a server via the communication unit. The notification process involves notifying, in conjunction with the first subscription process or during a period in which the first service is provided, via the notification unit, subscription information regarding subscription to a second service that is the same type of service as the first service and is corresponding to a second device that can communicate with the information processing device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, users who are highly interested in using the service can be appropriately encouraged to subscribe to the service. Another aspect of the present disclosure is a device corresponding to a computer that operates by the program, or a method realized by the program. According to such an aspect, it is possible to effectively encourage users who are highly interested in using the service to subscribe to the service. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A is a block diagram of an information processing device, a printing device, and an operation server, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the information processing device. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a new subscription process. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of an additional subscription process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. [1. Overview] The information processing device 1 of the first embodiment is connected to a wide area network 4 such as the Internet, and is configured as, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a laptop computer, or a desktop PC (see Figures 1A and 1B).

[0009] The information processing device 1 is also connected to a local area network 5. The local area network 5 may be, for example, a network provided in a small area, specifically, a home network provided in an ordinary home, or a network provided in a relatively large area (for example, an intranet).

[0010] A plurality of printing devices 2 can be connected to the local area network 5, and the information processing device 1 can perform printing on the printing devices 2 by communicating with the printing devices 2 via the local area network 5.

[0011] The information processing device 1 is also capable of communicating with an operation server 3 for providing a printing service via a wide area network 4. Here, the printing service is a service that provides consumables consumed in printing by a printing device 2 designated by a user. The consumables may be, for example, colorants such as ink or toner, or print media such as paper. Specifically, the printing service may be, for example, a subscription service that provides consumables consumed by the printing device 2 in each unit period, provided that predetermined usage conditions are met, in exchange for paying a basic fee for each unit period. The basic fee may be a flat rate, or may be a fee that varies depending on some factor based on a flat rate.

[0012] More specifically, the unit period may be, for example, a month or a year. In other words, in the printing service, if the usage conditions are met, consumables to be consumed by the printing device 2 each month (or each year) may be provided by paying a basic fee every month (or every year).

[0013] Furthermore, the usage condition may be, for example, that the amount of printing performed by the printing device 2 in a unit period is below an upper limit. Specifically, for example, if paper is used as the printing medium, the usage condition may be that the number of sheets of paper printed by the printing device 2 in a unit period is below a predetermined upper limit. Furthermore, the printing service may have multiple plans with different upper limit numbers that subscribers to the printing service can choose from. Needless to say, the higher the upper limit number of sheets in a plan, the higher the basic fee for each unit period.

[0014] Alternatively, for example, the printing service may be one in which consumables are delivered when the remaining amount of the consumables in the printing device 2 is low, and a fee is charged according to the amount of the delivered consumables. In this case, when the remaining amount of the consumables in the printing device 2 is low, the information processing device 1 may notify the operation server 3 of the low remaining amount, and the consumables may be delivered in response to the notification.

[0015] On the other hand, the operation server 3 is provided on the cloud and executes various processes related to the printing service. Specifically, for example, the operation server 3 functions as a web server that provides a website where users can complete the procedure to subscribe to the printing service (hereinafter referred to as the subscription procedure website). The operation server 3 may also perform processes for managing the fees, etc., of users who subscribe to the printing service.

[0016] Note that multiple operation servers 3 may be connected to the wide area network 4. These operation servers 3 may provide different printing services or the same type of printing service. Furthermore, these operation servers 3 may be managed by different companies.

[0017] [2. Information processing device] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 10, a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, and first and second communication units 14 and 15 (see FIG. 1B).

[0018] The control unit 10 includes a CPU 10A and a memory 10B. The CPU 10A executes processing in accordance with a program loaded into the memory 10B. The memory 10B may include, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or a flash memory.

[0019] The storage unit 11 has a configuration as an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The storage unit 11 is a part for storing programs executed by the CPU 10A and various data, and may be configured as a storage such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0020] The storage unit 11 stores programs installed in the information processing device 1. As an example, the storage unit 11 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 11A, a print application 11B that runs on the OS 11A, and a print device list 11C. Details of the print application 11B will be described later. The print device list 11C is a list in which identification information of print devices 2 that can be printed by the information processing device 1 is registered.

[0021] The display unit 12 is a part that displays various images, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input unit 13 includes one or more input devices for receiving input operations from a user. Specifically, the input unit 13 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a touch panel.

[0022] The first communication unit 14 is a unit for accessing the local area network 5, and communicates with, for example, the printing device 2 via the local area network 5. The second communication unit 15 is a component for accessing the wide area network 4, and communicates with devices such as the management server 3 via the wide area network 4.

[0023] [3. Printing Application] The CPU 10A of the control unit 10 of the information processing device 1 performs processing in accordance with the print application 11B installed in the information processing device 1, thereby causing the printing device 2 to execute printing (see FIG. 1B). Hereinafter, the subject of the processing realized by the CPU 10A operating in accordance with the print application 11B may be referred to as the print application 11B.

[0024] The print application 11B is configured to cause the print device 2 to execute printing based on a file by communicating with the print device 2 via the first communication unit 14. More specifically, the print application 11B may have a function to edit and generate a file including images, text, etc. in accordance with an operation received from a user via the input unit 13, for example, and may have a function to view the file.

[0025] Furthermore, the printing application 11B displays a list of printing devices 2 connected to the local area network 5, in other words, printing devices 2 that can be controlled by the printing application 11B, on the display unit 12. Then, the printing application 11B accepts, via the input unit 13, the user's selection of a printing device 2 to be used for printing from the list.

[0026] The information processing device 1 may be configured to communicate directly with the printing device 2 in accordance with standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this case, the printing application 11B may display, on the display unit 12, printing devices 2 with which direct communication is possible as selection targets, instead of or in addition to printing devices 2 connected to the local area network 5.

[0027] [4. New subscription process] The print application 11B executes a process for subscribing to the print service. At this time, in conjunction with the process for subscribing to the print service, the print application 11B executes a notification process for notifying other printing devices 2 that are not the target of the print service of information related to subscribing to the print service (hereinafter, "subscription information"). The new subscription process executed by the print application 11B for newly subscribing to the print service will be described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 2.

[0028] Hereinafter, the printing service for which the subscription procedure is carried out may be referred to as the first service, and the printing service for which the subscription information is notified in the notification process may be referred to as the second service. In this embodiment, as an example, a case will be described in which the first and second services are the same printing service, but as will be described later, the first and second services may be different printing services.

[0029] In S100, the print application 11B starts processing to subscribe to the print service in response to an operation received from the user via the input unit 13. That is, the print application 11B accesses the local area network 5 via the first communication unit 14 and searches for print devices 2 with which the information processing device 1 can communicate, in other words, print devices 2 with which the information processing device 1 can execute printing and which can be used for the print service. Then, a list of print devices 2 found by the search is displayed on the display unit 12.

[0030] Note that if the information processing device 1 is configured to be able to communicate directly with the printing device 2 via USB, Bluetooth, or the like, the print application 11B may search for a printing device 2 with which it can communicate directly, instead of or in addition to a printing device 2 connected to the local area network 5. In other words, not only a printing device 2 connected to the local area network 5, but also a printing device 2 that performs printing by directly communicating with the information processing device 1 may be subject to the print service and notification process.

[0031] Furthermore, the printing device list 11C is updated according to the search results. That is, the identification information of a printing device 2 newly found by the search may be registered in the printing device list 11C. Furthermore, the identification information of a printing device 2 that was registered in the printing device list 11C before the search but is not found by the search may be deleted from the printing device list 11C.

[0032] In the next step S105, the print application 11B selects one of the printing devices 2 displayed on the display unit 12 as a target for the new print service to be subscribed to, in accordance with an operation received from the user via the input unit 13, and proceeds to step S110. At this time, one or more printing devices 2 may be selected as targets for the print service. Furthermore, hereinafter, among the printing devices 2 found by the search (in other words, printing devices 2 present in the printing device list 11C), a printing device 2 that has not been selected as a target for the print service will be referred to as a non-subscribed printing device.

[0033] In S110, the print application 11B accesses a website for the subscription procedure to the print service provided by the operation server 3 via the second communication unit 15, and displays a subscription procedure screen provided by the subscription procedure website on the display unit 12. At this time, the print application 11B sets a predetermined value to a parameter (hereinafter referred to as a re-input parameter) attached to the URL for accessing the subscription procedure website, indicating that at least a part of the procedural information (hereinafter referred to as re-input information) input on the website should be set as a default value.

[0034] That is, in S115 (described later), the procedural information required to subscribe to the printing service is entered on the subscription procedure screen. Furthermore, in S135-S150 (described later), the subscription procedure to the printing service is executed for non-subscribed printing devices. By setting the re-input parameters to the above-described predetermined values, an instruction to set the re-input information on the subscription procedure screen used in S135-S150 to default values ​​is notified to the subscription procedure website.

[0035] In the next step S115, the print application 11B accepts input of procedural information required for subscribing to the print service via the subscription procedure screen. At this time, the procedural information is entered in each input field provided on the subscription procedure screen in accordance with the operation accepted from the user via the input unit 13.

[0036] Specifically, the procedure information includes, for example, user information, plan information, payment information, and model information. The user information may include the user's name, contact information, address, etc. The plan information indicates the printing service plan selected by the user. The payment information is information used to pay the printing service fee and may include, for example, credit card information. The model information may include, for example, the model name and identification information of the printing device 2 that is the target of the printing service.

[0037] Then, in the following S120, the print application 11B sends the procedure information entered in each input field and a message indicating that the subscription procedure has been completed to the operation server 3 in accordance with the operation received from the user via the input unit 13. This completes the subscription procedure for the print service for the printing device 2 selected in S105. At this time, the print application 11B may store the re-input information sent to the operation server 3 in the memory 10B or the storage unit 11 to use as default values ​​when subscribing to a print service for another printing device 2.

[0038] In the next step S125, the print application 11B executes a notification process to notify any of the non-subscribed printing devices of subscription information, which is information related to subscription to the same print service. Note that if no non-subscribed printing devices are found in the search in step S100, the print application 11B may terminate the new subscription process without executing the notification process.

[0039] Specifically, for example, the subscription information may be notified visually via the display unit 12, or may be notified audibly via a speaker (not shown). Also, subscription information for a printing service that targets multiple non-subscribed printing devices may be notified.

[0040] The subscription information may also be, for example, a message that suggests or encourages a non-subscribed printing device to subscribe to a printing service that has already been subscribed to. The subscription information may also include, for example, the model name of the non-subscribed printing device, and each plan and basic fee for the printing service.

[0041] In parallel with the notification process, the print application 11B inquires via the display unit 12 whether or not the user will subscribe to the print service whose subscription information has been notified in the notification process. This inquiry may be made after the notification process has ended. The print application 11B then accepts input of a response to the inquiry from the user via the input unit 13, and proceeds to S130.

[0042] The print application 11B may perform a notification process to notify the user of subscription information for a print service other than the print service for which the user has already completed the subscription procedure, in accordance with an operation received from the user via the input unit 13. In other words, the first and second services may be different print services. In this case, the first and second services may be print services provided by different companies that can be used for the same purpose, for example.

[0043] In S130, the print application 11B determines whether the user subscribes to the print service based on the received response. If the print application 11B obtains a positive determination (S130: YES), the print application 11B proceeds to S135, and if the print application 11B obtains a negative determination (S130: NO), the print application 11B ends this process.

[0044] In S135, the print application 11B accesses the subscription procedure website and starts the subscription procedure for the print service. Specifically, the subscription procedure screen is displayed again on the display unit 12, and the print application 11B accepts input of necessary procedure information via the subscription procedure screen.

[0045] At this time, the enrollment procedure website receives an instruction from the re-input parameter of the URL described above to set the re-input information among the procedure information entered in S115 as the default value. Therefore, the input fields corresponding to the re-input information on the enrollment procedure screen displayed in S135 are set as default values ​​to the same re-input information entered in the previous enrollment procedure and transmitted to the operation server 3. In other words, these input fields display the re-input information used in the previous enrollment procedure. This saves the user the trouble of having to re-input the re-input information. Of course, it is also possible to enter new re-input information in place of the re-input information already set in the input fields.

[0046] As an example, the re-input information is user information and payment information. Therefore, among the input fields corresponding to user information, payment information, plan information, and model information on the subscription procedure screen displayed in S135, the input fields corresponding to plan information and model information are left blank. Plan information and model information are entered into these input fields in accordance with the operation accepted via the input unit 13. Meanwhile, the input fields corresponding to user information and payment information are set as default values, respectively, with the user information and payment information entered in S115 and transmitted to the operation server 3. Of course, new user information and payment information can also be set in these input fields. Furthermore, the procedural information to be re-input information is not limited to user information and payment information and can be determined as appropriate; for example, plan information and / or model information may be re-input information.

[0047] Of course, the method is not limited to using re-input parameters, and the print application 11B may set the re-input information stored to be used as default values ​​in S120 of the new subscription process in the corresponding input field on the subscription procedure screen.

[0048] In the next S140, the print application 11B inquires via the display unit 12 as to whether or not to reuse the payment information and user information set as default values, and receives a response from the user to the inquiry via the input unit 13. If the print application 11B receives a response that the payment information and user information will be reused (S140: YES), it proceeds to S150, and if the print application 11B receives a response that the same payment information will not be input (S140: NO), it proceeds to S145.

[0049] In S145, the print application 11B accepts the setting of payment information and user information via the input unit 13, and proceeds to S150. In S150, the print application 11B, in accordance with the operation received from the user via the input unit 13, transmits to the operation server 3 the procedure information entered in each input field and a notice that the subscription procedure has been completed. This completes the subscription procedure for the print service for the unsubscribed printing device. Furthermore, the print application 11B notifies the operation server 3 that, because subscription to the new print service was initiated by the notification process, the user subscribing to the print service is eligible to receive a benefit. The benefit may be, for example, a discount on the basic fee for the print service or the awarding of points. The print application 11B then terminates the new subscription process.

[0050] It is assumed that there may be a non-member printing device for which the notification process of S125 has not been performed. In such a case, the processes of S125 to S150 may be further executed for the non-member printing device.

[0051] [5. Additional subscription process] The print application 11B executes a notification process to notify a new printing device of subscription information to the same print service (second service) targeted at the new printing device during the period when the print service (first service) to which the new printing device has subscribed through the new addition process is provided. Note that the new printing device refers to, for example, a printing device 2 that has been newly connected to the local area network 5 and thus is now capable of printing with the information processing device 1, and is therefore a printing device 2 that can be a target of the print service. The additional subscription process executed by the print application 11B during the period when the print service is provided will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 3.

[0052] In S200, the printing application 11B searches for printing devices 2 in the same manner as in S100 of the new addition process, and updates the printing device list 11C according to the search results.Then, the printing application 11B regards as a new printing device any printing device 2 found by the search that is not registered in the printing device list 11C before the update.

[0053] The processing of S200 may be executed, for example, in response to an operation received from the user via the input unit 13, the launch of the print application 11B, the launch of the information processing device 1, or the connection of the information processing device 1 to the local area network 5.

[0054] In the next step S205, the print application 11B determines whether a new printing device was found by the search in step S200. If the determination is affirmative (S205: YES), the print application 11B proceeds to step S210, and if the determination is negative (S205: NO), the print application 11B ends the additional subscription process.

[0055] In S210, the print application 11B executes a notification process similar to S125 to notify the new printing device of subscription information for a currently provided print service. In the additional subscription process, similar to the new subscription process, the currently provided print service (first service) and the print service (second service) for which subscription information is notified may be the same print service or different print services. At this time, the print application 11B inquires via the display unit 12 whether or not the user wants to subscribe to the print service for the new printing device, and receives input of a response to the inquiry from the user via the input unit 13, and then proceeds to S215.

[0056] In S215, the print application 11B determines whether the user subscribes to the print service based on the received response. If the print application 11B obtains a positive determination (S215: YES), the print application 11B proceeds to S220, and if the print application 11B obtains a negative determination (S215: NO), the print application 11B ends the additional subscription process.

[0057] In S220 to S235, the print application 11B executes the print service subscription procedure for the new printing device in the same manner as in S135 to S150 of the new subscription process.

[0058] In S220, upon starting the subscription procedure, the print application 11B accesses the subscription procedure website to display a subscription procedure screen on the display unit 12, and accepts input of necessary procedure information via the subscription procedure screen.

[0059] At this time, the subscription procedure website receives an instruction to set the re-input information among the procedural information entered in S115 as default values, based on the re-input parameters of the URL set to predetermined values ​​in S110 of the new subscription process. Therefore, the input fields on the subscription procedure screen corresponding to the re-input information are set as default values ​​to the same re-input information entered during the subscription procedure in S115 and sent to the operation server 3.

[0060] Of course, the printing application 11B may set the re-input information stored to be used as default values ​​in S120 of the new subscription process in the corresponding input field on the subscription procedure screen.

[0061] As an example, similar to S135 of the new subscription process, user information and payment information are re-input information. Therefore, on the subscription procedure screen displayed in S220, the input fields corresponding to plan information and model information are left blank, and the plan information and model information are entered into these input fields in accordance with the operation accepted via the input unit 13. Meanwhile, the input fields corresponding to user information and payment information are set as default values, respectively, with the user information and payment information transmitted to the operation server 3 in S120. Of course, new user information can also be entered into these input fields.

[0062] In the next S225, the print application 11B inquires via the display unit 12 as to whether or not to reuse the payment information and user information displayed as default values, and receives a response from the user to the inquiry via the input unit 13. If the print application 11B receives a response that the payment information and user information will be reused (S225: YES), it proceeds to S235, and if the print application 11B receives a response that the same payment information will not be input (S225: NO), it proceeds to S230.

[0063] In S230, the print application 11B accepts input of payment information and user information via the input unit 13, and proceeds to S235. In S235, the print application 11B, in accordance with the operation received from the user via the input unit 13, sends to the operation server 3 the procedure information entered in each input field and a message that the subscription procedure has been completed. This completes the subscription procedure for the print service for the printing device 2 found by the search. Furthermore, the print application 11B notifies the operation server 3 that, because subscription to the new print service was initiated by the notification process, the user subscribing to the print service is eligible to receive the same benefits as in S150 of the new subscription process. Then, the print application 11B ends the additional subscription process.

[0064] It is possible that among the printing devices 2 found by the search in S200, there may be a printing device 2 for which the subscription information has not been notified in S210. In such a case, the processes in S210 to S235 may be further executed for that printing device 2.

[0065] [6. Effects] (1) According to the above embodiment, when a user subscribes to a printing service, a notification process can be executed to notify the user of subscription information for the same type of printing service, or the notification process can be executed during the period when the subscribed printing service is provided. Therefore, users who are highly interested in using printing services can be effectively encouraged to subscribe to the printing service.

[0066] (2) In addition, in the new subscription process, a user who has newly subscribed to a print service is notified of subscription information about a print service that targets another printing device 2. Therefore, by completing the subscription procedure for a print service, a user who has become more interested in using print services can be offered the option of subscribing to additional print services. Therefore, subscription to print services can be effectively encouraged.

[0067] (3) In addition, in the additional subscription process, if a printing device 2 that can print with the information processing device 1 is added during the period when the newly subscribed printing service is provided, a notification process is executed for subscription information regarding the printing service targeted at the printing device 2. This makes it possible to favorably encourage subscription to the printing service.

[0068] (4) Furthermore, the re-entry information is set as a default value on the subscription procedure screen displayed during the print service subscription procedure performed in S135 to S150 of the new subscription process and S220 to S235 of the additional subscription process. This setting is achieved by setting a predetermined value in the re-entry parameter of the URL of the subscription procedure website in S110, or by entering the re-entry information saved in S120 into the input field on the subscription procedure screen. This reduces the effort required to subscribe to a print service whose subscription information was notified in the notification process.

[0069] (5) Furthermore, in S150 of the new subscription process and S235 of the additional subscription process, since the subscription to the new printing service is initiated by the notification process, the operation server 3 is notified that the user is eligible to receive a special benefit. This allows the operation server 3 to grant the special benefit to the user, thereby encouraging the user to subscribe to the printing service.

[0070] 7. Other Embodiments (1) In the new subscription process, once the subscription procedure for the printing device 2 selected by the user in S105 to the print service is completed, notification processing is performed for non-subscribed printing devices in S125. However, the notification processing may be performed in parallel with the subscription procedure (in other words, S105 to S120). In this case, the notification processing may be performed after the printing device 2 that will subscribe to the print service is selected in S105. Furthermore, the notification processing may be performed for any printing device 2 registered in the printing device list 11C before the printing device 2 is selected in S105.

[0071] (2) As already mentioned, in the notification process (S125) of the new subscription process, subscription information about a print service (second service) other than the print service (first service) for which the subscription procedure has been completed may be notified. Also, in the notification process (S210) of the additional subscription process, subscription information about a print service (second service) other than the print service (first service) currently being provided may be notified.

[0072] In this case, the print application 11B performs the subscription procedure for another print service in accordance with the user's response in steps S135 to S150 of the new subscription process and steps S220 to S235 of the additional subscription process. In such cases, the re-input information is used in the same manner.

[0073] Furthermore, in this way, when the first and second services are different print services, the re-input information may be the setting values ​​of common parameters that define common conditions for receiving these print services. Specifically, the first service is provided with plans A to C with different upper limit numbers, and the upper limit numbers for plans A to C are X, Y, and Z, respectively. On the other hand, the second service is provided with plans 1 to 3 with different upper limit numbers, and the upper limit numbers for the first to third plans are also X, Y, and Z, respectively, just like the first service.

[0074] In this case, the plan options for the first and second services both determine the upper limit of the number of cards, and correspond to common parameters that define common conditions for receiving the first and second services. Furthermore, the plan information that defines the plans for the first and second services corresponds to the setting value of the common parameter. In this case, the plan information may be used as re-input information, and the plan information indicating the plan for the first service may be set as a default value in the input field corresponding to the plan information on the subscription procedure screen for the second service.

[0075] (3) In the above embodiment, the present disclosure is applied, as an example, to a printing service that targets the printing device 2. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a printing service and can also be applied to services that are provided for various devices.

[0076] (4) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0077] (5) In addition to the information processing device 1 described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, a USB memory, a CD, or a DVD, on which the printing application 11B is stored, or a method (in other words, an information processing method) corresponding to the new subscription process and the additional subscription process realized by the printing application 11B.

[0078] [8. Correspondence of Wording] The print application 11B corresponds to an example of an information processing program, the display unit 12 of the information processing device 1 corresponds to an example of a notification unit, and the printing device 2 corresponds to an example of a device.

[0079] S100, S110, S110 to S120, S125, S135 to S150, and S150 of the new subscription process correspond to the search process, first notification process, first subscription process, notification process, second subscription process, and second notification process, respectively. Also, S200, S210, S220 to S235, and S235 of the additional subscription process correspond to the search process, notification process, second subscription process, and second notification process, respectively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1...information processing device, 10...control unit, 10A...CPU, 10B...memory, 11...storage unit, 11A...OS, 11B...printing application, 11C...printing device list, 12...display unit, 13...input unit, 14...first communication unit, 15...second communication unit, 2...printing device, 3...operation server, 4...wide area network, 5...local area network.

Claims

1. The Communications Department and The notification department, an input unit; A control unit; An information processing program executable by the control unit in an information processing device comprising: The control unit a first subscription process for subscribing to a first service corresponding to a first device capable of communicating with the information processing device by communicating with a server via the communication unit; a notification process of notifying, via the notification unit, subscription information regarding subscription to a second service, which is a service of the same type as the first service and corresponds to a second device capable of communicating with the information processing device, in association with the first subscription process or during a period in which the first service is provided; An information processing program that executes the above.

2. 2. The information processing program according to claim 1, causing the control unit to further execute a search process for searching for a device that is a target of the second service; In the notification process, when the second device is found by the search process, after the first device is designated as a device corresponding to the first service in the first subscription process, the subscription information to the second service is notified. Information processing program.

3. 3. The information processing program according to claim 1, causing the control unit to further execute a search process for searching for a device that is a target of the second service; In the notification process, when the second device is newly found by the search process during the provision period of the first service, the subscription information to the second service is notified. Information processing program.

4. 2. The information processing program according to claim 1, the first subscription process accepts input of first procedural information required to subscribe to the first service from the user via the input unit, and transmits the input first procedural information to the server; during or after the execution of the notification process, further causing the control unit to execute a second subscription process, which is a process that is performed in response to receiving, via the input unit, an instruction to subscribe to the second service from the user, and is a process of subscribing to the second service by communicating with the server via the communication unit; In the second subscription process, input of second procedural information required for subscribing to the second service is accepted from the user via the input unit, and the input second procedural information is transmitted to the server; a first notification process for notifying the server that re-input information, which is at least a part of the first procedure information, may be input by a user in the second subscription process to subscribe to the second service; and an information processing program to be executed by the control unit.

5. 2. The information processing program according to claim 1, the first subscription process accepts input of first procedural information required to subscribe to the first service from the user via the input unit, and transmits the input first procedural information to the server; during or after the execution of the notification process, further causing the control unit to execute a second subscription process, which is a process that is performed in response to receiving, via the input unit, an instruction to subscribe to the second service from the user, and is a process of subscribing to the second service by communicating with the server via the communication unit; In the second subscription process, re-entry information, which is at least a part of the first procedure information, is transmitted to the server as at least a part of second procedure information required to subscribe to the second service. Information processing program.

6. 6. The information processing program according to claim 4 or claim 5, the first and second procedure information includes a setting value of a common parameter that defines a common condition for receiving the first and second services, The re-input information is the setting value of the common parameter. Information processing program.

7. 3. The information processing program according to claim 1, a second subscription process, which is performed in response to a user's request to subscribe to the second service via the input unit during or after the notification process is performed, and which is a process of subscribing to the second service by communicating with the server via the communication unit; and a second notification process for notifying the server that a user corresponding to the first and / or second service is a target to receive a benefit when the user subscribes to the second service in the second subscription process; and an information processing program to be executed by the control unit.

8. The Communications Department and The notification department, an input unit; A control unit; An information processing device comprising: The control unit a first subscription process for subscribing to a first service corresponding to a first device capable of communicating with the information processing device by communicating with a server via the communication unit; a notification process of notifying, via the notification unit, subscription information regarding subscription to a second service, which is a service of the same type as the first service and corresponds to a second device capable of communicating with the information processing device, in association with the first subscription process or during a period in which the first service is provided; An information processing device that executes the above.

9. The Communications Department and The notification department, an input unit; A control unit; An information processing method that can be executed by an information processing device comprising: Subscribing to a first service corresponding to a first device that can communicate with the information processing device by communicating with a server via the communication unit; notifying, via the notification unit, subscription information regarding subscription to a second service, which is a service of the same type as the first service and corresponds to a second device capable of communicating with the information processing device, in association with a process for subscribing to the first service or during a period in which the first service is provided; An information processing method comprising:

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