Program set for terminal, first computer program for terminal, and second computer program for terminal

Abstract

To provide a new and useful technique for displaying a service screen on a display part of a terminal.SOLUTION: The terminal displays a first predetermined screen including service-related information on a display unit of the terminal in accordance with the first computer program. When receiving a first predetermined operation on the first predetermined screen, the terminal supplies a display instruction to the second computer program. In a case where the second computer program receives the display instruction from the first computer program, the terminal causes the display unit to display the service screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a terminal device that displays a service screen. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including a terminal, a printer, a first server, and a second server. When information about the printer is stored in a memory, the terminal displays a color selection screen when it receives an operation on a server icon on a top screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-10303 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification provides a novel and useful technique for displaying a service screen on the display unit of a terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a program set for a terminal device. The program set may include a first computer program and a second computer program. The first computer program may cause a computer of the terminal device to function as a first display control unit that causes a display unit of the terminal device to display a first predetermined screen including service-related information related to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a printer user via the Internet, and a supply unit that supplies a display instruction to the second computer program to cause the display unit to display a service screen related to the service when a first predetermined operation on the first predetermined screen is accepted. The second computer program may cause the computer to function as a second display control unit that causes the service screen to be displayed on the display unit when the display instruction is accepted from the first computer program.

[0006] This specification also discloses a first computer program for a terminal device, which may cause a computer of the terminal device to function as a supply unit that supplies a predetermined screen including service-related information corresponding to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and is provided to a printer user via the Internet, and a display instruction to a second computer program for the terminal device, when a predetermined operation on the predetermined screen is accepted, for displaying a service screen related to the service on a display unit of the terminal device.

[0007] This specification also discloses a second computer program for a terminal device, wherein the second computer program may cause a computer of the terminal device to function as a display control unit that, when receiving a display instruction from the first computer program for the terminal device to display a service screen on a display unit of the terminal device, the service screen is related to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and is provided to a printer user via the Internet.

[0008] According to the above configuration, when the terminal device receives a first predetermined operation on a first predetermined screen in accordance with the first computer program, the terminal device supplies a display instruction to the second computer program. When the terminal device receives a display instruction from the first computer program in accordance with the second computer program, the terminal device displays a service screen on the display. Therefore, the service screen can be displayed using the first computer program and the second computer program.

[0009] A computer-readable recording medium storing the above program set, a terminal device implemented by the above program set, and a method for controlling a terminal device are also novel and useful. A computer-readable recording medium storing the above first computer program, a terminal device implemented by the above first computer program, and a method for controlling a terminal device are also novel and useful. A computer-readable recording medium storing the above second computer program, a terminal device implemented by the above second computer program, and a method for controlling a terminal device are also novel and useful. Also, a communication system including a terminal device and a printer is novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] An example of each table is shown below. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device during a printing process. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a first display process executed by a device monitoring application of a terminal device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a monitor screen display process executed by a device monitoring application of a terminal device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a second display process executed by a device control application of the terminal device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a subscription service screen display process executed by a device control app of the terminal device. [Figure 8] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device in case A. [Figure 9] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case B. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case C. [Figure 11] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case D. [Figure 12] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case E. [Figure 13] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case F. [Figure 14] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device in case G. [Figure 15] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device in case H. [Figure 16] 10 is an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device in Case I. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a PC 10, MFPs 100 and 100B, a notification server 200, a sales server 300, and a service providing server 400. Hereinafter, the "service providing server" will be referred to as an "SP server." The PC 10 and MFPs 100A and 100B are connected to a local area network (LAN) 4. The PC 10 and MFPs 100A and 100B can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 is connected to the Internet 6. The PC 10, MFPs 100A and 100B, the notification server 200, the sales server 300, and the SP server 400 are connected to the Internet 6. Each device can communicate with each other via the Internet 6. The notification server 200, the sales server 300, and the SP server 400 may be separate servers or may be configured as a single server.

[0012] (PC10 configuration) The PC 10 is a PC such as a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, etc. The PC 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 20, and a control unit 30. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0013] The operation unit 12 is a user interface that allows a user to input various information to the PC 10. The operation unit 12 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation area), hardware keys, or both. The hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. The display unit 14 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. The panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The communication I / F 20 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I / F 20 may be a wired I / F or a wireless I / F.

[0014] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. For example, the main storage device includes a RAM and a cache memory. For example, the auxiliary storage device may be a ROM, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. The auxiliary storage device of the memory 34 stores an operating system (OS) program 40, a device monitoring application 42, a device control application 44, and a browser application 46. The device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 are provided as a single package. Hereinafter, the OS program 40 will be referred to as the "OS 40." The OS 40 controls the basic operations of the PC 10.

[0015] The device monitoring application 42 is a resident program. Resident programs are automatically started when the OS 40 is started. Resident programs run in the background while the OS 40 is running. The device monitoring application 42 is a program that periodically acquires status information of the MFP communicatively connected to the PC 10 and displays the acquired status information on the display unit 14 of the PC 10. The status information includes remaining amount information, etc. The remaining amount information indicates the remaining amount of each of the multiple color material cartridges installed in the MFP. The multiple color material cartridges include color material cartridges corresponding to four colors: black (BK), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). The device monitoring application 42 is also a program that acquires notification information from the notification server 200 and, when a notification condition is met, displays a notification screen corresponding to the notification information on the display unit 14.

[0016] The device control application 44 is a non-resident program. A non-resident program is started when a start-up operation by a user is received or when a start-up instruction is received from a resident program. The device control application 44 is a program for causing the MFP to execute print and scan functions.

[0017] The browser application 46 is a program for accessing a web server and browsing web pages.

[0018] The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with programs loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device. Hereinafter, various processes performed by the CPU 32 in accordance with the programs may be described as being performed primarily by the OS 40, the device monitoring application 42, the device control application 44, or the browser application 46. The device monitoring application 42, the device control application 44, and the browser application 46 access various hardware components, such as the display unit 14, the memory 34, and the communication I / F 20, via the OS 40 to perform various processes. Below, the description will omit, as appropriate, the device monitoring application 42, the device control application 44, and the browser application 46 performing processes via the OS 40.

[0019] The auxiliary storage device of the memory 34 further stores a device table 50, a notification information table 52, a service table 54, and selected device information 56. The selected device information 56 indicates device information corresponding to an MFP selected as a destination of instruction information sent by the device control application 44. The instruction information is a print instruction or a scan instruction. The device information includes the model name and IP address of the MFP.

[0020] (Configuration of MFP100A and 100B) The MFP 100A is a peripheral device (i.e., a peripheral device such as a PC 10) that can perform a printing function of printing an image on paper and a scanning function of reading an image from a document. The MFP 100A has a model name "MN1." The MFP 100A is assigned an IP address IP1. The MFP 100A includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a print execution unit 116, a scan execution unit 118, and a communication I / F 120.

[0021] Operation unit 112 is an I / F that allows a user to input various information to MFP 100A. Operation unit 112 includes, for example, a touch panel for displaying software keys (operation objects), hardware keys, or both. Hardware keys include, for example, buttons or switches. Display unit 14 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The panel may or may not be a touch panel. Furthermore, the panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0022] The print execution unit 116 includes an inkjet, electrophotographic, or thermal print engine. An inkjet print engine includes a print head that ejects ink droplets. An electrophotographic print engine includes a photosensitive element and an exposure device that emits light to expose the photosensitive element. A thermal print engine includes a print head that generates heat using a heater. The scan execution unit 118 includes a scanning mechanism such as a CIS or CCD. The communication I / F 120 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I / F 120 may be a wired I / F or a wireless I / F.

[0023] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. A program 140 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 134. The CPU 132 performs various processes in accordance with the program loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0024] The MFP 100B has the same configuration as the MFP 100A, except that it has the model name "MN2" and is assigned the IP address IP2.

[0025] (Configuration of notification server 200) Notification server 200 is a server installed on Internet 6 by a vendor different from the vendor of MFPs 100A and 100B (hereinafter simply referred to as "vendor"). Notification server 200 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers.

[0026] The notification server 200 is a server that provides notification information. The notification information is information related to devices that can communicate with the PC 10. When the notification server 200 receives a notification information request from the PC 10, it transmits the notification information to the PC 10.

[0027] (Configuration of sales server 300) The sales server 300 is installed by a vendor on the Internet 6. The sales server 300 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers.

[0028] The sales server 300 is a server that sells color material cartridges for MFPs. The sales server 300 can support a purchasing service provided to users via the Internet 6. The purchasing service is a service that supports users in purchasing color material cartridges.

[0029] (SP Server 400 Configuration) The SP server 400 is installed by a vendor on the Internet 6. The SP server 400 may be a single server or a collection of multiple servers.

[0030] The SP server 400 provides a subscription service related to the MFP via the Internet 6. Hereinafter, the subscription service will be referred to as the "subscription service." The subscription service is a service in which a flat rate is charged if the number of printed pages in a predetermined period (e.g., one month) is equal to or less than the contracted number of printed pages (e.g., 1,000 pages), and if the number of printed pages in the predetermined period exceeds the contracted number of printed pages, the flat rate and an amount corresponding to the number of printed pages exceeding the contracted number of printed pages are charged as a sum. The subscription service includes an automatic shipping service for consumables used by the MFP. In this embodiment, the consumables are color material cartridges. The automatic shipping service is a service in which new consumables are automatically shipped when the remaining amount of a consumable is low.

[0031] (Device table 50, Notification information table 52, Service table 54; Figure 2) The device table 50, notification information table 52, and service table 54 stored in the memory 34 of the PC 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] The device table 50 is a table for managing remaining capacity information of an MFP that is communicably connected to the PC 10 and that has been registered by a user in the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44. The device table 50 stores device information (i.e., model name and IP address) and remaining capacity information (e.g., RA1) in association with each other. The selected device information 56 in the memory 34 is any one or more pieces of device information in the device table 50.

[0033] The notification information table 52 is a table for managing notification information received from the notification server 200. The notification information table 52 stores notification information and display information in association with each other. The notification information includes a notification ID (e.g., ID1, ID2), a model name, a notification condition, and notification data (e.g., ND1, ND2). The notification ID is information for identifying the notification information. The model name is the name of the model designated as the target of the notification information. The notification condition is a condition for determining whether or not to display a notification screen corresponding to the notification information. The notification condition includes a device condition and a period condition. The device condition is information indicating a condition related to a device. For example, the device condition is "remaining amount≦first threshold." For example, the first threshold is "30." The device condition may be, for example, "not subscribed to a subscription service." The period condition is information indicating a period during which the notification screen can be displayed. The display information indicates either "displayed" which indicates that the notification related to the information has been displayed, or "not yet displayed" which indicates that the notification has not yet been displayed.

[0034] The service table 54 is a table indicating regions in which purchased services are supported. The service table 54 stores model names, region information (e.g., JP, US), purchased service information, and subscription service information in association with each other. The region information is information indicating a country. The purchased service information indicates either a value of "ON" indicating that the purchased service is supported or a value of "OFF" indicating that the purchased service is not supported. The subscription service information indicates either a value of "ON" indicating that the subscription service is supported or a value of "OFF" indicating that the subscription service is not supported. Note that, when the device monitoring application 42, which is a resident program, determines, based on information acquired from the service table 54, that the model of the device that is the target of the notification information supports the subscription service, it displays a notification screen corresponding to the subscription service on the display unit 14 in the form of a pop-up display. On the other hand, when the device monitoring application 42 determines that the model of the device that is the target of the notification information does not support the subscription service, it does not display a notification screen corresponding to the subscription service on the display unit 14. Furthermore, the device control application 44, which is a non-resident program, displays a subscription button (described later) on the home screen when it is determined that the model of the device corresponding to the selected device information 56 is a model that supports the subscription service. On the other hand, when it is determined that the model of the device does not support the subscription service, the device control application 44 does not display the subscription button on the home screen.

[0035] (Printing process; Figure 3) Referring to FIG. 3, a printing process for causing MFP 100A to execute a printing function using device control application 44 will be described. In the initial state of FIG. 3, device information "MN1, IP1" is stored in selected device information 56 in memory 34. In the following, the name of each application is written at the top of each screen to make it easy to understand which of applications 42, 44, and 46 is the main application displayed on the screen. In the following, all communications between PC 10 and other devices (MFPs 100A and 100B and servers 200, 300, and 400) are performed via communication I / F 20 of PC 10. Therefore, the phrase "via communication I / F 20" will be omitted.

[0036] The user executes an operation on the PC 10 to launch the device control app 44. This causes the PC 10 to launch the device control app 44. The device control app 44 then identifies the device information "MN1, IP1" stored in the selected device information 56 and displays a home screen SC10 on the display unit 14. The home screen SC10 includes a print button 500, a scan button 502, a consumables button 504, a subscription button 506, a first device object 508, a consumables settings button 510, and an add device button 512. The print button 500 is an object for selecting execution of a print function. The scan button 502 is an object for selecting execution of a scan function. The consumables button 504 is a button for displaying a screen corresponding to a purchased service. The subscription button 506 is a button for displaying a screen corresponding to a subscription service. The first device object 508 displays the device information in the selected device information 56. The user can change the device information displayed on the first device object 508 by performing an operation on the first device object 508. This changes the selected device information 56. The consumables setting button 510 is a button for displaying a screen including remaining amount information of consumables. The device addition button 512 is a button for adding a device to be registered in the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44.

[0037] The user operates the print button 500 on the home screen SC10. Although not shown, the user also operates to select a file to be printed. This causes the device control application 44 to display a print preview screen SC12 on the display unit 14. The print preview screen SC12 includes a preview image 520 corresponding to the file to be printed, a print settings button 522, an execute button 524, and a cancel button 526. The print settings button 522 is a button for displaying a settings screen for changing the printing conditions. The execute button 524 is a button for sending a print instruction to the MFP. The print preview screen may also include information for changing the printing conditions.

[0038] The user operates the execute button 524 on the print preview screen SC12. As a result, the device control application 44 converts the file to be printed into print data and sends a print instruction including the print data and printing conditions to the MFP 100A identified in the selected device information 56. The device control application 44 also displays the home screen SC10 on the display unit 14. The device control application 44 executes a process for sending the print instruction to the MFP 100A and a process for displaying the home screen SC10 on the display unit 14 in parallel. Therefore, after the home screen SC10 is displayed, the process for sending the print instruction to the MFP 100A may be in progress. When the MFP 100A receives the print instruction from the PC 10, it executes the print function in accordance with the print data and printing conditions in the print instruction. In this way, the device control application 44 can be used to cause the MFP 100A to execute the print function.

[0039] (First display process; Figure 4) The first display process executed by the device monitoring application 42 of the PC 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The device monitoring application 42 executes the process of Fig. 4 when the device monitoring application 42 is started.

[0040] In S10, the device monitoring application 42 transmits a notification information request to the notification server 200. Upon receiving the notification information request from the PC 10, the notification server 200 transmits one or more pieces of notification information stored in the notification server 200 to the PC 10.

[0041] In S12, the device monitoring application 42 receives one or more pieces of notification information from the notification server 200. The device monitoring application 42 identifies, from the one or more pieces of notification information, notification information that includes a model name in the device table 50. If the identified notification information is not stored in the notification information table 52, the device monitoring application 42 associates the notification information with the display information "not yet" and stores it in the notification information table 52.

[0042] In S20, the device monitoring application 42 uses the device table 50 to monitor whether a monitoring condition is met. The monitoring condition is a condition for displaying a monitor screen, which will be described later. As an example, the monitoring condition is met when one remaining amount included in the remaining amount information in the device table 50 is less than a second threshold. As an example, the second threshold is "20." If the monitoring condition is met, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S20 and proceeds to S22.

[0043] In S22, the device monitoring application 42 executes a monitor screen display process (see FIG. 5). This process is related to the display of the monitor screen. When S22 ends, the device monitoring application 42 returns to S20. Note that in S20 after S22, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S20 if a remaining amount different from the remaining amount determined to satisfy the monitoring condition becomes less than the second threshold.

[0044] In parallel with the monitoring in S20, the device monitoring application 42 also monitors in S30 whether any of the notification conditions associated with the display information "not yet" in the notification information table 52 is satisfied. If the notification condition is satisfied, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S30 and proceeds to S32. Hereinafter, notification information including the notification condition for which a YES determination is made in S30 is referred to as target notification information.

[0045] In S32, the device monitoring application 42 uses the notification data in the target notification information to display a notification screen in the form of a pop-up display on the display unit 14. As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the notification screen SC110 includes a message 600 encouraging the user to subscribe to the subscription service and the model name.

[0046] 4, the device monitoring application 42 determines whether or not a notification screen operation, which is an operation on the notification screen, has been accepted. If the notification screen operation has been accepted (YES in S34), the device monitoring application 42 ends the display of the notification screen and proceeds to S36. In this case, the device monitoring application 42 changes the display information stored in the notification information table 52 in association with the target notification information from "Not yet" to "Completed." On the other hand, if a predetermined time has passed without accepting a notification screen operation (NO in S34), the device monitoring application 42 ends the display of the notification screen and returns to S20.

[0047] In S36, the device monitoring application 42 identifies device information including the model name in the target notification information in the device table 50, and supplies a first screen display instruction including the identified device information and the target notification information to the device control application 44. The first screen display instruction is a signal for starting the device control application 44. The first screen display instruction is also a signal for instructing the device control application 44 to display a subscription service information screen. When S36 ends, the device monitoring application 42 returns to S20. Note that the first screen display instruction may include only a part of the target notification information, for example, a notification ID, instead of the target notification information.

[0048] (Monitor screen display processing; Figure 5) The monitor screen display process executed in S22 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0049] In S50, the device monitoring application 42 displays a monitor screen on the display unit 14. As an example, the monitor screen SC112 in FIG. 9 includes a second device object 610, a first remaining amount table 612, a first purchase button 614, a first notification object 616, a notification list button 618, and a close button 620. The monitor screen SC112 is a screen displayed when a monitoring condition is met for the MFP 100A. The second device object 610 displays device information for the MFP for which the monitoring condition is met. The user can change the device information displayed in the second device object 610 by performing an operation on the second device object 610. The first remaining amount table 612 includes the remaining amount and model name of each colorant. The first purchase button 614 is a button for displaying a screen related to the first purchase service. The first notification object 616 is information corresponding to notification data. The first notification object is displayed only when it is associated with display information "Not Yet" in the notification information table 52 and notification information for which the notification condition is met exists. The notification list button 618 is a button for displaying the notification list screen.

[0050] 5, the device monitoring application 42 monitors whether a purchase button operation, which is an operation on the first purchase button on the monitor screen, is accepted. If the purchase button operation is accepted, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S60 and proceeds to S62.

[0051] In S62, the device monitoring application 42 supplies a second screen display instruction including device information corresponding to the monitor screen to the device control application 44. The second screen display instruction is a signal for starting the device control application 44. The second screen display instruction is also a signal for instructing the device control application 44 to display the first purchase service screen. When S62 ends, the device monitoring application 42 ends the processing of FIG. 5.

[0052] In addition, in parallel with the monitoring in S60, the device monitoring application 42 monitors whether a first notification object operation, which is an operation on a first notification object on the monitor screen, is accepted in S70. If the first notification object operation is accepted, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S70 and proceeds to S72.

[0053] In S72, the device monitoring application 42 supplies a first screen display instruction including device information corresponding to the first notification object to the device control application 44. When S72 ends, the device monitoring application 42 ends the processing in FIG.

[0054] In addition, in parallel with monitoring S60 and S70, the device monitoring application 42 monitors whether a list button operation, which is an operation on the notification list button on the monitor screen, is accepted in S80. If the list button operation is accepted, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S80 and proceeds to S82.

[0055] In S82, the device monitoring application 42 uses the notification information table 52 to display a notification list screen on the display unit 14. The notification list screen includes objects corresponding to notification information that is associated with and stored as display information "Done" in the notification information table 52. As an example, the notification list screen SC116 in FIG. 11 includes a plurality of second notification objects 630, 632 and a cancel button 634.

[0056] 5, the device monitoring application 42 determines whether or not a second notification object operation, which is an operation on a second notification object on the notification list screen, has been accepted. If the device monitoring application 42 accepts the second notification object operation (YES in S84), the process proceeds to S86. On the other hand, if the device monitoring application 42 accepts an operation on the cancel button on the notification list screen (NO in S84), the process in FIG. 5 ends.

[0057] In S86, the device monitoring application 42 supplies a first screen display instruction including device information corresponding to the second notification object to the device control application 44. When S86 ends, the device monitoring application 42 ends the processing of FIG.

[0058] In addition, in parallel with monitoring S60, S70, and S80, the device monitoring application 42 monitors whether a close button operation, which is an operation on the close button on the monitor screen, is accepted in S90. If a close button operation is accepted, the device monitoring application 42 determines YES in S90 and ends the processing in FIG. 5.

[0059] (Second display process; Figure 6) The second display process executed by the device control application 44 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] In S110, the device control app 44 determines whether or not it has received a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring app 42. If the device control app 44 has received a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring app 42 (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112. Note that the device control app 44 also determines YES in S110 when the device control app 44 is started in response to receiving a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring app 42. On the other hand, if the device control app 44 has not received a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring app 42 (NO in S110), the process proceeds to S140.

[0061] In S112, the device control application 44 determines whether the device control application 44 is currently executing a prohibited process. As an example, the prohibited processes include a process of sending a print instruction to the MFP, a process of sending a scan instruction to the MFP, a process of displaying a print preview screen on the display unit 14, a process of displaying a print conditions screen on the display unit 14, and a process of displaying a scan conditions screen on the display unit 14. If the device control application 44 is currently executing a prohibited process (YES in S112), the device control application 44 proceeds to S130. On the other hand, if the device control application 44 is not currently executing a prohibited process (NO in S112), the device control application 44 proceeds to S114.

[0062] In S114, the device control application 44 determines whether the model name included in the device information in the first screen display instruction matches the model name included in the selected device information 56 in the memory 34. If the two model names match (YES in S114), the device control application 44 proceeds to S120. On the other hand, if the two IP addresses do not match (NO in S114), the device control application 44 proceeds to S116. Note that if two or more MFPs with the same model name are registered in the device table 50, the device control application 44 may use the IP address instead of the model name in S50.

[0063] At S116, the device control application 44 changes the selected device information 56 to the device information in the first screen display instruction. As a result, when a home screen including the first device object is displayed on the display unit 14, the device information in the first device object is changed.

[0064] In S120, the device control application 44 displays a service introduction screen on the display unit 14. As an example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the service introduction screen SC14 includes a message 530 prompting the user to subscribe to the subscription service, a model name, a Next button 532, and a Cancel button 534. The service introduction screen includes the model name displayed on the notification screen or the model name corresponding to the first notification object on the monitor screen. In other words, the service introduction screen is a screen corresponding to the MFP specified in the notification screen or the first notification object on the monitor screen. In this way, the user can cause the PC 10 to display a screen corresponding to the MFP specified in the notification screen or the first notification object on the monitor screen by performing an operation on the notification screen or the first notification object on the monitor screen.

[0065] 6, the device control application 44 determines whether or not an operation on the Next button on the service introduction screen has been accepted. If the operation on the Next button has been accepted (YES in S122), the device control application 44 proceeds to S124. On the other hand, if the operation on the Cancel button on the service introduction screen has been accepted (NO in S122), the device control application 44 ends the display of the service introduction screen and returns to S110.

[0066] In S124, the device control application 44 supplies a first page display instruction to the browser application 46. The first page display instruction is a signal for causing the browser application 46 to display a web page corresponding to the subscription service. The first page display instruction includes device information. When S124 ends, the device control application 44 returns to S110.

[0067] If the determination in S112 is YES, in S130, the device control app 44 displays a warning screen on the display unit 14. As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, the warning screen SC18 includes a warning message 550 indicating that the service introduction screen cannot be displayed, and an OK button 552.

[0068] 6, the device control app 44 monitors whether an OK button operation, which is an operation on the OK button on the warning screen, is accepted. If the OK button operation is accepted, the device control app 44 determines YES in S132, terminates the display of the warning screen, and returns to S110. The device control app 44 also changes the display information stored in the notification information table 52 in association with the target notification information from "Completed" to "Not Completed."

[0069] Furthermore, if the determination in S110 is NO, the device control app 44 determines in S140 whether or not it has received an instruction to display the second screen from the device monitoring app 42. If the device control app 44 has received an instruction to display the second screen from the device monitoring app 42 (YES in S140), the device control app 44 proceeds to S142. Note that the device control app 44 also determines YES in S140 when the device control app 44 is started in response to receiving an instruction to display the second screen from the device monitoring app 42. On the other hand, if the device control app 44 has not received an instruction to display the second screen from the device monitoring app 42 (NO in S140), the device control app 44 returns to S110.

[0070] In S142, the device control application 44 executes a purchase service screen display process (see FIG. 7). The purchase service screen display process is a process for displaying a screen related to the purchased service. When S142 ends, the device control application 44 returns to S110.

[0071] (Purchase service screen display process; Figure 7) The purchase service screen display process executed in S142 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] S160 is the same as S112 in Fig. 6. If the device control application 44 determines YES in S160, it proceeds to S162, and if the device control application 44 determines NO in S160, it proceeds to S190. S190 and S192 are the same as S130 and S132 in Fig. 6, respectively. If the device control application 44 determines YES in S192, it ends the processing in Fig. 7.

[0073] In S162, the device control app 44 determines whether the sales server 300 supports a consumables purchase service by using the device information in the second screen display instruction and the service table 54 in the memory 34. The device control app 44 identifies the model name included in the device information in the second screen display instruction and also identifies the usage area. In this embodiment, the usage area is "Japan." The device control app 44 determines whether the purchase service information stored in the service table 54 in association with the identified model name and information indicating the usage area is "ON." If the purchase service information is "ON," the device control app 44 determines YES in S162 and proceeds to S170. On the other hand, if the purchase service information is "OFF," the device control app 44 determines NO in S162 and proceeds to S166. The processing of S162 also determines whether the usage area is an area in which the consumables purchase service is supported.

[0074] S164 and S166 are similar to S114 and S116 in FIG. 6, respectively, except that the device information in the second screen display instruction is used.

[0075] In S170, the device control application 44 displays a first purchase service screen on the display unit 14. As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first purchase service screen SC16 includes a model name, a second remaining amount table 540, an add button 542, and a cancel button 544. The second remaining amount table 540 includes the remaining amount of each color material cartridge, the model name, and check boxes corresponding to each color material cartridge.

[0076] 7, the device control app 44 determines whether or not an operation on the Add button on the first purchase service screen has been accepted. If the operation on the Add button has been accepted (YES in S172), the device control app 44 proceeds to S174. On the other hand, if the operation on the Cancel button has been accepted (NO in S172), the device control app 44 ends the display of the first purchase service screen and ends the processing in FIG.

[0077] In S174, the device control application 44 supplies a second page display instruction to the browser application 46. The second page display instruction is a signal for causing the browser application 46 to display a web page of the sales server 300 corresponding to the purchase service. The second page display instruction includes the model name and type information indicating the type of color material cartridge that was checked on the first purchase service screen. When S174 ends, the device control application 44 ends the processing of FIG. 7.

[0078] If the determination in S162 is NO, in S180 the device control application 44 supplies a third page display instruction to the browser application 46. The third page display instruction is an instruction to cause the browser application 46 to display a web page of the sales server 300 that does not correspond to the purchase service. After S180 ends, the device control application 44 ends the processing in FIG. 7.

[0079] (Specific cases: Figures 8 to 16) Specific cases realized by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0080] (Case A; Figure 8) Case A will be described with reference to Figure 8. In the initial state of Case A, in response to the notification condition corresponding to the model name "MN1" being met (YES in S30 of Figure 4), a notification screen SC110 is displayed on the display unit 14 (S32). Also, "MN1, IP1" is stored in the selected device information 56 in the memory 34 of the PC 10. Also, the device control application 44 is currently displaying the home screen SC10.

[0081] At T10, the user performs an operation on the notification screen SC110. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the notification screen operation has been accepted (YES in S34), and supplies a first screen display instruction including the device information "MN1, IP1" to the device control application 44 (S36). The device monitoring application 42 also changes the display information corresponding to the notification screen SC110 in the notification information table 52 from "Not yet" to "Completed."

[0082] The device control application 44 determines that it has received a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S110 of FIG. 6), and determines that the prohibition process is not being executed because the home screen SC10 is being displayed (NO in S112). The device control application 44 also determines that the model name "MN1" included in the first screen display instruction matches the model name "MN1" included in the selected device information 56 (YES in S114). In this case, the device control application 44 displays the service introduction screen SC14 on the home screen SC10 without changing the selected device information 56 (S120).

[0083] At T12, the user operates the Next button 532 on the service introduction screen SC14 on the PC 10. As a result, the device control application 44 determines that the Next button operation has been accepted (YES in S122), and supplies an instruction to display the first page to the browser application 46 (S124).

[0084] When the browser application 46 receives a first page display instruction from the device control application 44, it transmits a first page transmission request to the SP server 400. The first page transmission request is a signal requesting transmission of service information page data representing a service information page. When the browser application 46 receives the service information page data from the SP server 400, it displays the service information page SC210 on the display unit 14. The service information page SC210 includes an information message 700, a subscription button 702, and a cancel button 704. As an example, the information message 700 reads, "By subscribing to the subscription service, you can print at a fixed rate." When the user then operates the subscription button 702, a subscription process is executed between the PC 10, the MFP 100A, and the SP server 400.

[0085] (Case B; Figure 9) Case B will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In the initial state of case B, in response to the monitor condition corresponding to MFP 100A being met (YES in S20 of Fig. 4), monitor screen SC112 is displayed on display unit 14 (S50 of Fig. 5). Other points are the same as the initial state of case A of Fig. 8.

[0086] At T110, the user operates the first purchase button 614 on the monitor screen SC112. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the purchase button operation has been accepted (YES in S60), and provides the device control application 44 with an instruction to display a second screen including the device information "MN1, IP1" (S62).

[0087] The device control app 44 determines that it has received a second screen display instruction from the device monitoring app 42 (YES in S140 of FIG. 6) and determines that prohibition processing is not being executed (NO in S160). Furthermore, the device control app 44 determines that the sales server 300 supports the purchase service because the service table 54 stores purchase service information "ON" in association with the region information "JP" indicating the usage region "Japan" where the PC 10 is used and the model name "MN1" in the second screen display instruction (YES in S162). Furthermore, the device control app 44 determines that the model name "MN1" in the second screen display instruction matches the model name "MN1" in the selected device information 56 (YES in S164). In this case, the device control app 44 displays the first purchase service screen SC16 on the home screen SC10 without changing the selected device information 56 (S170).

[0088] At T112, the user performs an operation on the PC 10 to check the check box corresponding to the color material cartridge "BK" and to operate the Add button 542 on the first purchase service screen SC16. As a result, the device control application 44 determines that the Add button operation has been accepted (YES in S172), and supplies a second page display instruction to the browser application 46 (S174). The second display instruction includes the model name "MN1" of the MFP 100A and type information indicating the type of the color material cartridge "BK" that was checked on the first purchase service screen SC16.

[0089] When the browser application 46 receives a second page display instruction from the device control application 44, it transmits a second page transmission request to the sales server 300. The second page transmission request is a signal requesting transmission of first purchase page data representing the first purchase page. The second page transmission request includes the model name "MN1" and type information "BK." When the browser application 46 receives the first purchase page data from the sales server 300, it displays the first purchase page SC212 on the display unit 14. The first purchase page SC212 includes a selection object 710 and a basket 712. The selection object 710 is an object for selecting the type of product to purchase. The basket 712 includes information indicating the number of products to be purchased. In this case, because the color material cartridge to be purchased has already been selected, the basket 712 includes "1." The user can purchase the color material cartridge "BK" by selecting the basket 712 on the PC 10.

[0090] (Case C; Figure 10) Case C will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The initial state of Case C is similar to the initial state of Case B in Fig. 9.

[0091] At T210, the user performs an operation on the first notification object 616 on the monitor screen SC112. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the first notification object operation has been accepted (YES in S70 of FIG. 5), and supplies a first screen display instruction including the device information "MN1, IP1" to the device control application 44 (S72). In addition, the device monitoring application 42 changes the display information corresponding to the first notification object 616 in the notification information table 52 from "Not yet" to "Completed."

[0092] The device control application 44 executes the same process as in case A and displays the service introduction screen SC14 on the home screen SC10 (S120 in FIG. 6). In this way, the user can also cause the PC 10 to display the service introduction screen SC14 in response to executing an operation on the first notification object 616 on the monitor screen SC112.

[0093] (Case D; Figure 11) Case D will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In the initial state of case D, in response to the fact that the monitor condition corresponding to MFP 100A is satisfied (YES in S20 of FIG. 4), monitor screen SC114 is displayed on display unit 14. Monitor screen SC114 is similar to monitor screen SC114 of FIG. 9 except that it does not include first notification object 616. Furthermore, selected device information 56 in memory 34 of PC 10 stores "MN1, IP1." Furthermore, device control application 44 is not activated. Furthermore, display information "completed" is stored in notification information table 52 in association with notification information including notification ID1 and notification information including notification ID2.

[0094] At T310, the user operates the notification list button 618 on the monitor screen SC114. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the list button operation has been accepted (YES in S80 of FIG. 5). In this case, the device monitoring application 42 identifies that the display information "Done" is stored in association with the notification information including notification ID1 and the notification information including notification ID2 in the notification information table 52. Then, the device monitoring application 42 causes the display unit 14 to display the notification list screen SC116 including the second notification objects 630 and 632 corresponding to the notification information including notification ID1 and the notification information including notification ID2, respectively (S82).

[0095] At T312, the user performs an operation on the second notification object 630 on the PC 10. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the second notification object operation has been accepted (YES in S84) and supplies a first screen display instruction including device information "MN1, IP1" to the device control application 44 (S86). In this case, since the device control application 44 is not running, the device control application 44 is started in response to the first screen display instruction being issued to the device control application 44. Next, the device control application 44 determines that the first screen display instruction has been accepted from the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S110 of FIG. 6) and determines that the prohibition process is not being executed (NO in S112). Furthermore, the device control application 44 determines that the model name "MN1" in the first screen display instruction matches the model name "MN1" in the selected device information 56 (YES in S114). Next, the device control application 44 causes the display unit 14 to display the home screen SC10 including the first device object 508 for which the device information "MN1, IP1" is specified, and causes the service introduction screen SC14 to be displayed on the home screen SC10 (S120). In this way, the user can also cause the PC 10 to display the service introduction screen SC14 in response to performing an operation on the second notification object in the notification list screen SC116 on the PC 10.

[0096] (Case E; Figure 12) Case E will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The initial state of case E is the same as the initial state of case A in Fig. 8, except that the device control application 44 is currently displaying the print preview screen SC12.

[0097] At T410, the user performs an operation on the notification screen SC110. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the notification screen operation has been accepted (YES in S34 of FIG. 4), and supplies a first screen display instruction including the device information "MN1, IP1" to the device control application 44 (S36). In addition, the device monitoring application 42 changes the display information corresponding to the notification screen SC110 in the notification information table 52 from "Not yet" to "Completed."

[0098] The device control application 44 determines that it has received a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S110 of FIG. 6), and determines that the prohibition process is being executed because the print preview screen SC12 is currently being displayed (YES in S112). In this case, the device control application 44 displays the warning screen SC18 on the print preview screen SC12 without displaying the service introduction screen SC14 (S130). If the warning screen SC18 is not displayed and the service introduction screen SC14 is displayed on the display unit 14 instead of the print preview screen SC12, the user will need to perform an operation to display the print preview screen SC12 again. With the above configuration, the display of the print preview screen SC12 does not end, improving user convenience.

[0099] At T412, the user operates the OK button 552 on the warning screen SC18 on the PC 10 (YES in S132). As a result, the device control application 44 ends the display of the warning screen SC18. The device control application 44 also changes the display information corresponding to the notification screen SC110 from "Done" to "Not Done" in the notification information table 52. If the service introduction screen SC14 is displayed on the display unit 14 instead of the print preview screen SC12 after the OK button 552 on the warning screen SC18 is operated, the user will need to perform an operation to display the print preview screen SC12 again. With the above configuration, the user can operate the print preview screen SC12, thereby improving user convenience.

[0100] (Case F; Figure 13) Case F will be described with reference to Figure 13. In the initial state of Case F, the device information "MN2, IP2" is stored in the selected device information 56 in the memory 34 of the PC 10. Furthermore, the device control application 44 is currently displaying a home screen SC20 in which the device information "MN2, IP2" is described in the first device object 508. In Case F, it is assumed that, while the home screen SC20 is being displayed, the device control application 44 receives a first screen display instruction including the device information "MN1, IP1" from the device monitoring application 42.

[0101] At T510, the device control application 44 receives a first screen display instruction including device information "MN1, IP1" from the device monitoring application 42. In this case, the device control application 44 determines that it has received the first screen display instruction from the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S110 of FIG. 6), and determines that the prohibition process is not being executed because the home screen SC20 is being displayed (NO in S112). The device control application 44 also determines that the model name "MN1" in the first screen display instruction does not match the model name "MN2" in the selected device information 56 (NO in S114). In this case, the device control application 44 changes the selected device information 56 from "MN2, IP2" to "MN1, IP1," and changes the device information described in the first device object 508 in the home screen SC20 from "MN2, IP2" to "MN1, IP1." As a result, the home screen SC20 is changed to the home screen SC10. Next, the device control application 44 displays the service introduction screen SC14 on the home screen SC10 (S120). As described above, the selected device information 56 is changed from "MN2, IP2" to "MN1, IP1." Therefore, for example, after the display of the service introduction screen SC14 ends, the user can perform an operation on the home screen SC10 to use the functions of the MFP 100A. This improves user convenience.

[0102] (Case G; Figure 14) Case G will be described with reference to Fig. 14. In the initial state of case G, in response to the monitor condition corresponding to MFP 100B being met (YES in S20 of Fig. 4), monitor screen SC118 corresponding to MFP 100B is displayed on display unit 14. Also, in service table 54, purchased service information "OFF" is stored in association with model name "MN2" and region information "JP". Other points are the same as the initial state of case A of Fig. 8.

[0103] At T610, the user operates the first purchase button 614 on the monitor screen SC118 on the PC 10. As a result, the device monitoring application 42 determines that the purchase button operation has been accepted (YES in S60), and provides the device control application 44 with an instruction to display a second screen including the device information "DV2, MN2" (S62).

[0104] The device control application 44 determines that it has received a second screen display instruction from the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S140 of FIG. 6), and determines that prohibition processing is not being executed (NO in S160). Furthermore, the device control application 44 determines that the sales server 300 does not support the purchase service because the purchase service information "OFF" is stored in the service table 54 in association with the region information "JP" and the model name "MN2" in the second screen display instruction (NO in S162). In this case, the device control application 44 supplies a third page display instruction to the browser application 46 (S180).

[0105] When the browser application 46 receives a third page display instruction from the device control application 44, it sends a third page transmission request to the sales server 300. The third page transmission request is a signal requesting transmission of second purchase page data representing the second purchase page SC214. The third page transmission request does not include model name or type information. When the browser application 46 receives the second purchase page data from the sales server 300, it displays the second purchase page SC214 on the display unit 14. The second purchase page SC214 includes a selection object 720 and a basket 722. The basket 722 includes a "zero" indicating that a color material cartridge to be purchased has not been selected. Therefore, the user must perform an operation on the second purchase page SC214 to select the color material cartridge to purchase.

[0106] As described above, when the device control app 44 determines that the sales server 300 does not support the purchase service, it supplies a third page display instruction to the browser app 46. Assume a situation in which the sales server 300 does not support the purchase service, a first service purchase screen is displayed on the display unit 14, and a user performs an operation on the first purchase service screen. In this case, the browser app 46 transmits a second page transmission request to the sales server 300 in response to receiving a second page display instruction from the device control app 44. However, because the sales server 300 does not support the purchase service, the browser app 46 receives an error notification or second purchase page data from the sales server 300. In this case, the user's operation on the first purchase service screen is wasted. The above configuration can prevent the user's operation from being wasted.

[0107] Furthermore, when the region of use is not Japan, the device control application 44 supplies a third page display instruction to the browser application 46. This configuration also makes it possible to prevent the user's operations from going to waste.

[0108] (Case H; Figure 15) Case H will be described with reference to Fig. 15. In the initial state of case H, the device control application 44 is displaying the home screen SC10.

[0109] At T710, the user performs an operation corresponding to the subscription button 506 on the home screen SC10. This causes the device control app 44 to display, on the home screen SC10, the service introduction screen SC14 corresponding to the device information "MN1, IP1" in the first device object 508. In this way, the user can cause the PC 10 to display the service introduction screen SC14 in response to performing an operation on the subscription button 506 on the home screen SC10 on the PC 10. In other words, the device control app 44 can cause the display unit 14 to display the service introduction screen SC14 even without receiving a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring app 42.

[0110] (Case I; Figure 15) Case I will be described with reference to Figure 15. The initial state of Case I is similar to the initial state of Case H.

[0111] At T810, the user performs an operation corresponding to the consumables button 504 on the home screen SC10. This causes the device control application 44 to display, on the home screen SC10, a second purchase service screen SC22 corresponding to the device information "MN1, IP1" in the first device object 508. The second purchase service screen SC22 is similar to the first purchase service screen SC16 (see FIG. 9) except that it does not include a model name. The user can receive a purchase service by performing an operation on the PC 10 using the add button 542 on the second purchase service screen SC22.

[0112] (Case J; Figure 16) Case J will be explained with reference to Fig. 16. The initial state of Case J is similar to the initial state of Case H in Fig. 15.

[0113] At T910, the user performs an operation on the consumables settings button 510 on the home screen SC10. This causes the device control application 44 to display the consumables settings screen SC24 corresponding to the MFP 100A on the home screen SC10. The consumables settings screen SC24 includes a third remaining amount table 560, a second purchase button 562, and a cancel button 564. The third remaining amount table 560 is similar to the first remaining amount table 612 in FIG. 9.

[0114] At T912, the user operates the second purchase button 562 on the consumables settings screen SC24. This causes the device control app 44 to display the first purchase service screen SC16 on the home screen SC10. In this way, the user can cause the PC 10 to display the first purchase service screen SC16 in response to operating the consumables settings button 510 on the home screen SC10 on the PC 10. That is, the device control app 44 can cause the display unit 14 to display the first purchase service screen SC16 even without receiving an instruction to display the second screen from the device monitoring app 42.

[0115] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the PC 10 receives a notification screen operation on the notification screen SC110 (see FIG. 8) in accordance with the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S34 in FIG. 4), the PC 10 supplies a first screen display instruction to the device control application 44. When the PC 10 receives a first screen display instruction from the device monitoring application 42 in accordance with the device control application 44 (YES in S110 in FIG. 6), the PC 10 displays the service introduction screen SC14 (see FIG. 8) (S120). Therefore, the service introduction screen SC14 can be displayed using the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44.

[0116] Furthermore, when the PC 10 receives a purchase button operation on the monitor screen SC112 (see FIG. 9) in accordance with the device monitoring application 42 (YES in S60 in FIG. 5), the PC 10 supplies a second screen display instruction to the device control application 44. When the PC 10 receives a second screen display instruction from the device monitoring application 42 in accordance with the device control application 44 (YES in S140 in FIG. 6), the PC 10 displays the first purchase service screen SC16 (see FIG. 9) (S120). Therefore, the first purchase service screen SC16 can be displayed using the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44.

[0117] Generally, when a resident program displays a screen on the display unit 14, the processing load on the PC 10 increases in accordance with the screen, regardless of whether the screen is being displayed on the display unit 14. According to the above configuration, the service introduction screen SC14 and the first purchase service screen SC16 are displayed on the display unit 14 by the device control app 44, which is a non-resident program, rather than by the device monitoring app 42, which is a resident program. This makes it possible to prevent the processing load on the PC 10 from increasing.

[0118] (Correspondence) The device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 are an example of a "program set." The device monitoring application 42 is an example of a "first computer program." The device control application 44 is an example of a "second computer program." The PC 10 is an example of a "terminal device." The MFPs 100A and 100B are examples of a "printer." A subscription service and a purchase service are examples of a "service." The message 600 on the notification screen SC110 in FIG. 8 is an example of "service-related information." The first purchase button 614 on the monitor screen SC112 in FIG. 9 is an example of "service-related information." The notification screen SC110 in FIG. 8 and the monitor screen SC112 in FIG. 9 are examples of a "first predetermined screen." A notification screen operation, a purchase button operation, and a notification object operation are examples of a "first predetermined operation." The service introduction screen SC14 in FIG. 8 and the first purchase service screen SC16 in FIG. 9 are examples of a "service screen." The first screen display instruction and the second screen display instruction are examples of a "display instruction." MFP 100A is an example of a "first printer." The monitor conditions and notification conditions are examples of a "predetermined condition." The model name "MN1" is an example of "first device identification information." MFP 100B is an example of a "second printer." The model name "MN2" is an example of "second device identification information." The selected device information 56 is an example of "destination information." Sales server 300 is an example of a "server." The second purchase page SC214 in FIG. 14 is an example of a "web page." Japan is an example of a "predetermined region." The subscription button 506 on the home screen SC10 in FIG. 15 and the second purchase button 562 on the consumables settings screen SC24 in FIG. 16 are examples of an "object." The home screen SC10 in FIG. 15 and the consumables settings screen SC24 in FIG. 16 are examples of a "second predetermined screen." The prohibition process is an example of a "predetermined process."

[0119] In one aspect, S32 in FIG. 4 and S50 in FIG. 5 are examples of processing performed by a "first display control unit." S36 in FIG. 4 and S62 and S72 in FIG. 5 are examples of processing performed by a "supply unit." S120 in FIG. 6 and S170 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing performed by a "second display control unit."

[0120] In another aspect, S32 in Fig. 4 and S50 in Fig. 5 are examples of processing executed by a "display control unit" corresponding to the "first computer program." S36 in Fig. 4 and S62 and S72 in Fig. 5 are examples of processing executed by a "supply unit."

[0121] In yet another aspect, S120 in FIG. 6 and S170 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing executed by a "display control unit" corresponding to a "first computer program."

[0122] In addition, "supplying a display instruction to a second computer program" can also be said to supply the display instruction to a CPU operating in accordance with the second computer program so that the display instruction can be used in processing executed in accordance with the second computer program.

[0123] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0124] (First Modification) In the above embodiment, the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 are provided as a single package. In a modification, the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 may be provided as separate programs. In this modification, after the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 are installed on the PC 10, the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 work together to execute various processes.

[0125] (Second Modification) The "terminal device" is not limited to a PC, but may be a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, or the like.

[0126] (Third Modification) The "printer" is not limited to an MFP, but may be a printing device having a printing function among scanning and printing functions, a large-sized copy machine, or the like.

[0127] (Fourth Modification) The "service" is not limited to a purchase service or a subscription service, but may be an automatic shipping service or the like.

[0128] (Fifth Modification) Both the device monitoring application 42 and the device control application 44 may be resident programs or non-resident programs. In another modification, the device monitoring application 42 may be a non-resident program and the device control application 44 may be a resident program.

[0129] (Sixth Modification) The service introduction screen SC14 in FIG. 8 and the first purchase service screen SC16 in FIG. 9 do not have to include the model name of the MFP.

[0130] (Seventh Modification) The "device identification information" is not limited to the model name, but may be the serial number of the MFP, the IP address, the MAC address, etc.

[0131] 6 and S164 and S166 in Fig. 7 can be omitted. That is, when the device control application 44 receives an instruction to display the first screen or an instruction to display the second screen from the device monitoring application 42, it is not necessary to change the selected device information 56 in the memory 34. In this modification, the "storage control unit" can be omitted.

[0132] (Ninth Variant) Instead of the browser app 46, the device control app 44 may use the web view function of the device control app 44 to display the service information page SC210, the first purchase page SC212, and the second purchase page SC214 on the display unit 14.

[0133] (Tenth Modification) S112 in Fig. 6 and S162 in Fig. 7 can be omitted. In this modification, the "first determination unit," "third display control unit," "second determination unit," and "fourth display control unit" can be omitted.

[0134] (Eleventh Modification) The "region" is not limited to a country, and may be information indicating a wider range than country information, or information indicating a narrower range than country information (such as a city).

[0135] (Twelfth Modification) The home screen SC10 in Fig. 15 does not have to include the subscription button 506. Also, the consumables setting screen SC24 in Fig. 16 does not have to include the second purchase button 562. In this modification, the "fifth display control unit" can be omitted.

[0136] (Thirteenth Modification) S112 in FIG. 6 and S160 in FIG. 7 can be omitted. In this modification, when the device control application 44 displays a service introduction screen instead of the print preview screen, it is preferable that the device control application 44 stores the printing condition information set on the print preview screen. Then, when the device control application 44 subsequently displays the print preview screen, it uses the stored printing condition information. In this modification, the "third determination unit" and "sixth display control unit" can be omitted.

[0137] (Fourteenth Modification) The device control application 44 may execute S120 when the determination in S132 of Fig. 6 is YES. The device control application 44 may also execute S170 when the determination in S192 of Fig. 7 is YES.

[0138] (Fifteenth Variation) When the device control application 44 determines YES in S132 of FIG. 6, it is not necessary to change the display information stored in the notification information table 52 in association with the target notification information from “Done” to “Not Done.”

[0139] (Sixteenth Variation) In the above embodiment, the servers 200, 300, and 400 are physical servers. However, the servers 200, 300, and 400 are not limited to physical servers and may be virtual servers or virtual machines on a cloud. That is, the vendor may not prepare the hardware for the servers 200, 300, and 400 on its own, but may use an environment provided by an external cloud computing service. In this case, the vendor may prepare a program (i.e., software) for each server 200, 300, and 400 and implement the program in the above environment to realize each server 200, 300, and 400. In another variation, the servers 200, 300, and 400 may be installed on the Internet 6 by a business operator other than the vendor.

[0140] (17th Modification) In each of the above embodiments, the processes of FIGS. 3 to 16 are realized by software (for example, programs 40, 42, 44, 46), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0141] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

[0142] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A program set for a terminal device, comprising: the program set comprises a first computer program and a second computer program; The first computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to: a first display control unit that causes a display unit of the terminal device to display a first predetermined screen including service-related information related to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a user of the printer via the Internet; a supply unit that supplies, when a first predetermined operation on the first predetermined screen is accepted, a display instruction to the second computer program for causing the display unit to display a service screen related to the service; It functions as The second computer program causes the computer to: a second display control unit that displays the service screen on the display unit when the display instruction is received from the first computer program; A program set that functions as a (Item 2) the first computer program is a resident program, Item 10. The program set according to item 1, wherein the second computer program is a non-resident program. (Item 3) the first display control unit, when a predetermined condition corresponding to a first printer is satisfied, causes the display unit to display the first predetermined screen including first device identification information that identifies the first printer; the display instruction includes the first device identification information; 3. The program set according to item 1 or 2, wherein the service screen includes the first device identification information. (Item 4) The second computer program causes the computer to: The program set described in item 3 functions as a memory control unit that stores the first device identification information in place of the second device identification information as the destination information in the memory of the terminal device when the display instruction is received from the first computer program in a state where second device identification information that identifies a second printer different from the first printer is stored in the memory of the terminal device as destination information indicating the printer to which the print instruction is to be sent. (Item 5) The second computer program further causes the computer to: a first determination unit that, when receiving the display instruction from the first computer program, determines whether the server supports the service corresponding to the first printer identified by the first device identification information included in the display instruction; a third display control unit that, when it is determined that the server does not support the service, causes the display unit to display a web page represented by web page data received from a service server that provides the service, without causing the service screen to be displayed on the display unit; It functions as 5. The computer program according to claim 3, wherein the second display control unit displays the service screen on the display unit when it is determined that the server supports the service. (Item 6) The second computer program further causes the computer to: a second determination unit that, when receiving the display instruction from the first computer program, determines whether a usage area in which the terminal device is used is a predetermined area; a fourth display control unit that, when it is determined that the usage area is not the predetermined area, causes the display unit to display a web page represented by web page data received from a service server that provides the service, without causing the service screen to be displayed on the display unit; It functions as The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the second display control unit displays the service screen on the display unit when it is determined that the usage area is the specified area. (Item 7) The second computer program further causes the computer to: a fifth display control unit that causes the display unit to display a second predetermined screen including an object corresponding to the service screen; The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the first display control unit, when an operation on the object included in the second specified screen is accepted, causes the service screen to be displayed on the display unit even if the display instruction is not accepted from the first computer program. (Item 8) The second computer program further causes the computer to: a third determination unit that, when receiving the display instruction from the first computer program, determines whether the computer is executing a predetermined process in accordance with the second computer program; a sixth display control unit that, when it is determined that the computer is executing the predetermined process, causes the display unit to not display the service screen, but to display a warning screen indicating that the service screen cannot be displayed; It functions as The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the second display control unit displays the service screen on the display unit when it is determined that the computer is not executing the specified processing. (Item 9) The second computer program further causes the computer to: Item 9. The computer program according to item 8, wherein, when the warning screen is displayed on the display unit and an operation to terminate the display of the warning screen is accepted, the display of the warning screen is terminated without displaying the service screen on the display unit. (Item 10) A first computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The first computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to: a predetermined screen including service-related information corresponding to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a printer user via the Internet; a supply unit that supplies a display instruction to a second computer program for the terminal device to cause a service screen related to the service to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined operation on the predetermined screen is accepted; a first computer program that functions as a (Item 11) a second computer program for a terminal device, the second computer program comprising: The second computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to: a display control unit that, when receiving a display instruction from a first computer program for the terminal device to display a service screen on a display unit of the terminal device, the service screen being related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a user of the printer via the Internet, causes the service screen to be displayed on the display unit; a second computer program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 6: Internet, 10: PC, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 20: Communication I / F, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 40: OS program, 42: Device monitoring application, 44: Device control application, 46: Browser application, 50: Device table, 52: Notification information table, 54: Service table, 56: Selected device information, 100: MFP, 100A: MFP, 100B: MFP, 112: Operation unit, 114: Display unit, 116: Print execution unit, 118: Scan execution unit, 120: Communication I / F, 130: Control unit, 132: CPU, 134: Memory, 140: Program

Claims

1. A program set for a terminal device, comprising: the program set comprises a first computer program and a second computer program; The first computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to a first display control unit that causes a display unit of the terminal device to display a first predetermined screen including service-related information related to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a user of the printer via the Internet; a supply unit that supplies, when a first predetermined operation on the first predetermined screen is accepted, a display instruction to the second computer program for causing the display unit to display a service screen related to the service; It functions as The second computer program causes the computer to: a second display control unit that displays the service screen on the display unit when the display instruction is received from the first computer program; A program set that functions as a

2. the first computer program is a resident program, 2. The program set of claim 1, wherein the second computer program is a transient program.

3. the first display control unit causes the display unit to display the first predetermined screen including first device identification information that identifies the first printer when a predetermined condition corresponding to the first printer is met; the display instruction includes the first device identification information; 2. The program set of claim 1, wherein said service screen includes said first device identification information.

4. The second computer program causes the computer to:

4. The program set of claim 3, wherein when second device identification information identifying a second printer different from the first printer is stored in the memory of the terminal device as destination information indicating the printer to which the print instruction is to be sent, the program set functions as a memory control unit that stores the first device identification information in the memory as the destination information instead of the second device identification information when the display instruction is received from the first computer program.

5. The second computer program further causes the computer to: a first determination unit that, when receiving the display instruction from the first computer program, determines whether the server supports the service corresponding to the first printer identified by the first device identification information included in the display instruction; a third display control unit that, when it is determined that the server does not support the service, causes the display unit to display a web page represented by web page data received from a service server that provides the service, without causing the service screen to be displayed on the display unit; It functions as The computer program product according to claim 3 , wherein the second display control unit causes the display unit to display the service screen when it is determined that the server supports the service.

6. The second computer program further causes the computer to: a second determination unit that, when receiving the display instruction from the first computer program, determines whether a usage area in which the terminal device is used is a predetermined area; a fourth display control unit that, when it is determined that the usage area is not the predetermined area, causes the display unit to display a web page represented by web page data received from a service server that provides the service, without causing the service screen to be displayed on the display unit; It functions as The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the second display control unit causes the display unit to display the service screen when it is determined that the usage area is the predetermined area.

7. The second computer program further causes the computer to: a fifth display control unit that causes the display unit to display a second predetermined screen including an object corresponding to the service screen; 2. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the first display control unit, when an operation on the object included in the second predetermined screen is accepted, causes the service screen to be displayed on the display unit even if the display instruction is not accepted from the first computer program.

8. The second computer program further causes the computer to: a third determination unit that, when receiving the display instruction from the first computer program, determines whether the computer is executing a predetermined process in accordance with the second computer program; a sixth display control unit that, when it is determined that the computer is executing the predetermined process, causes the display unit to not display the service screen, but to display a warning screen indicating that the service screen cannot be displayed; It functions as The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the second display control unit causes the display unit to display the service screen when it is determined that the computer is not executing the predetermined process.

9. The second computer program further causes the computer to:

9. The computer program according to claim 8, wherein, when an operation to terminate the display of the warning screen is accepted while the warning screen is being displayed on the display unit, the display of the warning screen is terminated without displaying the service screen on the display unit.

10. A first computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The first computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to a predetermined screen including service-related information corresponding to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a printer user via the Internet; a supply unit that supplies a display instruction to a second computer program for the terminal device to cause a service screen related to the service to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device when a predetermined operation on the predetermined screen is accepted; a first computer program that functions as

11. a second computer program for a terminal device, the second computer program comprising: The second computer program causes the computer of the terminal device to a display control unit that, when receiving a display instruction from a first computer program for the terminal device to display on a display unit of the terminal device a service screen related to a service related to a printer that can communicate with the terminal device and that is provided to a user of the printer via the Internet, causes the service screen to be displayed on the display unit; a second computer program that functions as

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